The Markha Valley Trek is certainly one of the most varied and beautiful treks
in the world. It ventures high into the Himalayas crossing two passes over 15,000
ft. as it circles from the edges of the Indus Valley, down into parts ofZanskar,
and passes through terrain that changes from incredibly narrow valleys to wide
open vast expanses. It is mad
e
all the more interesting by the ancient form of Buddhism that flourishes in
the many monasteries that dot the landscape perched high atop hills. As we trek
to the upper end of the Markha Valley we are rewarded with spectacular views
of jagged snow capped peaks before cross the 16500 ft. Gongmarlu Pass and descending
to the famous Hemis monastery, where we end our trek. The trek has alternative
route from Spituk also.
Day 01: Leh - Stok (drive) - Foot of Stokla (4900M) 3 Hrs. Trek
Leave Leh early morning by Jeeps and reaches at Stok. Start trek from Stok,
after passing off Stok village and following left bank of the river for two
hours, climb gently leaving a small pass on the left, continue onto a small
valley, It is the foot of Stokla. Overnight in Tents.
Day 02: Foot of Stokla - Stokla - Yurutse 6/7 Hrs. Trek
After by passing this beautiful stopping valley, ascent upto Stokla 4900 Mtrs.
by very steep zigzag, difficult footpath, by now it is 3 Hrs. Now steep descent
to summer pastures of Stok and follow the river which comes from Stok - Kangri
massif. Overnight in Tents.
Day 03: Yurutse - Gandala - Skiu 6n Hrs. Trek
Yurutse follow path along the mountainside, then cross a small valley and follow
zig zag steep path. Thereafter cross Gandala. Then long descent towards Shingo.
After 2 Hrs. descent arrive in the valley of Markha and then after few hundred
meters further will reach Skiu. Overnight in Tents.
Day 04: Skiu - Markha 7 Hrs. Trek
FrQm Skiu, follow a good path on the right bank of Markha where one can find
great vegetation. Then cross right bank of river and cross through barren
plain and arrive at Chaluk. Thereafter walk along the left bank of river and
after another crossing climb towards Markha village. Good camp site beyond
the village and near river. Overnight in Tents.
Day 05: Markha - Tchatchutse 6n Hrs. Trek
Start trek towards the main valley on the right bank. The path is sometimes
difficult in the river bed and pass the monastery of Humlung. Then carry on
trek along the right bank and arrive in Hankar where there are several houses.
The path improves and cross a broad valley on the right side. The valley becomes
narrow and higher and cross bridges on to the left bank and then reaches Tchatchuste.
Overnight in Tents.
Day
06: Tchatchutse - Nimaling (4700 M) 3 Hrs. Trek
Trek starts on good path and several small inclines. The river is rather far
to the other side and walk near a small lake, then cross pasture to Nimaling.
This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the Kang
Yaze. Trek ascent towards other side and gradually reach Nimaling. Overnight
in Tents.
Day 07: Nimaling - Knogmarula (5150 M) - Shang 8 Hrs. Trek
Cross the Markha valley and follow 100ig climb along the mountain side, then
zig zag road leads towards Kongmarula. Follow steep descent into gorges and
then keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo. Thereafter crossing right and
left bank and arrive Shang, a beautiful camp in groves and there is a monastery
an hour away from the village. Overnight in tents.
Day 08: Shang - Hemis 4 Hrs. Trek - Leh 1112 Hrs. drive
Trek starts from the riverbed, then follow a good path through large blocks
and then go left bank. You reach a dusty trail suitable for motor vehicles and
then pass a small house and series of Chortens. Leave Martsellang on the right
and follow a gently rising trail towards Hemis. Visit Hemis monastery after
that drive towards to Leh via Shey and Thiksey monastery. Tour ends here.
Duration
: 22 nights / 23 days Trek Program
Day 1: Arrive Delhi, meet and transfer to Hotel. Stay overnight at
Hotel.
Day 2: Take the dramatic morning flight to Kullu, then continue by
jeep to Manali.
Day 3: Day free to explore Manali. Stay overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: We spend an additional day in the Kullu valley, to explore
the surrounding region.
Day 5: Trek out of Manali to the open meadow of Lamadug.
Day 6: Trek to Riyali, just above the treeline.
Day 7: Continue to the base camp of Kali Yani pass.
Day 8: Rest day in this spectacular natural setting at the base of
the pass.
Day 9: Over Kali Yani Pass (4725 metres) to our streamside camp at
Donku Thach.
Day 10: Continue down valley to the shepherd camp at Lamapar.
Day 11: Through a verdant valley with peaks all around to our camp
at Dalmarhi.
Day 12: We reach our first village in 7 days, Barabhangal.
Day 13: A rest day in the fascinating medireview village of Barabhangal.
Day 14: A steady climb to our camp at the base of Thamser Pass.
Day 15: Over Thamser Pass (4570 metres) to Pannatu.
Day 16: Along the river and through the woods to the tiny settlement
of Palachak.
Day 17: We are now in more inhabited country and we pass several small
villages on the way to our camp at the village of Biling.
Day 18: We continue down to the Tibetan refugee camp at Bir, then
travel by jeep to McLeod Ganj, home of Tibet's government-in-exile.
Day 19-20: We spend two additional days in McLeod Ganj to visit the
Tibetan library, local Buddhist monasteries, and the town's colorful marketplace.
Day 21: We travel by jeep to Amritsar, site of the Golden Temple,
the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Overnight there.
Day 22: Early morning Express train to Delhi. Check in Hotel. Stay
overnight at Hotel.
Day 23: Depart-Delhi, Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey.
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