Markha Valley Trekking Tours

 

Markha valley exists in the south west of Leh town in between Zanskar and Stok mountain ranges of Trans- Himalayan Range. The area is one of the remotest of Ladakh where still to a great extent traditional life continues as it has in the past. The valley has a beautifull landscape and is well recognized for it’s biodiversity, environment,aesthetic and socio- cultural values. Two famous expedition summits, like Kangytse(6700 m) and Stok Kangri (6200 m) lie in this region.

Markha valley has many ancient monuments which include ruins of ancient forts, castles and significant monasteries founded in the 11th to 17th centuries. The whole valley population practice Mahayan Tibetan Buddhism.The livelihood of the local people depends on agriculture and livestock rearing.
All this make the area and important tourist destination for the trekking circuit in Ladakh and one of the best and most beautiful trekking routes in Ladakh.

 

Markha Valley Trekking Tours Highest Altitude: 3,850m
Duration: 10 Nights and 11 Days
Also Known As: Markha Valley Trek

 

Day 01: ArrivalDelhi
Arrive in Delhi by International flight met our representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day02: Delhi-Leh(Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation)
Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse.

 

Day03: Leh-Shey-Thiksey-Hemis
On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17'Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order. Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17'Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

 

Day04: Leh-Spitok(drive)-Trek to Zinchen (3200M)
Leave Leh early morning by Jeeps and reach Spituk (1 hr). Visit the Spituk Gompa, built about 500 years ago. Start the trek from here by crossing a bridge and walking south-west of the river Indus. The gorgesection leads to the confluence of Indus and Zinchen. Camp near the village of Zinchen. Overnight in Tents.

 

Day05: Zinchen-Yurutse(3900M) via Rumbak
It's a gradual climb from Zinchen to Rumbak. From here one gets fabulous views of the snow capped Stok Mountains. From here we move along the Rumbak Nala towards Yurutse. At Yurutse village you will find fields of barley and potatoes. Overnight in Tents

 

Day06: Yurutse-Skiu(3100M) via GandoLa
A gradual ascent followed by a steep climb gets one to the Ganda la (4900 M). From here views extend south to the Zanskar range and distant summits of the Himalayan range. This is followed by a long descent to Shingo village. From Shingo the trail heads into a narrow gorge leading towards Skiu. At Skiu there is a confluence of the rivers coming from Markha valley and Shingo. Overnight in Tents.

 

Day07: Skiu-Markha(3800M)
It's a very pleasant hike, up the Markha valley today with the trail crossing numerous streams. Markha is a quaint village with a deserted fort and a small village Overnight in Tents.

 

Day08: Markha-Thochuntse
From Markha the country changes and the warm, relatively heavily wooded sections of the lower Markha is left behind. One will be required to cross the river several times as there are no bridges here. Hankar, en route, is the highest village in the Markha valley. Overnight in Tents.

 

Day09: Thochuntse-Nimaling (4700M)
Trek starts on a good path with several small inclines and a series of grassy ridges. There are a series of mani walls (walls carved with Buddhist prayers) and chortens en route. This is one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh and is dominated by the Kangyaze peak. Overnight in Tents

 

Day10: Nimaling-KongmaruLa(5150M)-Sumdo
Today one will cross to the north of the Markha, climbing to the top of the highest of the three passes, the 5,306 M Kongmaru La, with its wonderful views from the top. There are snow peaks in every direction and on a clear day the giants of Karakoram, including K2, can be seen on the north-western horizon. The trail descends to the Martselang valley, following the Martselang stream to the village of Sumdo. Overnight in tents.

 

Day11: Sumdo-Hemis(4HrsTrek)-Leh
Today make an easy descent along the Martselang to where it broadens into the valley of the Indus at Martselang village. Board the awaiting jeeps. Visit Hemis monastery and after that drive to Leh via Shey and Thiksey monastery. Overnight in a hotel.

 

Day12: Leh-Delhi
Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight across the main chain of the Himalaya to Delhi.

 

Day 13: Depart-Delhi
its time to say goodbye. In time transfer to international airport to connect flight for onward journey.