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Day 1 : Fly from Delhi to Leh Flights to Leh are almost as spectacular as our Markha Valley trek. The view of the high snow capped peaks is quite simply put mesmerizing. Landing at Leh is an adventure in itself as the airport strip is between mountains on both the sides. Leh airport is around 6 km from Leh city. Check-in to a hotel and get briefed on the day’s program. Leh is at an altitude of 10,000 feet so acclimatizing yourself to high altitude is important to enjoy trekking in Ladakh. Rest for the first half of the day and in the evening go for a walk to the Leh market.
Day 2 : Explore Leh Market its surroundings
Go out and explore Leh before the start of the Markha valley trek. Try a cup of traditional ladakhi butter tea and ladakhi bread for breakfast. Some of the famous places to visit in Leh are Shanti Stupa, Leh Monastery, Leh Palace etc.
Day 3 : Drive from Leh to Spituk and trek to Zingchan Village
An early start is imperative for the Markha Valley Trek as there is no shade along the south banks of the Indus River until you enter the Zinchen Gorge. We will depart for Spituk from Leh by jeeps. In Spituk our team will be waiting for us with horses to carry our trekking equipment. The trek will begin along an old kucchha(un-metalled) road into a barren & dried region of Leh Ladakh with wild roses along the trail. After trekking through the parched land 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’).
Day 4 : Trek from Zingchen to Ganda La Base.
Today we will enter in the Hemis National Park and if we are fortunate you will get a rare sighting of a Ladakhi Ural or Arghali and other wildlife. Hemis National park is home to the lynx, Ladakhi Ural (a type of goat), Arghali (great Tibetan sheep), Bharal (blue sheep), red fox, Tibetan wolf, dhole (wild dog), marmot and mountain hare etc.(link) . After paying the entrance fee, we will climb gradually through a beautiful gorge before reaching the valley leading to the village of Rumbak.
Day 5 : Trek from Ganda La base to Skiu via Ganda La
A big day and if this is your first pass crossing in the Himalaya you will be impressed.From the Ganda La there are views north to the Ladakh Range while to the south the rugged folds of the Zanskar Range extend to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya.
Day 6 : Skyu to Markha
From Skiu we head east up the Markha Valley. After 2km the trail winds high above the riverbed. Floods in 2005 wiped out most of the then existing trails. There are a number of tiring 50m ascents and descents before the trail reaches a side gorge and potential campsite about 3km above Skiu. There is a dhaba selling buckthorn juice and locally made wheat biscuits run by the Women’s Association of Ladakh.
Day 7 : Markha to Thochuntse.
The Markha valley trail continues passed old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched upon a cliff that looms above Markha. 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 afforded our first view of mighty Mt. 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 one in the valley), we will continue onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste (4100m), where we will camp for the night.
Day 8 : Thochuntse to Nimaling
After breakfast we will follow a trail which leads 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 (4600m) on the trek, giving us spectacular views of the huge peak of Kang Yatse to the right.
Day 9 : Nimaling to Shang Sumdo and drive to Leh & Back To delhi
We will cross Kongmaru La (5200m), the highest pass on the trek, and from there we will have a wonderful view of the Indus Valley and Ladakh Range. The descent is quite steep, but will gradually level out as we enter Shang Gorge, with its fascinating 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).
Equipments
1. Backpack (Rucksack) (60 ltr -70ltr) with comfortable shoulder straps and back pack rain cover
2. Walking Stick
3. Water Bottle
4. Sleeping Bag
5. Head Torch & with Extra Batteries
6. Lighter
Clothing
1. Down Jacket
2. Fleece Jacket & T-Shirt
3. Windproof Jacket
4. Windproof & Waterproof Trek Pant
5. Thermal Trouser
6. Woolen Hat
7. Waterproof Woolen Gloves
8. Gaiters
9. 2 Pair Woolen Socks & Light Cotton Socks
Foot Wear
1. Trekking Shoes
Miscellaneous Items
1. Sun Block for Lips
2. Sun Protection Cream
3. Sun Glasses it should be U/V Protected
4. Toilet Kit (Toilet Paper) & Quick Dry Towels
5. Water Purifying Tablets
6. Medical & First-Aid Kit
