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Markha Valley Trek

A Charming Tea House Trail In River Valley Of Ladakh

Markha Valley Trek

₹1150 per person
8 Days 7 Nights
16+ Age
term-custom-icon Adventure
Long Trips

Discover Markha Valley Trek

The Markha Valley trek is one of the most fascinating treks in Ladakh. The trek takes you on a beautiful journey in the land of fluttering colorful prayer flags, mane walls, high passes, exotic wildlife, and unusual sheer canyons. Not to forget the authentic villages you walk past, bringing you closer to the Ladakhi culture. The colorful rock formations found on the trail, along with the views of Stok and Zanskar mountains often leave people awestruck.

 

The best time to do the Markha Valley trek is between June and September. It is a challenging trek, with loads of stream crossings, steep ascents, and descents from two high passes and a long day walk, and is recommended for experienced trekkers. Gear up for a beautiful and culturally rich experience, and let the serenity of the Markha Valley’s landscapes knock the stress out of your life.

 

ITINERARY DETAILS

  • Day 01 – Arrival Leh
  • Day 02 – Acclimatization at Leh
  • Day 03 – Drive Leh to Chilling and trek to Skui
  • Day 4 – Skui to Sara
  • Day 5 – Sara to Markha
  • Day 06 – Markha to Hankar
  • Day 07 – Hankar to Nimaling
  • Day 08 – Nimaling to Chokdo via Kongmaru La drive to Leh
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  • Departure/Return Location
    NW Avenue 95- 97 , Edmonton, Canada
  • Departure Time
    Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a departure at 9:30 AM
  • Return Time
    Approximately 8:30 PM
  • Included
    Accommodation
    Guide
    Insurance
    Meals
  • Not Included
    Flights
    Transport

