Home > Destination > India > Ladakh Markha Valley Trek

Ladakh Markha Valley Trek

10 Days

Marka Valley Trek Explore the most famous trek in the magical and remote Ladakh region

With your arrival at the airport begins with a historical sightseeing tour of Leh city and leaving the Leh Valley behind, the journey continues with a scenic drive to Chilling.

Marka Valley Trek is one of the most fascinating trek in Ladakh. The trek takes you on a scenic journey past colorful prayer flags, mane walls, high passes, exotic wildlife, and unusual Qatar canyons. You will also be mesmerized by the colorful rock formations along the trail, views of Stok and Zanskar mountains along with glimpses of Ladakhi culture.

The best time to trek Marka Valley is between June and September. This is a moderate trek, but there are several stream crossings, steep climb, and descent from Kongmaru La (5,260m) pass. Is slightly harder than leisure and involves difficult days. Therefore, Get ready for a beautiful and culturally rich experience, and melt away the stress of your life with the serenity of the landscape of Marka Valley trek. It is a perfect combination of beautiful transhimalayan landscape with Ladakhi villages. There are good chances to spot some high altitude wildlife.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Leh airport and transfer to hotel
Day 2: Explore the royal palace of Old Kingdom
Day 3: Drive Leh-Chilling and trek to Sku (3366m) 4-5 hrs.
Day 4: Trek to Markha (3760m) from Sku 6 hrs
Day 5: Trek to Hankar (4030) from Markha 5 hrs
Day 6: Trek to Nimaling (4841m) from Hankar 6 hrs
Day 7: Nimaling to Shangsumdo (3680m) via Kongmarula (5260m) 6-7 hrs
Day 8: Shangsumdo to Hemis & Drive to Leh 5 hrs
Day 9: Free day, explore Shey – Thiksey monastery
Day 10: Drop at the airport for the final departure

All Inclusive cost
Join our trek Contact us to set up an itinerary as per your preference.

Group Size  Price per person
 Min 2 – Max 12  US$ 1550

Customization Option

If this itinerary does not suit your need or you want to customize it, tell us about your travel needs, there is no fixed departure date, itinerary. We can arrange your trip according to any date and time, please Send Us A Message and we will customize it according to your itinerary.

Essential Information
Difficulty

Duration for treks of this grade stretches up to two (2) weeks. Trails generally go above 4000 meters and on a daily basis, you can expect to be walking for about 5–7 hours. Perfect setting of introduction to moderate trekking in Markha valley. Activity level/physical rating is slightly harder than leisure and involves occasional difficult days. Expect ups and downs as well for there will be hills to climb as well and the well.

Previous Experience

No previous experience of trekking is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions. Having a previous experience is definitely beneficial but it is not must to participate for this trip. All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. We strongly advise you to prepare for your trip by doing regular exercise, hiking, running or gym. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable you will find the experience of trekking.

Best time to visit Ladakh

There are three seasons to visit Ladakh: summer, monsoon and winter, of which monsoon is almost insignificant, as it never rains. The best time to visit Ladakh depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.
Summer Season:
(April till June, Temperature 5°C to 25°C)
The summer season in Ladakh begins from April and extends till June. During this time, the temperature ranges between 5℃ and 25℃.
Monsoon Season:
(July to September, Temperature 10°C to 25°C)
Ladakh is located in a high-altitude region, and receives very little to no rain from July to September. This is a great time to go sightseeing & enjoy all the other activities that Ladakh has to offer.
Winter Season:
(late October to February, Temperature -5°C to 10°C)
Winters in Ladakh begin from October and last till February. The entire region receives heavy snowfall, but (the Chadar Treks), one of the most famous treks in Ladakh, is best enjoyed from mid January to mid February.

Accommodation
Hotel: 4 Nights, Camping: 5 Nights

Hotel On Leh
AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions promises to manage the best, most comfortable and preferable accommodation. Generally, in citie like Leh, we arrange basic hotel facilities. If, you can opt for a more budget-friendly upgrade to a more luxurious hotel by paying a little extra. Although all the places might not have all the modern facilities, we will make sure to arrange safe and comfortable accommodation.
Trekking: Camping:
Your accommodation during the trekking period will be fully tented camping. A tent will be provided for every 2 travellers with a foam mattress. If in case of a single by default, we will arrange a single tent for you at no additional cost. There will also be a kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chairs and more for your comfort.

All meals are included during the trekking period

We will provide three meals a day (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner) during the trek. Since this is a full camping trek, our kitchen team will prepare fresh food during the trek. Your lunch will be packed for the trekking period: when, after reaching the camp, our cook staff will prepare hot tea, coffee and soup as well as meals. So we consider a hearty and delicious meal as an important part for the overall success of our trip.

