Category: Moderate Adventure.
The Markha trek is the most frequently visited trek in Ladakh for many reasons. Endangered and rare Himalayan wildlife, high passes and remote buddhist villages that are still linked to the outside world only by trails. You will get glimpses of traditional, Ladakhi villagelife and be met by hospitability and friendliness along the way, before entering into the rough wilderness that surrounds the two high passes on the trek.
Note:
- 50% advance payment confirms your booking.
- We will transport all your belongings for you so that you only have to carry your day pack with camera, water bottle and jacket.
- We serve three meals a day including snacks and drinks. We provide a variety of tasty healthy food including Indian, Chinese and Western meals with lots of vegetables and fruit.
What is included in the tour
- Flights ( Delhi – Leh- Delhi- Cochi- Delhi)
- Airport transfers in Leh
- Accommodation in Leh for 4 nights with breakfast
- Local sight seeing
- English speaking Trekking guide
- Cook & assistant
- Food during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Tents (sleeping, dining, kitchen, toilet)
- Sleeping mats
- Pack horses
- Transportation by private jeeps
- Camping fee
- Wildlife fee
- Transport by car to Nubra valley with return for 2 days
- Hotel accommodation in Nubra valley with breakfast.
- GST / Tax Included
What is NOT included in the tour
- All alcoholic beverages,
- Personal insurance and expenses of a personal nature like laundry, phone calls, alcohol, cigarettes, and insurance;
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
- Good down sleeping bags can be provided at an additional cost of Rs.200 per day.
- Two high passes above 5000m
- Markha Valley
- Heightest Camping Nimaling at 4700m
- Interaction with locals and insight into their lifestyle
- highest point 5200m
Day 01: 16th August: Fly To Leh. Overnight In Hotel In Leh.
Day 02: 17th August: Acclimatisation And Sightseeing
Day 03: 18th August: Drive to Chilling 3300m and trek to Hamurtse 3500m (2 hrs drive & 4-5 hrs trek)
After a hearty breakfast at hotel, we drive to the starting point of our trek, Chilling, a tiny village known for its handmade copper utensils. Shortly after Chilling, we cross the Zanskar River on a newly built road and meet our horsemen and horses ready to take us on our adventure through the Markha Valley. Following the Markha River, we come across the villages of Kaya and Skiu and follow the trail through willow groves, barley fields, narrow gorges and high cliffs, where you can spot the remains of small 'dzongs' (forts). This whole valley is the approach to the lush pastures of the high altitude grazing of Nimaling.
Our camp for tonight is the small pasture ground of Hamurtse.
Elevation: +250m -50m
Day 04: 19th August : Hamurtse- Umlung 3900 m (4-5 hrs hike)
The trail continues along the Markha River, with some crossings now and then. We pass the remains of old hermitage caves high on the opposite cliffs. Inside are the remains of tiny caves where lamas once sat in meditation, platforms carved in rock. Look also at the Chortens, inside are piles of tiny 'Tsatsas', the remains of ashes of the departed formed into tiny pyramids. After about 4 hours of hike we reach the village of Markha, the largest village in the valley and inhabited by 20 families. After taking a good rest in the village, we continue along the Markha River and soon come across a mountain that seats the auspicious monastery of Techa. It’s a steep
half an hour climb to the monastery, but it’s worth visiting. From here, it is a short walk to Umlung.
Elevation +440m -40m
Day 05: 20th August : Umlung - Thachungtse 4200 m (4-5 hours)
The trail continues along the Markha River, past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the village of Hankar, the last one in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will get our first view
of snowy peaks above Nimaling, which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. Our campsite for tonight will be the lovely green pasture of Thachungste.
Elevation +380m -80m
Day 06: 21st August : Thachungtse - Nimaling 4600 m (3-4 hours)
Today we will gradually climb our way up to Nimaling, where the people of Markha Valley bring their herds of Yaks and sheep to graze during the summer months. Nimaling is the highest camp on the trek providing us with the spectacular views of the snowy peak of Kangyatse (6400 m) and the endless range of mountains that go as far as the eye can see.
Elevation +400m -0m
Day 07: 22nd August : Nimaling- Shang Sumdo 3750m via Kongmaru La 5200m- Leh (5-6 hrs trek & 1 hr drive)
We will gradually ascend towards our second pass, Kongmaru La. The trail is easy and little steep at the last section. Once on the top we will have wonderful view of the Indus Valley and the Ladakh Range. The descent is quite steep, but will gradually level out as we enter Shang Gorge,
with its fascinating rock formations. More river crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour-spring of Chhukirmo and further to Chogdo.
The trail becomes easier and the valley opens up as we get closer to the village of Shang Sumdo. Here will be met by our car, waiting to drive us to Leh.
We will say farewell to our horseman and horses and hop in the car to head back to Leh.
Guesthouse/ breakfast
Elevation +650m -1500m
Day 08: 23rd August : Leh- Hunder via Diskit (5-6 hrs)
We leave Leh in the morning hours, driving towards Khardung La, the highest motorable pass that stands at (5450 m). As we drive higher towards the pass, we can feel the thin air and sudden drop of temperature. The view from the pass is impressive, especially towards the north that provides views of the snowy peaks of Saser Kangris in the Karakoram Range. After enjoying the view, we continue down into the valley and visit the monastery of Diksit, built in 1420 by Lama Sherab Zangpo during reign of king Drakspa. It sits majestically on top of a windswept hill overlooking the village below. From Diskit it is only about 30 minutes’ drive to Hunder the green village of Hunder.
Overnight in Hunder
Day 09: 24th August : Hunder- Leh via Sumur (5-6 hrs)
From Hunder we drive to Sumur village and visit the visit the monastery of Samstanling, situated on the hillside above the village. Recently H.H. The Dalai Lama gave a teaching here and re-inaugurated the monastery. This gompa has an impressive collection of gilded deities, murals and brightly colored thankas. After visiting the monastery we retrace the road back to Leh.
Overnight in Leh
Day 10: 25th August: Fly To Delhi.