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Tour Plan

1
Day 01- Arrival Leh
  • Markha Valley trek begins from Leh. Arrive in Leh through flight or train.
  • Take it slowly once you arrive in Leh. Since it is at the hazardous height of 11,000 ft direct landing to this height may trigger AMS. Make sure you rest well and do not strain your body during your stay in the hotel.
  • Leh has gained popularity as the adventure capital of India. It is quite famous amongst wanderers, which you can see as you roam here and there.
  • Cafes are loaded here which are hanging out places for adventurers. There is a good network connection in Leh and has ATMs.
  • Leh is a good option to fill up your things to carry list if you have forgotten any item. Despite cafes in close vicinity try to stay away from alcohol and avoid smoking.
  • Apart from that, Leh is also known for monasteries, palaces, and temples. Make sure to visit them as you enjoy your small treat in Leh.
2
Day 02 - Acclimatization at Leh
  • This is an extra day added to the itinerary to help you get acclimatized better. Therefore, utilize this day and try to stay outdoors.
  • Hike up to the Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Thiksey Gompa to experience the Buddhist culture. Thiksey Gompa is the largest in central Ladakh, located on a hill.
  • Avoid gaining height by hiking to nearby passes or valleys. This is only to avoid stressing your body, as it may hinder the process of acclimatization.
  • Additionally, you can interact with the locals and fellow travelers to gain some knowledge about the adjacent areas.
  • Roam in the Leh city and the Leh Bazaar. You can collect souvenirs from a variety of shops.
  • You must spend the sunset at the Shanti Stupa, which is known for its dazzling lights in the evening.
  • Say goodbye to the wonderful Leh and rest in your hotel.
3
Day 03 - Drive Leh to Chilling and trek to Skui
  • Get set as your real trek journey commences. You will be riding along the skillfully paved roadways crossing marvelous landscapes.
  • Throughout the road, you will encounter military camps decorated with colorful big rocks around the camps.
  • Do not miss Gurudwara Pathar Sahib on the right and Magnet Hill on the left as you move ahead. The Stok Range remains on the right until it vanishes slowly when you reach Hemis National Park.
  • You will be pleasantly surprised once you reach Sangam. Indus and Zanskar rivers, both bottle green, yet so unique, form the most spectacular confluence. This point is also famous as starting end for rafting. Take a diversion here towards Chilling.
  • The surrounding view henceforth changes magically. The open terrain beside the road enters into the closed valley. Valley has stunning purple, black, grey shades of the mountains.
  • Juniper and tall alpine trees will border the route as you cross the Zanskar river over green iron bridges. Take a deep breath once you get down at Chilling, as the walking will begin in a few minutes.
  • The trek ahead incepts with a steep ascent going through Zingchen Gorge. Amidst you will also cross the river on a trolley at Kaya-Do place. The trail many times comes across the river.
  • Skui will mark the first camping in the tents. It is located at the confluence of rivers Shgri Nala and Markha.
  • Skui village is largely divided into two sections, upper and lower village. Lower Skui has 12 houses quite close to each other. A small trudge, old monastery, and ruins of a palace, separate it from upper Skui. There are small white stupas and mani stones laid towards upper Skui.
  • Markha river lies on the right of the village.
  • Most of the places here offer homestays. Relax after a mini-trek, while looking forward to the upcoming trek.
4
Day 4 - Skui to Sara
  • Start fresh for the actual first trekking day. Be vigilant about birds and animals.
  • Markha valley harbors enormous wildlife. Magpie bird will be visible right after you step out of the house. The trail is quite evident and well-paved intermittently. The Markha river will remain escorting on the right, which incepts from Kang Yatse peaks.
  • In an hour a hut of Women café can be spotted, take a small break here and keep walking. The trail is enclosed with the valley that goes through sparse forest cover.
  • Another hour's trudge and the first wooden bridge comes at Zanpa Yoakma. The bridge marks halfway of the day's trek to Sara. Despite that, try not to relax here, because in merely 25 minutes another coffee shop at Hamourja is waiting for you to rejuvenate.
  • Look out for black sheep, deer, mountain goats on these banks. Keep walking straight till Nagding village for another 40 minutes.
  • Right in front of the houses spot meditation caves at a height on the valley walls. These caves are believed to be having paintings of the 20th century.
  • The banks of the Markha river get wider and you can find yourself stepping in the powdered sand. Enjoy the feeling of Himalayan sands.
  • After about 1 hour from Nagding village, a big entrance of Sara village appears. The entrance is decorated with skeletons of wild animals. Unlike Skui, Sara seems like an open area.
  • The homestay has traditional round seating outside, giving it a unique look. You can have your lunch and then just roam around to get familiar with nature.
  • Fill in your stomach with hot drinks and a delicious dinner, then get into a warm bed at the homestay.
5
Day 5 - Sara to Markha
  • Start early today from Sara, carry along packed lunch. The trail is somewhat similar to the previous day. Despite that, you will always find something new in this mysterious valley.
  • The first tea houses arrive immediately after 30 minutes at Chalak village. The village has houses placed on small hills with stone protection shelter for domestic animals at the base.
  • Visit any of the villagers they will greet you with Namkin Chai and biscuits. Re-energize by affectionate talks and hot drinks. The destination is 2 hours away from here.
  • Every small distance you can find Mani stones laid around white stupas. These stones are engraved with Buddhist prayers, some of them in the Sanskrit language too. Be humble in front of these historic symbols. Do not dare to touch these stones. The villagers believe these stones are protected by some powers, any harm to them will cause harm to that person.
  • Do not forget to notice the ruins of the palace at every turn in the valley. This can be figured out by flags at a height on small temples. These palaces were considered as viewpoints and signaling points during the reign of the Kings.
  • Markha village is considered as the largest village, you can find numerous houses, scattered away. You will have to walk in the running stream of the Markha river to reach the Markha village.
  • The cold water will bring back all the energy. In 20 minutes, you can see the hamlet.
  • Find your homestay and pack up for the day.
6
Day 06 – Markha to Hankar
  • Take the most advantage of the innocence of the salient villages because today will probably be the last habitats on the route.
  • The trail is beautiful and refreshing when it merges with flowing rivers and streams. These water bodies can also be crossed over a bridge.
  • Umlung village is a small village and will serve the last teahouse of the trek with yet another serene monastery to your sight.
  • After Umlung you can get the first sight of Mt. Kang Yatse (6400m). It seems as if the peak is calling you! Follow its voice, again overcome the river several times and enter the Hankar village.
  • Try to spot the magically placed Tacha monastery on a mountain. It is the last hamlet of the trek and your refuge place.
7
Day 07 – Hankar to Nimaling
  • Get all enthusiastic, after yesterday's tough trek, today will be an easy and short trek. Start walking and in 1 km you will find diversions or paths separating.
  • The other route goes to Rupshu and Zanskar. Keep walking on the left path until a stone bridge. This marks that you are on the right trail. Henceforth, you can see many diversions, please be careful and follow the trek leader/guide.
  • In the next 2 hours, the pastures of Thochuntse become visible. There are camping sites and tea houses here.
  • Try to engulf yourself in nature and move slowly just as you focus on the Kang Yatse peak. The peak seems to grow bigger and bigger. Surprisingly, tranquil twin lakes also come along the path. The trails enter into a huge grassland after a few fights crossing streams of the high altitudes.
  • Sheep, mountain goats, sometimes rabbits are found grazing at Nimling. It is a pleasant camping place. It is the high point you will attain on this trek. There are instances of snowfall at this site hence we prepared for that. Above all that, just try to merge into the high world and sleep in peace.
8
Day 08 – Nimaling to Chokdo via Kongmaru La drive to Leh
  • This day will be nostalgic and exciting, as this is the last day of the trek landing at the highest pass of the trek. Also, this day will be filled with surprises.
  • After a strenuous climb of 2 hours to Kongmaru La pass, you will be pleasantly welcomed by the Karakoram Range Mountains and the excellent array of peaks. Hold your breath for the mind-blowing sight of the huge K2 Mountain, the second-highest peak in the world. Prayer flags are moving along the wind. To your surprise, there is a good network connection from the pass.
  • The trail then gradually descends, coinciding with villages to say goodbye. The immediate trail from the pass has steep and narrow descent which later opens to Chikirmo village. Throughout the route, you can get indulged in the scenery of the Indus valley and Ladakh range.
  • After a gradual climb down and rocky terrain, you will reach Chokdo. This is the last stop of the entire trek, which also has many homestays. Get into the pickup vehicles that will take you to Leh.
  • Take a sigh of relief in this village, as your next stop will be the last, Leh. The further road is descending that shows monastery and Hemis Gompa.
  • Fill them in your eyes, heart, and mind. Close your eyes to rewind the entire Markha Valley diaries.

Tour Review Scores And Score Breakdown

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INCLUSIONS

  • Stay for 7 nights in Camps on Triple sharing
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Certified Guide
  • Group Equipment ( Camps, Sleeping bags etc)
  • Permits
  • Medical Assistance
  • Transport from Leh to Leh

TERMS

  • No refund for any service not used
  • Service is for the given itinerary only
  • Any addition to the days due to flight cancellation, sickness, weather, or any other circumstances will be borne by the trekker
  • Guests changing the given itinerary due to illness or any other reason will bear the costs incurred
  • Guests returning due to illness or any other reason will bear the costs incurred
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