Markha Valley Trek

The Markha valley trek is an high altitude trek which makes it to be of a moderate level. The trek is a picturesque one where you could feel that the dust is also changing its colour with the change of the landscape and this is totally intriguing. The highest altitude of the trek is around 5200 metres.

The trek has green patches and even the beautiful towering peaks. The trails of the trek are easily visible from before so the trekkers would not have much problem in crossing the paths.

The landscape of this trek is ever changing. At the smaller distances, the landscape keeps on changing from open scree to dusty patches and even to lush green patches which makes the trek even more fun and happening. It is always a curiosity to keep an eye of what is there ahead.

Trek Details

Day 1 – Arrive at Leh

The first day of the trek is to arrive at Leh choosing any transport based on your choice and budget. You are free to explore the Leh city and also the local markets as you have ample time on this day.

Day 2 – Acclimatization at Leh

It is one of the best days of the trek where you are exploring the Leh city by visiting places, checking out the monasteries, eating local food and lots of fun stuff with the entire trekking group.

Day 3 – Drive to Zingchen

On the third day, the drive to Zingchen from Leg begins. It is a 1-hour drive through the Zingchen valley where you will come across the Rumbak river that flows into the Indus valley. You will be taken to the Hemis National Park to explore the place.

Post this, reaching the Rumbak village and enjoying a warm cup of tea at the tea house is the next activity. Then a small trek to the Ganda La base begins which is the campsite for the day.

Day 4 – Ganda La Base to Shingo

The 4^th day is all about a 4 hour trek to Ganda La which is basically an ascent of 4900 metres. You will be viewing various beautiful peaks from this place and after spending some time amidst all these peaks, the trekkers would be making a gradual ascent to Shingo. This is the campsite for the day.

Day 5 – Shingo – Sara

The 5^th day is about descending through the gorge to Skiu. This is a beautiful village where you would find old monasteries and old castles. There is a small hiking route through the Markha river. Reaching Sara would take around 5 hours and this would be the campsite for the day.

Day 6 – Sara to Markha

Markha village is the largest village in this valley. This village has 20 houses, an extremely ruined fort and an old monastery as well. If you are trekking during the peak season, you would find a lot of refreshment centres in this village. It would take around 4 hours to reach Markha village and you reach the campsite by the afternoon time.

Day 7 – Markha to Thachungtse

It would take around 6 hours approximately to trek and reach the next destination which is Thachungtse. You will take a small break in the Hangkar village for lunch. Then follow the green pastures land till you reach Thachungtse.

Day 8 – Thachungtse – Nimaling

In this trail, you will trek by the Nimaling plateau. Nimaling is the highest camp of 4600 metres which would give you the spectacular views of the Kang Yatse.

Day 9 – Nimaling – Shangsumdo

This is the end day of the trek where post breakfast, you will have to cross a descent steep of Kongmaru La which is the highest peak of the trek. You will be camping overnight in Shang Sumdo and then drive from Sumdo to Leh the next day. The trip commences once you reach Leh.

Location and How to Reach

The Markha Valley trek falls in the Ladakh region. The starting point of the trek is at Leh. Leh is well connected with the road ways so you can reach to this place via your private or the public transport. Leh is also very well connected with airways and the nearest airport to Leh is Kushok Bakula airport.

Leh is the base area from which this trek starts.

Best Time to Try This Trek

The best time to go on this trek is during the months of June to September. The weather is amazing during this season. You will see the most picturesque views during this season. The trek altogether becomes interesting during these months and lots of trekkers prefer this time for trekking the Markha valley.

Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of this trek is moderate. So this means that the beginners could also go on this trek. But having some prior information of the place and a basic knowledge of the trek is also allowed to try this trek. If you have an experience of trekking at an altitude of 3000 metres then it would be a bonus for you.

Moderate level trek means it would involve a little more strength than that of the easy level treks.

Weather

The weather of the Markha Valley trek keeps changing from chilly to moderate. The temperature is between 8°C-15°C during the daytime and in between 0°C-7°C during the night time.

So, it is extremely chilly during the night and quite pleasing during the day.

Accommodation

The trekkers would be spending the nights in the tents and enjoy the camping time.

Inclusions

• Transportation during the Markha Valley trek.
• Camping equipment like the tents, sleeping bags and the sleeping mats.
• Guide, helper, cook and the other required staff.
• Forest entry charges and all the necessary charges and permit fees while going on Markha Valley trek.
• Meals and first aid kit while being on the Markha Valley trek.
• Mules and porters for carrying the camping luggage of about 10 kg per person only when the Markha Valley trek has started.
• Mountaineering qualified and the professional trekkers who have ample knowledge of the Himalayan camp and who have the best Markha trek reviews.
• The first aid basic kit is available for the trekkers along with the portal oxygen. It is really important during the Himalayan camp for the Markha Valley trek temperature.

Exclusions

• Personal Expenses and also the personal porters for personal use to cover the Markha Valley trek.
• Transport to and from the starting point.
• Insurance of any kind for this Markha Valley trek route.
• Personal trekking equipment.

ATM Points and Connectivity

The last ATM point and the last area to receive the phone connectivity before starting the Markha Valley trek is at Leh.

If the trekkers have to withdraw the money for the emergency use then this is the last accessible spot. And after Leh, you will not find any ATM spots.

It will be extremely difficult for you to get any minor phone connectivity too once you cross Leh.

We recommend you to make all the important calls while you are here before going to trek the Himalayas.