Day 01- Arrival Leh
The trek starts from Leh the major city in the Ladakh region. To start the trek it is important that you get acclimatized with the high altitude of Ladakh. For this the first day any physically intense activity should be avoided. In case you do not follow this you may fall victim of the AMS i.e. Acute Mountain sickness. You might walk a bit in the market of Leh and see how nicely tourism has developed in Ladakh since past few years.
There is a hospital, ATM, cafes and restaurants in Leh and you might want to check them out as they are cool. You can also have Ladakhi cuisine or hot momos which are very delicious. Apart from the market, there are monasteries like Shey, Thiksey, Shanti Stupa, etc. which you might want to check.
Day 02- Acclimatisation at Leh
Another day at Leh where you will get acclimatized with the altitude but since the last day was completely a rest day, today the day can be utilized for the local sightseeing. The monasteries can be visited today and you might also want to interact with the locals. There are excursions to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Magnetic Hill or Lamayuru that you can go for in this day.
Evening will be a briefing session where you will meet our operations team with some expert suggestions for the trek which is coming ahead. You will get the Dos and Dont’s also in case of emergency what should be done. Everything will be provided to you.
Day 3 – Leh – Zingchen (3400m) – Yurutse (4150m) (Trek/4hrs)
Today is the first day of the astonishing trek of the beautiful Markha, we will have an early morning breakfast and start the drive to reach Zingchen through Spikut Vaillage with some amazing landscapes. This is the start of the trek with easy and moderate at times gradient. The trekking trail to reach Yurutse through Rumbak Village is enjoyable but throw some challenges of water crossing enroute. We will set up the camps amidst cultivated land with strong winds blowing in the evening.
Day 4 – Yurutse (4150m) – Ganda La (4800m) – Skiu (3400m) (Trek 7/8hrs)
This day starts with an adventure as we approach the high mountain of Ganda La (4900 m). The climb is challenging as it is very steep and the cold intensifies so proper gearing up is required. Splendid views of Zanskar and other mighty himalayan ranges can be seen on both sides from the top. The descend towards the Shingo Village you will see that the trail gets connected to a gorge which is narrow heading towards Skiu. You will see a confluence of the two rivers coming from the Markha Valley and Shingo.
Overnight stay in tents with some delicious dinner.
Day 5 – Skiu (3400m) – Markha (3800m (Trek 6/7hrs)
Cheer up and Gear up! The trek today will take you to the Markha Village with multiple water crossings throwing a challenge in front of us all trekkers. Markha is a hamlet between a cold and dry desert and becomes a treat for the eyes. We see that the whole area is blessed with the green fields, willow trees with narrow leaves and a palace which is barren and deserted. We will set up the camps near the flowing stream and enjoy the song of the water.
Overnight stay in tents with some delicious dinner.
Day 6 – Markha (3800m) – Thochuntse (4150m, Trek /4-5hrs)
Brace yourself for the adventure which is filled to the top in this trek. If water crossing gives you hormonal rush you will get it in plenty today. Keep trekking through the natural formations and grounds which are covered under green grass and spot yaks grazing around the ground. The view of Kangyatze Peak (6400m) when you trek towards the village of Hankar is stunning. We will look for a place where we can set up the camps for today and settle.
Overnight stay in tents with some delicious dinner.
Day 7 – Thochuntse (4150m) – Nimaling (4700 m) (Trek/ 4hrs)
The trek towards Nimaling is comparatively easy as we have seen a lot of challenges in the last days. The view however continues to be beautiful with the backdrop of Kangyatze Peak and the adjacent grazing grounds. The camping site will be amidst the same ground. After some fun along with friends and guides we call it a day.
Overnight will be spent in tents.
Day 8 – Nimaling (4700m) – Kongmaru La (5150m) – Sumdo (3800m) – Leh 3500m (Trek 7hrs) (Drive 2hrs)
We have an early breakfast today as the highest mountain pass is standing right in front of us. This pass is – Kongmaru La (5200m). You will also get the views of the very famous highest peaks of Ladakh i.e. peaks of Nun Kun in the West and Saser Kangri to the North. Try and test your photography skills as we spend a few minutes here before starting the descend to Sukarmo, from here the trek ahead is just a normal flat walk that goes parallel to the river. Finally you arrive at the road head of Sumdo.
We now get in to the vehicle and start the drive towards Leh.
Overnight stay in Hotel with some delicious dinner.
Day 9 – Departure from Leh
The day is for you to start missing all the fun as you start your journey back to your city or get into another activity that you have planned.
Can this trek be done without expert guidance?
Yes of course, you can. It is a beginner level trek and does not require additional trekking skills or equipment. The trail is well laid and you won’t need a guide to help you. Local help is always available enroute.
Can I find accommodation and food during the trek?
Yes you will find villages that comes in between every few kilometers. These villages do have home stays as Markha Valley is a famous trek. The prices are budget friendly and you might negotiate further which we do not encourage. There is food also available at these homestays.
Can I find water sources on the trek?
You will find streams as source of water on the trails but it is not advisable to drink this water. You should carry a sipper which can be used to store water and can be refilled from the tea stall or locals houses.
What permits will I need to do the trek?
No, you do not need any permits. However, if you start from Spituk you will need to pay forest entry fees.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.