Markha Valley Trek | Photographs in Black and White

Storm clouds over the ramparts of Markha monastery

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 Kongamaru La which comes on Day 8 of the trek by which time most trekkers are properly acclimatised. This is one of  South Col's favourite Ladakh treks. Here are some photographs from Leh and the Markha valley from our visit in the summer of 2016.

Leh palace and monastery

Entrance of Hemis monastery

Prayer flags on the trail in a village

A South Col trekker in the Markha valley

Part of the trail submerged in unseasonal rain

Night Markha campsite

Kangyatse peak at sunrise from Nimaling

For some of our other stories on the Markha do visit
http://sujoyrdas.blogspot.in/2014/02/the-markha-valley-trek-part-i.html

http://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/up-above-the-world-so-high/