Markha Valley Trek
- Duration
- 16 days
- Group size
- 14 People
- Country
- India
Markha Valley Trek Overview
Markha Valley Trek is One of the most popular treks in Ladakh area of north India. Markha valley is a perfect combination of beautiful trans-himalayan landscape with ladakhi villages. Ladakh is also known as lost Tibetan kingdom, it is...
Markha Valley Trek is One of the most popular treks in Ladakh area of north India. Markha valley is a perfect combination of beautiful trans-himalayan landscape with ladakhi villages. Ladakh is also known as lost Tibetan kingdom, it is also known as little Tibet.
There are good chances to spot some high altitude wildlife as well as experience the life of nomadic families as they herd their yaks in these big and beautiful open valleys - inrediable landscapes. After couple of days of acclimatisation to high altitude in Leh you will set out to explore the heartland of the central Ladakh Valley. It involves crossing of high passes - Stok La 4848 mts, Kongmaru La 5274 mts, Gandla 4878 mts and walking on the banks of the Markha River. Kang Yatse peak (6400m) can be approached from this route as the base camp is on the plains of Nimaling.
Key highlights of the Markha Valley Trek
Itinerary
Arrive Delhi. Fly to Srinagar (1585 mt). Transfer to hotel in Sirnagar Hotel Heevan Resort/Reegal Palace . Afternoon visit old Srinagar, We will take you for a Shikara ride
- Altitude
- 1,585 m (5,200 ft)
- On foot
- None, arrival day
- Night in
- Hotel, Srinagar
- Meals
- Dinner
Day excursion to Gulmarg, it is a town for a popular skking destination in India. It was a best place for the British emperor as a relaxing golfing and skiing destination. Gulmarg have the highest golf course in the world at the height of 2650mt . Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Altitude
- 1,585 m (5,200 ft)
- On foot
- Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Srinagar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sightseeing of Mogol gardens. After lunch drive to Sonmarg.
- Altitude
- 2,740 m (8,990 ft)+1,155 m
- On foot
- None, 2–3 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Sonmarg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Kargil 2260 mt and it is the second largest town in Ladhak after Leh. This area was suffered from 1999 war between India and Pakistan.
- Altitude
- 2,680 m (8,790 ft)−60 m
- On foot
- None, 4–5 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Kargil
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, Drive Alchi 3200mt from Kargil about 160 Km then again drive to Leh for another 60 km in total drive time 7 hour.
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)+820 m
- On foot
- None, 7 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Leh
- Meals
- Breakfast
Acclimatization trek surrounding Lhe and visit monasteries.
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
- On foot
- Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Leh
- Meals
- Breakfast
Today after breakfast we take a bike to highest Motorway pass in the world 5359 mt (60 Km) will take about 2 hour each way. We will share a bike between two. Those who are not able to ride will have an option to go on a car, later back to Hotel.
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
- On foot
- None, 4 hr round-trip ride
- Night in
- Hotel, Leh
- Meals
- Breakfast
The trail goes through a flat and desolate plain along the river Indus and swings into the mountains along the pretty, willow-lined Zingchan gorge. Overnight Camp
- Altitude
- 3,400 m (11,150 ft)−100 m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Skiu
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail to Markha is not too strenuous, rising about 300m across 22km, crossing the Markha river a couple of times. Markha is a substantial village, complete with a derelict fort on the hillside and a small village monastery. Overnight Camp
- Altitude
- 3,800 m (12,470 ft)+400 m
- On foot
- 22 km, 6–7 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Markha
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kang Yatse (6400m), a magnificent snow-clad mountain commands the views for the next two days. A popular place to spot herds of blue sheep slide up and down the steep cliffs with incredible agility. Overnight Camp
- Altitude
- 4,100 m (13,450 ft)+300 m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Thachungtse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You pass several mani (stones with prayer inscriptions) walls and suddenly come across a small lake. The view is wonderful from here - both of Kang Yatse, whose bulk gets reflected in the still waters of the lake, and also of the Markha Valley which we are now well above. Overnight Camp.
- Altitude
- 4,700 m (15,420 ft)+600 m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Nimaling
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As we climb the last short but steep slope to the top there are good views over the Zanskar range and of the vertical ice walls on the north face of Kang Yatse. The trail eases out to reach the river bed at Shang Sumdo. Overnight Camp
- Altitude
- 3,700 m (12,140 ft)−1,000 m
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Shang Sumdo
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have reserved two days for the climb which would allow for contingencies due to bad weather. Fluttering with prayer flags the summit rewards with wide open views, the Karakoram Range & Ladakh range on the north, the Zanskar range on the west and a bird’s eye view of the Indus valley and the Leh city. Later descend to base camp. Overnight Camp
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)−200 m
- On foot
- None, 2 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Leh
- Meals
- Breakfast
Drive to Pangong 140 km each way takes 5 hour each way. Overnight stay in Pnagong in Tent.
- Altitude
- 4,250 m (13,940 ft)+750 m
- On foot
- None, 5 hr drive
- Night in
- Tented camp, Pangong
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Drive back to Leh and overnight in Hotel.
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)−750 m
- On foot
- None, 5 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Leh
- Meals
- Breakfast
Fly to Delhi to connect with onward flight to Heathrow
- Altitude
- 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
- On foot
- None, departure day
- Night in
- No overnight
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
- Hotel Heevan Resort/Regal hotel or similar in Srinagar with breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hotel Snowland in Sonmarg with dinner and breakfast and hot lunch
- Kargil, Zojila Residency with dinner and breakfast,
- Khardungla transport in tempo travellers, transport from arrival in Srinagar until -Leh in tempo travelers (mini coaches), transport to and from trek point in tempo travelers,
- Sightseeing in Leh on acclimatization day
- Ponies to carry luggage, full trek services -
- Two people in one Tents, mattress,
- Meals, services of 2 cooks, helpers, Experienced climbing Sherpas to guide climb, -Emergency oxygen cylinder.
- 350 Enfield Per day on hire or a jeep
- Transport costs for Pangong day trip (Innova/ Xylo).
- Environment fee.
- An Inner line permit fee for foreigners, applicable as the district authorities have just announced this.
- Sleeping bag and Down Jackets, Duffle Bag(returnable)
Not included
- Airfares International and Domestic,
- Items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc,
- Extra costs incurred due to roadblocks, landslides,
- Flight cancellations, rescue & evacuation, insurance,
- Personal porter per day: GBP per Porter
Photos
A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.
Reviews
Everything was handled for us from the moment we landed. Our guide read the group perfectly, slowed the pace when we needed it, and knew every village along the way. I never once worried about logistics.
We travelled as a couple and the small group made all the difference. Comfortable lodges, honest advice about the altitude, and a team who clearly loved the mountains. Booking on our own dates was easy.
You can tell this is run by people from here, not a call centre abroad. The itinerary had proper rest days built in, the food was better than I expected, and the whole thing ran to time.
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16 days
$1,085 per person
