Markha Valley Trek Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Leh. Rest and Acclimatization
Day 2 - Drive Leh to Spituk. Trek from Spituk to Zingchen
Day 3 - Trek from Zingchen to Ganda La base camp
Day 4 - Trek from Ganda La to Skiu
Day 5 - Trek from Skiu to Markha
Day 6 - Trek from Markha to Thachungtse
Day 7 - Trek from Thachungtse to Nimaling
Day 8 - Trek from Nimaling to Shangsumdo via Kongmaru La. Drive to Leh
Day 9 - Depart from Leh
Detailed Itinerary
Markha Valley Trek Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Leh. Rest and Acclimatization
You will arrive in Leh and check in to Leh hotel/guesthouse. Today will be at leisure and one can choose to go on a sightseeing trip, check out the local markets or just relax at the hotel. If required we can make arrangement for the sightseeing trips. Please get in touch with the trek leader for the same. Overnight at the hotel
Day 2 - Drive Leh to Spituk. Trek from Spituk to Zingchen
Today we will start our drive early morning from Leh to Spituk. The first day of hiking begins here. Following the bank of the Indus River to the west, we will cross a large tray on the shadow of Stok Mountain range, then enter the gorge which is a part of the Hemis National Park. In late afternoon arrive at Zingchen, we camp near a small oasis; overnight at the camp
Day 3 - Trek from Zingchen to Ganda La base camp
Today we will enter Hemis National Park where we may be fortunate to get a glimpse of the 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 the campsite there are spectacular views of Stok Kangri and the whole Stok range. Overnight in tents
Day 4 - Trek from Ganda La to Skiu
After a light breakfast, we will begin our 2-hour ascent towards Ganda La. 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 5 - Trek from Skiu to Markha
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 6 - Trek from Markha to Thachungtse
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 set up our camp
Day 7 - Trek from Thachungtse to Nimaling
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 8 - Trek from Nimaling to Shangsumdo via Kongmaru La. Drive to Leh
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). Drive from Shangsumdo to Leh takes about 2 hours. Reach Leh by evening. Overnight in Leh hotel/guest house
Day 9 - Depart Leh
The trip ends here. You will depart from Leh in the morning, plan your onward journey accordingly.
Markha Valley Trek Cost
Cost Inclusions
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Accommodation (Guest house, Homestay, Camping)
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Meals while on trek (Veg & Egg)
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All necessary permits and entry fees
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Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required)
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Mountaineering qualified & professional Trek Leader, guide, cook and Support staff
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First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
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Transport on Day 2 and Day 8 according to itinerary
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Mules to carry the central luggage
Cost Exclusions
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Food during the transit
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Any kind of personal expenses
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Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
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Insurance
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Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
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Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
Registering for Markha Valley Trek
Eligibility: Is this Trek suitable for me?
Markha Valley Trek is graded as a challenging climb. This trek helps climbers to test their skills and improve their endurance. Such high-altitude climbs should not be underestimated, and climbers should approach the trek with proper training. We highly suggest that you start working on your fitness two months before the climb. Previous trekking experience is mandatory to sign up for the Markha Valley Trek. Excellent physical endurance, focus, and determination are required to complete the Markha Valley Trek successfully. Happy Climbing!
Offloading
Protrek Adventure highly recommends the participants to carry their personal backpacks by themselves. However, in case you are absolutely not able to carry the same and would like to offload, then you have to inform us during the booking process and pre-book the offloading. Each bag should not weigh more than 10 kgs. The bag should be of rucksack style only. Duffle bags would not be accepted for offloading. Kindly inform our booking office if you will need to offload your personal backpack for the Markha Valley trek.
Backpack Offloading Charges:
Trek Booking and Payment
Advance Booking Amount 30%
We suggest that you book your Markha Valley trek at the earliest and confirm your slot. This also enables you to get a good deal on your to and fro flight tickets and organizing your trip efficiently. A booking confirmation will be sent by e-mail along with the payment instructions and other trip details. All payments have to be made through an online transfer/ cheque deposit/ demand draft. After the payment for the booking is done, please mail us your transfer details at [email protected] so that we can follow up efficiently.
