Trip info
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Min. 2 Max 12
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Grade: Moderate
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Season: June - Sept
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Max. 5,200m/17,060ft
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Duration: 12 Days
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Leh Ladakh India
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A/C Private Vehicle
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Hotel/ Homestay/ Tent
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Meals Included (B,L,D)
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Ladakh Markha Valley Trek Overview
The Markha Valley is a region in Ladakh that crosses two high passes with spectacular views of the Karakoram and Zanskar ranges.
After the spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh you’ll spend days for essential acclimatization with sightseeing at Buddhist monasteries. The trek starts at the village of Spituk and after crossing the Ganda La you’ll descend into the Markha Valley. you continue to the beautiful Nimaling plains dominated by the impressive Kang Yatze peak. From here you will cross the Kongmaru La with superb views south to Zanskar and north to the Karakoram range. You descend from the pass through a steep canyon with wonderful coloured rock and then you will drive back to Leh.
Ladakh, also known as little Tibet, is one of the most remarkable regions of India. Although politically part of India, Ladakh is geographically and culturally an extension of western Tibet. Ladakh is a high and arid landscape with lush irrigated valleys surrounded by snow capped peaks. Leh the capital of Ladakh has long been a remote and fascinating outpost and important cross-roads for pilgrims and traders in the upper Indus Valley.
Customize Your Trek:
- This is a general itinerary, which can always individually be “tailormade”. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please contact us.
12 Days Itinerary of Markha Valley Trek
Arrive in Leh and check into the hotel. It is best to rest and stay hydrated for the rest of the day to help your body adjust to the high altitude. You will be given complete rest throughout the day to acclimatize yourself to the new environment at an altitude of 11,135 feet. In the evening, trek to Shanti Stupa (Vishwa Shanti Stupa). This trek offers beautiful views of the Stok Kangri mountain range and the Indus Valley, it also helps your body adjust to the altitude. Spend the night in Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel Omasila
Leh is the ancient capital of Ladakh and has many hilltop forts and palaces to visit including the Royal Palace which overlooks the town. The town is situated on the old Silk Route and still has a trading tradition- it is well worth wandering around the colourful bazaar. Overnight at Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel Omasila
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, you will visit the Leh Durbar, the residence of the royal family built in the 17th century. The Durbar is located on a hilltop and offers a spectacular bird's eye view of the city. Apart from this; you will also visit the Shankar Gompa (Monastery). Experience the local lifestyle at the Leh Bazaar. Enjoy the serene atmosphere of Leh while taking in the spiritual essence of this enchanting place. If you have any doubts, check your equipment and spend the night in Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel Omasila
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you drive to Jingchen and start trek. On leaving Jingchen you The route follows the Yurutse Nala upstream in an increasingly narrow valley- look out for the blue sheep high above on the steep sides of the valley. Before entering Rumbak the valley widens and the snow-topped Stok mountains come into sight. The trail continues upstream, crosses the bridge and then takes the right fork to Yurutse.
Duration: 5 hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Today after breakfast, you will leaving Yurutse the trail passes a beautiful purple band of rock and continues to Ganda la base camp where you take the path west towards the Ganda la. Once at the pass there is a great view of Stok Kangri and the Zanskar range to the west, and from there descend to Shingo.
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Today you pass through a spectacular gorge with beautifully coloured and eroded rocks following the Shingri Nala river to Skiu- above Skiu is an attractive gompa and the remains of a royal residence. overnight tent camp.
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
The trail passes through Chalak and Sara village and on approaching Markha you get the first glimpses of Kang Yatse (6,400m). Even though it is also a small village, Markha has its personal historical Monastery where you will exlpore. Spend the night at Markha in a tent camp.
Duration: 6-7hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
The route goes up the main valley on the right bank, passes the monastery of Humlung and continues to Hankar. The valley narrows and the trail crosses to the left bank to reach the pastures of Tchatchutse.
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
After breakfast, today you will trail passes a small lake and then across pastures to Nimaling which is one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh with grassy plains surrounded by high peaks and passes. To the south the view is dominated by Kang Yatze and to the north the Kong Maru La- the high pass we must cross in order to return back to Leh.
Duration: 4-5hrs
Accommodation: Fully tented camping
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Today is a long day as the trail climbs to the Kong Maru La- at the top of the pass there are colourful prayer flags framing the 360-degree Himalayan panorama. To the north we look out towards Tibet, the Eastern Karakorams and China and to the south lies Kang Yatze whilst in the west there are the dry mountains of Zanskar. The descent from the pass is fairly steep but soon eases before entering a narrow gorge with colourful rock formations. We descend into the Indus Valley and to the village of Shang.
