Markha Valley Trek

• Acclimatization and sightseeing in Leh
• Can visit monasteries: Shey, Thiksey, Sangam, and Hemis
• Avoid river rafting, you can plan it after your trek.
• A visit to any high-altitude place or pass is not recommended.
• Stay in hotel

 

• Note: Downhill cycling tour around Leh without straining body.

This is an extra day added to the itinerary to help you get acclimatized better. Therefore utilize this day and try to stay outdoors. Acclimatization days in our treks are used to give your body time to adjust to the thinning air at high-altitude conditions. Several changes occur in your body while trekking in high-altitude regions and the purpose of acclimatization is to allow your body to operate optimally in a decreased oxygen level environment.

Leh is a major hub for adventure as well as a culturally rich center. It presents innumerable opportunities for sightseeing starting from the monasteries and temples, the local market as well as many places serving delicious local cuisine. Today, you can hike up to the Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, and Thiksey Gompa to experience the Buddhist culture. Thiksey Gompa is the largest in central Ladakh, located on a hill. Avoid gaining height by hiking to nearby passes or valleys. This is only to avoid stressing your body, as it may hinder the process of acclimatization.

Additionally, you can interact with the locals and fellow travelers to gain some knowledge about the adjacent areas. Roam in the Leh city and the Leh Bazaar. You can collect souvenirs from a variety of shops. You must spend the sunset at the Shanti Stupa, which is known for its dazzling lights in the evening. Say goodbye to the wonderful Leh and rest in your hotel. Your actual trekking day begins tomorrow.

• Altitude: Chilling - 3,200 m/ 10,500 ft; Skiu - 3,400 m/ 11,150 ft
• Drive Distance: 65 km | Duration: 2 to 3 hrs (Leh to Chilling)
• Trek Distance: 9 km | Duration: 4 to 5 hrs (Chilling to Skiu)
• Altitude Loss: 100 m/ 350 ft
• Drive through Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, and the confluence of Indus and Zanskar
• Accommodation in homestay/ camping

Get set as your real trek journey commences. You will be riding along the skillfully paved roadways crossing marvellous landscapes. Throughout the road, you will encounter military camps decorated with colorful big rocks around the camps. Do not miss Gurudwara Pathar Sahib on the right and Magnet Hill on the left as you move ahead. The Stok Range remains on the right until it vanishes slowly when you reach Hemis National Park. You will be pleasantly surprised once you reach Sangam. Indus and Zanskar rivers, both bottle green, yet so unique, form the most spectacular confluence. This point is also famous as starting end for rafting. Take a diversion here towards Chilling. The surrounding view henceforth changes magically. The open terrain beside the road enters into the closed valley. Valley has stunning purple, black, and grey shades of the mountains. Juniper and tall alpine trees will border the route as you cross the Zanskar river over green iron bridges. Take a deep breath once you get down at Chilling, as the walking will begin in a few minutes.  Chilling is the point where the Markha River merges into Zanskar.

The trek ahead incepts a steep ascent going through Zingchen Gorge. Amidst you will also cross the river on a trolley at Kaya-Do place. The trail many times comes across the river. Skiu will mark the first camping in the tents. It is located at the confluence of rivers Shgri Nala and Markha. Skiu village is largely divided into two sections, upper and lower village. Lower Skiu has 12 houses quite close to each other. A small trudge, old monastery, and ruins of a palace separate it from upper Skiu. There are small white stupas and mani stones laid towards upper Skiu. Markha River lies on the right of the village.

Most of the places here offer homestays. Relax after a mini-trek, while looking forward to the upcoming trek.

• Altitude: 3,700 m/ 12,200 ft
• Trek Distance: 16 km | Duration: 7 to 8 hrs
• Altitude Gain: 500 m/ 1050 ft
• Longest day but normal and plain slope.
• Markha is one of the largest villages in the valley
• Cafes on the way.
• 2-3 river crossing
• Monastery and palace visit at Markha.

