Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights
Markha Valley Trek – Offbeat Trekking In Ladakh
Markha is a beautiful river valley in Hemis National Park, situated in the dry, frigid desert of Ladakh. The walk through the Markha Valley is exciting and incredibly beautiful.
The trek involves many river crossings, some waist-deep, along with taking you to a hight of 17,060ft while crossing the high pass of Kongmaru La. The trail offers some outstanding views of Mt Kang Yatse (21,300 ft). There are also amazing rocky canyons along the trail, as well as abundant of wildlife.
However, the quaint villages of Markha Valley are the most charming part of this walk. In the heart of Ladakh’s desolate mountains, the modest mud homes surrounded by verdant fields are a breathtaking sight. Buddhist prayer flags and traditional decorated kitchens are only two examples of the Tibetan culture that flourishes in these areas.
The nicest aspect is that you can spend the entire voyage in such beautiful homes. Markha Valley is one of the few tea-house treks in India because of the rural homestays scattered along the route. Without having to deal with the hassles of camping, this makes the walk an extremely fulfilling experience.
If you are in Ladakh for a short while and can do only one trek, this would be the ideal choice.
Highlights
- However, the quaint villages of Markha Valley are the most charming part of this walk. In the heart of Ladakh’s desolate mountains, the modest mud homes surrounded by verdant fields are a breathtaking sight. Buddhist prayer flags and traditional decorated kitchens are only two examples of the Tibetan culture that flourishes in these areas.
- The nicest aspect is that you can spend the entire voyage in such beautiful homes. Markha Valley is one of the few tea-house treks in India because of the rural homestays scattered along the route. Without having to deal with the hassles of camping, this makes the walk an extremely fulfilling experience.
- If you are in Ladakh for a short while and can do only one trek, this would be the ideal choice.
- The Markha Valley trek is also referred to as a “tea house trek,” since most of the villages along the way offer parachute tent accommodations.
- You can see the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, the 21,000-foot Kang Yatse, and the 20,086-foot Stok Kangri peaks, in addition to the dramatic contrast of trekking in a cold, dry desert valley.
The walk passes through the stunning Hemis National Park.
Itinerary
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1 - Arrival Delhi
Arrive New Delhi airport, meet & greet by our representative with Garland welcome & mineral water bottle & transfer to your hotel. O/n Hotel.
Day 2 - Delhi - Leh By Flight
Early morning board the flight to Leh, perhaps the most fascinating flight over Himalayas. Upon arrival in Leh, traditional welcome by our representative and transfer to a Ladakhi style hotel. Rest of the day free to take a complete rest for acclimatization due to the high altitude of Leh (3505 m). Evening take a walk in the colourful Market of Leh. O/n in hotel.
Day 3 - Leh Sightseeing
Morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to the Indus valley, visiting Shey Palace - a ruined Castle, after that visit the 14th century Thikse monastery, it is an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture. It is a glorious Buddhist monastery & a marvellous Buddha statue in the seated position is adorning the main prayer hall. Later back to hotel in Leh. Late afternoon enjoy the visit of Shanti Stupa (Japanese Pagoda) a magnificent white-domed structure, offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. O/n in Hotel.
Day 4 - Leh - Spituk (8 Km Drive) - Trek To Rumbak
Morning after breakfast drive to reach Spituk. Visit the Spituk Gompa, it is beautifully located on a hilltop and provides a beautiful view of the Indus Valley & Leh Airport. After that we will start our trek from Lato & we have an easy first day via the Zingchan to our tent at Rumbak (3800m / 12,467ft). O/n in Tent.
Day 5 - Rumbak - Ganda La
Morning after breakfast, start trek to Ganda La. We pass through the village of Yurutse to a camp at the foot of the Ganda La (4380m / 14,370ft). It is a hiking of 4-5 hours. Enroute we enjoy the remarkable panoramic & dramatic views under a sparkling sky. O/n in Tent.
Day 6 - Ganda La - Skiu
Morning after breakfast start trek to reach Skiu. This trek is very pleasurable and involves easy trail. Amidst the breathtaking gorges and natural vistas set as perfect backdrops, you walk for 3 to 4 hours. On arrival at campsite in Skiu, check into the Tent & relax.
Day 7 - Skiu - Markha
After breakfast, start trek beside the Markha River leads through several isolated hamlets to Markha Village (3800m / 12,476ft). Enroute you enjoy the awesome view of the lush vegetation, stunning flora and fauna. After 6-7 hours trek we reach in Markha Valley at our campsite. O/n in Tent.
Day 8 - Markha-Hanka
After breakfast, start trek by following the Markha River and crossing it on a couple of occasions, we trek to the highest village in the valley at Hankar. Enroute enjoy wonderful views & following the main trail through Humlung village and past its monastery, after 4-5 hrs walk we'll arrive at Hankar, the site of impressive fort ruins. O/n in Tent.
Day 9 - Hankar-Nimaling
Morning we climb steeply and trek up onto the Nimaling Plain, to a camp (4600m / 15,100ft) beneath the peak of Kang Yetse. This beautiful area is dominated by the mountain Kang Yetse (21,000 feet). We pass several Mani walls before reaching our tent in the wide open Alpine meadows of Nimaling at 15,490 feet. Total hiking time today will be 4–5 hours O/n in Tent.
Day 10 - Nimaling-Chugdo
Morning after breakfast start trekking on a zig-zag trail, we cross the Kongmaru La (5100m / 16,732ft) to Chugdo. After reaching on the top of Kongmaru La enjoy the excellent view of Mountain peaks of the Karakoram Range & Ladakh. After 6 hrs walk reach Chugdo at our tent site & relax. O/n in Tent.
Day 11 - Chugdo-Hemis-Leh
After breakfast trek down to Hemis via Oza and Sumdo. A gradual walk of about 13 kms will be covered in about 5-6 hrs. On arrival in Hemis visit the Hemis monastery- the richest monastery in Ladakh. Later drive continue to Leh enroute visit the Royal Stok Palace & museum (residence of the royal family of Ladakh). O/n in Hotel.
Day 12 - Leh-Delhi By Flight
Morning assistance transfer to Leh airport to board once again most fascinating flight to Delhi over the heights of the great Himalayas. On arrival in Delhi, pick-up by our representative & transfer to hotel & relax. Afternoon enjoy half day sightseeing including India Gate, famous monument built in memory of soldiers who died in 1st & 2nd World War, Rasthpati Bhawan (President House), Parliament House & famous (Sikh temple) Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. After dinner assistance transfer you to international airport for your flight to home country.