The Markha Valley Trek Tour
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi – Leh (3500 m), by plane
Afternoon at leisure in Leh, where we can take a walk to the colorful bazaar.
Day 03 : Leh – Spituk – Zinchen (3200 m) in 4 h.
We drive 10 km to Spituk from where we start our trek. We cross Indus river and enter in the Valley of Zinchen river. Near the village in the Valley we will have our first camp after 4 hr walk.
Day 04 : Zinchen -Yurutse (3844 m) in 5 h.
After by passing this beautiful stopping valley, we ascent up to 4900 m. by very steep zigzag, difficult footpath, by now it is 3 h. Now steep descent to summer pastures of Stok and follow the river which comes from Stok – Kangri massif.
Day 05 : Yurutse – Ganda La (4900 m) – Skiu (3510 m) in 6/7 h.
Yurutse Follow path along the mountainside, then cross a small valley and follow zig zag steep path. Thereafter cross Gandala. Then long descent towards Shingo. After 2 Hrs. descent arrive in the valley of Markha and then after few hundred meters further will reach Skiu.
Day 06 : Skiu – Markha (3850 m) in 7 h. 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.
Day 07 : Markha – Hankar (4000 m) in 4 h.
Start trek towards the main valley on the right bank. The path is sometimes difficult in the river bed and pass the monastery of Humlung. Then carry on trek along the right bank and arrive in Hankar where there are several houses.
Day 08 : Hankar – Nimaling (4650 m) in 4 h.
The path improves and cross a broad valley on the right side. The valley becomes narrow and higher and cross bridges on to the left bank and then reaches Tchatchuste. We climb pastures to reach Nimaling. This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the Kang Yaze.
Day 09 : Nimaling – Kongmaru La (5150 m) – Shang Sumdo (3750 m) in 7 h.
Cross the Markha valley and follow long climb along the mountain side, then zig zag road leads towards Kongmarula. Follow steep descent into gorges and then keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo. Thereafter crossing right and left bank and arrive Shang, a beautiful camp in groves and there is a monastery an hour away from the village.
Day 10 : Shang Sumdo – Hemis (3600 m) in 3/4 h.
Hemis is the most important monastery of Ladakh, 360 years old. The gigantic Tankha, one of the largest in the world, is displayed once in 12 years. Last was in 1992.
Day 11 : Hemis – Thiksey – Shey – Leh
We visit Hemis monastery, then drive to Shey Monastery. This one has a 7.5m copper statue of Buddha plated with gold, the largest of its kind. We drive to Thikshy Monastery, situated on a hill top. There are several temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the old raja of Leh. This monastery is 800 years old, Silver and Gold statues are seen in it.