Miyar Valley Trek

Miyar Valley Trek Overview:

In the heart of Lahaul, between the Zanskar and Chamba regions of the Himalayas, lies an offbeat trail brimming with countless wildlfowers. Hues of red, yellow, pink and blue dot the expansive grasslands and meadows as you quietly walk along an age-old glacial stream with boulder fields in the distance. Welcome to the enchanting setting of Miyar Valley! Also known as Lahaul’s ‘Valley of Flowers’ and for good reason, this S-shaped valley was an ancient trade route connecting Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh via the famed high mountain pass of Kang La (17,600ft).

One of the best kept secrets of the Central Himalayas, getting to Miyar Valley was not only extremely tedious and risky, but also impossible for six months when Rohtang Pass was snowed out. With the Atal Tunnel finally connecting Lahaul and Spiti to Manali for year-round travel, mountaineers, climbers and trekkers finally began to arrive! To get to its base village of Khanjar, you travel from the lush green hillsides of Kullu to the dry, arid and jagged mountains of Lahaul. The road takes you along the Chenab river and past the confluence of the Chandra & Bhaga rivers at Tandi, to which this valley owes its name (Chandrabhaga).

As you undertake this journey, what lies ahead of the wooden bridge at Khanjar, is nothing short of breathtaking! This gently ascending trail meanders along the Miyar Nallah, and takes you across a seemingly endless montage of the prettiest meadows one can step onto! Your destination is the second longest ‘moving river of ice’ in Himachal – the nearly 30km long Miyar Glacier! At the snout of this ever-receding marvel lie the crowning jewels of this trek. The seven sacred, emerald-green glacial lakes, traditionally known as ‘Kesar Yon Chhap!’

The 65 kilometers from the hamlet of Khanjar to Kesar Yon Chhap and back form a uniquely beautiful trail with some of the most mesmerizing sights, sounds and experiences you can have in the Indian Himalaya. Don’t you dare miss out!

Into the Heart of Lahaul – Highlights of the Miyar Valley Trek!

The Miyar Valley takes you into the inner folds of Lahaul and allows you to experience a stunning variety of geographical features – from glacial lakes, never ending grasslands and meadows to a stark range of mountains topped with sharp ridgelines and snow-capped summits! Here are some of the major points of attraction you wouldn’t want to miss out on:

• Kesar Yon Chhap translates to “Seven Sacred Waters” in the local dialect. This is a stunning amphitheater of seven glacial lakes shimmering in shades of emerald green, turquoise, and deep blue—found near the snout of the Miyar Glacier.
• En route, you’ll spot a couple of prominent peaks of the Chandrabhaga range, including Tharang (6,066m) and Mt. Menthosa (which at 6443m is the  second-highest peak in Lahaul).
• In the initial days of the trek, after leaving Khanjar, you’ll pass through the breathtaking Chhudong Meadows, blanketed in wild grasses and flowers.
• A long day’s walk takes you from Yolling to Zardong, a campsite near the Miyar Nallah, known for its surreal boulder-strewn landscape—a climber’s paradise!
• As you drive into Khanjar and begin the trek, you’ll walk past Miyar’s traditional farmlands. Locals cultivate barley, lettuce, potatoes, buckwheat, peas, and several medicinal herbs native to the region.
• If you visit in the right season (late June to mid-August), the valley bursts into bloom with wildflowers—thanks to the snowmelt. Expect to see blue poppies, primulas, potentillas, gentians, and orchids in an explosion of colors across the meadows and riverbanks.
• Wildlife sightings may include marmots, flocks of yellow-billed choughs, Himalayan brown bears, and migratory birds.
• Pause at the Buddhist stupas at Gompa, reflecting the deep-rooted Tibetan Buddhist culture of the valley.
• En route to Miyar, soon after you cross the Atal Tunnel, you also get a wonderful glimpse of the scenic Khagling Waterfall near Sissu.

How do you reach Miyar Valley?

The Miyar Valley trek begins from the quaint hamlet of Khanjar which lies roughly 140kms north-west of Manali.

• One can reach Manali by road with Delhi and Chandigarh being the usual locations most people choose to begin this journey from. Alternatively you can also fly to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu which is roughly 60kms away from Manali. Please be aware that Bhuntar is a small airport and flights are scarce and generally quite expensive.
• Departing from Manali, we drive to Khanjar via the Atal Tunnel crossing over from the Kullu region to a starkly contrasting landscape in the Lahaul & Spiti region of Himachal.
• From here we move towards the village of Udaipur from where we turn into the road towards Miyar valley. En route we will be crossing the famous towns of Sissu and Tandi where we can stop to witness the confluence of the Chandra & Bhaga rivers which form the beginning of the Chenab river.

Best Season to do the Miyar Valley Trek!

The best time to visit Miyar Valley is from mid-June to early September, with the absolute peak season falling between July and August. During this window, the snow has largely melted, the high-altitude passes are accessible, and the valley transforms into a tapestry of wildflowers, lush meadows, and gushing streams.

While June offers clearer skies and snow-dusted peaks, early September brings cooler weather and changing hues as the valley slowly prepares for winter. Outside of this summer window, access becomes difficult due to snow-covered passes and harsh conditions. So for trekkers, botanists, and photographers alike, July & August stand out as the most rewarding months to experience Miyar Valley.

Challenges on the Miyar Valley Trek – What To Expect?

The Miyar Valley trek is considered a moderately difficult trek that does not require technical or mountaineering skills. Listed below are some key points to keep in mind when planning to attempt this trek:

• The roadhead for the trek, Khanjar, is located at an elevation of 3,520 meters (11,500 feet)—a fairly high altitude. Since we’ll be driving up from Manali (2,050 meters / 6,725 feet), our bodies will begin to gradually acclimatize. However, it’s important to pay close attention to your health, especially during the first day or two. Our team will check in with you daily to monitor your condition.
• Over the course of the trek, we gain only about 500 meters of elevation (for reference, Kesar Yon Chhap, the highest point of the trek, sits at 4,020 meters / 13,200 feet). What’s more important to be prepared for is the length of each day’s walk. On average, we’ll be covering 8–12 kilometers per day on a gradual incline. While the days will be long in terms of distance, the elevation gain remains moderate.
• Along the trail, you’ll also encounter a few tricky sections, including crossings of a few boulder field and several glacial streams and rivulets feeding into the Miyar Nallah.