The Markha Valley trek in Ladakh is incredibly captivating when it comes to trekking. It is also referred to as the ‘Tea House Trek’. This thrilling 8-day trek takes place in a cold desert and offers a blend of excitement and adventure with its diverse range of flora and fauna, high passes, deep gorges, and colorful Buddhist flags. Along the way, you will come across small villages that showcase Ladakh’s traditional style and give you a glimpse into its lifestyle and culture. The sight of vibrant rock formations against the backdrop of dancing clouds and majestic mountains such as Kang Yissay, Stok, and Zanskar is always a highlight for trekkers.
Despite being a tricky trek that includes long hours walk, brook crossings, sharp ascents and descents, it is a must-try for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers!
Altitude: 5130 m
Trekking Distance: 75 km
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh
Base Camp: Spituk
Best Time to Trek: Mid June to September
In summary: Explanation of the Markha Valley Trek.
The trek offers astounding views of Markha Valley and several other peaks. Initial two days will be spent becoming accustomed to the cold place where temperature even falls below 0 degrees. Also, travellers can explore Leh Palace, forts, museums, Buddhist monasteries and local markets. Next day, following the way to Ganda La (4800 m), reach stunning Markha Village where the night will be spent in a camp.
The following day, drive to Spituk village and then hike towards Zingchen in order to reach a green valley called Yurutse. On the fourth day, after hiking uphill for four hours, you will reach Siku by passing Ganda La. From Siku, return to Markha village by following the route alongside Markha River. On the sixth day, continue towards Thachungtse for an overnight stay. Descend gradually and reach Nimaling. Finally, Shang Sumdo will be the last stop for trekking, from where a trekker will proceed towards Leh.
Trekking Gear Essentials for Markha Valley Trek
- Trekking shoes and trekking pole
- Warm clothes/Mosquito repellent
- Flashlight/Headlamp equipped with LED technology and additional batteries.
- Extra pair of woolen socks/ Raincoat/Gloves
- Sunscreen Lotion/ Sunglasses/Lip balm
- Water Bottles/Energy drink and bars
- Emergency Medical Kit
Itinerary Breakdown: My Meeting with Mountains and Dancing Clouds
As someone who loves adventure and has a strong belief in Buddhism, I believe that Ladakh holds a significance beyond being merely a tourist spot. A blend of colorful monasteries, dome-shaped stupas and a serene barren landscape offer an ideal glimpse of Buddhist culture. So this time, when I visited Ladakh with my friends, we planned to hit the Markha Valley referred as ‘The Land Of The Passes’. The trek gave us a chance to explore the Hemis National Park and meet our nomadic brethren.
Day 1:At 7 am, we embarked on our flights to Leh. Traveling to Leh is always a visual delight, with breathtaking sights of snow-covered mountains. The landing itself is an exciting experience, with mountains on either side of the airport strip. Upon arrival, our tour representative warmly welcomed us with a floral headband and the traditional greeting “O-Jullay!” He then escorted us to our pre-arranged hotel and provided a detailed overview of our trek itinerary.
Since Leh is surrounded by three Himalayan ranges – Ladakh, Karakoram, and Zanskar, there was no reason to wait! We stored our luggage in a room and ventured out to explore the valley, which is home to many amazing attractions such as Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Shanti Stupa, and Stok Monastery. After visiting some of these places, we returned to the hotel around 5 pm. Later in the evening, we took a walk to Moti Market near Leh Bus Stand, where I purchased two jackets and we all enjoyed some delicious momos! We spent the night at the hotel.
Day 2: According to our tour representative, we were advised to stay in Leh today in order to adjust to the cold weather, high altitude, and decreasing oxygen levels. After enjoying Ladhaki butter tea and sandwiches, we decided to explore more of Leh before starting the Markha Valley trek. Along the way, we were captivated by the stunning scenery of the Ladakh plateau. Our driver took us to the Thiksey Monastery, which is located approximately 22 km from Leh. It was one of the most impressive monastery complexes I have ever seen, although it reminded me of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. We indulged in delicious authentic Tibetan cuisine at its restaurant.
