Markha Valley Trekking 16 Days

 
ladhaktrekking_3 

Markha Valley Trekking

  • Overview
  • Full Itinerary
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Markha valley trek is one of the most popular trek in region. Our trip begins landing the capital city of India.We take a memorable flight over the Himalaya and arrive at Leh the capital of Ladhak is also known as “the desert in the sk”. We spend several days here by visiting Buddhist monasteries that are exact replica of Tibetan Buddhism at the same time our body gets used to with high altitude.  It is an amazing trip to get factual insight into the magical and remote Buddhist kingdom of Ladhak.We visits the colorful monasteries at Shey, Thikse and Hemis before hitting the trail leading through the Markha Valley. The trail passes through several remote and picturesque villages, high altitude pastures of Namling and Kang Yatze Peak.

Short Itinerary

Day 01: Onboard Flight to New Delhi (India)
Day 02: Arrive New Delhi.
Day 03: Fly New Delhi to Leh.
Day 04: Leh Sightseeing Tours.
Day 05: Leh Sightseeing Tours.
Day 06: Drive from Leh to Chiling.
Day 07: Trek from Chiling to Skiu.
Day 08: Trek from Skiu to Markha Village.
Day 09: Trek from Markha Village to Tchutchse.
Day 10: Trek from Tchutchse to Nimaling (4720m.
Day 11: Rest at Nimaling.
Day 12: Trek from Nimaling to Chogdo.
Day 13: Trek Chogdo to Shang Sumdo.
Day 14: Shang Sumdo to Leh.
Day 15: Fly from Leh to Delhi.
Day 16: Departure from Delhi.

Trip Cost  >

5350$/P

International Flights >

$1450/Person

Regional Flights       >

$230/Person

Travel Innsurance  >

From $250/P






















Cost Includes:
Cost Excludes:
- All airport transfers.
- Hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis.
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- North Face Tents during the treks.
- Private vehicles.
Local English Speaking  Escort/guide.
- All sightseeing  with entry fees.
- Inner Line Permit.
- All applicable govt. taxes.
   - All flights.
   - All applicable airport taxes.

   - Special entry fees for camera / video camera.
   - Laundry, telephone calls, drinks, etc.
   - Tips.
   - Travel and Personal Insurance.
   - Passport and Visas.
    - All other services different from above mentioned.
Sector
Hotel/Camping
Nights
New Delhi Imperial Hotel 02
Leh The Grand Dragon Leh 04
Trekking Camping 08
Day 01: Arrive New Delhi.
Our representatives will receive you at the airport with warm welcome, and drive you to your hotel. In the afternoon, proceed to the sightseeing tours of two of the prime locations of Delhi - Red Fort and Raj Ghat.Red Fort: It is one of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture, built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. It has walls extending up to 2 kms in length with the height varying from 18 meters on the river side to 33 meters on the city side. The Fort sports all the obvious trappings befitting a vital center of Mughal governance - halls of public and private audiences, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the Fort is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which helps one to break away, from noisy and busy life outside the walls of the Fort.  
Raj Ghat: The cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of India, and other great personnel of India, such as Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.  Raj Ghat is situated to the south of Red Fort and is very peaceful site.  
Day 02: Fly New Delhi to Leh (Flight Duration: 80 minutes). 

Our representatives from Leh will receive you at the airport, and drive you to your hotel. Rest of the day, you could spend relaxing at the hotel, and preparing yourself for all the memorable places you will be visiting in next few days.   
Day 03: Leh Sightseeing Tours. 

After breakfast, we proceed to the full day sightseeing tours of the prime locations of Leh. Thiksey Monastery: It is a glorious Buddhist monastery located in the top of hillock about 12 kms from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. It encloses numerous Stupas, Thangkas, statues, swords, wonderful wall paintings, and a large pillar carved with Buddha’s teachings. A marvelous Buddha statue in the seated position is adorning the main prayer hall. Thiksey Festival, a major attraction for tourists and Buddhist devotees, is conducted here with splendor and much pomp.   
Shey Palace: It is situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh. Around 12 feet of Lord Buddha's statue, the largest in the region, made by copper guilt is housed here.  There is another statue of the Buddha three stories in height also with various stone carvings and many chortens scattered around. 
Sankar monastery: Also situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. It was constructed by the first king of Ladakh. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.     
Day 04: More Leh Sightseeing Tours.

