Markha Valley Trek

Day 1: Pick up from Leh

Total distance0

Mode of journey – By taxi

Altitude –3500

Night stay – Hotels

Himalayan Hikers will pick up the trekkers from Leh and leave for the hotels to acclimatize at around 6:00 to 7:00 am.

Markha Valley trek begins from Leh. Arrive in Leh through flight or train.

Take it slowly once you arrive in Leh. Since it is at the hazardous height of 11,000 ft direct landing to this height may trigger AMS.

Make sure you rest well and not strain your body during your stay in the hotel.

Leh has gained popularity as the adventure capital of India.

It is quite famous amongst wanderers, which you can evidently see as you roam here and there.

Acclimatization is very important. Don’t rush, take it easy.

Day 2 : Leh(Acclimatization)

Total distance0

Mode of the journey – (No journey as will be acclimatizing)

Altitud3500m

Night Stay – Hotels

This is an extra day added in the itinerary to help you get acclimatized better.

Therefore, utilize this day and try to stay outdoors. Hike up to the Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Thiksey Gompa to experience the Buddhist culture. Thiksey Gompa is the largest in central Ladakh, located on a hill.

Additionally, you can interact with the locals and fellow travelers to gain some knowledge about the adjacent areas. Roam in the Leh city and the Leh Bazaar. You can collect souvenirs from a variety of shops.

You must spend the sunset at the Shanti Stupa, which is known for its dazzling lights in the evening.

Say goodbye to the wonderful Leh and rest in your hotel.

Day 3 : Drive to Chilling and trek to Skiu

Trek Distance – 72km (7/8 hours journey)

Mode of the journey – 65km by car and 9km by foot

Altitude – 3400m

Night Stay – Our Campsite – on a twin share basis

Get set as your real trek journey commences. You will be riding along the skillfully paved roadways crossing marvelous landscapes.

Throughout the road, you will encounter military camps decorated with colorful big rocks around the camps.

Do not miss Gurudwara Pathar Sahib on the right and Magnet Hill on the left as you move ahead.

The Stok Range remains on the right until it vanishes slowly when you reach Hemis National Park.

You will be pleasantly surprised once you reach Sangam. Indus and Zanskar rivers, both bottle green, yet so unique, form the most spectacular confluence.

This point is also famous as the starting end for rafting. Take a diversion here towards Chilling.

The surrounding view henceforth changes magically. Valley having stunning purple, black, grey shades of the mountains.

Juniper and tall alpine trees will border the route as you cross the Zanskar river over green iron bridges.

Take a deep breath once you get down at Chilling, as the walking will begin in a few minutes.

Skiu will mark the first camping in the tents. It is located at the confluence of rivers ShgriNala and Markha.

Skui village is largely divided into two sections, upper and lower village. Lower Skui has 12 houses quite close to each other.

A small trudge, old monastery and ruins of a palace, separate it from upper Skui.

There are small white stupas and mani stones laid towards upper Skui. Markhariver lies on the right of the village.

Most of the places here offer homestays. Relax after a mini-trek, while looking forward to the upcoming trek.

Day 4 : Trek from Skiu to Sara

Trek Distance – 10km(3/4hours journey)

Mode of journey – By foot

Altitude –3500m

Night Stay – Campsite – on twin share basis

Start fresh for the actual first trekking day. Be vigilant about birds and animals. Markha valley harbors enormous wildlife.

Magpie birds will be visible right after you step out of the house. The trail is quite evident and well-paved intermittently.

The Markhariver will remain escorting on the right, which incepts from Kang Yatse peaks.

In an hour a hut of Women Cafe can be spotted, take a small break here and keep walking.

The trail is enclosed with the valley that goes through sparse forest cover. Another hour’s trudge and the first wooden bridge comes at Zanpa Yoakma.

The bridge marks halfway of the day’s trek to Sara. Despite that, try not to relax here, because in merely 25 minutes another coffee shop at Hamourja is waiting for you to rejuvenate.

Look out for black sheep, deer, mountain goats on these banks.

Keep walking straight till Nagding village for another 40 minutes.

Right in front of the houses spot meditation caves at a height on the valley walls.

