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Markha Valley trek |
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 India
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Ladakh Tours main page |
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Markha Valley trek highlights |
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This is a very beautiful trek, in difficulty rated
moderate to strenuous on account of the high passes that need to be crossed. It
includes an exciting crossing of the Zanskar river by trolley at the village of
Chiling. As all our treks it provides for excellent photographic opportunities,
whether of people, monasteries or nature. It leads through several villages of
Sham and Markha valleys, passing many chortens and mani walls, but mostly
through remote areas. At the start of the trek you visit the oldest monastery of
Ladakh, Lamayuru, which is reputedly also the most stunning in terms of its site
and views it offers and thus also the most photographed one. The beautiful
valley of Markha is overshadowed by many spectacular peaks, Stok Kangri (6123m)
and notably Kang Yatse (6400m) among others. In the summertime, the high
mountain pasturelands are dotted with grazing yaks and goats while the shepherds
are in their tents making butter and curd. The trail passes through Hemis
National Park, created to preserve the endangered snow leopard and other
wildlife, and finally brings you to Hemis, the richest and most famous monastery
of Ladakh, and the conclusion of the trek. This is among the most popular treks
in Ladakh offering the experience of the mountains as well visits to the most
impressive of Ladakh's monasteries.
Map below! |
Itinerary:
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Day
1
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Early morning flight
from Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.
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Day 2
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Morning sightseeing -
Shanti Stupa,
and Sangkar Gompa; lunch at hotel, afternoon rest.
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Day 3
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Day trip to visit
Shey and
Thikse monasteries.
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Day
4
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Leh to Lamayuru – 7 hours
by jeep, 125km from Leh. Visit Likir and Alchi monasteries on the way. Arrive Lamayuru by afternoon and visit the
Lamayuru Gompa. Overnight in camp.
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Day 5
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Lamayuru to Wanla - 4-5 hours. Start trek after breakfast via Pringkiti La (3700m) from where there is a
spectacular view of Zangskar Mountains and Konzske La. The steep descend via
Shellakung leads to first camp at Wanla, a pretty village. Overnight in Camp.
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Day 6
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Wanla to Hinju
5-6 hours. Leave Wanla for Hinju after breakfast, nice views of mountains
and narrow gorges along the way. The Hinju village is marked with many prayer
flags on its outskirts and has a good campsite.
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Day 7
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Hinju to Sumdha Chenmo 5-6
hours . Proceed towards Sumda Chenmo via Kungski La, 4950m. From the top
wonderful view of the trail just traversed from Pringkiti La can be seen. The
valley on the other side of the Kungski La has a few Hinju shepherds' huts,
providing for an
interesting break watching them make butter and cheese.
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Day 8
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Sumda Chenmo to
Dungdungchen La 5-6 hours. The trail leads past Sumdha Chu to the base of
Dungdungchen
La. Arrive at the base of the pass
after a good walk of 4-5 hours.
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Day 9
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Dundunchan La base to Chiling 5-6 hours. After a fantastic view from
Dungdunchen La (4700m), the
trail leads to Chilling village where the Zangskar River follows towards
confluence with Indus at Nimo. Chilling village is famous for metal works in
Ladakh. Initially the people of Chiling were brought to Ladakh from Nepal by
the king Deldan Namgyal who commissioned them to craft the statue of Shakyamuni
Buddha at Shey. After completion of the stunning statue the artisans were
rewarded with land at Chiling where they since settled and their metal craft
have acquired renown reputation throughout Ladakh and Zanskar.
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Day 10
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Chiling to Skyu 4-5 hours.
Here you need to cross Zangskar River with a cable car along with your luggage
as ponies cannot cross the river. Another pack train will be waiting for us on
the other side. Proceed to Skyu via Kaya.
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Day 11
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Skyu to Markha 7-8 hours.
Skyu lies in a lower altitude compared to most places in Ladakh thus it can get
there a bit hot at times in mid-summer. Walk along the Markha River, often
through thorn scrub. Along the way one is rewarded with wonderful views of the
valley. Towering prominently above the floor of the Markha Valley ahead is the
spectacular massif of Kang Yatse Peak (6400m). |
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Day 12
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Markha to Thachungtse 5-6
hours. The trail splits as soon as you leave the village, continuing below a
steep cliff. After double-crossing the river, a Tetsa Gompa comes to view on the left.
Arrive at Thachungtse after a lovely walk passing through Umlung on the way.
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Day 13
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Thachungtse to Nimaling
4-5 hours. Day filled with wonderful views of Kang Yatse and by several fine mani
walls. Arrive at Nimaling after a descend of picturesque pasturelands of Markha
valley villagers.
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Day 14
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Nimaling to Shang Sumdo
6-7 hours. Walk towards Shang Sumdo via Kongmaru La (5150m). This the
highest pass on this trek and a solid walk of around 7 hours is needed to cross
it. Arrive at Shang Sumdo by evening.
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Day 15
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Shang Sumdo to Hemis 5
hours. Walk along the stream down to Hemis monastery and the conclusion of the
trek. After visiting the famous Hemis Gompa return back to Leh by jeep.
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Day
16
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Full day of rest in Leh, sightseeing on your own.
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Day 17
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Return to Delhi; depart India.
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Click
to Print Itinerary
Book Now |
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Private Tours
17 days / 16 nights
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If you'd like to customize
this itinerary & run it as
your own Private Tour on
dates you select, email us! |
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Costs |
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On request
Book Now
Call:
720-220-6998
or
Email Us
and we call
you to discuss your Ladakh / India travel
plans!
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Difficulty Level |
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Max.
Altitude: 5150m
Overall rating on a scale of easy, moderate, strenuous, very
strenuous: moderate to strenuous |
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