Drinking Water:

We provide boiled water for drinking on all our treks. During meals, you can let the staff fill your bottle with hot water. We strongly discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles such as mineral water on all our trips. Carrying a hot water bottle is highly recommended.

Typical Day On Trek:

Daily wake up calls will be between 6.00 am to 7.00 am while on the trek. The wake-up time and breakfast time will be decided a night before during the briefing time. The time table for each day will entirely depend on your walking duration for that particular day. Therefore, After a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. Before breakfast, you are required to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by for the mules while you are having your breakfast. After 3-4 hours of walk, we stop for packed lunch mid-day. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring or wash your clothes or simply time with good book.

Daypack for The Trek

You will only carry your day pack carrying the essential items (Water, Cameras, Extra Fleece, Rain jacket, Sunscreen, Snacks or day packed lunch, Valuable Items etc.) that you may need during the walk. The Mules will carry the rest of your gear. Similarly, during the trek, there will be one experienced local trek leader with support guide for every 6 trekkers, who will be happy to assist you during the hiking if needed.

Group Size:

Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Our group size is small and we only take up to 12 pax in one group. The size of the group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate the trip is 2 and the maximum is 15 people.

Safety On The Trek

Safety is always a priority when traveling with AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions. Our trek itineraries are designed with every aspect in mind, allowing proper adaptability, rest days and walking hours. On all our high altitude treks, we send a comprehensive medical kit. Furthermore, we also have a high staff to customer ratio on all our treks.

Our Approach to Treks

Our route to Markha Valley Trek, follows a careful approach with ample time for acclimatization, less trodden route, and breathtaking sceneries along the way. With of experience in trekking in the Himalayas, we have carefully tailored each of our itineraries. We put a lot of care into all the details when it comes to executing any of your ventures. Safety is always a priority while traveling with AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions and we have applied this strictly on our approach.

Training for High Treks

High altitude treks especially in the Himalayas are challenging and requires you to be in the top physical, emotional, and psychological condition. The more fitter you are, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Training well ahead in advance is recommended and after you have signed up for the trip, we will send you our training booklet which provides essential information on how best to prepare yourself.

Travel Insurance

It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips. We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision.

VISA/ Custom Rules

Entry Visa is one of the most important requirements for travelling to India. Apart from a valid passport you must possess a valid Visa before entering India. Visas can be procured from the Indian Embassies or Indian High Commissions abroad. Entry visa is never issued at the entry point. Never travel without a valid entry visa. Similarly, one needs a valid passport for applying for visa and it should be valid for a minimum of six (6) months beyond the date of scheduled departure from India. While applying for visa the foreigner has to submit proof of long-term(at least three years)/ permanent residence in his or her native country. Therefore, the visas fall into several categories such as the tourist visa, student visa, transit visa. Depending on your need apply for the visa at the respective High Commission of India or the Indian Embassy in your country.

How to get Leh, Ladakh?

To reach Ladakh located in the northern part of India, the most common mode of transport is by air. Kushok Bakula Rimpochi Airport in Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, is well connected with regular flights from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar. But there are also slower, more rewarding routes. Similarly, From the road two legendary “highways” connect Ladakh to the rest of India: the Srinagar-Leh road, and the route up from Manali, about 500 km to the south. These two, as well as the unpaved road from Kargil to Padum in Jhanskar, connect most of the larger settlements of Ladakh with the capital.

How to get Ladakh Protected Area Permit?

Indian and foreign visitors need a permit to visit these areas, the cost of which includes an environmental fee. Permits are issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh, but the office deals only through several tour operators in Leh, who charge a fee. But permits are issued to groups of at least two people with only one guide. However; You will need two photocopies of your passport and visa pages. If you apply in the morning, permits are usually issued the same day.

Restricted Areas Permit

Parts of Ladakh controlled/restricted areas are areas highly regulated by the Government of India due to their proximity to international borders. All foreign nationals and NRIs having PIOs or OCIs need Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit Inner Line Regions of Ladakh including Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley, Khardung La, Tso Moriri, Turtuk, Dah Hanu Villages. At least 2 people must participate along with the trekking guide to go to the restricted area.

Details Itinerary

Arrive at Leh Airport. Please look at your name placard when exiting the arrivals hall. Your trek leader will wait for you outside the arrival hall and take you to your hotel in Leh. Welcome drinks will be served and after you freshen up, your trek leader will brief you about your journey.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Leh, which offers a number of sightseeing options for the visitors. A historic town that served as the royal capital of the Old Kingdom, it is dominated by the nine-storey palace built by King Singge Namgyal in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, which is said to have inspired the famous Potala in Lhasa built about half.

