Adventure Planet

Best season

Mid- June to Mid-September

Highlights

Monasteries
High passes and green valleys
Culture and people
Landscapes and wildlife

Description

The Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh is one of the most varied and spectacular treks in this part of the Himalayan region. The two week tour provides a rare insight of the nomads living in the high altitude plateau. This tour is aimed to provide an opportunity for people who are curious to experience the culture and diversity of this region and at the same time eager to explore its hidden natural treasures. This trek finds its trail across high passes full of willow groves and patches of wild roses through pastel canyons, festooned with multi-hued prayer flags undulating in the winds. On this trek you will walk past giant rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, narrow defiles and scraggy hill top monasteries. The added attractions of course are that you may well spot a good number of wildlife that includes the Himalayan Blue Sheep, the Ibex and if lucky a rare Snow Leopard. This itinerary offers a diverse landscape and breathtaking views of the Karakoram snow-capped peaks. Well dotted with scattered villages and small but green oasis, the Markha valley trek is something which naturally captivates you with its beauty and barren environment.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Garland welcome upon arival at Delhi, followed by airport transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi/Leh (-/-/-)
Departure transfer to airport for the flight to Leh. You will be met at the airport by our representative upon your arrival in Leh. You will then be escorted to your pre-booked hotel situated in the central part of the city. The day will be spent in complete rest to acclimatize you in this high altitude region. In the evening you will take a light stroll to the market.

Day 03: Leh to Stok and trek to Kilchay (B/L/D) (4/5 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave for our trek and drive to the small village of Stok, which also serves as a base trekking point to the Markha Valley. We will cross over the village on higher section keeping on the left bank of the Stok Nallah and continue walking in the south-west direction. We will climb uphill and reach Khilchay (4116 m) in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be spent leisurely. Evening and overnight at the camp.

Day 04: Kilchay to Yurutse (B/L/D) (6 hrs)
Breakfast at the camp will be followed by a long trekking day. We will start early in the morning and begin our ascent over the Stok-La (4900 m). After spending some time at the top, we will descend into the Rumbak Valley and continue walking along the Jingchan Nallah, before crossing the bridge and arriving at our campsite in Yurutse. The day will be spent exploring the area and visiting a small family. Evening and overnight at camp.

Day 05: Yurutse to Skiu (B/L/D) (7 hrs)
After breakfast at the camp, we will begin a gradual ascent that will be closely followed by a steep climb to the mountain pass of Ganda-La (4971m). From the top, we will be greeted by a spectacular view of the snow capped peaks of Stok Kangri and the Zanskar range. After a good hour of rest and lunch, we will descend steadily to Shingo, and continue down to our campsite at Skiu. As we enter the village, we will be confronted by a majestic wall of towering rock faces. Evening and overnight at camp

Day 06: Skiu to Markha (B/L/D) (6 hrs)
After breakfast at the camp, we will walk along one of the most beautiful sections of the Markha Valley. En-route we will pass several monasteries that are perched high on the hillsides and dotted with chortens (temples) and prayer walls. We will camp in the Markha valley (3793m) for the night.

Day 07: Markha to Hankar (B/L/D) (7hrs)
Breakfast at the camp followed by a trek to the distinctly cooler valley of Hankar. You will notice the changes once you leave the Markha Valley and head towards the twin villages of Lower and Upper Hankar. After a well spent day of 7 to 8 hours of trekking, we will arrive at Hankar (3986 m) in the late afternoon. Evening and overnight at camp.

Day 08: Hankar to Nimaling: (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the camp. Our journey today takes us on the trail to the plains of Nimaling, a broad meadow that reaches upwards to the base of Kangyatse peak (6553 m). The Nimaling plains are a great asset to the nomads living in this area as it provides pastures for their animals. Here you can also see the occasional wild sheep or wolf. We will arrive in Nimaling (4878 m) in the afternoon and set our camp in the meadow. The day will be spent exploring the fascinating valley.

Day 09: Nimaling to Shang Sumdo: (B/L/D) (6/8 hrs)
Breakfast at the camp followed by a long day ahead. We will begin our journey in the early morning with a slow ascent to the highest pass on this trek. The imposing Kongmaru-la pass sits pretty at a height of 5346 m, and looks beautiful in the glistening sun. After a good hour or so spent trekking, you will be rewarded with fine views of the Kangyatse peak in the distance. Afterwards, we then begin a steep descend down a slope until we reach the Martslang valley. We will spend some time at the sulphur springs of Chuskyrmo, and then resume our walk into the lovely village of Sumdo (5274 m). We will spend the night there, at the confluence of the Shang River and the Martselang stream.

Day 10: Shang Sumdo to Hemis and drive to Leh: (B/L/D) (3/4 hrs)
After breakfast at the camp, we will begin a leisurely walk congratulating everybody on the completion of the trek and singing melodies of the mountains. We will follow the jeep track along the Martselung stream and continue to the broadening valley of the Indus River. As we arrive in Hemis (3400 m), we will be greeted with a lovely view of the Hemis monastery in the distance. We will spend a little time inside the monastery, before heading back to the comforts of a hotel in Leh. We will arrive at Leh in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. In the evening we will be treated to a lavish hotel dinner.

Day 11: Leh to Delhi
Departure transfer to airport for the flight back home.

Day 12: Delhi –Out
Departure transfer to airport for the flight back home.

Includes:

• Accommodatioin in Delhi on bed and breakfast basis only
• Accommodation in a A category Hotel on twin sharing basis as per APAI plan only
• All transfers by non air-con Toyota Qualis Or Xylo
• Non air-con Toyota Qualis or Xylo during the entire duration of the tour as per suggested program.
• Sightseeing of monasteries as per the program
• Services of an English speaking local guide as per the itinerary
• All monastery fees included.
• All Tax & Driver allowance
• Services of a trained cook on the entire trek
• Services of a helper on the entire trek
• Services of an expert English speaking mountain guide
• All meals as per the day’s schedule
• Mules to carry luggage and equipment
• Camp charges during the entire trek
• “A” Shaped member tents
• All trekking equipment: includes, dining tents, mattresses, kitchen and toilet tents, tables, chairs, cutlery etc

Excludes:

• Any domestic airfare, overland journey except the above suggested tour program
• Any sightseeing in Leh or surrounding areas
• Any other meals / services not mentioned in the program
• Camera Fees at places of visit
• Any English speaking traveling escort cost
• Porters
• Any tips
• Any expenses of personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mineral water, tipping, shopping etc
• Sleeping bags, torch / head lamps, enough camera batteries, good trekking boots, slippers, enough medicines, energy bars and drinks, sun creams and lotions, toiletries, jackets and warm trousers etc.