About Markha Valley Trek:

An arid cold desert trekking area that offers the best views of Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges has admirers worldwide. It is also known as a tea-house trek, as it is filled with the local culture of Ladakh. Witness the 21000 feet Kang Yissay and 20086 feet Stok Kangri peaks also while embarking on this trek.

Hemis National Park and Gandala La and Kongmaru La are the promising attractions one gets while taking the Markha Valley trek route. Another factor that makes this trek amusing is the waist-deep river crossing which helps us to cross the Markha River to reach the trails to Buddhist villages and rock structures. Markha Valley is in very close proximity to Leh which makes it more accessible for trekkers.

Quick Facts About Markha Valley Trek:

Duration: 9D/8N

Markha valley trek altitude:17100ft

Markha valley trek Difficulty level: Difficult

Trek distance: 75kms

Temperature: During the day: 20°C – 30°C and During the night 0°C – 10°C

Best Time To Travel: July to Mid September

Airport : Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

Basecamp: Leh

Atm: The last ATM where the travelers can withdraw cash is at Leh

Start point / End Point: Leh

Available dates:

July : 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

August : 7, 14, 21, 28

September : 4, 11

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Hemis National Park

Witness: Stok kangri 6135 mtrs and Kangyatse Peak 6496 mts
To Mount; Ganda La 4800 mts and Gongmaru La 5140 mts

Day 1 :

Day Highlights: Arrival at Leh

Meet at Leh and check in to the hotel. This day is reserved for relaxation and acclimatization as it is vital for a healthy trip ahead. Overnight will be spent in the hotel.

Day 2 :

Day at Leh

Spend one more day at Leh. Unravel the ancient monasteries, palaces, and museums that the place is famous for. Visit Shey and Thiksey Gompa and also Stok Gompa. Being in the same destination will assist in getting acclimatized well for high altitude. Towards the evening, enjoy a hike to Leh palace. The remaining evening will be spent at leisure. Overnight will be spent in a hotel.

Day 3 :

Leh - Zingchen (3400m) - Yurutse (4150m) (Trek/4hrs)

Today; on the first day of the Markha Valley trekking, indulge in an early breakfast and drive through Spikut Village to reach Zingchen. This is where your hike of short stage and moderate gradient begins. Enjoy the trail through Rumbak Village to reach Yurutse and come across several stream crossings. Pass the village before setting up camp. The site is a winsome one with barley fields all around.

Day 4 :

Yurutse (4150m) - Ganda La (4800m) - Skiu (3400m) (Trek 7/8hrs)

his balmy day, in the initial stretch of the trek, ascend to Ganda La (4900 m). Expect a steep climb and strong winds towards the latter half. From the pass, enjoy views of valleys on both sides, the Zanskar range, and some distant summits of the Himalayan range. Commence descending to Shingo Village, after which, the trail makes its way into a narrow gorge leading towards Skiu, where a confluence of the rivers come from Markha Valley and Shingo. Overnight will be spent in tents.

Day 5 :

Skiu (3400m) - Markha (3800m (Trek 6/7hrs)

Brace yourself for a long and moderate hike to the charming Markha Village, cross several streams along the way. Reach the hamlet that is a trove in the middle of this cold and arid desert. The place is laced with green fields, willow trees, and a deserted palace. Camp beside a gurgling stream. Overnight will be spent in camps.

Day 6 :

Markha (3800m) – Thochuntse (4150m, Trek /4-5hrs)

oday lap up fetching views all around and come across many streams and river crossings. Make way through settlements and grazing ground. Take in the stunning view of Kangyatze Peak (6400m) when walking towards Hankar. We will select a great camping ground and set a tent there. Overnight will be spent in tents.

Day 7 :

Thochuntse (4150m) - Nimaling (4700 m) (Trek/ 4hrs)

Wallow in a short walk to arrive at the Nimalaing campsite. The place is a beguiling one with a wide-open valley with unbridled grazing grounds and the backdrop of Kangyatze Peak. Do note that there is a constant wind blowing in the area making the situation slightly uncomfortable. If you wish, you can also avail of a side trip today towards the base camp of Kangyatse. Overnight will be spent in tents.

Day 8 :

Nimaling (4700m) - Kongmaru La (5150m) - Sumdo (3800m) - Leh 3500m (Trek 7hrs) (Drive 2hrs)

Dig into an early breakfast and take on a steep climb to reach the top of the highest pass on the trail - Kongmaru La (5200m). Take in the great sights of Nun Kun in the West and Saser Kangri to the North. Cherish some moments here before climbing down to Sukarmo, from where your trail is a flat walk along the river till you come to the road head at Sumdo. From here, hop on to a vehicle to drive back to Leh. Overnight will be spent at a hotel.

Day 9 :

Departure from Leh

The charm and allurement of the Markha Valley trekking end here as you go ahead with your onward journey or stay back in Ladakh.