Miyar valley and Kang La 11 Days & 10 Nights Miyar valley: Yosemite of India, Crossing of 12 kms long Kang la glacier - 8 days trek

Package Itinerary

• Day 1 Manali to Udaipur (2,650m) - Chamrat (2,090m) - Urgos (3,250m). Drive.

  Starting trip from Manali, at the head of the lush green Kullu valley. The road slowly winds up the Lahaul valley. The landscape changes dramatically, the greenery being replaced by barren hillsides, where the village with their bountiful fields of barley, peas and potatoes, stand out in stark contrast. On entering Lahoul the Buddhist influence is visible in the many monasteries crossed on the way. The people here have distinct Tibetan features. Today we drive along the Chenab River. On the way we visit famous Trilok Nath temple and Mrikula Devi temple at Udaipur. From Udaipur follow a road, which has recently been constructed, through the narrow gorge making the entrance to Miyar valley. Cross the wooden bridge before Chamrat and continue on the true left bank of the valley. The village of Chamrat is with Mani walls and prayer flags, is the first village in the Miyar valley. Now road leads through flowered meadows and peas and millet fields to the village of Karput. Urgos is at the confluence with the valley leading to the Mt. Menthosa (6,443m), overnight home stay.
  
• Day 2 Urgos to Shukto Drive, Trek to Khanjar - Tharang (3,450m). 6 to 7 hours.

  Leaving Urgos, we drive 6 kms to Shukto - Khanjar bridge, across a stony moraine stretch and some side streams to Khanjar, the last village. above the village on a beautiful alpine meadow, carpeted with edelweiss and catmint. It is not rare to see the Himalayan Griffins and Lammergeyers.
  There are lovely pastures all along the trek up to the camping site. The trek continues to the left side of the stream. A side stream coming from the Shinkun La is forded to reach at a camping site. A side stream mingles here with the Miyar nullah. The camp is established here.
  
• Day 3 Trek Zardung (3,900m). 5 to 6 hours.

  Now gradual ascent over rich grazing pasture, during summer these areas are carpeted with wildflowers. Arriving at Gumba Nala and crossing the stream by a bridge we take Northwest and again continue over grassy meadows to reach the stunning campsite at Zardung.
  
• Day 4 Trek Palphu (4,000m) Kesar Yon Chhap /Snout of glacier. 4 to 5 hours.

  Leaving early Takdung Nala to be crossed this morning. After crossing an easy trail below the castle peak to Kesar Yon Chhap. Pimu nala and Pimu la can be seen across the Miyar nala. After lunch at Palphu, another stream coming from the Chhudong glacier is to be crossed. It's not so far from the campsite here. Crystal clear lake short before our wonderful campsite at the foot of Kang La glacier. For those who are interested in bouldering, there is a number of boulders suitable for rock climbers. The entire Miyar valley is a favorite grazing area and Shepherds can be seen all across the valley, know many trails that are not yet marked on maps. Arriving at camp, relax and explore in around. Kesar Yon Chaap which means seven sacred waters. at the snout of the Miyar glacier.
  
• Day 5 Rest & Acclimatization.

  A rest and acclimatization day at Kesar Yon Chhaap and final preparation before heading to Miyar glacier.
  
• Day 6 Trek to Camp 1 (4,200 m) Miyar glacier camp. 7 to 8 hours.

  Today from camp a short climb steep along the slopes for about an hour then along the left side of the glacier for hours. From today the trail from vast meadows is replaced with moraine and scree as the trek becomes tougher. Occasionally some grassy slopes with wildflowers to relax with a glacier view below.
  Finally descend to Jungpar glacier coming down from the true left of Miyar glacier and cross it to reach on the main Miyar glacier and to the campsite. The first view of Kang la glacier can be obtained from here.
  
• Day 7 Trek to Camp 2 (4,750 m) Base Kang la Jot. 6 to 7 hours.

  An early start today to make walking on snow easier, a gentle ascend right up the middle of the glacier. A spectacular & amazing view of snowy mountains all around while walking towards base camp. Miyar glacier, which is 28 km long, from camp at the snout of the glacier there is a choice of route. Walk across the terminal moraine to the left side of the glacier, route tiring ups and downs along an increasingly ill-defined trail. Demanding terrains for the first 7/8 km until the confluence with a glacier flowing from the East side. Easy going from here with a gradual ascent over smooth black ice. An occasional well-exposed crevasses to negotiate. Camp just above the confluence with the side glacier, there is 3 passes and the center one is the actual pass.
  
• Day 8 Cross Kang la jot (5,450 m) – Temasa Tokpo (4,800m). 8 to 9 hours.

  Leaving early camp with the first daylight, we walk along the middle of the huge snow-covered glacier at a gentle pace. A magnificent view down the valley to Menthosa is 6,443m. At the head of the glacier, a large snow field curves to the East side to the base of the pass. 250 m ascent from the snowfield to the pass is not hard. Better to rope up to crossing crevasses, than the 1.5 km long Kang la pass (5,450 m) enclosed by a rock cliff to the north and snow walls to the south. You will be rewarded with a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks and glaciers all around. We descend along the right side of the valley to the river junction.  After crossing Kang la pass camp near the two confluences of the 2 valley streams.
  
• Day 9 Trek to Burdan (3,670 m), Drive Padum (3,600 m).

  Now follow the true right side of the valley. After crossing the many side streams and grassy campsites, 2/3 km downs the valley follows the Temasa River. Arriving at a rocky plateau, the trail descends steeply in places through meadows and boulder fields. Temasa Tokpo remains on the right bank, it flows down to a grassy meadow above the Tsarap River. Continue for 2 hrs. to reach Burdan Road head, we will board our vehicles for Padum approximately for an hour. The districts headquarter of Zanskar sub-division. Overnight stay in a guest house or hotel.
  
• Day 10 Padum to Kargil. Drive 230 km. 8 to 9 hours.

  Today, leaving Padum the road to Penzi La (4,400 m) goes along the Stod River and by passing the small and beautiful villages of Tungri, Phe, Phey, Abran, and Aksho. You will see a gigantic Drang Drung glacier across the Penzi la towards the South. Crossing the Rangdum the road continues along the Suru valley to our final stop at Kargil.
  
• Day 11 Kargil – Srinagar or Kargil – Leh. 8 to 9 hours.

  Leaving Kargil, today you will have two options. Either to end trip in Leh or in Srinagar.
  Kargil – Leh route passes through Lamayuru and Kargil – Srinagar Road goes over the Zoji La pass.