Markha Valley Trek
Duration: 08 Days
Trekking days: 07
Best time:
Grade:
Markha Valley Trek is certainly one of the most varied and beautiful
treks in the world. It ventures high into the Himalayas crossing two
passes over 15,000 ft. as it circles from the edges of the Indus Valley,
down into parts of Zanskar, and passes through terrain that changes
from incredibly narrow valleys to wide open vast expanses. It is made
all the more interesting by the ancient form of Buddhism that flourishes
in the many monasteries that dot the landscape perched high atop hills.
As we trek to the upper end of the Markha Valley we are rewarded with
spectacular views of jagged snow capped peaks before cross the 16500
ft. Gongmarlu Pass and descending to the famous Hemis monastery, where
we end our trek. The trek has alternative route from Spituk also.
Day 01: Leh - Stok (drive) - Foot of Stokla (4900M) 3 Hrs. Trek.
Leave Leh early morning by Jeeps and reaches at Stok. Start trek from
Stok, after passing off Stok village and following left bank of the
river for two hours, climb gently leaving a small pass on the left,
continue onto a small valley, It is the foot of Stokla. Overnight in
Tents.
Day 02: Foot of Stokla - Stokla - Yurutse 6/7 Hrs. Trek. After
by passing this beautiful stopping valley, ascent upto Stokla 4900 Mtrs.
by very steep zigzag, difficult footpath, by now it is 3 Hrs. Now steep
descent to summer pastures of Stok and follow the river which comes
from Stok - Kangri massif. Overnight in Tents.
Day 03: Yurutse - Gandala - Skiu 6/7 Hrs. Trek. 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. Overnight in Tents.
Day 04: Skiu - Markha 7 Hrs. Trek. 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. Overnight in Tents.
Day
05: Markha - Tchatchutse 6/7 Hrs. Trek. 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. 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. Overnight in Tents.
Day 06: Tchatchutse - Nimaling (4700 M) 3 Hrs. Trek. Trek starts
on good path and several small inclines. The river is rather far to
the other side and walk near a small lake, then cross pasture to Nimaling.
This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the
Kang Yaze. Trek ascent towards other side and gradually reach Nimaling.
Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Nimaling - Knogmarula (5150 M) - Shang 8 Hrs. Trek. 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. Overnight in tents.
Day 08: Shang - Hemis 4 Hrs. Trek - Leh 1 ½ Hrs. drive. Trek
starts from the riverbed, then follow a good path through large blocks
and then go left bank. You reach a dusty trail suitable for motor vehicles
and then pass a small house and series of Chortens. Leave Martsellang
on the right and follow a gently rising trail towards Hemis. Visit Hemis
monastery after that drive towards to Leh via Shey and Thiksey monastery.
Tour ends here.
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