Markha Valley Trek

Markha Valley Trek

Description

Markha valley trek is one of most attempted treks in Ladakh region. Ladakh offers a rare mix of barren landscape and beautiful as well as unique Buddhist culture. Markha valley in summers is quite a busy trek and invites a lot of foreigners as well. Markha valley trek covers high mountain passes (15000ft+) and trails. The multicolored prayer flags welcome you as you enter the small villages of Markha valley and it is about these memories that will remain with you for life. At Wanderers we believe, there is no place as beautiful and welcoming as the beautiful Markha valley.

Markha Valley can practically be done throughout the year. Wanderers offers this trek in summers as well as in winters.

Itinerary

Markha Valley Trek

Day 1 & 2: Acclimatize
Reach Leh by Noon. Check into a hotel and relax. The first 2 days for any trek in Ladakh region are extremely important. These 2 days will ensure that you trek and enjoy the Markha Valley trek to the fullest. Flying into Leh brings you to an altitude of 10000 ft+. Therefore, it is of immense importance that we get ourselves acclimatized.

On day 2, we can explore the market of Leh as well as go for some sightseeing (Thiksey Monastery, Leh Palace and the famous Shanti Stupa)

Markha Valley Trek

Day 3: Drive to Spituk and trek to Zingchan Village
It is going to be an early start today as we drive from Leh to Spituk. Wanderers team will join us at Spituk with all the equipment. We trek from here and follow the trail to reach the lush Zingchan valley. The Rumbak flows into the Indus River here and a little ahead will be our campsite.

Markha Valley Trek

Day 4: From Zingchan village to Ganda La Base
Today we will get into the famous Hemis National Park and gradually making our way to the village Rumbak. Hemis national park is home to blue sheep, red fox, the Himalayan hare, and Tibetan wolf. We will camp today at the base of Ganda La which is about 14900 ft. We can view the mighty Stok range as well as the Stok Kangri from here.

Markha Valley Trek

Day 5: Ganda La to Skiu
The ascend to Ganda La will take 2 hours and it will bring us to the other side on the trail that will take us to Skiu. At the top of the pass, there is also prayer stones marked with flags. Skiu is a beautiful small village (with a monastery and a school of its own) and very warm and welcoming people. Skiu will be our destination for today. We are now trekking along the Markha River.

Markha Valley Trek

Day 6: Skiu village to Markha village
Today’s trek is going to most scenic of all days. Along the river when the trail goes in multiple ascends and descends, the view it offers will be beyond imagination. We will cross numerous locations with prayer stones covered with prayer flags and a wooden bridge to get to the other side of the river. Markha is a village with about 20-25 homes and has its ancient monastery as well. Also, there will be a phone line connection here for us to call our families.

Markha Valley Trek

Day 7: Markha village to Thochuntse
We leave Markha after breakfast. After crossing the village of Umlung, we can easily spot the mighty Kang Yatse peak and we will continue to have it in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. We will camp at Tochuntse (13400 ft).

Markha Valley Trek

Day 8: Thochuntse to Nimaling
We will reach the Nimaling plateau from Thochuntse campsite. This will be our last night on the trek.

Markha Valley Trek

Day 9: Nimaling to Shang Sumdo to Leh
We will cross today the Kongmaru La (17000ft). We will have beautiful sight of the Indus Valley today. We will enter Shang Gorge. After reaching Sumdo, we drive to Leh.

Inclusions:
1) Transport - Innova (or similar) car for travel for Airport pick up/drop and for local transport.
2) Meals - All the meals from Leh to Leh.
3) Accommodation -
a. 3 nights in Leh and 6 nights in camps/homestays while on trek on twin sharing basis.
b. Camping while on trek on twin sharing basis.
c. While camping, wanderers will provide dry cleaned sleeping bags and mattresses with fresh individual fleece liner for hygiene.
d. Toilets – clean and hygienic (traditional cat pit style).
4) Trek Leader - An experienced mountaineer who is also a certified wilderness first aid responder will be provided.
5) Guide - There will be a well experienced local guide who is well versed with the local topography.
6) Camping & trekking permits and permissions from the local administrations/ authorities.

Exclusions:
1) Any meals/services not mentioned above
2) Any costs in accommodation & food arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, roadblocks, bad weather, etc.
3) Insurance
4) Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
5) Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
6) Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.

Transport:
We believe in absolute comfort wherever possible. Our transport fleet includes good quality Innova, Bolero, Xylo and Scorpio.