Markha Valley

Markha valley trek   
 

Trip at a Glance
Trip duration        : 13 days tour
Grade                    : Moderate
Activities              : 7 days trek
Accommodations: In Hotels 5 Nights/ Camp 7 Nights 
 
Journey Highlights
  • Sensational flight over the Himalaya
  • Glimpse of Kangyatse peak 6200 meters
  • Ancients Buddhist monasteries
  • 5200 meter Kongmaru-la pass
 
Tour Inclusion
  • Comfortable sharing accommodation
  • Gear Package; sleeping bag and mattress
  • Pack horse; Carry personal & group equipment
  • All internal transport by private car
  • Mention monuments entrances
  • All meals while during trekking

Tour Exclusions
  • Travel Insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Tipping
  
Meals: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner
 
   
Detailed Itinerary

Day 1     Fly Delhi to Leh 3500 meters
We take the early morning flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, where you will be free to rest at the hotel. Afternoon gently stroll through the town visit Leh local market, while your body acclimatises to the altitude.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 2     In Leh 3500 meters
Today, you will experience the beauty and spiritual heritage of Ladakh with visit 17th century Shey Palace and monastery complex, this features the 12 meter copper and gold-gilded Buddha statue, as well as exquisite wall painting. Thiksey monastery is a towering 12-story structure, painted red, chore and white. It contains a vast array of Buddhist arts, including the 15 meter Buddha, the largest statue of its kind in Ladakh. Hemis the 17th century Ladakh biggest monastery possesses a rich collection of ancient relics and artwork, including a stunning Thangka (embroidered Tibetan silk religious painting) measuring more than 12 meters. The monastery annual Hemis Festival, is held in June or July, which features colourful mask dances.        
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 3     In Leh 3500 meters
You will have the chance to explore another of Ladakh cultural treasure, before undertaking a short hike to ensure you are now acclimatised and ready to begin trekking! The day begins with visit to Stok Palace, the current residence of the former royal family of Ladakh. One wing has been converted into a museum, which houses a fascinating collection of royal heirloom, including jewellery, shrines, gem-encrusted headdresses and exquisite Thangka dating back more than 540 years. Test your walking boots during a short, but scenic hike up to the Stok mountain range, via the Stok River gorge, lined with willow and poplar trees. On the way you will catch glimpses of the majestic Stok Peak 6150 meter and also have a chance to sharpen your bird-watching skills. Keep a look out for magpies, snow pigeons and partridges.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 4     Drive to Zingchen and trek to Rumbak 3879 meters
We are off! This morning we will drive to the Zingchen, crossing the Indus River. The new road takes us to Zingchen, where our ponies will be waiting. We are now in the Hemis National Park, the largest national park in south Asia (4400km) and home to large number of endangered species, such as the snow leopard and Eurasian Bear, as well as the Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox and Himalayan Marmot. The trail will lead us through the Rumbak Nallah (ravine), which opens into Rumbak valley, where birdwatchers will have a chance to view several Tibetan species not common in other part of India. You are guaranteed to see the nests of the majestic airborne predator the Golden Eagle, before we stop for lunch. Tonight camp is Rumbak sum-do and in the afternoon we can visit the village Rumbak.                
Approximate walk profile: Zingchen to Rumbak, 3hrs 6.4km (4mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 5     Trek to Shingo 4100 meter via Kandala pass 4970 meters
Today we are crossing second highest pass Kandala 4970 meters of our trek.  The trail from Rumbak sum-do continues along the Zingchen steam, pass the tiny village of Yurutse and a Mani wall (compose of stories inscribed with a Tibetan Buddhist prayer). After Yurutse we have a gradual climb up an open grassy stone-strewn slop. Watch out of Himalayan Marmots dashing between their underground burrows, where they hibernate for the winter. We will then head west to tackle the steep trek up to the Kandala pass, where prayer flags flutter and we will be rewarded with stunning views of the Stok Range to the east and Zanskar Range to the west. After the initial descent the trail leads to the true right of the valley to the outlying fields of Shingo village, where we will camp tonight.         
Approximate walk profile: Rumbak Sum-do to Shingo, 6-7hrs 14km (8.7mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 6     Trek to Sara 3520 meters