From Leh to Chelling bridge by private jeep 65km takes around two and half hours to get there. Now the road is open upto Sku but tourist carrying vehicles are not permitted to go beyond the bridge to avoid disturbance for wild life as this valley is recognised as the home of many wild life species. So you have to start your trekking from Chelling bridge.

To avoid the heat of the day, it is recommended to start the trek early. Sometimes cross the river in Marka Valley. The village, the largest in the Marka Valley, has more than 50 families. There are two camps in the village, one in front of the village and the other by the river.

After walking some time from camping site Markha, you reach at the temple belong to Hemis monestery name Yensa on rock hill. Similarly the next place to reach is Umlung, comprise of some families and the camp site is end of the village with beautiful grassland with running chill water of Kangyatse peak.

After breakfast start trekking to reach Nimaling. Nimaling (4841m) has clear pastures where thousands of sheep, goats, yaks graze in the summer months, 6400m Kang Yatse (Nimaling Peak) rising to the south, a beautiful sight.

After breakfast start trekking to reach Nimaling. Nimaling (4841m) has clean pastures where thousands of sheep, goats, goats graze during the summer months, stay in a tent with a beautiful view of Kang Yatse (Nimaling peak) at 6400m.

After breakfast start trekking to reach Kongmaru La (5260m). The trek to Kongmaru La passes through narrow gorges. At the top of the pass, you cross the pass with a great view of the Ladakh range and the villages of the Indus Valley to the north and continue to Sangsumdu.

Today on a relaxing day explore the most Tibetan Buddhist monasteries near Leh. Visit the Shey and Thiksey Monasteries, they are culturally important sites and return to your hotel.

Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We will drop you off at the airport. And we wish you a safe flight. Likewise we hope to see you soon again!

Cost Inclusion

  • Freshly prepared meals with boiled water, tea, coffee etc
  • Twi-sharing accommodation at Hotel for 4 nights in Leh City
  • Twin sharing tent for accommodation during the trek
  • Experienced local trek leader with 1:6 assistant guide to client ratio
  • Full support Camping crew with mules for porterage
  • All camping logistical arrangements for your comfort
  • All required permits for the camping trek
  • Inner Line Permit Fee
  • Leh Airport pickup/drop off, on arrival/departure
  • Transport from Leh to Road head and return
  • Comprehensive first aid kit with high altitude medicine
  • Staff wages, equipment, insurance and allowances
  • All government, local taxes, and official expense

Cost Exclusion

  • Flight airfare
  • India Entry Visa Fees
  • Lunch and Dinner in Leh
  • Extra night accommodation, Leh or on the trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
  • Personal expenses (shopping, snacks and cold drinks, alcohol, Wi-Fi, telephone call, battery re-charge fee, personal porters, etc
  • Personal clothing and trekking gear
  • Travel insurance has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation along with medical coverage
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Additional costs due to delays caused by circumstances outside company control like landslides, weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes, etc
  • All the costs and expenses, which are not listed in "What is included" above will be counted as excludes.

Equipment checklist

The gear listed below is recommended for trekking, tour. We encourage you to get all the equipment listed below for the trip and kindly ensure you check and try every piece of equipment.

Head Gears:
— Sun hat or scarf
— Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
— Sunglasses
— Head Torch
— Sun Creams (40+) and Lip Balms

Upper Body:
— Cotton t-shirts and thermals
— Fleece jacket
— Waterproof jacket
— Down jacket

Lower Body:
— Lightweight cotton pants (long)
— Waterproof pants
— Inner thermals

Hands:
— Gloves (Cotton and Waterproof)
— Creams
— Sanitizer

Feet:
— Thin inner socks (3 pairs)
— Thick, warm wool hiking socks
— Comfortable hiking boots
— Shower sandals

Accessories:
— Sleeping bag rated to -10°C +
— Trekking bag (Rucksack)
— Duffel bag
— Large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag)
— Trekking poles (optional, recommended)
— Water bottle or camel bag
— Toiletries and Tissue Papers

First Aid Kits:
— Personal Regular Medicines
— Knee Caps
— Bandages
— Ointments
— Blister Tape

Documents:
— Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
— 2 copies of passport-size photos (For sim card and travel purposes)
— Credit cards in case of emergencies
— Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport
— Travel Insurance and Flight tickets

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Ladakh Markha Valley Trek

Trip Facts

  • 9 nights, 10 days
  • Challenging
  • 5260m/17,250ft.
  • Mid-June - Mid-Sept
  • Leh, Ladakh
  • Leh, Ladakh
  • Fully Camping
  • Min 2 - Max 12

Translate »