Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh
Trip Highlights
- Get amused with the unexplored beauty of Hemis National Park and also the highest passes Gandala La and Kongmaru La
- Enjoy the sightseeing in Leh that will help you know the culture and Buddhist traditions prevailing in the town
- Capture the astounding views of Nimaling, surrounded by ponds and stream that will soothe your soul
- Witness the Greenfields, willow trees, and quaint villages that can be seen as you reach the altitude of 16,830ft
- Behold the stunning view of Kang Yatze Peak that is the reward you get from Markha
Know Before You Go
- Climatic conditions in the high altitudes vary from the plains; take adequate time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
- Pay heed to the guidelines given by trek leader or instructor in order to enjoy a safe and sound trekking experience.
- Avoid trekking during the nights.
- Consult with a physician if you are fit to undertake the trek.
- Do not litter in the local sites or campsites.
Additional Information
About Markha Valley Trek:
An arid cold desert trekking area that offers the best views of Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges has admirers worldwide. It is also known as a tea-house trek, as it is filled with the local culture of Ladakh. Witness the 21000 feet Kang Yissay and 20086 feet Stok Kangri peaks also while embarking on this trek.
Hemis National Park and Gandala La and Kongmaru La are the promising attractions one gets while taking the Markha Valley trek route. Another factor that makes this trek amusing is the waist-deep river crossing which helps us to cross the Markha River to reach the trails to Buddhist villages and rock structures. Markha Valley is in very close proximity to Leh which makes it more accessible for trekkers.
Quick Facts About Markha Valley Trek:
Duration: 9D/8N
Markha valley trek altitude:17100ft
Markha valley trek Difficulty level: Difficult
Trek distance: 75kms
Temperature: During the day: 20°C - 30°C and During the night 0°C - 10°C
Best Time To Travel: July to Mid September
Airport : Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh
Basecamp: Leh
Atm: The last ATM where the travelers can withdraw cash is at Leh
Start point / End Point: Leh
How to reach Leh:
By Air:
The easiest way to get to Leh is to fly in, Leh is accessible by air from all major Indian airports. If you do fly in, you should rest in Leh for at least a day in order to acclimatize to the altitude (11,560 ft).
By Road:
The more adventurous but time-consuming way to get to Leh is by taking the road, either from Manali or from Srinagar. The Manali-Leh route is arguably more scenic than the Srinagar-Leh route, though it is also higher. Buses, as well as shared taxis, run on both Manali- Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes.
Traveling by the HRTC bus is the cheapest way to get to Leh from Manali. It takes two days and costs about Rs. 800, halting at Keylong for the night. Keylong is a nice town in itself and it would be a good idea to stay there for a day. A slightly more expensive but convenient option is the HPTDC run deluxe bus which stops at tourist locations along the way. It costs around Rs. 3000, which includes tented accommodation and food at Keylong.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation- Camping/Home stay during the trek. Guest house in Leh on Day 1, day 2, and day 8 as per the itinerary.
- Meals- All meals while on trek ( Veg ) Starting from Day 3 breakfast.
- Trek equipment- Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dining tent, toilet tent, utensils, and crampon (if required).
- Safety Equipment- First aid medical kits, stretcher & oxygen cylinder.
- Guide- Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide, cook, and Support staff.
- Staff- Mules to carry the central luggage.
- Permits- Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee (if any)Permits & camping fee (if any) for Indian National
- Transport- from Leh guest house to Zinchen and return from Sumdo to Leh as per the itinerary.
Exclusions:
- Airport transfers from Leh airport to the guest house Can be availed at an extra cost.
- Any kind of personal expense is not included in the package
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Available dates:
July : 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August : 7, 14, 21, 28
September : 4, 11
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Leh Tour faqs
What is the best time for Markha Valley Trek?
Then the roads to Markha will be very difficult to cross. Also camping becomes impossible at high altitudes.
Is Camping allowed in Markha valley?
What is Markha valley famous for?
What is the duration for Markha valley trek?
What level of fitness is required for Markha Valley Trek?
