Trekking in Markha Valley Ladakh Himalayas
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Home >>Markha
Valley Trek
After the spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh we spend several days for
essential acclimatization with sightseeing at Buddhist monasteries. The trek
starts at the village of Spituk and after crossing the Ganda La we descend into
the Markha Valley. We continue to the beautiful Nimaling plains dominated by the
impressive Kang Yatze peak. From here we cross the Kongmaru La with superb views
south to Zanskar and north to the Karakoram range. We descend from the pass
through a steep canyon with wonderful coloured rock and then drive back to Leh.
Destination: Ladakh (India)
Trek Grade: Gentle
Duration: 14 Nights/ 15 Days.
Minimum Group Size: 2 people
Cost: -2010 US $ 1095/- Per Person on Twin Sharing Basis.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DELHI.
On arrival in Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel for immediate
occupancy for rest of the time.
DAY 2: DELHI-LEH (3520M) :
An early morning transfer to domestic airport for the flight Leh. This surely is
one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right
over the Greater Himalaya. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven through Leh
to check in at your hotel. Leh is
11,500ft/3,505m above sea level and therefore we recommend that the rest of the
day is spent resting - to help you adjust to the altitude. Overnight at hotel or
guest house.
DAY 3: LEH
After breakfast commence full day monastery visit, as Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa,
Tsemo Castle and Spituk, Rest of the time local market. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4: LEH-SHEY-THIKSEY-HEMIS-MARTHSELANG (3650M):
After an early breakfast drive to Marthselang en route visit the most famous
monasteries as Shey Palace, Thiksey & Hemis Monasteries. Later continue drive to
Marthselang, overnight at camp.
DAY 5: MARTSELANG-CHOGDO-CHUKIRMO (4230M) 6-7 HRS TREK:
After a leisurely breakfast at your camps in Martselang you shall start
trekking, since this is our first day of trekking, porters and mule mans will do
the load distribution for balanced loading on the mules. Today’s trek is going
to be gentle one. Start trekking, the trail in the beginning is a jeep able wide
trek, as you cross first village of your trek, the trail becomes thin and passes
through the paddy and wheat fields, after some time the trail disappears and you
shall be walking in the river bed, hopping over the small streams and boulders,
you shall then take a left turn in the river bed and after walking for about an
hour you shall arrive at your campsite for the evening.
DAY 6: CHUKIRMO-NIMALING OVER KONGMARU-LA (5120M) 7-8 HRS TREK:
You shall begin early today, the trail starts with very gentle rise in the
beginning as you start approaching the foot of the pass gradient becomes more
steep and soon you shall approach one of the most strenuous part of the trekking
as you approach the top of the pass, the trail becomes steep and turns into
small zigzag stretches. Once you reach the pass the views of Nimaling plains on
the other side of the pass and Mt. Kang Yatze (6400 Meters) on left hand side
are breathtaking. Start gradual descend towards the Nimaling plains and turn
left to go further below to the Nimaling pastures, you shall cross the Markha
river today, either over a bridge made up of wooden planks/log or through knee
deep water, you shall then arrive at one of the biggest grazing grounds of
Markha valley and your campsite for tonight. An evening walk towards the ridge
line shall offer you great views of Mt. Kang Yatze. Nimaling is also going to be
the highest camp on your trek.
DAY 7: NIMALING-HANKAR-MARKHA (3650 M) 5-6 HRS TREK:
Start walking through the pastures and cross a small mountain lake, as you start
descending to the village of Hankar, you shall cross the river for more than one
occasion and the trail shall then enter in the fields of paddy as you approach
the Village of Markha, we shall cross the village and river over a small village
and then arrive at our campsite either at the banks of the river or amidst the
plantations. Overnight in Tents
DAY 8: MARKHA-SKIU (3567 M) 5-6 HRS TREK:
Today’s trek is more or less gentle along the river and fields. Arrive at the
campsite just before the village of Skiu. Overnight in Tents
DAY 9: SKIU – SHINGO (3450 M) 4-5 HRS TREK:
Start trekking and pass the Skiu village you shall turn right as the trail
bifurcates for Chilling another head for exiting this valley, start gentle
ascend through the shrubs and small trees and cross the village of Shingo to
arrive at the campsite. Views of Ganda La (4900 Meters) are constant from our
campsite. Overnight in Tents
DAY 10: SHINGO-OVER GANDA-AL (4900M) YURUTSE (4100M) 6-7 HRS TREK:
Start a gradual ascent to the top of the pass today’s prime hurdle, reach at the
top to have views of Mt. Kantaka on your right hand side, descend to the valley
pass a few herder the camping site just before the Yurutse village. Overnight at
camp.
DAY 11: YURUTSE-RUMBAK VILLAGE-B.C. OF STOK-LA (4200M) 5-6 HRS TREK:
After breakfast commence trek to Stok Base, en route visit the Rumbak Village.
visit some local houses. Further trekking to Base of Stok La. Overnight at camp.
DAY 12: B.C. STOK LA-OVER PASS (4780M)-STOK VILLAGE (3580M) 7-8 HRS TREK:
You shall start early as the trail rises gradually in the beginning and then
turns in to similar zigzag fashion as it was on the approach of Kongmaru La &
Ganda La. Arrive at the top and then descend to the valley turn left along the
river, on arrival at Stok village pitch the tent for overnight.
DAY 13: STOK VILLAGE-LEH : (DRIVE)
After breakfast visit the Stok Museum cum monastery. later drive to Leh, 1 hrs.
On arrival check in hotel for overnight. Rest of the time visit local market.
