Markha Valley Trek

Day 1: Arrival at Delhi

Reception at the airport; transfer to the hotel and a relaxing overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi –Leh (3500 m) by air

Transfer to the domestic airport to take the flight to Leh over majestic Himalayas. You will be landing at 3500 metre from the sea level. On arrival at Leh airport our representative will transfer you to the hotel. To get acclimatised, you will relax till the mid-day and leave for excursion after the lunch in the hotel. Drive to Shankar Gompa, return on foot at your rhythm between the farms and villages. Visit Shanti Stupa, Royal Palace built by 5th Dalailama in 17th century,which looks like a little Potala of Lahasa. Stroll in the Bazzar and night in the hotel.

Day 3: Around Leh visit Spituk, Phyang

This day is spent visiting two monasteries of Ladakh. Leave to the west of Leh to visit Phyang Monastery: The monastery was founded 446 years ago (reckoning from 1977) by Tashi Chozang. There are sacred shrines and various wall paintings are to be seen which dates back from the royal period. The protected deity of the monastery is Apchi Choski Dolma. Way back visit Spituk monastery built in 11th century known for its giant statue of Kali whaich is revealed on the day of annual festival Gustor belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddisme and is home to the 100 of Lamas. Afternoon free, night in hotel.

Day 04: Leh-Zingchen (3,400m altitude) - Rumbak (3950m), one hour drive, 3 hours walk, Trek1

Transfer to Jhinchen, following the left banks of the Indus towards the west, You will cross a wide plateau in the shadow of the Stok range, before entering through a gorge inside the Hemis National Park. Park is home to the different common and elusive species of wild animal such as Bharal (Blue sheep) Red fox, marmot, Hare, snow leopard, Lynx, Urial and Arghali, Tibetan wolf etc. After an hour of drive, arrive at the starting point of the trek. The trek begins in the direction to Rumbak following the Rumback stream. Walk at the beneath of rocky and parched landscape dotted by the poplars shrubs. It is a short stage for the first day, which will allow you to acclimatize well. Campsite will be set near a small oasis out of village. Afternoon walk toward the village to know the lifestyle of local habitants and to gain the height to better acclimatization. Night in camp.

Day 5: Zingchen - Ganda La base (4500m), 4-5 hours trek; Trek 2 From Rumbak,

Day begin with easy trail following the riverbed (flooded recently) at the beneath of Stok range which remain on the left of the route. Yurutse with its 2 houses and farmland in front is located at the end pf the valley. Here onward trail start progressively ascending toward the campsite. This afternoon you will undertake a short walk toward pass to gain the height to get acclimatize and to get some striking views of the surrounding landscape. Night in camp.

Day 6: Yurutse - Skiu (3400 m) by Ganda-la (4800 m), 7 hours trek, Trek 3

We see beautiful scenery of Yurutse along the mountain. Crossing a small valley is followed by a zigzag climb to the plateau. We continue for nearly three hours down the mountain till the pass, Ganda La. A long descent to Shingo easily leads us in a splendid fashion. After descending for about two hours, we arrive in the Markha valley where we use the beautiful land of Skiu for camping.

Day 7: Skiu - Markha (3710 m), 7 hours trek; Trek 4

Day starts walking on the right bank of Markha River. It is a large rough motor able track with gravel and mud. Occasionally vehicle can be seen circulating to transport goods of local living in the valley. Today you will notice the vegetation more than rest of the Markha valley, its farmland and high rocky towers are awesome. Several successive crossings from left bank to right bank leads us to Chaluk (little houses). After while reached the beautiful campsite of Markha. By late afternoon visit the village houses a small Gompa. Night in tent.

Day 8: Markha - Tchatchutse (3750 m), 6 hours trek; Trek 5

The trek goes on the right bank of the main valley; the trail is easy as previous day. Kongyatse range is in clear view with its group of peaks. Follow the riverbed on large rough track across the thick bushes of sea buck throne, wild rose and willows bushes before reaching the village of Hankar. After a shot while from Hankar, take turn to the left valley which progressively goes up to the pasture of Tchatchutse. Night in camp.

Day 9: Tchatchutse - Nimaling (4700 m), 5 hours trek; Trek 6

The trail climbs gradually; the river is rather far below to the left. Magnificent view of the lunarscape remain far left of the trail. We continue near a small lake, then cross the pastures to Nimaling. This is one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by Kangyatse (east 6400 m-west 6200m). Several choice of the route leading to the summit are rather difficult to the east peak and moderate to the west peak. Plateau is home to the shepherd to graze their livestock during summer. Night in camp.

Day 10: Nimaling – Chogdo over Kongmarula (5150 m), 6 hours’ trek; Trek 7

Trail goes progressively by a zigzag ascends for about two hours to the pass Kongmaru la. Once at the pass, it offers panoramic views of the valley on the remote Zanskar range and on massif of Kongyatse and surrounding peaks. After enjoying the view take steep descent by a zigzag trail to the rocky gorge adorn by multicolour hue. Trail goes up and down through narrow path over the riverbed and during the summer there can be successive river crossing. Once at Chogdo, camp at the place where valet start opening. Night in camp.

Day 11: Chogdo – Hemis –Thiksey- Leh, 70 km

Morning drive to Leh, on the way visit monasteries of Hemis. A mass of splendid architecture was built by the inveterate royal architect Singe Namgyal in1630. The monastery belongs to Drukpa sect of Buddhism. Next stop is at Thiksey, a majestic monastery perched on a rocky outcrop built in the 15th century during the first wave of expansion of Gelugpa sect in Ladakh. At the entrance, there are painting of protective deities and the great masters of the sect. Afternoon arrive at Leh, rest of the time is free. Night in hotel.

Day 12: Leh- Delhi by air and departure.

Morning transfer to the domestic airport, flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi visit to the street of old Delhi by Tricycle (man driven rickshaw). Discover the spice market and colorful bazar, over view on red fort and Grand Mosque ( Jama Masjid ).You can have lunch in Karim restaurant known for Mughlai Cuisine . A glimpse to India gate and president house before visiting the Canaught Place. Room for wash and change at basis of quadruple sharing. Transfer to airport to board your flight to your onward destination. No hotel in Delhi.

Contact us for the optional choices of the extension:

1: Same day Agra to visit Taj Mahal.

2: One night two days Agra to visit Taj Mahal.

3: Golden Triangle of 3 nights 4 days.

4: Varanasi or Banaras for 2 nights 3 days