MIYAR VALLEY TREK

A Trek that takes you to the Heart of Lahaul

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TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

TREK DURATION

7 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

13,202 ft

A Trek that takes you to the Heart of Lahaul

Very few people in our country have trekked in Lahaul. Hidden across the Rohtang Pass, which would remain closed through most of the year, the region was cut off for trekkers. But with the opening of the Atal Tunnel, came the possibility of trekking in Lahaul throughout the monsoons, when Lahaul is at its lushest best.

In this remote region of Lahaul, a valley filled with flowers hangs quietly, escaping the attention of trekkers. The route to this valley alternates between remote mountain valleys, quaint villages, and flower beds dominated by the overwhelming presence of Himalayan orchids. This valley is Miyar Valley.

The S-shaped Miyar Valley sits in between Zanskar and Chamba. It is nearly 75 km long. The Miyar glacier is nearly 36 km long to Kang La (17,600 ft pass to Zanskar). 

At the snout of the glacier are seven crystal clear blue ponds, considered to be sacred by Buddhists. Trekking here is a rare opportunity for most trekkers. And doing so in isolation, with very few others on the trail is a godsend. If you get a chance to trek to Miyar Valley, consider yourself lucky.

Very few people in our country have trekked in Lahaul. Hidden across the Rohtang Pass, which would remain closed through most of the year, the region was cut off for trekkers. But with the opening of the Atal Tunnel, came the possibility of trekking in Lahaul throughout the monsoons, when Lahaul is at its lushest best.

In this remote region of Lahaul, a valley filled with flowers hangs quietly, escaping the attention of trekkers. The route to this valley alternates between remote mountain valleys, quaint villages, and flower beds dominated by the overwhelming presence of Himalayan orchids. This valley is Miyar Valley.

Miyar Valley - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Miyar Valley trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Miyar Valley Videos
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Expert Speak

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

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Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

As one of the veterans of the trekking community in India, here's Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes, talking about the remotest trek in our country.

What I Like About the Miyar Valley Trek

What I Like About the Miyar Valley Trek

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Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

As one of the veterans of the trekking community in India, here's Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes, talking about the remotest trek in our country.

1. Lahaul Valley

I must have been 9 when I first witnessed the spectacle of Lahaul. I remember us snaking through the dusty roads sitting in a Jeep. The desert setting had stunned even a 9-year-old like me.

I was there because my father worked for the State Bank of India. He was inspecting remote branches of the bank in Lahaul. Somehow, he fought all ends to take us along with him. He knew the value of these travels.

As a young boy, I was mesmerised. I couldn’t believe barren mountains could have snow-capped summits. I could not imagine that in a land where no trees grow, there can exist a lush oasis teeming with life and colour. That image stayed with me as I grew up.

Later when I started trekking, I longed to see Lahaul once again. Somehow none of our expeditions ventured around Lahaul. It was too far and inaccessible.

Then around 10 years ago, in the early years of our explorations at Indiahikes, we launched the expedition to the Kugti Pass. The trek climbed famously over a 16,000 ft pass to drop down to the heart of Lahaul.

And there I was, the same 9-year-old mesmerized by what I was witnessing. It was as if time had stood still. The snow-dusted brown mountain tops, the valleys, and the oases were the same.

But there was more this time. I noticed the serene Buddhist culture. I noticed the harmony in the villages. I noticed how every village did not scatter beyond an understood perimeter.

And then I saw the colours.

Colours beyond the realms of imagination. I could not imagine brown with green. Or white with purple or yellow with orange. They were startling!

Recently, our teams have been exploring Lahaul. I think we are poised to open one of the greatest treks in Lahaul soon. But deep down, I wish I was part of this exploration. The 9-year-old is still mesmerised.

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Wide expanse of Miyar valley. Picture by Jothiranjan.

2. A confluence of rivers and farming villages

The Miyar river confluences with the Chandra Bhaga river near Udaipur village, which along with Trilokinath in Tunde are much-sought-after pilgrimages in the Lahaul and Spiti region. The open valley supports multiple glacier systems that extend from the Miyar glacier onto Kang La Jot which lies at an altitude of 17,939 feet. 

The much-revered peaks of Neverseen Tower and Castle Peak are within a 2 km radius of the Miyar Glacier. The Miyar Nala broadens at the end and functions as a support system for the farming villages in this region.

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Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Adventurous river crossings

River crossings also set this trek apart. You frequently come across wooden bridges on this trek. Crossing each one is an adventurous experience because you cross the rickety wooden bridge with a furious river roaring beneath you.  In two sections, there are no bridges. But the flow of the water can easily be negotiated. Just be prepared for the ice-cold temperature of the water.

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Trekkers crossing freezing cold stream originating from Miyar Glacier. Picture by Jothiranjan.

4. Thriving flora and fauna of the region

The natural vegetation mainly involves Juniper trees, Willow trees, Pine trees, Cedars, birch trees, Alder trees, Poplar trees, colourful Orchids, and lupins. The region also attracts a lot of birds post-summer, So you will get to hear them constantly. If you speak to the local shepherds you will hear stories about snow leopards attacking their sheep. Also, the region is full of wildlife, you will find blue sheep near the rocks of Zardong.

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Picture by Jothiranjan

5. Rare mountain views

Miyar Valley also offers views of certain rarely-seen mountains. They include the Castle peak, the magnificent Menthosa peak, and also Tharang  I, II, III.

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Tharang I, II, III. Picture by Jothiranjan.

6. A peek at an ancient travel route

The valley near Tharang goes towards Keylong via Tarsar Lamo pass. In the ancient past, people used to use this route to travel from Udaipur to Keylong via this route. This colourful valley showcases hanging glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, flat rock faces, fold-type mountains, various orchids, and nameless snow-capped peaks.

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Trekker walking towards Palpu. Picture by Jothiranjan.