Markha Valley Trek

Trek Highlights:

Region: Leh

• Total Duration – 6 Nights / 7 Days
• Maximum Altitude – 5100 m/ 17000 ft.
• Grade – Moderate.
• Best Season – May to October
• Accommodation – Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite
• Food – On trek – All meals included
• Distance – 72 KM.

Day 1: Arrival at Leh. (3500m.) 

Reporting – Acclimatization – Orientation & Briefing of the trek – Trek Preparation & window shopping

(Sufficient time would be given for visiting market and nearby places)

Meet at Leh and check into the hotel. This day is reserved for relaxation and acclimatization as it is vital for a healthy trip ahead. Today, you will be reaching Leh. All of a sudden when you take in the cool dry air of Ladakh, your body won't conform to the new changed environment, that too in only couple of hours ! We will be meeting in the afternoon for briefing and orientation. 

Overnight will be spent in hotel.

Day 2: Leh - Chilling (3195m.) - Skiu (3366m.)  (6-7hr.)

Today we start early morning to drive till Chilling. The bridge to cross the river is broken by the recent flood and hence you get to cross the river in an interesting rope trolley. I bet if if have not done it before, adventure begins right away!

All your trek stuffs and equipment are transferred in the similar fashion. Once you cross the river, the horses are loaded and then we are set to start our trek to Markha Valley. Today, we camp at Skiu. A 3 - 4 hour easy trek on mostly flat trail with occasional short ascends and descend.

The trek route is very interesting and the landscape is very fascinating and unique. Sudden appearance of few green patches on the otherwise barren, creamy mountain adds a unique contrast to the scenery. Sightings of few wild animals and locals enhances the day. Our campsite is defined and we after some 2-3 hours reach our campsite.

Day 3: Skiu - Markha (3760m.) (5-7hr.)

Waking up to a wonderful morning in Skiu, today we trek to the village of Markha. An easy trek with almost a flat walks on most part of the trail, with occasional short ascents and descends like yesterday's. You will be having 5 - 6 hrs of walking today.

The views throughout are breathtaking. Watch out for the different and unique rockscapes and structures of the mountains formed by wind and water erosion. With our previous experiences, we tried to tickle our imagination with the illusions created by these unique structures and strongly supported our conclusions of what they looked like -  ‘trunks of elephant’, ‘doorway to a very old tomb’, 'dinosaurs', etc. Its an interesting game to play which keeps us engaged with the mountains continuously and it goes unrealised when we reach our campsite.

Markha is a very beautiful campsite. The campsite is designated on a flat meadow with the a stream flowing by. Do take time out in the evening to visit an old monastery nearby.

Day 4:  Markha - Hankar (4030m.) (4-5hr.)

The trek to Hankar from Markha is a short one, and we have kept it so to enable you to spend some good time in this prosperous valley of Greens with snow covered peak of Kang Yatse hovering over it from the top. You will be having 4 - 5 hrs of trek for today.

Its just an beautiful place to be in, and just passing by will not do justice to it. Spend a night here, talk to the local herders and farmers. Know more about them. All of these makes your journey memorable, not just the photos.

Day 5: Hankar - Tachungtse (4376m.) - Nimaling (4841m.) (5-7hr.)

After spending a peaceful night in the village of Hankar, today we will head to the high altitude pasture land of Nimaling. The terrain changes immediately after crossing Hankar with no mentionable greens to be seen further. The route is jaw-dropping with unique structures of the mountains and the rocks. Here its very easy to spot blue sheep and ibex, snow leopards too !!

A walk of some 2 - 3 hours brings us to a small grassy plains which is the designated campsite of Thochungtse. After taking some rest here, we head towards Nimaling. We will be having 5 - 6 hrs of trek today.

After crossing Tachungtse, we climb a mountain hump straight ahead of us. At that altitude, it does take some time, but once done, enjoy up-close views of Kang Yatse. A huge massif, overwhelming us with its presence. We reach a small lake where we rest and watch the reflection of Kang Yatse on the water surface. Its from here, the route splits and one goes to Kang Yatse base camp and the other one descends to Nimaling - a vast plateau encircled by tall mountains all over.

Day 6: Nimaling - Chogdo (3905m.) - Leh (3500m.)

Today you will be walking towards Chogdo from Nimaling. The walk is of 4 - 5 hrs. Then you drive back to Leh. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh

Day 7: Depart Leh

Today, you will be leaving Leh and flying to your destination. 

Others Details

A wonderful introductory trip to the remote and magical Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. This superb trek, begins at Stok, passes through beautiful mountain villages; colorful Buddhist monasteries, and the high altitude pastures of Nimaling (home to the legendary snow leopard and Himalayan blue sheep) – from which the views of the Kanz Yatze Peak are magnificent.