The green oasis of the Markha valley is guarded by Kang Yatse (altitude 6400mts) from the east and Zanskar range from the southwest. From any of the high points, you can have breath-taking views of the Karakoram Saser Kangri peak (7670mts), Stok Kangri (6150mts), Kang Yatse 6400mts, and Nun Kun (7135mts). Sculpted canyons, fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, Buddhist gompas, and snow peaks. The Markha Valley is one of the most popular treks in Ladakh. It is located close to Leh, the walking is mostly below 4000 meters with night stops at around 3500 meters. While you are on this trek, you can see some of the best sights in Ladakh. This trek being in Hemis National Park, provides an opportunity to spot rare species of wild animals such as snow leopards. 

• Highest point: Gongmarula pass at 5150 mt 

• Trek grade: Medium 

• Trek duration: 8 Days 

Day-by-day itinerary: 

Day 1: Spituk Pharka to Zingchen (3-4 hours)

After an early start from Leh, we will travel by jeep to Spituk Pharka near SECMOL where horses will be waiting to carry our equipment. The trek will begin along the old jeep road for the first day. The first day will be an easy walk, especially for the acclimatization for the coming pass, After plodding through the shattered land for 3-hours, we will enter the lush Zingchen Valley, where the Rumbak River flows into the mighty Indus. Further into the valley lies our campsite, in the two-house hamlet of Zingchen (meaning ‘big field’). The rest of the day may be spent relaxing, or even taking a dip in the stream. 

Day 2: Zingchen to Ganda La base (5-6 hours) 

Today we will enter the Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of wildlife as diverse as the Snow Leopard, Lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), Arghali (great Tibetan sheep), Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Dhole (wild dog), Marmot, and mountain hare. After paying the entrance fee, we will climb gradually through a beautiful gorge that will unveil the imposing Stok Range from time to time. Before reaching Rumbak, we will stop at a tea-house run by women from the village. After a warm cup of tea, we will continue through Rumbak, and pass by the house of Yurutse village, before reaching camp at the base of Ganda La (4545mt). From our campsite, we can see a spectacular view of Stok Kangri and the whole of the Stok range. 

Day 3: Ganda La base to Skiu via Gandala 4900 mt (7-8 hours) 

After a light breakfast, we will begin our 2-hour ascend to Ganda La; views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok ranges will leave you breathless. The usual chorten and prayer flags mark the top of the pass, where one may see Blue Sheep and Marmots roaming the hills. After a short rest, we will make a gradual hour-long descent to Shingo and break for lunch. We will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m). Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins of an old castle (once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar). 

Day 4: Skiu to Markha 3700mtrs (7-8 hours) 

Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river sometimes and passes through winter settlements that contain Lhato (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During peak season, several tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshments. 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. 

Day 5: Markha to Thachungtse 4280mtrs (5-6 hours) 

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 offered 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 have to push a little bit to get to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste, where we will camp. 

Day 6: Thachungtse to Nimaling 4700mtrs (4 hours) 

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. 

Day 7: Nimaling to Chuskurmo or Chokdo campsite via Kongmaru la 5150 m (7 hours) 

After a hearty breakfast, we will cross Kongmaru La, the highest pass on the trek. Here we have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 2-hour descent is quite steep, but will gradually level as we enter Shang Gorge, with its strange and otherworldly rock formations. More river crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour spring of Chuskurmo (used in traditional medicine by the Amchi doctors) campsite. After half an hour of walking, we will get to Chokdo campsite, where we will spend our last evening together. 

Day 8: Chokdo to Shang Sumdo and drive back to Leh via Hemis (2 hours trek, 1 ½  hrs of drive) 

In the morning, after breakfast, we have to walk for 2 hours through the Shang valley to get to our end point of the trek (Shang Sumdo village). Our spirits lifted by a successful trek, and we will enjoy a pleasant 2-hour walk to ShangSumdo, where the jeep will pick us up. On the way to Leh, it will be possible to visit some of the great monasteries of Ladakh such as Thikse, Hemis, and Shey. 

This is a sample itinerary. We provide customized itineraries as per your requirements.

This is a part of the Markha Valley trek that is famous for wild animals. National Geographic made an award-winning documentary in the Rumbak valley about the Snow Leopards. This is the perfect trek if you are looking for a shorter option with beautiful views and amazing rock formations. You can experience the local culture as well as explore many of the villages and monasteries that come along.

• Highest point: Matho-la Pass 4950mtrs. 

• Trek grade: Medium 

• Trek duration: 4 days

Day-by-day itinerary:

Day 1: Leh-Spituk to Zingchen (3700 mt). Drive for an hour and trek from Zingchen to Rumbak (4-5 hours)

After Phey, we enter the rocky gorge and later the landscape becomes greener as we go into the Zingchen Valley, At Zingchen, we enter the Hemis National Park, home to the famous Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), great Tibetan sheep (Arghali), Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, wild dog (dhole), Lynx, Marmot and mountain hare. We start to climb gradually up to the village of Rumbak, through a beautiful gorge from which the Stok peaks come into view from time to time. Rumbak is known as a place to see and research the magnificent Himalayan Snow Leopard.

Day 2: Rumbak to Mancarmo (4200 mt) via Stok la (4900 mt). Trekking duration is 5-6 hours.

The trail up towards the Stok La (4900 mt) starts fairly gradually but becomes steeper as we approach the pass. Views of the Indus valley and the remarkable colorful rock formations of Stok la will make you forget the hardship of the climb. We descend along the mountainside up and down until we reach some stone houses, used by the Stok villagers for summer pasture. Our campsite at Mancarmo is also a first camp for the Stok Kangri approach. 

Day 3: Mancarmo to Gang-Poche via Matho la (4950 mt). Trekking duration is 4-5 hours.

After breakfast, we start ascending from Mankarmo we take another valley towards east and later reach a nice green gorge following the same gorge after a little steep climb we will reach to the pass, from where we will have a view of amazing landscape from both sides. After descending from the pass, we will reach the amazing Gang-Poche, a nice pasture land with breathtaking landscapes where we will camp for the night.

Day 4: Gang-Poche to Matho. Trekking duration is 4 hrs. 

From Gang-Poche, we will descend towards Matho village through a narrow valley following a stream, which will widen gradually to give you outstanding panoramic views of Stakna Thicksey, Shey, Sabu, and Leh. It is possible to visit the Stok palace; then we will drive you back to Leh, the drive to Leh is about 45 minutes.

This is a sample itinerary. We provide customized itineraries as per your requirements.