Markha valley Trek

Ladakh the far flung eastern corner of troubled Jammu and Kashmir state, is India's most remote and sparsely populated region, a high - altitude desert cradled by the Karakoram and Great Himalayas ranges. For tourists, this barren and breathless land offers a window on a unique glimpsed by a few intrepid western travellers

The first settlements, along the upper Indus, were established by Mons, Buddhist pilgrims on their way from India to Mt Kailash in Tibet. The Brokpa tribe, who today live in Dha- Hanu, are the last Indo-Iranian people to still follow Buddhism.

Best Time: June to September.

Highest Point: Kongmaru La (5,100m)

Focus: Monasteries, Monks, People Villages.

Physical Challenge: Moderate overall.

Day 01 Leh/Spituk/Zingchen 5 hours

After the breakfast drive to Spituk Bridge behind the Spituk monastery, around 7 kms from Leh town. Arrive Spituk Bridge at Indus River and start your trek through flat and desolate plane at the foot of the Stok Mountain. Gradually, you will leave the view of busy Leh-Srinagar highway and move towards wilderness of Himalaya. Arrive Zingchen through a gorge, which gives you a feeling of complete isolation.

Overnight in Camp at Zingchen.

Day 02 Zingchen to Yurutse 4-5 hours

Leave Zingchen for Rumbak through a straight forward road; leaving village, you enter Hemis national park for the preservation of Snow leopard, Baharal and the marmot and wolf etc. Walk through a narrow trail and valley widens as you arrive Rumbak and camp at Yurutse below Gandala Pass.

Overnight in Camp.

Day 03 Yurutse to Skyu 6-7 hours

From Yurutse follow path along the mountain side, then cross a small valley and follow zig zag steep path. There after cross Ganda La pass (4380m). Then long descent towards Shingo. After 2 hrs of descent arrive in the valley of Markha and after few hundred meters you reach Skyu.

Overnight in tents.

Day 04 Sku to Markha 7-8 hours:

From Skiu, follow a good path on the right bank of markha where one can find great vegetation. Then cross right bank of river and cross through barren plain and arrive at Chaluk. Thereafter walk along the left bank of river and after another crossing climb towards Markha village. Good camp site beyond the Village and near river.

Overnight in tents.

Day 05 Markha to Thachungtse 5-6 hours

Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Tchatchutse via Hankar village.

Overnight in tents.

Day 06 Thachungtse to Nimaling 4-5 hours

After breakfast start trekking to reach Nimaling. Nimaling (4900 M) has a sweeping pasture where thousands of sheep, goats, yaks and graze during the summer months, rising to the south is 6400 M high Kang Yatse (Nimaling Peak), a lovely mountain, but not an easy one to climb.

Overnight in tents.

Day 07 Nimaling to Shang Sumdo- 6-7 hours:

After breakfast start trekking to reach Kongmaru La (5100 M). The trek to Kongmaru la passes through narrow Gorges. At the top of the pass, you can have view of the Ladakh range and the villages of the Indus valley to the north is excellent. Cross the pass and proceed to Shang.

Overnight in tents.

Day 08 Shang Sumdo to Hemis to Leh -6 hours

Trek Walk along the stream down to Hemis monastery, which is one of the oldest and richest monasteries in Ladakh. Visit Hemis monastery and drive to Leh enroute visit Thiksey, Shey and Stok Museum Palace.