Leaving Shingo, our trail heads south-west through a spectacular narrow gorge lined with graceful willow trees and wild roses, where we may spot more nimble-footed Bharal. We will cross the Shingo steam several time on our way to the village of Sku, located at the junction of the steam and the Markha River, where a small cliff-top monastery is tended by an elderly man, who visit every morning and evening to light the alter lamps. The village is surrounded by verdant field of barley, peas and mustard  in dramatic contrast to the wild and barren mountains nearby. The trail then turn south-east following the Markha River through groves of willow and poplar trees, until we cross a bridge and head to our camp site in Sara.
Approximate walk profile: Shingo to Sara, 7-8hrs 20km (12.5mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 7     Trek to Hangkar 3980 meters
We will crises-cross the fast flowing Markha River several times by bridge on our journey from Sara to Hangkar. On the way, we will pass through the small villages of Chalak and Thinlespa, before stopping for an idyllic lunch in a tented restaurant. We will then embark on a steady climb eastwards up the Markha Valley, following a series of Chorten (dome shape structure containing Buddhist relics) to the picturesque village of Markha, which features both a monastery and a ruined fort dating back 500 years. After Markha the terrain changes the warm relatively heavily wooded countryside of the lower Markha is left behind. More Chorten mark the trail to the village of Umlung, before we climb high above the river to enjoy spectacular views of Kangyatse 6200 meter a major peak at the eastern end of the Stok Range. We will finish the day in Hangkar, the highest village in the Markha valley. Towards sunset keep an eye on the hillside over the river as the local herds of Bharal descend incredibly steep trails to drink at the river.
Approximate walk profile: Sara to Hangkar, 6-7hrs/ 12km (9.3mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 8     Trek to Nemaling 4700 meters         
Our destination today is the wide rolling meadows of the Nemaling (plain of gold), which provides high summer pasture land of the people of Markha and other surrounding villages. After short walk to the junction of the Nemaling Chu and Lang-tang Chu (Chu means River) we will follow the former until we reach Tho-chung-tse at 4100 meters. The trail then curves east passing a seasonal lake as it climbs gradually towards our Nemaling camp-site.   
Approximate walk profile: Hangkar to Nemaling, 6hrs/ 11.5km (7mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 9     In Nemaling 4700 meters
You will have a whole day to savor the breathtaking view of the Nemaling, so relax and drink in the view. Alternatively if you are feeling active you can walk up to the Kangyatse base camp during the day. During summer you will see a surprising number of animals grazing over the high pastures, including yaks, sheep, goats, horses, and dzos (a hybrid of yaks and domestic cattle). Himalayan marmots and white-tailed hares also abound. The Nemaling which slops upwards to the base of the ice-crowned Kangyatse 6200 meters is renowned for its stunning sunset.
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 10       Trek to Shangsumdo 3760 meters 
Yesterday rest will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle today journey, which includes a steep, but steady climb up to the Kongmaru-la pass 5200 meters  the highest point on our trek! On the way, we will cross a log over the Nemaling River, pass shepherds huts and enjoy further opportunities to encounter the plentiful wildlife. When we reach the summit of the pass, marked by numerous fluttering prayer flags, you will be rewarded with an awe-inspiring vista of snow-clad peaks in every direction. On a clear day the majestic giants of the Karakorum Range, including K2 can be seen on the north west horizon. The trails then descends steeply to the Martselang valley, following the flow of the Martselang stream down to the village of Chogdo, then crises-crossing the stream several times on our way to the village of Shang-sumdo and our final campsite.
Approximate walk profile: Nemaling to Shang-sumdo, 7-8hrs/ 18km (11.2mile)
Full service Camping (B, L, D)
 
Day 11     Drive to Leh          
Take the weight off your feet and swap stories about the trek during the drive back to your hotels in Leh.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 12     In Leh
On your final, full day in Ladakh, you will have the opportunity to take an optional, rafting trip down the Indus River or Zanskar River or simply spend your time exploring the town and shopping for souvenirs in the main bazaar, where you will find a range of tempting items, including Thangka, prayer wheels, copper samovars, wooden masks, turquoise and coral stone, hand woven blankets, Pashmina shawls and silver jewellery.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 13     Fly to Delhi 
You will fly back to Delhi with a wealth of memories  and no doubt the desire to return to Ladakh and further explore this fascinating part of the world. (trip concludes)