Markha Valley Trek

• Location – Leh
• Altitude – 3,500 meters | 11,480 feet
• Accommodation – The Bodhi Tree

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we set out to explore in and around Leh.

We start with the Leh Monastery, which is an age old monument, also known as as the Lhachen Palkhar. King Sengge Namgyal built the Leh Palace during the 16th Century and it was completed by the 17th century.

The facades of the Leh palace resemble that of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

In the evening we can visit the Leh Market and drive to Shanti Stupa for a vivid sunset.

Dine in a local restaurant with some local chamomile tea and a variety of local cuisine.

• Location – Skiu
• Altitude – 3,400 meters | 11,150 feet
• Accommodation – Homestay
• Trek – 9 KM
• Drive – 65 KM

The day starts with a drive from Leh, early in the morning, along the Leh – Srinagar highway which runs parallel to Indus river. After 35 KM on this well paved beautiful road, we arrive at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers, where we take a discourse towards south, parallel to river Zanskar, which now runs right along the road, and will continue to, until we arrive at Chilling. From chilling we are to cross the river, by taking the recently constructed bridge. The route ahead is an unpaved road, running now along the Markha river. Having already come across 3 different rivers, it sure is a delight.

We arrive at Skiu in 3 hours. After initial climb through hairpins, the route is very gradual, henceforth. Halfway we arrive at Village Kaya, and Skiu is another 3 KM up ahead. Skiu is a beautiful village tucked amidst tall mountains, with options for Homestay, as well as camping, but the recently constructed motorable road has provided the option to trek Further up to Sara, a hamlet, as if an Oasis in a desert. We rest and relish a warm meal, preferably a dish that goes by the name of this village, i.e. “Skiu”.

• Location – Sara
• Altitude – 3,500 meters | 11,480 feet
• Accommodation – Homestay
• Trek – 11 KM

After breakfast, we start our trekking journey to Sara, which is around 11 KM ahead. We continue along this well marked trail running parallel to the river Markha. Halfway along the route we come across a Sole Tea Shop, which is women run. You can rest here, enjoy a cup of Tea or Coffee, but our favorite happened to be the fresh apricot juice which they happen to serve, although in limited quantities.
A stream cuts across the trail here, which can be used to refill your water bottles. The trail offers practically no shade except slightly ahead of the Tea Shop, where a short section of young trees render much need cool to the warm environment. To supplement yourself with water continuously is very important.

After around 3 KM we come across a bridge and cross over to the other side of the river, into a small forest patch, before the trail clears up again. The route is straight ahead along the river with only mild ascent all the way up the hamlet of Sara. The Hamlet will only appear once we are very close to the settlement, less than half a KM, where a hump in the landscape obstructs the view ahead. Once atop the feature, which is lined with a Stupa and prayer flags, we can see the beautiful settlement with 3-4 houses which all offer the option for Homestay, as we as camping. Green Fields, blossoming trees surrounding these houses are in stark contrast to the landscape all around.

• Location – Markha
• Altitude – 3,700 meters | 12,140 feet
• Accommodation – Homestay
• Trek – 10 KM

The trail from Sara to Markha is again a gradual one, with no steep ascent and can be easily covered in 3-4 hours at a slow pace. After less than 2 KM from Sara we cross a bridge to our left which takes us to the true right of the river (i.e. river is now flowing on our right hand side).

Slightly further up we come across fields alongside a small village settlement, against backdrop of a steep mountain face. We continue along the trail, which slightly ascends to a higher open ground with a Stupa and Prayer stones (Mani stones), carved intricately. Take due note that you always cross these religious marking from the left (the stupa or prayer stones being on your right hand side). We quickly go downhill near the river and cross a small stream over a bridge of wooden logs.

Almost 2 KM prior to Markha village we again cross the river to our right with two bridges, one of which may be broken and will need some effort to traverse. With 1 more KM to go, we arrive at a Tea shop & Homestay with sunflowers blooming in their vicinity, offering a splendid sight with a stark contrast. A few more homestays and a campground are scattered ahead along the route, which hints at the proximity of Markha village. The last few hundered meters stretch to the village is a steep climb, which concludes in the arrival at the Monastery, followed by the village with its houses spread across the lush fields.
We can spend some time at the Monastery before we continue inwards. The village has a vivid historic past and unique culture, and the day can be spent exploring these.

• Location – Hankar
• Altitude – 4,000 meters | 13,120 feet
• Accommodation – Homestay
• Trek – 11 KM

The trek from Markha village to Hankar goes through a Monastery – the Tacha Gompa and a small settlement called Umlung. There are very few houses here with a couple of tea houses. You will see a large white canvas tent from far away as you approach Umlung.

The Tacha Gompa is inhabited by a sole Buddhist monk, who resides in the Gompa situated atop a steep cliff. A very steep staircase leads to the monastery situated a few hundred feet high above the valley below.

The last stretch to the village Hankar requires crossing a couple of more tea houses and then climbing up a steep section of trail that cuts through a cliff. As we reach the top we are welcomed by panoramic views of the Hankar village and its fields to the left, as well as a millennia old fort remains on a mountain top to the right.

• Location – Nimaling
• Altitude – 4,700 meters | 15,420 feet
• Accommodation – Camping
• Trek – 9 KM

After breakfast you may checkout from Hotel to either return from Leh or you may extend your travel for a guided/unguided tour of Ladakh including visiting places such as Khardunga La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Nubra Valley etc.