After hearty breakfast at the hotel, we proceed to the full day sightseeing tours in and around Leh.
Leh Palace: This is used to an old palace of the Ladakh rulers, and it overlooks the town from the southwest slope of the Tsemo hill. It has eight stories and was at the same time around the famed ‘Potala of Lhasa’, which resembles this palace quite a bit. The damage to the palace on one side, which is gaping open now, stems from the Kashmiri invasions of the last century.  
Leh Gompas: There are a number of Gompas in the old town of Leh - such as the Guru Lakhang to the left of the palace, Chamba Lakhang to the south of the palace, and the Chenrezig Lakhang to the southeast. In the centre of Leh, the Buddhist association of Ladakh  built the new monastery containing an image of Lord Buddha that was brought form Tibet. Meetings of the Buddhist association are held in this monastery. 
Shanti Stupa: A relatively new addition to the rocky skyline around Leh is the white Shanti Stupa inaugurated in 1983 by the Dalai Lama. It is also known as the "Peace Pagoda", whose sides are decorated with gilt panels depicting episodes from the life of the Buddha.The Ecology Centre: Five minutes' walk north of the main bazaar, the Ecology center is the headquarters of LEDeG  (the Ladakh Ecological Development Group) - a local non government organization that aims to counter the negative impact of western style "development" by fostering economic independence and respect for traditional culture. This involves promoting "appropriate" technologies such as solar energy, encouraging organic farming and cottage industries, and providing education on environmental and social issues through village drama, workshops and seminars. 
Day 05: Drive from Leh to Chiling (3250m; Trek: 5 hrs).

Today we drive for about 5 hours to reach the lovely and picturesque village of Chiling, which is situated at the confluence of two great rivers of Indus and Zanskar. Here, for the first time on our trek, we get to walk on the ice of the frozen Zanskar river, which will be quite a thrilling experience. We camp in a meadow below the village among tranquil willow groves.   

Day 06: Trek from Chiling to Skiu (3500 m; Trek: 5 hrs).

This morning we begin with the thrilling ride over the little two-man cable car hauled across by the ferryman. We get into some really exciting and classic Ladakhi landscape. Our path winds its way beautifully over the eroded rolling ridges. It will be quite hot and dry above the steep east bank of the Zanskar river. The good trail continues as we start our journey up the Markha (over the next few days we will follow it all the way to its origins). The first village we encounter is Kaya, and then shortly after that, we reach the picturesque village of Skiu, which will have our campsite for the night. Here in Skiu, we come across with an incredible array of hundreds of chortens, mostly in disrepair, and the walls of ruined gompas will give us the hint of Markha's mysterious ancient history.  
Day 07: Trek from Skiu to Markha Village (3705m; Trek: 6 hrs).

Today we start early as it can be hot later in the day. We continue up by the river, which gives way to willow groves and pastures fenced off from pack animals by thorny hedges. Crossing the main river by a simple log bridge, we continue on the south bank, where there are a choice of two routes, one along the tree lined river, and the other on the slopes above used only when the river is in spate. They soon rejoin anyway and we pass some lush pony grazing, before reaching the fields around the little village of Chaluk.  We climb up through the fields of this village and reach a ridge with many chortens, mani stones, and our first glimpse of Kang Yatse peak. More pastures and dry flats lead us to another chorten ridge, where there will be some cave houses. On the flats below we must take off our shoes and socks to cross the river.  Our campsite is on the near side of Markha village, in a gorgeous meadow with willow trees belonging to a grand household on the south bank.  
Day 08: Trek from Markha Village to Tchutchse (4150m; Trek: 5hrs).

After lush fields of Markha, we reach a bend in the river marked by a rock spire. We cross the river by the base of the great spire, and take the level route over the rock. It will be a wonderful sight, followed just around the corner by Umlung gompa high on the cliff above. We pass through the small settlement of Umlung and then the valley widens out, giving us our best view so far of Kang Yatze peak. This shapely peak now stands at the head of the valley, and after walking alongside the barley fields and mani walls, we reach the lovely village of Hankar (3,950m). Here we leave the main valley, which swings southward, and turn up through a rocky gateway to the lively Nimaling Chhu rushing down through a gorge to the west. Crossing beautiful wild flower meadows, we reach a bridge across to the south bank and continue up to Tchutchse, which will have our campsite. This is another beautiful location with lush pastures, colored flowers, and clear water of the river running through the rocks.  
Day 09: Trek from Tchutchse to Nimaling (4,720m; Trek: 6 hrs).

