Markha Valley Trek

You'll spend another day in Leh today so that you are fully acclimatized. The day is yours to use as you please, so you can explore Leh market, or take it easy in the hotel. This is a good chance to get to know the rest of your group or do some last minute shopping for the trek. Overnight in Leh hotel.

Overnight at a hotel in Leh on twin occupancy.

Today is another easy day in Leh. You'll have the whole day at your disposal to explore Leh, but don't tire yourself out. Today's a good day to go into the market and pick up any last minute essentials, charge all your phones and battery packs, and repack your bags for the trek. Your meals for the day are not included in the booking cost. You can spend extra to eat at the hotel or explore local restaurants in Leh.

After a hearty breakfast, you will set off with your group to Zingchen. This is about 26 miles away from Leh, and you'll have an SUV or Tempo Traveller to transport you there. From Zingchen, you begin your trek to Yurutse. It's a four hour hike to the village, and there is just one house there. You'll spend the evening at leisure with the rest of your group here. Overnight in homestay/tents.

Overnight in Yurutse.

You'll have to order and pay for your own breakfast in Leh today. After that, you'll head out in a private vehicle to Zingchen, from where your trek begins. It's your first day of trekking, and you'll end in Yurutse, where there is only one house. If there is place at the homestay, you might stay here. If not, a campsite is set up. You'll be given twin-sharing tents with sleeping bags and mattresses. Lunch and dinner are included today.

You'll set off early in the morning from Yurutse, heading up towards Ganda La Pass. It's going to be a long day of trekking today, and the first part of the hike goes along steep upward slopes. You'll spend some time at Ganda La Pass, after which the trail goes downhill and is easier. You will pass though buckthorn berry farms to reach the village of Skiu, where you'll be camping overnight in alpine tents.

Overnight in tents at Skiu.

Tonight's campsite will be at the village of Skiu. All major meals for today (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your booking cost. Jain food can be arranged, if requested a week before departure.

Beginning in Skiu, today’s 7-hour trek will go higher to the village of Markha. You will pass multiple small streams and rocky trails that will make the trek moderately difficult. You will reach the village of Markha, after which the Markha Valley is named. A quaint village of about 30 houses and a monastery, it offers a chance to sit back and relax with the locals. Overnight in alpine tents.

Overnight in tents at Markha.

Tonight's campsite will be at the village of Markha. All major meals for today (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your booking cost. Jain food can be arranged, if requested a week before departure.

Today’s trail will continue to climb higher from Markha and pass through the village of Hankar to the reach Thochuntse. Hankar is the highest village in the Markha Valley and requires trekkers to navigate river crossings en route. You will walk through local communities with impressive views of the Kang Yatze mountain peak in the background and reach Thochuntse by evening. Overnight in alpine tents.

Overnight in tents at Thochuntse.

Tonight's campsite will be at Thochuntse. All major meals for today (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your booking cost. Jain food can be arranged, if requested a week before departure.

Today’s destination is the Nimaling plateau, the highest trekking campsite in the Markha Valley. The trail begins with a few moderately high inclines, making sure that you sweat a little. In a few hours, you will reach Nimaling, where the locals bring their herds to graze during the summer months. Overnight in alpine tents.

Overnight in tents in Nimaling.

Tonight's campsite will be at the plateau of Nimaling. All major meals for today (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your booking cost. Jain food can be arranged, if requested a week before departure.

With an early morning start, you will begin trekking from the campsite at Nimaling and climb higher to reach the Kongmaru La Pass. At an altitude of 16,800 feet, this Pass will be the highest point of your trek. This is easily the best part of the trek as you get to spend some time appreciating the photogenic views of snow-capped mountains. Your trail will become considerably easier after the Pass as you descend to the village of Sumdo. After an adventurous 7-hour trek, you will get into a SUV/Tempo Traveller and drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh hotels.

Overnight at a hotel in Leh.

You'll trek to Sumdo today, where vehicles are waiting for you. You'll be driven back to Leh and will check into the hotel here. Breakfast and lunch are included today, but you'll choose and pay for your own dinner in Leh.

After a good night's sleep at hotel in Leh, you will wake up and check out. Trip ends here.

Trip ends today.

You'll have to order and pay for your own breakfast in Leh today. After that, it's time to check out. Trip ends here.