MARKHA VALLEY DZO-JUNGO PEAK

Morning after a short scenic of an hour flight to Leh from Delhi, on arrival at Leh,
Ladakh Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. As you head outside the air terminal, our staff
and guide receives you for short drive in the heart of Leh town to your Hotels.
Afternoon free at leisure, optional walk to the center of Leh and its market.

At Leh, for acclimatization and for an exciting tour at places of interest, Leh has a vast range of main bazaars on the street colorful local fruits and vegetables vendors. The streets are busy with roadside restaurants, cafes, and craft shops. The old Leh Palace stands on the top of the high hill overlooking Leh city and its valley. The white Peace (Shanti) Stupa stands nearby high on hill which is worth a visit for the great views of Leh. The world’s highest Polo ground is located beyond the main bus station, rest of the day free at leisure to browse around Leh, Ladakh capital.

Morning after breakfast, a full day tour taking a drive to Hemis, one of the largest
and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh with more than 150 monks; an annual
Hemis festival is held. The monastery, stands in a gorge surrounded by mountain
scenery, built in 18 th Century. On the way back to Leh visit Thiksey Gompa built in
16 th Century, situated on a hill top. The monastery enriched with Tibetan-style
books, a huge Buddha statue and excellent works of arts.
Last stop on the way back to Leh, tour of ruined Shey Palace once a summer
palace of the pre-Tibetan kings. Shey and its fort also known as Lachen Palkar
Palace, the massive nine-story stone structure lies at the base of the Tsemo ridge
and towers over the old town. Built by King Senge Namgyal during 15 th till 17 th
Centuary in a Tibetan style.
From here drive to Alchi farm village a tour of 10 th Century Alchi monastery of
great religious and historical interest. After a great drive and tour of famous areas
of Ladakh and its old religious and historical monasteries drive back to Leh for
overnight.

From Leh, starting after early breakfast, the drive leads to Stok village on a good road
for a few hours. Then taking the off-road to the Stok area, route visit Stok Palace,
which is the start of our approach towards our adventurous trek around Markha
valley to Chagmachen. On reaching Stok village, and getting organized for the treks,
the trail follows past several homesteads and numerous ruins of old fortresses.
Walk leads up to the valley to reach Chagmachen our first overnight camp after
a steady walk of four hours. Enjoy the scenic wilderness, Chagmachen is a small
village or a settlement of Yak herders.

After a wonderful first overnight in the tented camp, and having breakfast provided by our camping chef’ and kitchen staff. The morning walk leads close to the route of Stok Khang-Ri peak, while our trail follows uphill to Stok-La. Enjoy the grand views of Markha valley with a close view of Stok Khang-Ri peak, and down to Yurutse a small yak herder’s village for overnight camp.

Enjoy the morning panorama of Ladakh Himal and Zaskar range of peaks, walk
leads to a high ridge, and then down to the base of the Ganda-La pass base.
After a brief refreshing stop climb on top Ganda-La Pass, facing views of
surrounding snow-capped peaks, and then down to a small place of Shingo.
From this isolated settlement, the walk leads on the gradual path with a few short ups and down to Sku village for overnight camp.

From the small windblown village of Sku, the walk follows a ridge line facing the north face
of Stok Khang-Ri peak. A great day in complete wilderness enclosed by high
snow-capped peaks, as the route leads ups and down to a remote settlement of Sara.
Stopping for lunch finding a shade against the cold wind, then start the afternoon
long walk with more ups to Markha for an overnight halt. The Markha village is
situated in between Rumbak and Nimaling and is home to a long-abandoned,
picturesque fort.

From Markha, morning starts heading due north-west facing views of Kang Yatse
peak II at above 6, 250 m. A magnificent snow-clad mountain dominates the
views for a couple of days, the trail leads to amazing sights of fascinating natural creations. Heading close to a large boulder, balanced precariously on top of
consolidated earth spikes. The walk is pleasant on gradual ups and down till
Thachungtse is reached, after crossing a small wooden bridge.
Situated on a lovely valley for an overnight camp in beautiful landscapes at
Thachungtse. Also a popular place for herds of blue sheep that moves up and down the steep cliffs of incredible agility.

After a wonderful overnight with a scenic valley at Thachungtse, the morning leads to
a short climb to a high ridge, festooned with several Mani, a stone monument
with prayer inscriptions and walls. As you walk to come across twin small glacial lakes, the
views get better-facing the peaks of Kang Yatse I and II. Includes views of Dzo Jongo
East and West peaks that reflect in the calm serene lakes. From here on beyond
the Markha Valley on the cross junction of various routes to Dzo Jongo and Kang
Yatse peaks.
As the walk slowly follows on a wide ridge reaching Nimaling for overnight camp
before heading towards our main destination.

After a pleasant overnight in the nice valley at Nimaling, morning an interesting walk
as the route diverts from Nimaling valley. The trail leads to a faint path, almost
invisible only an expert guide can trace the right route. The walk leads towards
the base camp of Dzo Jungo West peak, which is near Kang Yatse II Peak. The walk
leads across where Langtang Chu which flows from Zalung Karpo-La, covered in
rocks of the old moraine. Finally, the day ends on reaching Dzo Jungo West Peak base
camp overnight and for an exciting adventure climb the next day after having an
acclimatization day.

Enjoy an extra free and leisure day after continues walk for several days, can hike around at view-points. From the nearby hills one can enjoy views of Twin Lakes
with Kang Yatse I and II peaks, includes Dzo Jongo East and West peaks.
Rest of the day practice climb up the hills for better acclimatization for next early
ascent to Dzo Jongo Peak.

Start the climb as early as possible after having a good breakfast and carrying
packed lunch for the long climb. Follow our expert guide, the route leads to a
steep rise to reach 6, 239 m high on top of Dzo Jungo Peak summit.
Climb heads over loose moraine and scree of rocks, one of the main obstacles to
securing the foot en route. Using the support of a trekking pole or ice-axe, climb heads
to a crevasse covered with snow. Depending upon the level of snowfall,
sometimes needs to climb with the support of a fixed rope for safety measures.
After a gruesome struggle for hours, they reach on top of Dzo Jungo West Peak.
Take a rest and enjoy the 360-degree panorama of the Zanskar range with the Karakoram
and surround by high snow-capped peaks. Includes views of the beautiful valley down
below. If the day is crystal clear one can view all the way to K2 peak in the far
north-west. The world’s 2 nds highest, the views also include some mountains
across the border of Tibet. After a great successful climb, achieving the final goal
and highlights, descend carefully to base camp.

After completing the climb with great success, and clearing the camp, packing all
the gears and garbage. Return journey downhill on rolling red hills made of
the canyon and eroded cliffs. A walk leads to further descent with short few ups and
down to Chokdo a small village, situated around Shang Valley.
From Chokdo, drive on a rough dirt track past Shang Sumdo, then on downhill to
reaching the main highway near Hemis village and the monastery.
From here another few hour drive brings you to Leh, for the last overnight at Ladakh,
enjoy rest of the evening at leisure and browse around the streets of Leh.

Depending upon flight time for Delhi, our guide and staff transfers you to the
airport for a scenic flight to Delhi. After a memorable adventure and experience on
Dzo Jungo Peak Trek and Climb.