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Perched high in the mountains, the Markha valley trek has ample thrilling activities to quench your thirst for adrenaline kicks. Traversing through a spectacular high-altitude world, you get to witness all of Ladakh’s beauty first-hand.
This trek gives you an unmatched opportunity to explore the hidden gems of the Himalayan settlement, their culture, wildlife and nature. So, pack your bags because the mountains are calling and well, you must go.
Leh
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Arrive at Leh (3500m) by flight. The flight to Ladakh is an amazing experience as one flies over the imposing Himalayan range offering breathtaking views. KVT representative will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for acclimatisation and in the evening stroll around in the market area. (Meals: Nil)
Today we will do the local exploration, visiting Leh Palace and nine story palace (built in 1553). One can have a beautiful view of Leh city and surrounding mountains. Then, we visit Shanti Stupa which is a Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) on a hilltop in Chanspa. This was built by Japanese monks to promote world peace.
The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Afterward, proceed to Shankar Gompa – it is a subsidiary of Spituk Monastery and belongs to the Gelugpa Sect. Later we visit the bazaar (local market) of Leh. After that come back to the hotel and relax. (Meals: Breakfast)
After breakfast, we will drive to our trek starting point i.e. Chiling – the point where Markha River drains into the mighty Zanskar River. Our day’s trek starts after crossing the Zanskar River. The initial part of the trail involves a steep climb for about half an hour and then the trail joins the road from here and flattens out.
From here it is a relatively flat walk above Markha River all the way till Skiu – a nice village nestled between huge rocky mountains. (Driving Time: Approx. 2hrs / Trekking Time: 2 – 3hrs / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Today the trek is long but it is an easy walk along the valley towards Markha. The trail from here has a few washout sections requiring you to climb up and down to pass the broken section of the trail. The colours of the barren mountains of Ladakh are truly spectacular and the mountains change colours dramatically as the sun rises and sets.
We follow the river and have to cross it a few times. We will have lunch in Sara, where there is usually some welcome shade in a tea tent. Climbing up to a small pass, we descend again to the river and a medieval fort, silhouetted on the hillside tells us that we have almost reached Markha. Markha is a small village and there will be time to explore the small monastery in the afternoon. Our camp will be on the grazing flats near the village. (Trekking Time: 6 – 7hrs / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast, we will visit the Markha Monastery. After this, we start trekking towards our next campsite. Just beyond Markha valley, the trail meets the Chacham Valley. Here we will visit Umlung Gompa – the most important in the valley and is affiliated to Hemis Monastery.
We continue our trek up to the valley and walk through Umlung Village to Hankar, which has more impressive fort ruins and a small gompa. From Hankar the trail turns off from the main valley and now follows the Nimaling stream to Thachungtse, where we camp for the night. We may be blessed with luck to watch wild sheep grazing on the high-up areas. (Trekking Time: 6 – 7hrs / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Today it will be a short walk to reach our next camping site, Nimaling. In this area, there is no permanent habitation but during the summer months, the shepherds bring their flocks of sheep and goats to graze on the high altitude pasture. The trail starts with a steep ascent for some time before the ascent becomes relatively gradual.
We should get to Nimaling by lunch time. In the afternoon there is an optional walk behind the camp towards Kang Yatze. This is worth doing and highly recommended for an impressive close-up view of Kang Yatze (6400m) – the highest peak in Markha Valley. (Trekking Time: 3 – 4hrs / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Today’s trek is relatively difficult. First, you have to negotiate the short but steep ascent to the high Kongmaru La. But what is perhaps more difficult is the steep, almost never-ending descent from the pass. We will start our day by climbing up to the Kongmaru La (5200m).
The ascent to reach the top of the pass is zigzag, long and steep, but the view from the top is worth the effort. From the pass, the descent is steep at first and then we enter into a spectacular gorge and follow a gradual descend.
Passing through Chuskurmo and Chokdo, we continue our long descent to the village of Shang Sumdo. (Trekking Time: 7 – 8hrs / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast, we start trek following a descending trail all the way to Hemis en route passing Martselang village. We will visit Hemis Monastery – it is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage. It holds the distinction of being the biggest as well as the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh.
Later we will board our vehicle and drive to Leh, en-route visiting Shey Palace. The monastery is known for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. It is said to be the second-largest such statue in Ladakh. Upon arrival at Leh, we will check-in to the hotel. (Driving Time: Approx. 1hr / Meals: Breakfast)
Early morning we will be transferred to the airport for flight to the onward destination via Delhi. (Meals: Breakfast)