These caves are believed to be having paintings of the 20th century.

The banks of the Markha river get wider and you can find yourself stepping in the powdered sand. Enjoy the feeling of Himalayan sands.

Day 5 : Trek From Sara To Markha

Trek Distance –10km (3/4hours)

Mode of journey – By foot

Altitude – 3700m

Night Stay – Our Campsite – on a twin share basis

Start early today from Sara, carry along packed lunch.

The trail is somewhat similar to the previous day. Despite that, you will always find something new in this mysterious valley.

The first tea houses arrive immediately after 30 minutes at Chalak village.

The village has houses placed on small hills with stone protection shelter for domestic animals at the base.

Visit any of the villagers they will greet you with Namkin Chai and biscuits. Re-energize by affectionate talks and hot drinks. The destination is 2 hours away from here.

You will have to walk in the running stream of the Markha river to reach the Markha village.

The cold water will bring back all the energy. In 20 minutes, you can see the hamlet. Find your homestay and pack up for the day.

Day 6 : Trek From Markha to Hankar

Trek Distance11km (5/6hours)

Mode of journey – By foot

Altitude – 4000m

Night Stay – Our Campsite – on a twin share basis

Take the most advantage of the innocence of the salient villages because today will probably be the last habitats on the route.

The trail is beautiful and refreshing when it merges with flowing rivers and streams.

These water bodies can also be crossed over a bridge.

Umlung village is a small village and will serve the last teahouse of the trek with yet another serene monastery to your sight.

After Umlung you can get the first sight of Mt. Kang Yatse(6400m).

It seems as if the peak is calling you! Follow its voice, again overcome the river several times and enter the Hankar village.

Try to spot the magically placed Tacha monastery on a mountain. It is the last hamlet of the trek and your refuge plac

Day 7 :Trek From Hankar to Nimaling

Trek Distance –9km (¾ hours)

Mode of journey – By foot

Altitude – 4700m

Night Stay – Our campsite on a twin share basis

Get all enthusiastic, after yesterday’s tough trek, today will be an easy and short trek.

Start walking and in 1 km you will find diversions or paths separating out. The other route goes to Rupshu and Zanskar.

Keep walking on the left path until a stone bridge. This marks that you are on right trail.

Henceforth, you can see many diversions, please be careful and follow the trek leader/guide.

In the next 2 hours, the pastures of Thochuntse becomes visible. There camping sites and tea houses here.

Try to engulf yourself in nature and move slowly just as you focus on the Kang Yatse peak.

The peak seems to grow bigger and bigger. Surprisingly, tranquil twin lakes also come along the path.

The trails enter into a huge grassland after a few fights crossing streams of the high altitudes.

Sheep, mountain goats, sometimes rabbits are found grazing at Nimling.

It is a pleasant camping place. It is the high point you will attain on this trek.

There are instances of snowfall at this site hence we prepared for that. Above all that, just try to merge into the high world and sleep in peace.

Day 8: Trek FromNimaling to Chokdo Via Kongmaru La drive to Leh

Distance – 16km(8/9hours) 2 hours drive to Leh

Mode of journey – By foot(16km), By taxi (2 hours drive)

Altitude – 5200m

Night Stay – Our campsite on a twin share basis

This day will be nostalgic and exciting, as this is the last day of the trek landing to the highest pass of the trek.

Also, this day will be filled with surprises. After a strenuous climb of 2 hours to Kongmaru La pass, you will be pleasantly welcomed by the Karakoram Range Mountains and the excellent array of peaks.

Hold your breath for the mind-blowing sight of the huge K2 Mountain, the second-highest peak in the world.

There are prayer flags moving along the wind. To your surprise, there is a good network connection from the pass.

The trail then gradually descends, coinciding with villages to say goodbye.

The immediate trail from pass has steep and narrow descend which later opens to Chikirmo village.

Throughout the route, you can get indulged in the scenery of Indus valley and Ladakh range.

After a gradual climb down and rocky terrain, you will reach Chokdo.

This the last stop of the entire trek, which also has many homestays.

Get into the pickup vehicles that will take you to Leh.