Distance: 7hrs
Accommodation: Fully Tent Camp
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
After breakfast, you walk along the riverbed on the left bank passing a series of chortens and follow a gently rising trail through rugged scenery to Hemis. After visiting Hemis monastery you will drive back to Leh.
Duration: 3hrs
Accommodation: Hotel Omasila
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Thank you for joining us on this 12-day Markha Valley Trek. Your adventures end's today! An our representative will drop you off at the airport before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next trip to Ladakh. We hope this 12-day Markha Valley Trek has enriched your adventures with pleasant memories. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home. Safe Journey!! We hope to see you again.
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary Disclaimer:
Your safety is of imperative concern while travel, please take care to note that; we every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; But" group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. Trek guide will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Follow the package's Inclusions and Exclusions.
Cost Includes
- On the trekking route: Full camping setup (kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chairs, and more for your comfort
- Accommodation in Standard Hotels on Twin-Sharing Basis
- Freshly prepared meals (B, L, D) with boiled water, tea, coffee etc
- Twin sharing tent for accommodation during the trek
- Experienced local trek guide with 1:4 assistant guide to client ratio
- Full support camping crew with (Number of mules to carry load equipment).
- All camping logistical arrangements for your comfort
- All private ground transportation including Bagdogra Airport transfers
- All required permits for trek: Include Inner Line Permit with Protected Area Permit (PAP)
- Sightseeing Tour & Entry to Monuments Fees
- Comprehensive first aid kit with high altitude medicine
- Use a Duffel bag, Sleeping bag and Down Jacket (Must be returned after completion of trek)
- Staff wages, equipment, insurance and allowances
- Required documentation, government and local taxes.
- Arrangement of emergency services.
Cost Excludes
- Meals, Lunch and Dinner in Leh Hotel Omasila
- Extra night accommodation (Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
- Additional Horse or porters due to natural calamitie during trek
- Personal expenses and personal trekking equipment
- Tips for the Guide, staffs and Driver(Tipping is expected).
- Any others expenses which are not menti
Why didn't AlpineTrav Include the price in the package?
Price for the trip:
- The trip cost always depends on group size, hotel accommodation category and client’s desire budget
- The included itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern which AlpineTrav you. This trekking itinerary can be modified according to your time and requirements
- The itinerary shall be changed after an understanding between both AlpineTrav and the client. Additional activities could be either added or reduced as per client’s request before the trip confirmation
- Price shall be adjusted in our mutual understanding, if the client intends to add some services we shall charge him/ her for those additional services and if he/she intends to lessen some services, we shall wave the charges accordingly
- The itinerary is published in full board services for the better understanding to the client. Among many options such as hotel facilities in Leh, the client can make his/her own choice
- The cost is also affected by the number of employees‒ guides and porters
- Please contact us for any information about in your selected package.
Useful Information
For your information, international flights and India’s “entry visa fee” are not included. Rooms are usually shared by two people unless you request a private room. So if you want to upgrade to better hotels in the cities, please contact us for your customized services.
Meals on the trek
All meals are included during the trekking period. We will provide three meals a day (B,L,D) during the trek. Since this is a full camping trek, our kitchen crew will serve freshly prepared meals during the trek. We consider hearty and delicious meals as a key component to the overall success of our trip. You can and is encouraged to bring along comfort food which you enjoy eating – chocolates, power bars, dry fruits, candies, other snacks etc. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will be sure to pass your message to your guide.
Drinking Water
We provide boiled water for drinking purposes on all our treks. During meal time, you can ask your guide to fill the hot water for you. 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.
Accommodation on the trek
In Leh, we manage a three-star hotel offering a bed and breakfast plan on a twin-sharing basis. We can also manage a single room upon your request, but at an extra cost. Likewise, if you prefer more luxurious accommodations, it is also possible, but it costs more. Yet, due to the remote location and the lack of facilities at lodges or homestay along the trek, trekkers must stay in a tented camp throughout the expedition.
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. In the case of a single, we will arrange a single tent for you by default at no additional cost. There will also be a kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chairs, and more for your comfort. Our trekking team will carry all of the tent equipment for your worry-free and easy journey.
