Markha Valley Trek

Morning flight to Leh and spend two days for body acclimatization to an altitude (3,500 m / 11,500 ft). Start the trip with a visit to the Shanti Stupa overlooking Indus Valley and enjoy a stunning sunset.

Make a day trip to Indus Valley and appreciate the Palace in Shey, ancient capital of the Ladakhi Kingdom. Spend some time at some of the influential monasteries (gompas) of Matho, Thiksey and Hemis. Spend the night in Leh.

Visit the Phyang and Spitok gompas to check out the exemplary art works of Buddhist monks. Start trekking to Zingchen (3,340 m / 10,960 ft), an exhilarating experience.

Trek along River Zingchan Nalla and walk up the valley and reach the tiny village of Rumbak (3,800 m / 12,470 ft). From here you can relish a fabulous view of snow-capped Stok Range, the highest peak in the region of the Himalayas.

Trek along Rumbak Nalla stream towards Yurutse village (4,100 m / 13,450 ft). Be wary as it turns westwards, the trail becomes steeper and tougher. Stay at Ganda La base camp (4,500 m / 14,760 ft) and next morning start the ascent to Ganda La high altitude pass.

Follow the trail dotted with chortens made in the memory of Buddhist saints. Soak in the spectacular view on the Stok Kangri (6,150 m / 20,177 ft). Now start a steep walk up to the pass of Ganda La at 4,920 m / 16,140 ft and thereafter come down to Shingo village. Continue through a narrow gorge with popler trees dotting the sides and reach Skiu gompa.

Enter the Valley of Markha River. Enjoy this long but pleasant walk (18 km / 11 mi) with the landscape getting greener and more beautiful. Get set to camp by an ancient fort and a small gompa near Markha village.

Walk through barley fields till you reach Umlung village. Check out the magnificent view of the Kang Yatse peak (6,400 m / 20,997 ft high). Continue trekking up to Hankar, the highest village in the valley (4,000 m / 13,120 ft). Tonight you camp in Tahungtse.

Trek up toNimaling pastures on the ridge where you can see yak and goat shepherds in the summer. Observe the chortens and mani walls carved with prayers, a spectacular sight. Tonight camp in Nimaling (4,650 m / 15,255 ft) at the foothill of Kang Yatse.

Spend a leisurely day in Nimaling. This place is home to a variety of wildlife with plenty of small ponds and grassy ridges. Option to trek to Kang Yatse base.

Follow the ridge until you reach the base of Kongmaru La. Start climbing up the Kongmaru La pass, where the trek ends at an elevation of 5,150 m / 17,000 ft. Feast your eyes on the panoramic view of the rocky Zanskar range, contrasting with the green Markha Valley. Walk towards Sumdo, near Shang gompa and spend a night in the camp.

Walk ahead of Martselang village until you reach Hemis. Your trek ends here. Now drive back to Leh and recuperate from the treacherous trek.

Head to Leh airport. Fly back to Delhi and onwards to your next destination