The Markha Valley is one of the most popular treks in Ladakh. It is
relatively short, located close to Leh, the walking is mostly below 4000 metres
with night stops around 3500 metres and has the best of Ladakh thrown in:
Sculpted canyons and fantastic rock formations, medieval villages,
Buddhist gompas and snow-peaks. When approached from Chilling there is only one
pass to cross the Kongmaru La which comes on Day 8 of the trek by which time
most trekkers are properly acclimatised. The
cost of the trek is Rs 44,500 ( USD 825) Leh to Leh - exclusions apply. For
further details please do e-mail us at sujoyrdas@gmail.com or check our web site at Markha Valley trek.
Day 01 Delhi to Leh
We take the
spectacular one hour flight over the Himalayas to Leh. Be
prepared to sit on the left hand window seat for the best views. The rest of
the day is spent acclimatizing in Leh.
Day 02 Acclimatization
day in and around Leh
We take the opportunity
to visit some of the splendid monasteries in and around Leh like Shey, Thikse,
Hemis etc.
Day 03 Leh to Chilling
by road and then walk to Skiu 3400m (4 hours)
We leave Leh in the
morning after an early breakfast and then drive to Chilling in around two
and a half hours. We meet our pony man and support team in Chilling. From
Chilling we start our four hour walk to Skiu and reach by later
afternoon.
Day 04 Skiu to Tunespa 3600 m ( 4 hours)
The trail is mostly flat
following the Markha river. After around three hours the trail crosses a bridge
and then traverses some steep slopes before entering the hamlet of Chaluk. From
Chaluk there is a short walk to Tunespa which is small village with cultivated fields.
Day 05 Tunespa to Markha 3700 meters 3 hrs & then Markha
to Hankar 3900 metres 3 hrs
The trail from Tunespa
climbs up to some chortens from where there is a good view of the valley. It
continues to follow the river until it enters Markha where we have lunch. From
Markha it is a gentle climb past Umlung to Hankar where we stop for the night.
Day 06 Hankar to
Tahungtse 4150 metres 3 hours and the Tahungtse to the Tea
Tent (lake) 3 hours
From Hankar the trail climbs to reach
the walled pastures of Tahungtse. We stop for an early lunch here and then
proceed after lunch to reach the small tarn with excellent mountain views.
There is a small tea tent here in season for refreshments.
Day
07 Tea Tent to Nimaling ( 4720 meters) 2 hours uphill
The trail climbs to
Nimaling which is a large valley where yaks, sheep and goats are grazed by the
villagers of Markha. We do a short day to Nimaling as the next day has a pass
crossing and a stiff downhill! It is beautiful campsite but can often be cold
and windy!
Day 08 Nimaling to Kongmaru La 5100 meters 2 hours and then down to Chukirmo
4050 meters four hours
The trail then climbs to
the pass of Kongmaru La from where there are good views over the Zanskar
mountains and the peak of Kang Yaze. From the pass the trail drops steeply for about 1000 metres to the
settlement of Chukirmo where we camp for the night.
Day 09 Chukirmo
to Shang Sumdo 31/2 hours and then drive to Leh two hours
The trail continues to
drop but more gradually now to Chogdo and then passes a school and
finally enters Shang Sumdo. We have our packed lunch in Shang Sumdo and then
drive back to Leh.
Day 10 Leh to Delhi
We can avail the morning flight from
Leh to Delhi and be back in civilization in an hour! In case
you wish to stay on in Leh further please do inform us for hotel bookings and
onward reservations.
