Miyar Valley Trek

Drive Distance: 110 km | Drive Duration: 3.5 hours Transport will be arranged at 8.30 AM. This cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs 11,000 per Tempo Traveller (12 seaters), Rs 8,000 for a Tata Sumo (5-6 seater), shared among trekkers. At Shukto, you will be staying at homestays.

Drive Distance: 22 km | Drive Duration: 50 minutes | Altitude Gain: 9,000 ft to 11,564 ft Trek Distance: 7.2 km | Altitude Gain: 11,564 ft to 12,122 ft The road ends at Khanjar. You cross a suspension bridge that hangs over Miyar Nala to enter Kanjer village. This is the last village on the route. It is 31 km from Shukto. There are 13 villages inside this valley. This region has three distinct types of soils: Alluvial, Hill-type and Meadow type. The region supports cultivation only from June to September. The villagers mainly grow iceberg lettuce, seed potatoes, apples, sea buckthorns, cauliflowers, barley, asafoetida, and medicinal plants such as Kuth (Saucerrea Lappa), mannu (Innu Racemosa). From here the trail starts in a series of switchbacks while farms accompany you to the first campsite, Tharang. The place has a beautiful water stream nearby. Also, the flat meadow is used by locals to play cricket on occasions. You also find many steep rockfaces around this region which have attracted the attention of rock-climbers. The best part of the Tharang campsite is that you get to view Lahaul’s second-highest and most beautiful peak, Menthosa. It is known as the crown of Miyar Valley.

In the course of the whole trek, this is a slightly more challenging day. The trek initially is a flat walk and then there is a 10-15 minute descent to the bridge. From the bridge, there is a 20-minute steep climb towards Gompa and to the right is Gompa Nala. A little ahead you will find a shepherd's hut and around is a small water body which is also known as Gompa lake. From the shepherd’s hut, for 30 minutes the route gradually descends towards a flat meadow patch. From here a stretch of boulder section comes which again takes you up and down, the section gets slightly tricky because you will be walking over the edges at certain points. Also, the ups and downs across boulder sections can get slightly tiring. But the steep pyramidical mountains surround you all around. Eventually, the route descends to a flat region alongside the river. Here, the best part is to feel the beach-type walks and the constant gushing water. As you move more inwards the valley, the valley after every Nala gets wider and grander. Everywhere you look around there are valley openings. The trail is covered with multiple types of flowers.

The route walks alongside the river. The major portion involves flat walks. You'll come across the region by the name Chhudong. Chhudong is a huge meadow patch which is located right next to the river. The river here is very soothing and wider than anywhere else along the trek. The murky water on your right goes all the way to the snout. Since the valley has an active river running in between, by just walking alongside the river the trail is well marked and easily noticeable. It's hard for anyone to get confused about the route. Palpu is located near Castle Peak which again is a very beautiful campsite which offers a good view of the valley and Tharang peaks. From here if the weather is clear the chances of viewing Menthosa are also high.

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12,782 ft to 13,202 ft and back to 12,782 ft On this day we will go to the snout of the glacier which comes after going through a boulder section and a stream. Eventually, you reach a place which is the last small meadow patch located near seven icy ponds, this place is known as Kesar Yon Chu. From here on the actual glacier starts. The snout of the glacier is just 30 minutes from the ponds. Once you have reached the snout, Spend a good amount of time. Then return from here on the same route. There are two more river crossings on the way back.

Trek Distance: 14 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,782 ft to 12,665 ft The route walks alongside the river, Major portion involves flat walks. We come across the region by the name Chhudong. Chhudong is a huge meadow patch which is located right next to the river. The river here is very soothing and wider than anywhere else along the trek. The murky water on your right goes all the way to the snout. Since the valley has an active river running in between the valley, by just walking along-side the river it is well marked and easily noticeable, it's hard for anyone to get confused about the route. After the flat meadows of Chhudong, the valley squeezes with boulder patches. Then comes the cold stream from a valley right to you. Here the Stream comes from the same valley which also has Never Seen Tower and Castle Peak. Again the trail gets flatter and you walk next to the river. After a while again the boulder patches with few water streams need to be negotiated. Palpu is located near Castle peak which again is a very beautiful campsite which offers a good view of the valley and Tharang peaks. From here if the weather is clear the chances of viewing Menthosa is also high.

Trek Distance: 11.2 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,665 ft to 11,564 ft Drive Distance: 137 km | Drive Duration: 4 hours

Ans: 1 .