COVID-19 Full Travel Credits
After confirmation of the trip, if you cannot travel on the booked dates due to the COVID-19 travel restriction, you can postpone the trip to a future date whichever seems safe and suitable for you. You can choose any departure date that is convenient for you and we will offer a Full Travel Credit without applying any charge. Travel Credits can be redeemed on any trip which departs within 1 year of the original departure date. It cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Travel credit can be transferred once to a friend or family member to be used against a new booking. The transfer is subject to our approval prior to the creation of the new booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your Markha Valley trek, please e-mail us at [email protected]
Cancellations are processed only by e-mail and refunds for the same are as follows:
Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the trek—90% refund
Cancellation between 30 days and 20 days to the start of the trek—50% refund
Cancellation less than 20 days to the start of the trek—no cash refund
THINGS TO KNOW
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Our Trip Services - Leh to Leh
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Pick up from Leh Airport and drop to airport will be arranged on request.
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Accommodation - Guest House, Camping
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Food - All meals during Trek (Veg + Egg)
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Basecamp - Trek starts at Spituk and ends at Shangsumdo
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ATM point - Leh is best if you want to withdraw money before trek begins
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Mobile Signal - Signal available in some points during the trek on few networks.
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By Road - Accessible by Manali-Leh route or Srinagar-Leh route
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Nearest Airport - Leh Airport
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Best Season - June to September
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On day 8 you will be reaching Leh and overnight in hotel. You can plan your onward journey on Day 9 morning
Markha Valley Trek
Leh is covered with three parallel ranges of the Himalayas, the Zanskar, the Ladakh and the Karakoram. Also 3 rivers, the Shyok, the Indus and the Zanskar flow between these ranges. Extensively jagged with colourful fluttering flags, dramatic mountains and unforgettable landscapes, Leh is a treat to one’s eyes. Leh is known for its beautiful monasteries, and some of the places to see are Shey Palace Leh, Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery Leh, Sindhu ghat Leh and Stok Palace Museum Leh.
By Air
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the nearest and main airport to the city which is about 5 km far from the main city. You can get ample of flights from Leh airport which take you to various other destinations easily. You would enjoy the flight as you would fly over many untouched areas and even some mountain ranges. The aerial view is just fascinating and gives a great start to your tour.
By Road
Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second best road to Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J&K SRTC operate daily deluxe and ordinary buses between Manali and Leh. Government buses, both deluxe and ordinary, run from Kargil and between Leh and Srinagar on regular and frequent intervals. Cars and jeeps are also available for Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali route.
Protrek Adventure will arrange pick up from Leh Airport (which is about 5 kms from the main city) and drop to airport on request
Markha Valley Trek
Region - Leh, Ladakh, J&K
Duration - 9 Days
Grade - Moderate
Max Altitude - 17,000 ft
Trekking Distance - 60 kms approx
The Markha Valley trek has been the most popular trek in Ladakh for many years now, and rightly so. Some of the reasons that contribute to its popularity are: one gets to climb on top of two very high passes, Gandala la (4800 m) & Kongmaru La (5150 m) offering stunning views from the top; the quaint hamlet of Markha which is nothing less than an oasis in this cold semi arid terrain of Ladakh; One gets to hike through remote gorges and vast undulating grazing grounds, cross several streams & rivers; and get a very up close and personal experience of the Ladakhi culture and way of life. it is a perfect combination of beautiful trans-himalayan landscape with ladakhi villages. There are good chances to spot some high altitude wildlife as well as experience the life of nomadic families as they herd their yaks in these big and beautiful valleys. After couple of days of acclimatisation to high altitude in Leh you will set out to explore the heartland of the central Ladakh Valley. It involves crossing of high pass of Kongmaru La 5274 mts and walking on the banks of the Markha River crossing it a few times. Kang Yatse peak (6400m) at the head of this valley dominates the skyline as we get higher up the valley and the view towards Zanskar range from the Kongmaru La is simply are mesmerizing.