Markha Valley Trek

After breakfast visit Red Fort* – the 17th-century imposing fortress, the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India's largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat –Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial. In the afternoon visit New Delhi. You will drive past President's Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later visit Humayun's Tomb, and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world (73 meters).

* Red Fort is closed on Mondays

Morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Leh. Upon arrival at Leh airport, you will meet by the representative and transfer to the hotel.

Day free for acclimatize.

Overnight at the Hotel

Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.

Then we visit Thiksey Gompa an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis gompa founded in the 1630s by stag-Tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyal.

Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. the festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as the second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world.

Later in the evening we drive back to the hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

After breakfast full-day excursion to Alchi.

Alchi Gompa dates back to the year 1000 AD and was built by the Translator, Rinchen Zangpo. He even made a reference about the monastery in his biographies. It is written that he brought thirty-two sculptors and woodcarvers from Kashmir, for the construction of the Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh. The monastery is sited at a distance of approximately 67 km to the west of Leh. One can easily see an Indian touch in this monastery, especially in the way its paintings have been made.

Overnight at the Hotel

After breakfast drive to Chilling. Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided metal works such as copper, bronze, tin, silver, and iron to the Leh market through the centuries. It is said that the gold comes from the local mines. The rest of the day is free to explore Chilling village.

Overnight in the Camp

After breakfast starts trek towards Skiu. The walk is not an as easy one; today we will cross the Zangskar River with a cable car along with our luggage as ponies cannot cross the river. Another crew will be waiting for us on the other side.

Overnight in the Camp.

Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various points and passes through winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshment. After crossing the river for the last time, we will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery, and a ruined fort could be visited.

Overnight in the Camp

The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched on a towering cliff that looms above Markha, well worth visiting if we have the energy! The path then intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of Kang-Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last in the valley), we will press onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste.

Overnight in the Camp

Today the trail will lead us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest camp on the trek, giving us spectacular views of Kang Yatse to the right, the Zangskar Range and the Markha Valley below.

Overnight in the Camp

Rest of Day

We climb to the top of Kongmaru La (5100m) which offers excellent views and descend to enter a narrow gorge to our campsite at Chuskyurmo at 4000 meters.

Overnight in the Camp

From Chuskyurmo, we turn into a tributary valley which leads to Gyuncho La at 4700 meters. Descending from the pass, we make camp at Shang Phu at an altitude of 4365 meters. A total of 5 to 6.

Overnight in the Camp

Today we climb to cross the Shang La (4960m) and then descend to the Tokpo River and trek further downhill contouring around spurs and over a 4550m pass to our camping place at Gangpoche (4435m). 6 to 7 hours of walking.

Overnight in the Camp

Trek back to Stok village (3610m/11843ft) and Drive to Leh / 30 minutes drive

Finishing our 130km trek we descend to Stok Village at 3610m, tour Stok Palace Museum and drive to Leh. The walk is nearly all downhill taking 3 1/2 to 4 hrs through a dramatic canyon with amazing red sandstone formations.

Overnight at the Hotel

Morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi, check in at the hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Room will be available till 1200 Noon.

In time transfer to the airport to board your flight back home/onward destination.