Lahaul and Spiti are a paradise for mountain lovers. The rugged landscape, the simple rustic life, the folklore enamelled paths, and the star studded night sky, make Lahaul an enchanting destination. But, even this remote location hides a treasure.
Miyar Valley is compared to Yosemite National Park of America because of its landscape. Located between the Pir Panjal range and the Zanskar range, Miyar valley has opened up possibilities for trekkers. You could base yourself at a camp, and would take months to fully explore all the trails.
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You will pass the quaint villages, cloud covered peaks, and meadows of wild flowers whichever path you take from the base village of Urgos at the Miyar valley.
You will have to drive for ten hours to reach Urgos from Manali. But it is a picturesque drive, with landscapes alternating between valleys and meadows at every turn. You can also take a local bus, but it takes longer on the public transport. You will find ample facilities of homestay for a overnight halt at Urgos.
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From Urgos, you have to take a jeep ride to Khanjar. This will take less than an hour, and you will cross the beautiful river of Miyar enroute. After you start the trail from Khanjar, you will come across a beautiful meadow of flowers at Dhoksar. Here, there is a point, where the valley returns your echo from across the river. This truly makes it a magical spot.
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Going ahead, you will cross two Buddhist stupas facing each other across a small river. The fields are covered in little pink Himalayan orchids. The entire setting is like entering the Gates of Narnia. It is picture postcard perfect, and you will not feel even a small urge to move out from this place.
But you have to keep walking the trail, if you hope to reach Gompa by sundown. From the camp here, you can see the Castle Peak and the Neverseen Tower. From the lush green landscapes, you will suddenly come across a rugged terrain, with horses grazing on the short meadows. You can also trek to Chodung glacier from here.
Apart from this trail, Miyar has many other trekking routes, and it is truly a microcosm of all that Lahaul has to offer.
So, the next time you want to trek to an unexplored region of Lahaul, Miyar should be on the top of your list.
