Minimarg Astore | Rama Meadows Lake, Pakistan 2025
Until 1948, the Minimarg in the Domel Valley (2845 m) served as an ancient trade route connecting Srinagar and Gilgit. However, it became a heavily contested area between Pakistan and India, and all movement between the Line of Control (LOC) ceased after the incident. Pakistan gained control of this territory after 1947, thanks to our Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts. India made A second attempt to reclaim it in 1971. But India backed down.
Minimarg is significant for several reasons: it leads into Kargil, provides a shortcut to the Bandipora Valley in Kashmir, and serves as a choke point between Srinagar and Leh. Additionally, the Neelum Valley is accessible from this area. You can join our Astore Minimarg Rainbow Lake Tour Package.
Minimarg Hotels
There are currently no hotels available for overnight stays in Minimarg Valley. To reach Gilgit, the Maharaja historically used the nearby Kamri Das Pass, which is open year-round, as the Burzil Pass (4100 m) is only accessible during the summer months. Minimarg is an excellent destination for camping and cabin-in-the-woods enthusiasts during the summer. It is approximately 540 km (17 hours) from Islamabad. Despite the hot summers, Minimarg maintains a cool temperature of about 10°C.
Taobat to Minimarg Valley Track/Trek:
An ancient route runs between Taobat Baala and Minimarg to Astore, Skardu, and Gilgit. It was a trade and nomadic route throughout Kashmir’s history, joining Srinagar with Gilgit Agency, Chitral, and Afghanistan. It was closed to civilians in recent history following the partition and Indo-Pak wars in Kashmir. The highest point between Taobat and Minimarg is Kamri Top. It’s a very scenic route, but since it’s along the Line of Control (LoC) between Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, it’s heavily militarized. The Pakistan Army currently controls this region.
It’s permanently closed for civilian crossing. Some people have done it in the past, but that requires a heavy rank in the army. Also, there’s no guarantee even if you secured the Permission. The army Choki (small settlement) might send you back from Kamri top. So, you won’t be able to enter Minimarg from there. It has happened with many in the past, since you can’t send a signal to your permission source from Kamri Top.
Track via Astore to Minimarg:
The alternate route to enter Minimarg is from Astore to Chillum Choki. And then cross Burzil Top on a vehicle and descend into Minimarg. It, too, requires Army permission, but it’s relatively easier, and many people having friends or links in the army enter Minimarg. Now Camping is allowed in Domail right before Minimarg. So, you can only stay at the army mess, provided they have space there. Some army personnel isn’t visiting on those dates, so the mess is usually reserved. The map shows you the road because you selected the road/paved road option on the map.
Rainbow Lake Minimarg
There is a crystal-clear lake called Rainbow Lake located on the outskirts of the village of Domel, which is part of the remote Minimarg Valley in the Astor District. Mountain streams supply fresh water to the lake.
This picturesque lake is in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Minimarg Astore valley. The landscape of this lake is open and wild, with lush green meadows surrounding it. It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The stunning and lovely place becomes even more romantic under a gray sky. The lake is supposed to be home to wild trout, according to the legend of Domel.
These glaciers feed these lakes, whose ice was still intact on the mountain slopes when these lakes formed. It is 15 km away from the Chillum checkpoint to Rainbow Lake. On your way through the forest, you will see Rainbow Lake huts on your right.
Things to do
Rainbow Lake is 55 kilometers from the Chilam check post. It feels like entering another world. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, lush green landscapes, and tall cedar trees, the lake is a serene escape. Boating is available at the lake, with rates set at 200 rupees for children and 300 rupees for adults. Boating in the clear green water of Rainbow Lake is an unforgettable experience.
How to get Minimarg Permission?
To obtain permission for Minimarg, visit the AC office located at the beginning of Rama Road, near the Astor lorry depot. Write a request on a simple piece of paper stating that a group of us is visiting for tourism purposes and would like to go to Minimarg, Domel Valley. Kindly request the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
This request will be approved by Mr. AC’s CA, who will sign it, and the clerk will then type out the NOC. Make sure to carefully include your bike or car number, ID card number, departure date, and any other necessary details. The clerk will produce three copies, stamp them, and hand them to you.
Updated April 2025: No Permission Required Now
Once you have the copies, proceed to Deosai Road, where the bazaar ends. There is a petrol pump in front of a 100-meter climb. After you finish climbing, continue straight to the roadside army mess. Hand over the three copies to the young man at the gate of the Army Mess. You may have to wait outside for a short period, after which he will seal and return two copies to you. Keep one for your records.
If you have recorded the date as the same day, please note that travel is permitted only to Chilam Chowki after one o’clock that day and beyond Minimarg after 5:00 PM.
You should submit one of the two copies at the Chilam check post before crossing the Burzil Pass to reach Minimarg. Domel and Rainbow Lake are approximately a 40-minute drive from Minimarg. There are hotels and food available in Minimarg, and overnight stays are also possible. If both the AC Sahib and the Army Officer are present, the entire process should take about half an hour at most.
