Minimerg valley (2845m) was on the ancient trade route between Srinagar and Gilgit till 1948, when it became a hotly contested area between India and Pakistan. All cross-LOC movement stopped after that.
Strategic importance of this valley is that on one hand, it leads into Kargil— the chock point between Srinagar and Leh — and on the other, it is a shortcut to Bandipora valley in Kashmir. One can cross over to Neelum valley from here as well.
How to reach Minimerg
- Islamabad- Babusar Pass- Naran- Chilas-Astore-Chilam-Minimerg
- Islamabad- Skardu- Deosai- Astore-Chilam-Minimerg
- Islamabad-Gilgit-Astore- Chilam-Minimerg
- At Astore you must get the permission letter to proceed for Minimarg and Domel. You have to get the permission letter from DC office and get it stamped by army officer at the army messin Astore.
- It is mandatory to get the permission withut which you can not go further the route and you need to have reservation at the guests house which are operated by the governement.
- PWD rest house are present at Chilam and Minimerg.
- Dorne and areal footage are not allowed and will be taken away by the army.
- Only four wheeler 4×4 Vehicles are allowed to go ahead the minimerg road.
The real beauty of GB-Azad Kashmir presents its self after Astore — where the population becomes scarce. The road from Astore to Minimarg is lovely. The air is clean and scented. The trees have not been chopped yet and the water is clear blue. The weather is cold even in summers.
Minimerg
About 540kms (17 hrs.) from Islamabad, Minimarg is the ultimate cabin-in-the-woods destination in summers, when temperatures down below are 40 0 C. Even in summers Minimarg is a cool 10 0 C.
Minimarg is connected to Taobut town of Neelum Valley through a mountain Pass called the Kamri Bal (4172m). People say it is the ultimate hikers’ paradise— pristine pine forest, high altitude cool breeze and absolute quietness.
While going to Minimarg, the moment we crossed Burzil Top Pass at 4100 m, a lush green valley opens up with a stream flowing across its length. Tall mountains, with snow still on top, lined the road on both sides. The prairies, yaks grazing and log cabins of locals looked mesmerizing.
The flora is unique to this place. Flowers are brightly colored and contrast with the green fields all around. It snows Burzil Top in the middle of June.
How to Reach Domel
Domel, which is a few hours from Minimarg and is reachable with a 4×4 off road vehicles. It is 15 km from Minimerg.
The road up to Domel is covered with dense. The mountains were covered in dense vegetation and trees.
Crystal Lake and Rainbow Lake
Domel had a natural lake called the ‘crystal lake’ which feds into a man-made laked named the ‘rainbow lake’. The water to these lakes came from winter ice that was still intact on the slopes of the mountains.
From Astore you need to hire a jeep for the whole trip as some turns are tight and decline is quite steep.
Passes
- Burzil Pass (4100m) to Minimarg is only open from June-September
- Kamri Das Pass: In old day, the Maharaja of Kashmir used Kamri Das Pass to reach his subjects in Gilgit.
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