Day 3: The following day, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight of the sunrise surrounded by hills and vibrant green fields. Once we finished breakfast, we prepared our backpacks and joined our tour guide who awaited us in a car just outside the hotel. Our trek commenced with a scenic drive, gradually taking us through the Zinchen Gorge, a vast and barren desert landscape.
In the following two hours, we arrived at Spituk Village and took a break to enjoy a cup of coffee. Afterward, we embarked on a hike to a gentle slope and reached Zingchen in just one hour. Zingchen is a picturesque valley nestled amidst rocky and sandy hills, and it is where the River Rumbak merges with the River Indus. Continuing our trek, we traversed through vibrant green barley fields and encountered serene streams. Upon reaching Yurutse, we were delighted to find our guide had arranged a splendid campsite for us. We spent the night there.
Day 4: On this day, we explored the beauty of Hemis National Park and we were fortunate enough that we got to see a rare sight of Ladhaki Ural (mountain goat) and argali (a Tibetan Sheep). Also, the park is home to snow leopard, blue sheep, wolf and red fox. We continued walking alongside the bed of wild roses and through a valley embellished with colorful Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the cool breeze.
It took us approximately two hours to reach Ganda La, which is located at an altitude of 4900 m. We spent some time there and I also captured some stunning views with my DSLR camera. Afterwards, we descended to Skiu and noticed that the terrain was becoming rough and rocky. After about four hours, we arrived at Skiu, which is situated at the junction of rivers Markha and Shgri Nala. We visited Skiu Monastery and then enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the valley’s summit. The breathtaking views of Stok Kangri and the Stok range amazed us.
Day 5: It was quite an easy day trek, along with the banks of the Markha River. Enroute, there were several green willow thickets and barren cliffs. We visited religious shrines at Lhatos and saw a wide range of stone inscriptions at Mani Walls. We crossed River Markha and reached to a beautiful village, Markha. There were 15-20 houses, a monastery and fort.
Afterwards, we were informed that approximately 3 km above, there exists a Dhaba managed by the Women’s Association of Ladakh. This place offers buck-thorn juice and traditionally prepared wheat biscuits. With the assistance of our guide, we attempted to communicate with the locals since they were unfamiliar with Hindi or English. Our accommodation was in village quarters.
Day 6: The following day, we followed the path that led us to Markha Valley. Along the way, we took photos of old monasteries like Techa and crumbling castles. We arrived at Umlung after two hours. Progressively, we passed Kang Yaste and Hangskar, the final village in the valley. At this point, we stopped for a cup of tea and some snacks. Continuing on, we hiked up a steep and rocky incline that led us to the Thachungtse campsite.
Day 7: Today, we had to cover a distance of approximately 6 km on foot. We woke up early in the morning and, after having breakfast, we made our way towards the magnificent plateau of Nimaling. After climbing for around 2 hours, we arrived at a pond where we filled our empty water bottles. Continuing through a grassy pastureland, we finally reached Nimaling. On one side, there were beautiful streams, while on the other side stood the impressive Kang Yatse peak. I also took some photographs with the herders who had brought their cattle for grazing. In the evening, we had a delightful bonfire night at the campsite, where we savored traditional Ladakhi dishes such as Thupka, Tigmo, Skyu, and Khambir.
Day 8: We were feeling quite sad today because it was going to be the final day of our trek. However, as it is often said, one journey must come to an end in order for another to begin. Therefore, we began our descent towards Shang Valley. We stopped there for a duration of 15 minutes before continuing on our way. We then crossed Kongmaru La, which is the highest pass along the Markha Valley trek. This summit offers breathtaking views of the Ladakh Range and the Indus Valley. Two hours later, we arrived in Shang Valley and followed a path that led us to our final trekking destination, Shang Sumdo. We returned to Leh by taxi and spent the night at the hotel.
Day 9:Feeling saddened and filled with cherished memories, we made our way to the Leh airport.
Additionally, make sure to visit these cafes!
- Tibetan Kitchen
- German Bakery
- Dzomsa
- Open Hand Cafe
- Lala’s Cafe
It was truly a beautiful and culturally rich experience! Everyone should explore the hidden beauty of Ladakh. So, go ahead and give a chance to the serenity of the Markha Village to take away your stress and fears.
