Markha Valley is an all time favorite trekking route amongst trekkers. The route takes you across the expansive Markha Valley and its famous Markha River, along beautiful old monasteries, quaint villages and lush green pasture land of Nimaling while the panoramic view of the tall Kangyatse peak is your companion all along. The trek is moderate to difficult and requires trekkers to be physically fit. With steep and craggy cliffs, deep gorges and pinpricks of dust all throughout the trail, the journey takes a beetling shape at a certain elevation when it embarks upon to cross some high altitude mountain passes and whistling streams. Gandala at 4,800 meters and Kongmaru La at 5,150 meters are two of the significant passes on the route, the passes offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the beautiful Markha Valley. The trek also passes through the Hemis National Park, which is a home to several endangered animals and you may often encounter species like the Bahral, marmot or wolf. If you are lucky enough you may even be able to have a glimpse of a snow leopard and ibex! The later part of the trek involves trekking in high altitude area atabove 4000 m. Shang-la (4,950m, 16,240ft), a beautiful pass in the later part of the trek offers a stunning view of Stok Kangri (6,153 m, 20,187ft), Parcha Kangri (5,250 m, 17,224ft) to the West and Matho Kangri (5,900m, 19,307ft) to the South-East. The trek ends in the beautiful village of Zingchen.
Our representative will receive and assist you at Leh Airport and transfer you to the Hotel. We suggest that you utilize this day to rest and acclimatize.
Sightseeing East Indus Valley (Shey,Thiksay,Hemis)
A small village not far from Leh that adorns a monastery and a palace. The name 'Shey' which means 'looking glass' has been bestowed due to the reflection of the Palace in the small lake situated below. Shey is known for having the first fort constructed by the first King of Ladakh. The fort ruins can be seen even today right above the present Shey Palace.
Founded by Paldan Sherab on a hill-top, situated north of Indus river, Thiksay monastery belongs to Gelugpa order. The monastery has a long assembly hall consisting of the image of Shakyamuni and the Maitreya (future) Buddha statues. It also comprises beautiful statutes of thousand armed Avalokiteshvara, Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattvas. The Gonkhang has the statue of Vajra Bhairava, Mahakala, Dharmakaya, the goddess Paldan Lhamo and Chamsring.
Hemis is the largest monastery of Ladakh situated south of Leh. It belongs to the Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddism. The monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singey Namgyal, who offered this Buddhist saint a large religions estate spread all over the Ladakh region. The monastery was named Changchub Samling and a monastic community was introduced.
In the morning we leave from Leh to Chilling by car on the rugged barren field of Taru. En route we see the confluence of Indus and Zanskar River. We have to cross over to the other side of Zanskar river in cable trolley. On the other side of the river, we will meet our pony man with the horses. We then cross a small pass, and walk until Skyu. Overnight in Skyu.
From Skyu we head east up towards Markha Valley. After 2km the trail goes high above the riverbed. There are a number of ascents and descents before the trail reaches a side gorge and a potential camp side about 3km above Skyu. En route there is an abundance of willow thickets and poplars where ancient mani walls and chortens (Stupas) in lines, the trail and barren cliff rise high above the valley. The trail continues through a series of willow and thickets to a bridge over the Markha River. Trekking along the Markha River offers us stunning views of the valley below. We will cross the river and reach Markha (3800m). We have an option of staying in a village. Overnight in Markha.
The Markha valley trail continues to pass old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched upon a cliff that looms above Markha. The path then intersects with the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will have our first view of Mt. Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. Overnight in Hankar.
After breakfast we will follow a trail which leads us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest camp on the trek, giving s spectacular view of the mighty peak of Kang Yatse. Overnight in Nimaling.
Today we will cross Kongmaru La (5260m), the highest pass on the trek and we will follow the valley. The descent is quite steep, but will gradually level out as we enter Shang Gorge and its fascinating rock formation. We will be required to cross the stream a few times on the way before we arrive at the hot-spring of Chuskurmo (used in traditional medicine by the Amchi (traditional Tibetan doctors). After another half an hour of trek we will reach Chogdo our haven for the night. Overnight in Chogdo.
This is a unique route and is not frequented by many trekkers, the reason being that only a few horsemen and guide know this trail. After a good breakfast we leave the camp and start trekking on the right side of the valley of this long and narrow village. We walk through barely fields, old traditional houses and an old temple that dates back to 450 years. Once we cross the village, we will come across a big popular tree about 250 years old surrounded by piled rocks and a Lato (village Deity Shelter) with prayer flags and Mani stones. W have to cross the stream a couple of times before we get to the campsite. The camp will be set up near Pullu, the summer camp of the villager of Shang. The landscape here I breathtaking with the backdrop view of Ladakh range. Overnight in Shang Phu.
After Breakfast we trek in the Northern direction towards Shang La. Today's trekking will be slightly strenuous till the pass (Shang La at 16000ft). From the pass one can enjoy the magnificent view of Stok Khangri, Ladakh range and bit of Zanskar range. We then trek down to the camp for about an hour. Overnight in Matho Phu.
After leaving the camp, we hike uphill gradually towards a small hump then trek downhill towards a small stream. We will cross two small streams before we reach the trail that continue towards Matho La (16000ft). While ascending we will get a closer and clearer view of Stok Kangri and few more magnificent peaks at a height of 6100 m. We trek down to a Shepherd camp called Zurlae, owned by to the villagers of Stok, every summer, villager from Stok migrate here to find a better pastureland and they camp here till mid-August. We continue our trek for another hour or so till we get to Mankarmo. This is also known as the lower Base Camp (14596 ft) for a Stok Kangri expedition. Overnight in Mankarmo.
Today we have a long and steep ascent towards Stok-La (4900m/16076 ft). Once we cross the pass, we descend to reach Rumbak village which is a charming beautiful village surrounded by mountains. Rumbak and Markha are high altitude protected areas, they were declared protected areas in 1981 for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. This region is home to many rare and endangered animal species including the elusive Snow Leopard, Ibex, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare etc. Among fauna, this place is splendidly covered with Snow Patridge, Golden Oriole, Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, Red Billed Chuff etc. Overnight at Rumbak.
Today is the last day of the trek. We descend through a narrow gorge and a stream has to be crossed several times. After an hour we reach Zinchen valley. The car will pick-up to drive back to Leh.
Transportation for the entire trek duration (from the starting point and end of the trek): Car, Horses.
All camping equipments: Tents, Mattresses, Sleeping Bags, Cooking equipments.
SkyWalker Team: Horsemen, Guide, Cook, Porter.
Accommodation through the trek: Camps or Homestays.
Food throughout the trek.
Fees: Wildlife fees, Camping fees, Monastery fees, Inner-line permission.