Start fresh for the actual first trekking day. Be vigilant about birds and animals. Markha valley harbors enormous wildlife. Magpie birds will be visible right after you step out of the house. The trail is quite evident and well-paved intermittently. The Markha River will remain escorting on the right, which incepts from Kang Yatse peaks. In an hour a cafe can be spotted, take a small break here and keep walking. The trail is enclosed by the valley that goes through sparse forest cover. After another hour’s trudge and the first wooden bridge comes to Zanpa Yoakma.

In about 25 minutes another coffee shop at Hamourja is waiting for you to rejuvenate. You will cross the Markha River a couple of times during the trek as you pass through various winter settlements containing Lhatos (religious shrines built for the local deities) as well as Mani walls (walls made of stone inscribed with prayers). Look out for black sheep, deer, and mountain goats on these banks. Keep walking straight to Nagding village for another 40 minutes. Right in front of the houses spot meditation caves at a height on the valley walls. These caves are believed to be having paintings from the 20th century. The banks of the Markha River get wider and you can find yourself stepping in the powdered sand. Enjoy the feeling of Himalayan sands.

After about 1 hour from Nagding village, a big entrance of Sara village appears. The entrance is decorated with skeletons of wild animals. Unlike Skui, Sara seems like an open area. Sara Village is also home to a monastery and ruins of an old castle which is believed to be the resting spot of the Royal families on their way to Srinagar in ancient times. You may also see wheat plantations and Bushoi (a cotton-like flowering plant and also a natural painkiller). Also, a unique thing that you will notice is that the entrance to Sara village is decorated with skulls of animals like Yak or Sheep. These animal skulls are perceived as a sign of pride for the locals.                            

From here, the first tea houses arrive immediately after 30 minutes at Chalak village. The Chalak Village comes after crossing a wooden bridge. The village has houses placed on small hills with stone protection shelters for domestic animals at the base. Visit any of the villagers and they will greet you with Namkin Chai and biscuits. Re-energize with affectionate talks and hot drinks. You will see Barley fields in the village. From Chalak, it is a gradual ascent up towards Markha and you will pass by the section of the trail marked by Bharal horns.  The destination is 2 hours away from here. 

At every small distance, you can find Mani stones laid around white stupas. These stones are engraved with Buddhist prayers, some of them in the Sanskrit language too. Be humble in front of these historic symbols. Do not dare to touch these stones. The villagers believe these stones are protected by some powers, and any harm to them will cause harm to that person. Do not forget to notice the ruins of the palace at every turn in the valley. This can be figured out by flags at a height on small temples. These palaces were considered viewpoints and signalling points during the reign of the Kings. Markha Village is considered the largest village, you can find numerous houses, scattered away. You will have to walk in the running stream of the Markha River to reach the Markha village. The water in the Markha River can be thigh-high at some points, so it is better to take off your shoes and socks and pull up your pants to cross the river. The cold water will bring back all the energy. In 20 minutes, you can see the hamlet. Markha is the biggest village in the entire valley and comprises 25 houses.

• Altitude: 4,100m/ 13,400 ft
• Trek Distance: 13 km | Duration: 8 to 9 hrs
• Altitude Gain: 400m/ 1200 ft
• Teahouse at Umling Village
• Last Village Of The Valley
• View Of A Beautiful Monastery
• The path will intersect the River a number of times
• After Umlung, you will have the first look at Mt. Kang Yatse (6,400 m)
• Packed lunch on the way
• Accommodation in homestay/ camping

Take the most advantage of the innocence of the salient villages because today will probably be the last habitats on the route. Today is one of the most beautiful days of trekking and the views start opening up as you traverse the upper Markha Valley. The trail is beautiful and refreshing when it merges with flowing rivers and streams. These water bodies can also be crossed over a bridge. Umlung village is a small village and will serve as the last teahouse of the trek with yet another serene monastery to your sight.

