Brief Description
Miyar Valley Trek starts from Udaipur in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh. The trail starts from the village of Shukto in the stunning Miyar Valley - the Yosemite of the Himalaya. The walk is mostly on an easy flat trail through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Central Himalaya. Miyar valley hosts medicinal plants and herbs, wildlife like snow leopard and the Himalayan brown bear apart from countless migratory birds, sapphire and ruby encrusted rocks, and seven crystal green glacial lakes. We follow the Miyar River across vast pastures, wildflowered grassland and cold glacial streams till Kesar Yon Chhaap, an idyllic campsite near the snout of the 24 km long Miyar glacier, surrounded by hidden lakes. The best time to do Miyar Valley is May - June, and September - October. Scroll to the bottom to read some amazing blogs posts. The page includes all essential information like - Miyar Valley trek route map, temperature and weather charts, photos and videos.
Gallery
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Miyar Valley in the evening
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Walking next to the Miyar River
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Looking down the Miyar Valley
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Gompa Lake
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Temple near Thanpattan
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Herd of sheep near Gompa
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Boulders at Zardung
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Herd of sheep near Gompa
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Crossing streams en route Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Zardung Camp
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Boulders at Zardung
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Yolithang Camp
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Jumping over small streams
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Meadows covered with Himalayan Fleece
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Rainbow in the Miyar Valley
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Rainbow in the Miyar Valley
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Zardung Camp
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Castle Peak
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Emerald green lakes at Kesar Yon Chhaap
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Himalayan Fleece near Kesar Yon Chhaap
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Manali to Changut (10,500 ft) via Udaipur - 135 km Drive
We leave from Manali early morning and drive across the Rohtang Pass to Udaipur in the Chandrabhaga valley. From Udaipur, we turn north into the stunning Miyar valley to the small village of Changut. Overnight in Changut.
Changut to Thanpattan (11,800 ft) via Shukto (11,300 ft) - 4 km
We have a short drive till the roadhead at the village of Shukto, from where we cross the Miyar nallah on a swaying wooden bridge to start our hike. Just across the bridge is Khanjer, the last village in the Miyar valley. The trail winds up the village to the local temple and chorten. We will walk through the pea and cabbage farmland of Khanjer before crossing a couple of streams. From here, we walk across vast meadows for a couple of kilometres before coming to the campsite at the grazing grounds of Thanpattan, where we will set camp. There is a chorten on a small hill near the campsite you can visit in the evening. Overnight in Thanpattan.
Thanpattan to Yolithang (12,300 ft) - 6 km
Today is another short walk on easy trail to another idyllic campsite at Yolithang. There is an initial steep section to the chorten after which views of the upper valley open up. There are huge rock cliffs on either side of the valley. We will pass through the grazing grounds of Tharang, filled with pink Himalayan fleece and the huge rock and ice faces of Tharang peak to our right. It is a short walk from Tharang to Yolithang, our campsite for the day.
Yolithang to Zardung (12,800 ft) - 10 km
Although this day's walk is longer than the first two days, the trail is still fairly flat and easy. We will cross a boulder field near our campsite and descend to a vast grassland that continues for 3 km. On our right, another subsidiary valley offers views of a gigantic rock pyramid - a pass over this valley connects to Darcha on the Manali Leh highway. From here the valley turns slightly eastward to Gompa, another campsite with a couple of small lakes that relfect the surrounding mountains. From Gompa, we walk to Zardung. Zardung is a magnificent campsite with gigantic boulders, some of which are said to contain precious stones. The evening is well spent exploring the boulder area. Overnight in Zardung.
Zardung to Kesar Yon Chhaap (13,100 ft) - 10 km
Today is the most interesting day of all. The Miyar valley becomes even more beautiful as we walk towards the source of the Miyar river. We will cross a glacial stream coming down from our right (true left) - the stream iscold and wide and fans a distance of almost half a kilometre. From here, a short walk brings you to a section of the terminal moraine of the Miyar glacier, across which lies our campsite at Kesar Yon Chhaap - which literally means seven holy waters. There are seven emerald green lakes near our campsite, which you can explore in the evening - see if you can find them all! Overnight in Kesar Yon Chhaap.
