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Probably the most popular trek in Ladakh.  Its popularity comes for good reason as the diversity in geography along this relatively short trek is hard to beat.  From the colorful shear canyon walls of the lower Markha Valley the trail ascends to the alpine grass lands of 4700 m Nimaling where seasonal shepherds herd goats, sheep and yaks on the rolling grasslands surmounted by snowy peaks.  From Nimaling the trail climbs over the 5150 m Gongmaru La before descending to the monastic town of Hemis.  This trek can be started in various places.  The easiest approach is from near Chiling where the Markha river joins the Zanskar.  The closest access point to Leh is Spituk but requires the crossing of 4870 m Kanda La to enter the Markha Valley.  The toughest but most rewarding approach is from the village of Stok crossing the 4800 m Stok La in addition to the aforementioned Kanda La en route to the Markha Valley.

THE MARKHA VALLEY TREK

Best Season: June- September

Difficulty: Moderate (Chilling start), Strenuous (Stok start)

Map: 

 

Chilling Start (5 days):

Day 1: Drive from Leh to Chilling and hike to Skyu. (4 hours, highest point: Skyu 3400 m)

Day 2: Hike from Skyu to Markha (6 hours, highest point: Markha 3700 m)

Day 3: Hike from Markha to Hankar (3 hours, highest point: Hankar 3950 m)

Day 4: Hike from Hangkar to Nimaling (5 hours, highest point: Nimaling 4720 m)

Day 5: Hike from Nimaling to Shang Sumdo and drive to Leh (7 hours, highest point: Gongmaru La 5100 m)

Day 6: Hike from Hangkar to Nimaling (5 hours, highest point: Nimaling 4720 m)

*Chilling Start (8 / 9 days):

Day 1: Drive from Leh to Chilling and hike to Skyu. (4 hours, highest point: Skyu 3400 m)

Day 2: Hike from Skyu to (Nakdi or Sara) (4-5 hours)

Day 3: Sara to Markha (3--4 hours, highest point: Markha 3700 m)

Day 4: Hike from Markha to Hangkar (3 hours, highest point: Hankar 3950 m)

Day 5: Hike from Markha to Hankar (3 hours, highest point: Hankar 3950 m)

Day 7: Rest day in Nimaling for acclimatization

Day 8: Hike from Nimaling to Shang Sumdo. Spend the night there (7 hours, highest point: Gongmaru La 5100 m).

Day 9: Drive to Leh via Hemis Gompa or 3 hours walk to Hemis Gompa then drive back to Leh.

Spituk Start (7 days):

Day 1:  Drive from Leh to Jingchan hike to Yurutse (3 hours, highest point: Yurutse 4120 m)

Day 2: Hike Yurutse to Skyu via the Ganda La (8 hours, highest point: Ganda La 4850 m)

Day 3: Hike from Skyu to Markha (6 hours, highest point: Markha 3700 m)

Day 4: Hike from Markha to Hangkar (3 hours, highest point: Hankar 3950 m)

Day 5: Hike from Hangkar to Nimaling (5 hours, highest point: Nimaling 4720 m)

Day 6: Hike from Nimaling to Shang Sumo (7 hours, highest point: Gongmaru La 5100 m)

Day 7: Hike from Shang Sumdo to Hemis, tour Hemis Gompa and return to Leh by vehicle. (3 hours, highest point: Shang Sumdo 3660 m)

Stok Start (7 days):

Day 1:  Drive from Leh to Stok hike to Rumback via the Stok La (7-8 hours, highest point: Stok La 4800 m)

Day 2: Hike Rumback to Shingo via the Kanda La (8 hours, highest point: Ganda La 4850 m)

Day 3: Hike from Shingo to Markha (8 hours, highest point: Shingo 4150 m)

Day 4: Hike from Markha to Hangkar (3 hours, highest point: Hankar 3950 m)

Day 5: Hike from Hangkar to Nimaling (5 hours, highest point: Nimaling 4720 m)

Day 6: Hike from Nimaling to Shang Sumo (7 hours, highest point: Gongmaru La 5100 m)

Day 7: Hike from Shang Sumdo to Hemis, tour Hemis Gompa and return to Leh by vehicle. (3 hours, highest point: Shang Sumdo 3660 m)

CONTACT US
to book your Markha Valley trek today!

 

 

Markha Valley from Markha.

 

Sunset from Nimaling

Website designed by Micah Hanson, content & photos © Micah Hanson 2008-2010