Markha Valley Trek

Markha Valley trek takes you along the ancient silk route with astounding villages of Markha & Hankar, in a valley now situated in the Hemis National Park. The valley is located to the south of Leh and runs in the North West - South East direction. The trek follows the valley all the way up to Kongmaru La, a high altitude pass with over 17,250 feet in altitude, which connects it to a gorge on the other side, which finally leads you to "Chogdo" village, that connects to the Leh - Keylong highway at Martselang. The village of Markha, which is a highlight of the trek, can be accessed from either side and has other access points too. The Markha Valley trek, however, starts from the north-western end at Chilling, making inwards towards Markha Village, and proceeding ahead to Kongmaru La.

You will walk along the Silk Route in the Markha Valley Trek. The valley is situated in the southern part of Leh and extends in the northwest-southeast direction. Some beautiful villages like Markha and Hankar will be your stay for the night. The locals of Ladakh are very simple and happy-hearted. The homestays in the Ladakh region are usually cozy and beautiful. You can interact with the locals and witness the magic in simplicity. The traditional attire and the big Buddhist monasteries will allure you. The local food and warm hospitality will cheer you up. The Markha Valley Trek is an odyssey to adventure and Ladakhi life.

History Of the Markha Valley Trek

The Markha Valley Trek has deep connections with the Ladakhi culture and spirituality. Many people know this place as “Little Tibet” due to the big influence of Tibetan culture. This trail is an important route for the locals. Traders have been using the same route for centuries. They used to travel with their Yaks and Horses via the Markha Valley to sell wool, salt and other items. You can see many villages along the Markha River. This is a beautiful and centuries-old trail that has been a crucial part of the local settlement.

The Markha Valley route emerged as a trek in the late 20th century. You will see big and small monasteries on the trek. Some of these monasteries are centuries old. The culture of Leh-Ladakh is very different from the rest of the North Indian region. It's unique but perfect in every way. You will see a monastery or shrine in every village. Locals pray in the monastery and request wellness. The prayer flags look very beautiful as they fill colours in the barren mountains. These flags represent peace and hope. Your Markha Valley Trek is the perfect blend of adventure and spirituality.

Highlights Of Markha Valley Trek  

• Beautiful Landscape

Markha Valley Trek is popular for the mesmerizing landscape. Himalayan treks usually follow with forests and grasslands. But Markha Valley is different. The valley is barren and has moonlike terrain. The arid canyons and lush green patches in the trail feel very different. The snow-capped mountains in the far look surreal.

• Remote Ladakhi Experience

You will stay in the traditional Lakdahi style homestays. The villages like Sjiu, Markha have whitewashed mud-brick houses. 

These homestays are usually small and cosy. Enjoy the warm meals and great hospitality of the locals.

• Trek Difficulty 

The Markha Valley Trek is a challenging trek. You will start from 3200 m and will ascend to over 5000 m. You will cross many rivers on the trek. The water is usually icy-cold and your feet can go numb for some time. 

• Flora And Fauna

Ladakh has a very different type of habitant. The valley is the part of Hemis National Park where you can spot rare Himalayan wildlife. You can see blue sheep and mountain hares. Markha becomes a popular place to spot snow leopards in winters. The green patches throughout the trail feel refreshing. 

Difficulty Level Of Markha Valley Trek

The Markha Valley Trek is usually considered as Moderate to Difficult level trek. The trail is not very challenging, but the altitude and the long walking hours can make the trek challenging.

• High-Altitude Trekking

You will start your trek from Leh which has an altitude of 3200 m. The journey will continue to Kongmaru La (5200 m). Many trekkers can face AMS problems after reaching 4000 m. You should acclimatize for 1-2 days in Leh. 

• Trek Length and Long Walking Hours

The Markha Valley Trek is about 65 km long. You will cover this distance in 8-9 days. The terrain is not very difficult but you have to walk for 8-10 hours daily. There are no technical sections on the trek. But you need good strength to complete the trek without any difficulty.

• River Crossing

There are many river crossings in the Markha Valley Trek. The water level can increase in the summertime. You will have water up to knee-length. River crossing is difficult, but the water is freezing cold. Your feet can be numb for a while after crossing the river.

• Weather Conditions

A high-altitude regions mean unpredictable weather. Markha Valley is in the rain-shadow area, but you can still get sudden rain. The trails can disappear in the snow. The temperature can drop to sub-zero temperatures even in the summer. 

Best Time To Visit The Markha Valley Trek

The best time to plan your Markha Valley Trek is the summer and early autumn. These seasons are very beautiful and the trails are also accessible.

• Markha Valley Trek From June To Early July

The trails to Markha Valley open in June. This is the early season and you will see snow in the high-altitude areas. The day temperature is around 12-18℃ and the night temperature is usually around 0-5℃. The sky will be clear and you will see the majestic Himalayan peaks. 

• Markha Valley Trek From Mid-July To August

This is the peak season for trekking to Markha Valley Trek. The days are usually warm and nights are cool. You can see barley and mustard crops in the fields. Rain can occur sometimes but usually this area remains dry. 

• Markha Valley Trek From Late-August To September

Autumn is also a good time to plan your trek. The sky remains clear and the views are majestic. You will see less trekkers on the trail. The days feel warm but the nights can  be freezing. The barley fields become golden and look very pretty.

• Markha Valley Trek From October To May

The winter season is very harsh in the Ladakh region. The temperature drops to sub zero and the trail is covered with snow. Trekking is not possible in winters. But some people visit Markha Valley in winters for snow leopard expeditions. 

These period is characterized by relatively mild temperatures, clear skies and sunny days for creating ideal conditions for trekking. 

How To Reach The Markha Valley Trek?

Your Markha Valley Trek will start from the beautiful city of Leh. This is a base city and here you can find small markets and shops. Reach Leh and spend a day there for acclimatization. The city is very beautiful and you can visit monasteries there.

• Leh Via Road

You can reach Leh from Manali and Srinagar. Reach Manali and take the Leh Highway. The distance is about 473 km. This route only opens from mid-June to September. The route is Manali to Leh via Keylong and Sarchu. This route will take two days. Another route to Leh is Srinagar - Leh Highway. This is 434 km long and opens from May to October. The route is Srinagar to Leh via Kargil. 

• Leh Via Railways

Railway is not a good option to reach Leh. All the nearest railway stations are at least 650 km away. Udhampur Railway Station is 650 km away from Leh and has fewer train connections. Jammu Tawi Railway Station is 700 km away from Leh. This station has good train connection from all major cities. Reach Jummu and take a bus to Srinagar. Now follow the Srinagar- Leh highway route.

• Leh Via Air

The easiest means of transportation is to fly to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. You can find direct flights to Leh airport from all major cities. The airport is just 4 km away from the main city.