After Umlung you can get the first sight of Mt. Kang Yatse(6400m). It seems as if the peak is calling you! Follow its voice, again overcome the river several times and enter the Hankar village. Try to spot the magically placed Tacha monastery on a mountain. It is the last hamlet of the trek and your refuge place.

• Altitude: 4,800 m/ 15,800 ft
• Trek Distance: 7 km  Duration: 3 to 4 hrs
• Altitude Gain: 700 m/ 2,400 ft
• An easy trek
• Amazing view of Kang Yatse
• Amazing view of Tigu Lakes
• Packed lunch on the way
• Accommodation in tent

Get all enthusiastic, after yesterday’s tough trek, today will be an easy and short trek. Start walking and in 1 km you will find diversions or paths separating out. The other route goes to Rupshu and Zanskar. Keep walking on the left path until a stone bridge. This marks that you are on the right trail. Henceforth, you can see many diversions, please be careful and follow the trek leader/guide. In the next 2 hours, the pastures of Thochuntse become visible. There camping sites and tea houses here. Thochnugtse also has some lovely green fields which are quite a contrast to the aridness of the desert in Ladakh. Keep walking slowly, enjoying the view. The trail is quite steep for like an hour after which becomes a gradual incline.

Try to engulf yourself in nature and move slowly just as you focus on the Kang Yatse peak. The peak seems to grow bigger and bigger. Surprisingly, tranquil twin lakes also come along the path. From the lakes, it is a long and gradual descent to the plateau of Nimaling. The trails enter into a huge grassland after a few fights crossing streams of the high altitudes. Sheep, mountain goats, and sometimes rabbits are found grazing at Nimaling. It is a pleasant camping place. It is the highest point you will attain on this trek and being the highest campsite Nimalaing offers spectacular views of the Kang Yatse Peak on the right. There are instances of snowfall at this site hence we prepared for that. Above all that, just try to merge into the high world and sleep in peace.

• Altitude: Kong Maru La - 5,200 m/ 17,100 ft; Chokdo - 3,700 m/ 12,100 ft
• Trek Distance: 16 km | Duration: 7 to 8 hrs
• Descent to Chokdo (Shang Valley) from Kongmaru La is a little long
• The highest altitude pass crossing along the trek makes it a difficult day
• Cross a stream terrain and proceed to the north
• It will take 2 to 3 hrs of a hike for Kongmaru La Pass
• Amazing views of Indus and Ladakh Range
• A steep descent and rocky terrain
• From Chokdo drive to Leh (2 hrs drive)
• Packed lunch on the way
• Accommodation in hotel

This day will be nostalgic and exciting, as this is the last day of the trek landing at the highest pass of the trek. Kongmaru La is visible distinctly from Nimaling on your left. Also, this day will be filled with surprises. Cross the stream near the campsite and then you will have to follow the clear trail to reach the pass. After a strenuous climb of 2 hours to Kongmaru La pass, you will be pleasantly welcomed by the Karakoram Range Mountains and the excellent array of peaks. Hold your breath for the mind-blowing sight of the huge K2 Mountain, the second-highest peak in the world. There are prayer flags moving along the wind. To your surprise, there is a good network connection from the pass.

The trail then gradually descends, coinciding with villages to say goodbye. The immediate trail from the pass has a steep and narrow descent which later opens to Chikirmo village. The descent can be pretty hard on your knees as it is quite steep. Throughout the route, you can get indulged in the scenery of the Indus Valley and the Ladakh range. After a gradual climb down and rocky terrain, you will reach Chokdo. This is the last stop of the entire trek, which also has many homestays. Get into the pickup vehicle that will take you to Leh.

Take a sigh of relief in this village, as your next stop will be the last stop, Leh. The further road is descending showing the monastery and Hemis Gompa. Fill them in your eyes, heart, and mind. Close your eyes to rewind the entire Markha Valley diaries.