Today we have a magnificent walk and one of the finest days on the whole Markha Valley trek. The trail passes through delightful lush green pastures covered with wild flowers. At the head of the valley, the snow capped peak of Kang Yatze draws our gaze. We cross another wooden bridge across the river and begin a steep climb up to the high plains of Nimaling, where ibex and Himalayan blue sheep (bharal) graze. In the winter months, wolves are seen often coming down from the mountains to hunt in this area, but in the summer they are a rare sight. Nimaling is situated at an altitude of over 4600 metres making this the highest campsite on our trek so far. The grassy plains make a fantastic campsite and on almost all sides we are surrounded by high peaks and passes.   Nimaling can be pleasantly warm during the day but in the late afternoon and night time  temperatures might fall well below zero. But with crystal clear skies, the night time stars cape from here is unbelievable and spectacular. 
Day 10 : Rest at Nimaling.

Today, we will spend the whole day acclimatizing to Nimaling’s elevation, and recuperating for more treks to come. The surrounding will be a plain area where with tiny ponds and streams flowing all over its meadows. You will see here animals like sheep, goats, horses, yak, Himalayan marmots, and white tailed hares. If we get bored, we could explore the picturesque village and enjoy cultural encounter with the local folks. 
Day 11: Trek from Nimaling to Chogdo (4070 m; Trek: 7 hrs).

We begin by climbing the hillside immediately behind the campsite steadily towards the pass. The top of the pass is adorned with many colorful prayer flags, which flutter wildly in the breeze, and the views in all directions will be spectacular. To the north, we can gaze out towards Tibet, the eastern Karakorams, and China. To the south lies Kang Yatze peak. And, to the west, we can see dry mountains of Zanskar spread out before us. And in the distance, the snow capped peaks of Sickle Moon, Nun, and Kun will be standing tall and majestic. The descent from the pass is fairly steep to begin with but the angle soon eases, and we enter a narrow gorge with many varied and colorful rock formations. We descend to the valley floor and reach our campsite at Chogdo (4100m) with its small clear stream and a few stone houses. 
Day 12: Trek Chogdo to Shang Sumdo (3660m; Distance: 7 hrs). 

Leaving behind Nimaling, we start trekking towards Kongmaru La pass. We can catch breath taking outstanding view of Karakoram ranges and Leh valley from the pass. Several pristine village settlements can also be sighted. Thereafter, the trail descends further down to meets gorges and follows the left bank to Chumiktangmo. After lunch, we continue our journey towards the lovely twin villages of Shang Sumdo. This is an excellent place to relax after the rugged landscape of the past few days, with our campsite amongst the groves of willow trees.  
Day 13: Shang Sumdo to Leh (Trek: 5 hrs; Drive: 2 hrs).

This will be an easy morning walk gradually down through more wonderful rock gorges to the valleys junction.  We skirt round to the great Hemis gompa and village, where our jeeps will be waiting for us. Founded in the 17th century, this Kagyu-pa monastery is the largest in Ladakh. We head out to Hemis town for our lunch, before driving to Leh. 
Day 14: Fly from Leh to Delhi.

We take back the flight to Delhi over the plateau waving good bye and taking along the memories. After arriving Delhi, we could spend the rest of the day pursuing our personal leisurely activities in and around the hotel. 
Day 15: Departure from Delhi.

We thank you for being with us on your incredible journey, and drive you to the airport for your safe trip back home.
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Trip Info

  • Arrival Info:  
    Our representative will be arriving at the airport you will be landing. Please look for a board with your name or South Asian Holidays. Upon welcome greetings, you will be transfered to hotel.
  • Hotel Info: 
    Hotel we book are carefully selected and located in the city center unless you requested different hotel by name and category. 
  • Guide Info:
    We carefully select our guides who knows the route well and lead several group for the same trip you booked. 
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