Highlights:
“An adventure around vast and largest valley of Ladakh, a little Tibet.
Explore the remote corners of Ladakh and its beautiful wild country.
Crossing high and scenic passes of Ganda-La and Kongmaru-La
Exciting walks around isolated villages visiting old historical monasteries
Grand views of Zaskar and Ladakh Himal range on daily scenic trekking”
Overview
Overviews:
Markha Valley Trekking, one of the best that one can enjoy and experience the wild desert-like country. As well as exploring rural farm villages and ruin ancient forts and majestic monasteries that Ladakh has to offer. An exciting walk and quite strenuous for some days crossing high passes Ganda-La, Shang-La, Matcho-La.
The highest of all is Kangmaru-La at 5,216 m /17,113 feet, which rewards a breathtaking panorama of scenic landscapes with snow peaks.
Markha Valley Trekking, the largest valley of Ladakh offers stunning scenic vista, as well as visiting nice interesting settlements.
The Markha Valley is one of the most popular areas for adventure trekking around the huge Ladakh plateau.
The whole valley is renowned for fabulous vista and Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries around isolated windblown villages.
Markha Valley trekking begins, on arrival from Delhi to Leh the capital of Ladakh, a union territory of India. Located close to the Karakoram and Zaskar Himalayan Mountains, famously known as ‘Little Tibet’ as well the land of high passes. The word ‘La’ means passes and Dhak for countless, which makes the name Ladakh, situated in northwest India.
In Leh, for acclimatization and tour of the famous historical and religious site of great interest, along with its colorful culture.
After a wonderful time at Leh and beyond, our adventure starts with an exciting drive towards the scenic countryside. Following the Zaskar River and into a gorge towards Skiu and Zingchen villages, then starts our walk to Yurutse.
The walk leads to cross the first pass over Ganda-La Pass at 4, 950 m towards Shingo, isolated small Yak herder settlements. After spending overnight camping at Hankar and Nimoling smaller farm areas then heading towards high trails around the windswept arid valley. Where climb leads to cross the highest pass Kongmaru-La at 5,260 m towards Choskrimo, a small Yak herder camp. A spectacular panorama of high Markha valley with exciting views of the Karakoram and Zaskar Himalaya range from Kongmaru-La.
Slowly walk leads to our destination at the end of classic adventure crossing two more passes of Shang-La and Matho-La.
As trek leads towards Stok village, where our amazing Markha valley concludes taking a drive back to Leh. At Leh for last final overnight stop in Ladakh, after great mesmerizing adventure on Markha Valley Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Leh / Ladakh 3, 500 m Kushok Bakula Rimpoche
airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: A day in Leh for acclimatization and tour of Leh former
palace, Shanti Stupa overnight in View Point Hotel.
Day 03: At Leh tour of Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis Monastery.
Day 04: Full day drive and tour of Lamayuru, Alchi Gompa.
Day 05: Drive to Zingchen and trek towards Yurutse 4,148 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Shingo 4, 138 m via Ganda-la Pass 4, 950 m-06 hrs. Day 07: Trek to Shara 3, 619 m and camp – 07 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Hankar 3, 840 m and camp – 06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Nimoling 4, 720 m and camp -06 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Choskirmo 3,915 m via Kongmaru-La 5,216 m-06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Shyang Phu 4, 146 m and camp – 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Gangbuche 4, 228 m via Shang-La 4, 800 m-06 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Chagmachen 3,445 m via Matho-La 4,876 m- 06 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Stok village 2,3 hrs and to Leh 3, 500 m -04 hrs.
Day 15: Depart from Leh for Delhi for connecting international flight.
Best seasons for Markha Valley Trekking:
The best time for this wonderful adventurous trekking is from the mid-spring and autumn seasons, late spring April and May, and autumn/fall begins from September to October months.
April & May are fine clear days most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes. Autumn / Falls another best time for the climb and tour of Ladakh with a fine clear day. But days are short with sunlight hours can be freezing cold, especially in the morning, and night times will be clear with bright starry nights. Chances of snowfall during the climb.
For interested people can visit Ladakh for a tour and trekking during summer times of June to August also. As Ladakh falls within rain shadow area, where monsoon dark rain clouds blocked by the great Himalayas. That is why Ladakh most areas are dry and arid with fewer rains.
Religion and Culture:
Ladakh and the North West Himalaya are populated by Ladakhi people descendants of a mixed tribal race of Mons of North India, and Dards of Baltistan with Mongols of Central Asia. History shows the Mons were the first immigrants, followed by Dards who founded different settlements in the Indus valley. Follows strong Buddhism religion and culture similar to Tibetan culture of ancient Buddhism heritage with many monasteries of great religious significance.