Kesar Yon Chhaap to Gompa (12,800 ft) - 16 km
Today, we will retrace our steps halfway down the valley to the campsite at Gompa we passed on our way up. Overnight in Gompa.
Gompa to Changut (10,500 ft) via Shukto - 14 km
We will walk down to Shukto today and board our vehicles for Changut. Overnight in Changut.
Changut to Manali via Udaipur - 135 km Drive
We will drive back via Atal tunnel to Manali, which we will reach late in the evening (around 4PM). The trip ends in Manali. Please keep a 2 hours gap in case you are booking a return bus from Manali on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
is a moderate level trek i.e. it requires more strength and endurance than easy level treks. It is recommended that you first gain an experience of trekking to altitudes higher than 3000 metres, and then move one level up with this trek. However, if you are a beginner but committed to prepare, then you need at least 2-3 months to prepare physically & mentally for this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale.
Eligibility: Experience required
You must have done a small trek of 2-3 days before and hiked to an altitude of more than 3000 meters.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 4 Kms in 35-40 mins or Walk continuously for 8 Kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better)
- Hold your breath for 25-30 seconds
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tet, toilet tent.
- Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails.
- Basic mountain mannerisms.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Miyar Valley Trek
The Miyar valley trek is one of the best treks for people stepping up from their first Himalayan trek. It offers some of the most stunning landscapes in the Indian Himalaya, with easy flat trails.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
May-June and August-October
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for text packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Fairly isolated over Rohtang Pass, Ghepan Ghat's nearest hub of civilization is the quaint village of Sissu, which doubles as the trailhead for this trek. Enjoy the Buddhist gompas (particularly the beautiful Labrang Monastery) and the peace that comes with this oasis. Keylong, another cultural hub, is 30km further down the highway. In the other direction lies a fun day trip to Rohtang Pass, the Beas Temple and Manali over the other side. Manali is the gateway to Solang Valley where you can participate in adventure activities like paragliding, and zorbing in the summer months when the snow melts. Visit the ancient Hadimba Devi Temple which has an interesting mythological tale associated with it. Walk through the charming lanes of Old manali. Visit the bazaar to buy some souvenirs. Jogini Fall and Vashisht Temple are other famous attractions in Manali. You can also visit Rohtang pass while you are in Manali.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
Homestays will be provided where necessary. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents/Huts as per the itinerary. Along with this, there will be also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks.
Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable.
There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper and menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack.
In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Manali has a reasonable size market. However, we will have to head to Lahaul and there will be no time for shopping. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are a single woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base site for Miyar Valley Trek is Manali.
Manali is well connected to Delhi with through road and air. There are no direct trains from Delhi though.
By Road
The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 536 km. There are overnight HPRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi for Manali. It is a 14-hour journey by bus. You can book your bus tickets online through hrtchp.com or any other bus services available. You can also hire a private taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi.
By Rail
To reach by train, take a direct train from Delhi to Pathankot. Some of the trains that run on this route are Delhi-Pathankot Express, Jammu Tawi Express, Delhi-Dhauladhar Express. You can then take a bus from Pathankot to Manali. Or you can take a connecting train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar which is the nearest station to Manali. There are buses running frequently between Joginder Nagar and Manali.
By Air
The nearest airport is Bhuntar airport which is located 50 km from Manali. There are taxis available at the airport which will take you to Manali. You can also take local buses that keep running from Bhuntar to Manali frequently. Buses are decent and very cheap compared to a taxi that can cost you around INR 2000 to 2500 depending upon the season.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
There is connectivity for all major networks in Manali. You will lose connection as we drive towards Rohtang Pass. There is decent BSNL network in the Miyar valley, even till the second day of the trek - at Yolithang.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Meals during the trek starting dinner on Day 1 till breakfast on Day 8
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges/Permits, Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Camping tents, Sleeping bags, mattress
- Microspikes, gaiters, seat harness, carabiners, helmet as required
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with Wilderness Emergency Responder
- Experienced Local guide, cook, helpers
- Porters or mules for carrying common luggage
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of Insurance
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
- Carriage of personal rucksack
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
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