Typical day:
The daily wake-up time while on the trek will be between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM. During the camping period, you will be provided with a small basin of hot water for your morning bath and a cup of tea in your tent. After a hearty breakfast, you will set out on the day’s hike. Before breakfast, you will need to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by the mules, while you have breakfast. After a 3-4 hour hike, you will stop for lunch. The afternoon hike is usually shorter and you will usually reach your destination in time for afternoon tea. The rest of the time can be spent exploring, doing laundry or relaxing with a good book.
Weather and temperature
The region is a high-altitude cold desert with sunny days and freezing nights. Weather & Temperature
- Winter (Nov–April): Extremely cold with temperatures regularly plunging to -30°C. Heavy snowfall is common, often closing high mountain passes like Khardung La and Chang La for brief periods.
- Summer (May–Sept): The most popular time for tourism, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C, though nights remain cool (5°C to 15°C).
- Cold Desert Extremes: Some regions, such as Dras, can see temperatures as extreme as -60°C
Additional Information
Other information such as (Insurance, Arrival Instructions, Visa and Passport etc) required for the trip will be provided after your trip confirmation. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you require more information about the trip.
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FAQs
To plan a trek and get off to a good start, it’s always a good idea to learn a little more about the area and even catch a few checkpoints. These FAQs will answer your most important question marks and provide tips to plan your trek with confidence. So, let’s get into them.
FAQs About Markha Valley Trek
Markha Valley Trek cost USD 1,915 per person. The cost is an all-inclusive price that covers most of the trek’s expenses, including three times meals a day throughout the trek, accommodation, all ground transportation, a permit, and a trekking guide, porters, cook, Sherpa, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chairs, sleeping tent. Likewise, the cost covers sleeping bags and duffel bags, so don’t need to purchase equipment for one-time use. However, the cost varies depending on several factors, the chosen mode of transportation, the trekking season, the preferred level of luxury.
Yet, the group size is the primary factor that affects the overall cost of the Markha Valley trek. The larger the group, the more you’ll get group discounts, and vice versa.
The best time to trek to the Marka Valley is from mid-June to September. Until September, the days are dry and warm with bright overhead sun, enough to cause dehydration, however, evenings and nights can be really cold, amidst the desert landscape of this valley. The hills are bare with little or no vegetation, and only in the valley below are trees and fields scattered along the entire route. Camping can get really cold due to the high altitude.
The Marka Valley trek is considered challenging due to the long days and the maximum elevation of the Kongmaru pass of 5260 meters. But the trail is relatively easier following good paths. Average daily walking hours on this trek is 6 to 7 hours due to long days. So basic knowledge of adventure is essential in this trek. No previous trekking experience is required, but you should be fit and comfortable carrying your day pack and walking for 6 to 7 hours every day, although anyone with a good level of stamina and determination can do this trek.
Yes, it is required. Due to its proximity to the China/Pakistan border, a permit known as an Inner-Line Permit (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter every part of Ladakh. This permit can be obtained in Leh. Which should be booked through a local company in Leh.
In Markha Valley Trek. You will stay tent camp. However; since you will be trekking in remote areas, The gear listed below is recommended for this trip. We encourage you to get all the equipment listed below for the trip and please check and try each piece of equipment. But, you can also buy or hire the in Leh.
Clothing and Footwear
– Hiking boots & Hiking socks
– Trekking pole/s & Hiking pants
– T-shirt with wicking qualities
– Fleece Sweater & Wind stopper jacket
– Gore-Tex /down pants & jacket (if trekking in high passes)
– Hat (sun/cold) & Gloves/mitts
– Gaiters (if trekking in High passes)
– Fleece pants & Vest /Beanie
– Thermals: Top, pants, gloves, socks, balaclava
– Rucksack/backpack with cover
– Weatherproof pack cover
– Sleeping bag & Sleeping bag liner
– Head torch & Spare batteries & globes
– First aid kit & Water bottles
– Sunglasses & Sun block
– Toothpaste & toothbrush
– Rain coat or Umbrella (if trekking in Monsoon)
– Toilet trowel
– Water purification tablets (if water use by purification)
– Camera & accessories
– Pencils and note books, reading books
Documents
– Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
– 4 copies of passport size photos for permits and official formalities
– Travel Insurance (Please refer to the general information page for more detail about it)
– Flight tickets
– Credit cards in case of emergencies
– Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport.
(Please carry the photocopy of all the documents along with you and leave a copy to next of kin)
Nepal
