Markha Valley Trek – Ladakh, India

Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft.
Transferral to a domestic airport where you will fly to Leh. Once reached in Leh, you will then be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon visit to a monastery within the town and sightsee of the Shanti Stupa and Old Fort of Leh.

We will drive to visit the Spituk Monastery which is close to Leh, with Phyang just 13 km west of Leh. Head back to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon spent at your leisure. Overnight stay in hotel.

Trekking Time: 11/2 hours
Altitude: 4820 m / 15,813 ft.
After a 10 km drive from Leh, we will have arrived in Stok where we will visit the Stok Palace and its museum that has beautiful Thangkas and large collections of jewellery on display. We will then follow the left bank of the river that flows from Stok Kangri Massif for 2 hours. As we leave the riverbed, we will then ascend gently to the camp near a sheepfold.

Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4180 m / 13,713 ft.
From the sheepfold, we will begin a long and steep ascent to the Stok La (4900 m / 13,779 ft.) for 3 hours. Then a steep descent, until the trail becomes quite flat and then we will have reached Rumbak. As we pass through the village, we will then cross the bridge over the Jingchan River, and follow the easy trail to Yurutse.

Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 3400 m / 11,154 ft.
The ascent from Yurutse will lead us through pastures, before crossing a small valley. We will then be zigzagging steeply up to the Gand La (4900 m / 13,779 ft.); takes approx. 3 hours to the pass. The long, yet easy descent toward the Shingo Village will take us into an impressive gorge. After descending for about 2 hours, we will then arrive in Markha Valley and after a few hundred meters; we will have reached in the campsite of Skiu.

Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 3710 m / 12,171 ft.
As we move along the easy trail on the right bank of the Markha, plenty of vegetation can be seen along this stretch. We will then cross the river several times, arriving in the small settlement of Chaluk. Eventually we will be making a short ascent toward the large village of Markha. Overnight camp near the river.

Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4250 m / 13,943 ft.
The trail begins with an ascent to the main valley on the right bank, at points the trail can become difficult over the riverbed. En route we will visit the Humlung Monastery, before moving along the right bank and arriving at Hankar Village that sprawls over several valleys. From the highest point of Hankar, we will follow the trail along a stream, then cross a bridge to reach the pasture of Tchatchutse.

Trekking Time: 4 hours
Altitude: 4730 m / 15,518 ft.
Day begins with a gradual trek with short inclines with the river far to the left side of the gorge. We will pass a small lake, then cross a pastureland reaching into Nimaling; one of the most beautiful high valleys within the Ladakh region. The Kang Yatse (6400m / 20,997 ft.) dominates the surrounding views of the area. Several difficult routes lead to the summit.

Trekking Time: 8 hours
Altitude: 3640 m / 11,942 ft. (Over Kongmaru La 5150 m / 16,896 ft.)
We will begin crossing the Markha Valley in zigzag ascent for around 2 hours, which will lead us to the panoramic Kongmaru La. We will then descend, again in a zigzag fashion, to the other side of the base of Kongmaru La. The trail continues through a narrow gorge. After several stream crossings, we will then have reached in Shang. We will also visit a small Gompa outside of the village. Overnight camp in Shang.

Travelling Distance: 60 km
Altitude: 3400 m / 11,154 ft.
We will be picked up by an arranged vehicle that will take us to visit the monasteries of Hemis and Thiskey, as well as the Shey Palace. We will continue our journey on to Leh where you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the night.

Overnight stay in hotel.

You will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Delhi. Once reached in Delhi you will then be transported to your hotel where you will be staying overnight. The afternoon can be spent at your own leisure.

Full day of sightseeing in Old and New Delhi, before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.