DAY 14: LEH:
After breakafast commence monasteries sightseeing, visit Alchi, Likir, Phyang
and Spituk. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 15: LEH-DEHLI :
Early in the morning transfer to Leh airport board flight to Delhi ETD 0700 hrs.
Upon arrival meet to our representative, drive to your hotel, Full day local
sightseeing of Delhi visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Gandhi Memorial and
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. After fare well dinner transfer to International
airport. End the services.
Price Includes :
*05 Nights Hotel on Bed & Breakfast Basis / 09 Nights Two Men Mountain Tent with
all meals.
*Hotel/ Tent on Twin Sharing Basis
*While in Delhi A/C transportation. Leh-Ladakh Non A/C local Jeeps. (04 Pax in a
Jeep)
*Local English Speaking Guide Delhi Sightseeing/ E.S. Leh -Ladakh Local Guide
cum Trek Manager for entire trip.
*Mule or Donkey carrying camping gear during the trek (Maximum 20km per clients,
personal baggage)/ Camping staff as cook, assistance, and camp boy.
Price Does Not Includes :
*Any personal clothing such as sleeping bags, warm cloths etc.
*Any Local or International airfare or airport tax
*All presently applicable taxes
*Expense of Personal Expense.
*Monument entrance
*Any Tip, any other expense not mentioned in the price includes.
*Any insurance or claim due to natural calamities such as land slide, road
blockage etc.
MARKHA VALLEY TREKKING OPTION TWO ::
DETAILED ITINERARY
The most popular in Ladakh, this trek traverses mountain passes to isolated
villages and monastic settlements in the fantastically lit lunar landscape of
the Markha Valley. The trail climbs past ancient monasteries to the pastel
alpine meadows of Nimaling in the shadow of Kangyatze Peak. From here we ascend
to the Kongmaru La (5,150 meters, the highest point on the trek) with its
impressive views of the Karakorums and K2. The trail ends at Hemis where we
spend the night and visit the monastery. We meet our vehicles in the morning for
the ride back to Leh.
DAY 01:
Spituk - Zingchen (4-5 hours) In the early morning hours we will go by jeep to
Spituk, where horses will be waiting to carry our equipment. The trek will begin
along an old jeep road into a parched and exposed region, so water and sunscreen
are absolutely vital! After plodding through the shattered land we will enter
the lush Zingchen Valley, where the Rumbak River flows into the mighty Indus.
Further into the valley lies our campsite, in the two-house hamlet of Zingchen
(meaning 'big field').
DAY 02:
Zingchen - Ganda La base (3-4 hours) Today we will enter Hemis National Park
where we may be fortunate to glimpse wildlife. The National park homes snow
leopard, lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), arghali (great Tibetan sheep),
Bharal (blue sheep), red fox, Tibetan wolf, dhole (wild dog), marmot and
mountain hare. After paying the entrance fee, we will climb gradually through a
beautiful gorge before reaching the valley leading to the village of Rumbak.
Here we will stop at a tented teahouse run by women from the village. After a
cup of warm tea we will continue past the house of Yuruche before reaching camp
at the base of Ganda La (4545m). From our campsite there are spectacular views
of Stok Kangri and the whole Stok range.
DAY 03:
Ganda La base - Skiu via Ganda La 6-7 hours After a light breakfast, we will
begin our 2-hour ascent towards Ganda La (4900m). The usual chorten and prayer
flags mark the top of the pass, where one may see blue sheep, marmots and
arghali roaming the hills around. Views of the lofty Zanskar Range and the
distant Himalaya Range are great as well. After a short rest, we will make a
gradual descent to Shingo and break for lunch. We will finish the day by hiking
for 2-hours through a spectacular gorge before making camp at Skiu (3300m).
Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins of an old castle,
once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar.
DAY 04:
Skiu - Markha (7-8 hours) Following the Markha River, we will hike through the
lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various
points, and passes winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious shrines for
local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During
peak season a number of tented teahouses will be open for refreshment. Markha
(3800m) is the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an
old monastery and a ruined fort.
DAY 05:
Markha - Thachungtse (5-6 hours) The Markha valley trail continues pass old
stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which
proudly perches upon a cliff that looms above Markha. The path then intersects
the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley.
After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of
mighty Mt. Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru
La. After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last one in the
valley), we will continue onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste
(4100m), where we will make camp.
DAY 06:
Thachungtse - Nimaling 4 hours Today the trail will lead us up to the beautiful
plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to
graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest camp (4600m)
on the trek, giving us spectacular views of the huge peak of Kang Yatse to the
right.
DAY 07:
Nimaling - Shangsumdo via Kongmaru La (7 hours) After a hearty breakfast, we
will cross Kongmaru La (5200m), the highest pass on the trek, and from here we
will have a wonderful view of the Indus Valley and 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 Chuskurmo (used in traditional medicine by the Amchi
doctors). Camp overnight in Shang Sumdo.
DAY 08:
Shangsumdo - Leh via Martselang We will enjoy a pleasant 2-hour walk along a
jeep road to Martselang, where the jeep will pick us up. On the way to Leh, it
will be possible to visit some of the great monasteries of Ladakh such as Thikse,
Hemis and Shey.
For Further Details Contact us :
Adventures Trekking LTD :
OUR MOTTO ;
* to explore & preserve Indian Himalayas in an ecological way,
* to enjoy sports challenges and Adventure Holidays in secure conditions,
* to share Indian / western cultures in an open and light way.
For Further Details Contact us :-
Contact Office :
Approved By : Uttaranchal Tourism
Active Member : ATOAI / IAPRO / UFO
Branch Offices : Delhi : Rishikesh : Manali : Uttarakshi : Joshimath
Email us :
adventuretrekking@rediffmail.com
Visit us : www.adventuretrekking.org