The Markha Valley Trek

Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days

Travel Destination: Delhi - Leh - Zingchen - Yurutse - Skiu - Markha - Thachunche - Nimaling - Shang Sumdho - Leh - Basgo - Leh - Delhi

Day 1: Delhi- After reaching Delhi airport, meet our representative who'll escort you to one of our listed hotels. Check-in at the hotel to enjoy the cozy comfort of its room. In the evening take a leisurely walk to explore the pulsating nightlife of Delhi. Enjoy overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi - Leh- Early morning after breakfast transfer to the Delhi airport to board a flight to Leh. On reaching Leh airport, meet our representative who'll escort you to one of listed hotels. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the high altitude of Ladakh. Acclimatization at high altitude places is important for eliminating the chances of any form of altitude sickness. In the evening you may take a leisurely walk to explore the nearby area of Leh. Retire for the night at the hotel.

Day 3: Leh- In the morning after breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Leh. Visit the Palace of the King of Ladakh which is one of the major tourist attractions of Leh. Later in the day, pay a visit to the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. While taking a leisurely walk around the corners from Main Bazaar, visit Soma Gompa. It is one of the largest modern gompas in the Ladakh region. In the evening visit the Shanti stupa. After the visit return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Leh- Next morning after breakfast proceed to visit the Spituk monastery and the Sankar Gompa. The Spituk monastery was the first monastery to be established in Ladakh. Later in the day visit the War Museum run by the Indian army featuring the history, glory and the tools used in various army operations defending India in some of the most hostile terrain in the world. In the evening, enjoy an excursion to Pangong Tso Lake. It is a beautiful lake situated at an altitude of 4350 mts surrounded by tall mountain peaks. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Leh - Spitok - Zingchen- After breakfast take a 15 minutes drive to reach Spitok village. The Spitok village is located at a distance of 7 Kms from Leh. On reaching Spitok, start trekking to Zingchen. For the initial two hours walk on the flat surface which is good for acclimatization. Later enter the Zingchen valley following the river on the left bank. Spend the rest of the day exploring and acclimatize to the place. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the camps. 

Day 6: Zingchen - Yurutse- After breakfast start for todays trekking. The initial part of the trail gradually ascends to one of the beautiful walks in the snow-leopard area. While exploring the area on foot you may come across lot of wild life. At the end of the gorge you will reach Rumbak village. Now follow the trail that continues on the right to the tiny settlements of Yurutse. Stay the night in the camp.

Day 7: Yurutse - Skiu- In the morning after breakfast, leave for Skiu. Trek to Gandhala. From here you will see spectacular views of white fringed mountains. Trek down to Skiu valley where you will see a number of streams. Feel enchanted viewing the spectacular panorama of the valley. In the evening enjoy dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Day 8: Skiu - Markha- Today after breakfast enjoy walking to the beautiful section of the Markha valley. Pass through the woody bushes along the river, spanned by several small bridges over which the trail leads to Thinlespa. Enjoy this pleasant walk experiencing the spectacular panorama of the valley. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the camp.

Day 9: Markha - Thachunche- In the morning after breakfast, start your trek. Today continue to trail eastwards, steadily climbing up the valley through the picturesque village of Markha and its monastery. Then we trek to reach Hankar. It is the biggest village after Markah. Now take a left turn to reach Thachunceh and gradually ascend till the camping site. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 10: Thachunche - Nimaling- Today after breakfast trek from Thachunche to the Nimaling. On reaching Nimaling explore this plain area featuring a tiny ponds and streams flowing all over its meadows. While exploring the place enjoy the sight of animals like yak, dzos, sheep, goats, horses and Himalayan marmots and white tailed hares. Enjoy camping at the base of the Kang-Yutze peak on the plains of Nimaling.

Day 11: Nimaling- Today spend the day resting and relaxing in the camps. You may take a leisure walk to explore the nearby area of Nimaling. Spend the evening as to your liking. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the camp.

Day 12: Nimaling - Shang Sumdho- After a sumptuous breakfast, continue trek from Nimaling to Shang Sumdho crossing to the north of Markha. Climb up to the highest of the three passes kongmarula Pass. Now follow the descending steep trail to reach Martselang valley and crossing many streams and enjoying stunning views and finally arrive in Shang Sumdho. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in the camps.

Day 13: Sumdho - Hemis - Leh- After breakfast, trek down along the bank of the Indus River until it broadens into the valley of Indus reaching Martselang village. On reaching Martselang village, sit in the jeep that awaits you to take you to Hemis Monastery. The Hemis monastery is the most important monastery in Ladakh. It is one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries of this region. Hemis monastery is also famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the statue of Buddha made of copper, stupas made of gold and silver. Later continue drive to Leh. On reaching Leh, check-in at one of our listed hotels for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 14: Leh - Alchi - Basgo- After breakfast drive to Basgo Castle. Stop midway to visit Alchi. The Alchi Monastery is famous for the murals which adorns the walls of this ancient gompa.The two major temples in Alchi to visit include Alchi Du-khang and the Sum-tsek. After the visit resume drive to Basgo Castle. The castle is situated on the hill of clay. This Basgo castle features a sacred copper-gilt image of the Buddha Maitreya, two storeys in height. Also visit the Basgo Monastery. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 15: Basgo - Leh- In the morning after breakfast leave Basgo castle to reach Leh. On the way visit the Phyang and the Likir monastery. The Phyang monastery is located 20 Kms away from Leh. This monastery is located on the hilltop and resembles quite like the monastery of Likiri. Also visit Phyang Museum. After visiting the Phyang Museum drive to reach Likiri monastery. On reaching Likiri monastery explore the two assembly halls of the monastery containing statues of Bodhisattva, Amitabha, Sakyamuni Maitreya and Tsong Khapa, founder of the yellow-hat sect. Finally drive back to Leh and check-in at one of our listed hotels for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 16: Leh- After breakfast, enjoy half day white water rafting excursion in the Indus River. The Indus River has rapids generally of I and II grades and at some places, has grade III to even V rapids. Enjoy easier runs between Hemis and Choglamsar. While rafting for three hours pass through the quite, calm water and also pass riverside villages like Stakna, Shey and Thiksey. After enjoying rafting explore the local market of Leh for shopping. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 17: Leh - Delhi- In the morning after breakfast, transfer to the Leh airport to board a flight to Delhi. On reaching Delhi airport, meet our representative who'll escort you to one of our listed hotels. After resting for a while in the hotel room, move out to explore the major tourist attractions of Delhi including Birla Mandir, Lotus temple, India Ghat, Red Fort, Gandhi Memorial, Humayun's tomb and Qutub Minar. In the evening return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 18: Delhi- After leisurely morning and breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board a flight for onward journey.