Do this in order -For the first week, take a brisk walk for 10 minutes and then go on jogging for another 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of leisurely walk. -Next week pick up the pace and after 5 minutes of brisk walking, jog for 15 minutes then cool down with 5 minutes of easy walk.
Continue this routine for the subsequent week as well. -Finally, take a 25-minute jog followed by a 5-minute brisk walk to cool your body down. You will be ready to trek in the Markha Valley in no time.
Will I find snow at Markha Valley?
During winters trekking is not feasible due to the extremeness of the weather. The other times when trekking is possible, the place doesn’t actually have snow fall. The best time to trek here is from June to the end of September.
What kind of food will be provided during Markha Valley Trek?
You will get 8 dinners, 8 breakfasts, and 7 lunches for a regular 9 days and 8 nights trekking package at Markha Valley. It depends upon the package that you take. But it is usually vegetarian food at is offered during the trekking course.
However, some trekkers might also get to have non-vegetarian momos and boiled egg with packaged sliced cheese and bread. It is a typical Ladakhi lunch which is home cooked. The breakfast is the usual chapatti with butter and jelly for that extra energy. During the trek, boiled drinking water is provided usually.
You can refill your bottles (and it is advised that you carry your own insulated water bottle) in the morning every day. You can also fill it up from the kitchen during the evening. Water is usually provided from the home stays during the trekking trip. Everything including the meal and safe drinking water is available at the home stays.
How many people will be in a group at Markha Valley Trek?
Will there be mobile connectivity on trek to Markha Valley?
If you are going to trek in Markha Valley, you might have to get yourself a new BSNL SIM card. Although there are parts of the valley where even BSNL might not be able to give you coverage, overall it still remains the best.
Can I have liquor or smoke while we're on the Markha Valley Trek?
At such a great altitude, when you are already breathless, you cannot smoke. It will cause further issues with your lung. Many people think a little liquor can keep them warm but that is not the case – in fact, drinking actually lowers your body temperature.
Is Diamox is advisable on Markha Valley trek?
If you feel acute mountain sickness, please have Diamox which will eventually help you to overcome the uneasiness. Carry around 12 or more Diamox tablets while you come for Markha Valley trek.
How long will be trek each day at Markha Valley?
On the fifth day, the hike will again last only 3 to 4 hours. The last day of the hike will be the hardest, consisting of walking and climbing for 7-8 hours over a distance of 16 kilometers.
What will be the weather conditions at Markha valley on time of trek?
Most of the hikes through Markha Valley are held from July to September. The summer months are too hot in the desert to undertake any sightseeing or exploration activities, and the winter months are plagued by snow and extremely cold temperature.
During the above mentioned months, the average temperature varies from 20 degrees to 30 degrees centigrade during the day. At night, the temperature falls between 0 degrees to 10 degrees . The weather is pleasant enough to explore the beauty of the region.
It is also ideal for trekking through the valley. During these months, the Manali Leh and Srinagar Leh highways are also open, so those of you who want to take a bike trip to Leh can do so.
What should I keep in mind before going for Trekking at Markha Valley?
You should also keep in mind the essential items to carry during the trek. These include items like a torch, swiss knife, backpack, water bottles, energy bars, first aid kit, etc. Also, keep a sleeping bag for emergencies and sun protection and a hat in case the weather gets too hot. If you are prone to altitude sickness, carry medication for that too.
What is the difficulty level of Markha Valley Trek?
How much does Markha Valley Trekking cost?
This trek would start from Leh and end off at Leh itself. You can also avail of transportation to Leh and therefore back again to your destination at an additional cost at your convenience.
Do I need permits to go for the Markha Valley trek?
Can beginners do the Markha Valley trek?
Being a beginner, ensure that you travel with some other familiar people or have an experienced tour guide to help you out whenever required. Also, make sure that you carry all the necessary stuff applicable for completing the Markha Valley Trek without facing any difficulty for your daily chores.
Which are the other best Ladakh treks that we can book via Thrillophilia?
Here is the list of other best Ladakh treks that you can book via Thrillophilia: