The Classic Markha Valley Trek

This popular trek in Ladakh goes through the Great Hemis National Park and offers you great chances of spotting some of the rare endangered wildlife that inhabit this region. We trek through barren hillsides, green villages that appear like oasis in an otherwise stark land of brown barren mountains, icy mountain streams and rivers with towering snow clad mountains all around.

Day 1: On arrival at Delhi airport we meet you and transfer you to your pre-reserved hotel. The morning is free to relax. In the afternoon we take on a half day old Delhi city tour. See the Red Fort, the mosque known as Jama Masjid both built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan many centuries ago and stroll along the narrow backstreets selling mouthwatering kebabs and pilafs. (Optional as you may want spend the day relaxing in your hotel). Return to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Leave for the domestic airport to catch your flight to Leh. The flight is an unforgettable experience as you get some of the most fabulous views of the Great Himalayan Ranges from high above. On arrival at Leh you are met and escorted to your pre-reserved hotel. Spend your day relaxing as this sudden arrival at an altitude of 3505 metres can be quite strenuous on your lungs. Take a leisurely stroll around the laid back bazaar in the afternoon after lunch. Acclimatization to this high altitude is essential so just relax. Overnight hotel.

Day 3: Today we take you on a visit to the ancient monasteries of Shey, Thiksey and Stok Palace. All have priceless statues, thangkas, wall paintings and ancient scriptures and manuscripts. We return to the hotel for dinner and the night.

Day 4: After breakfast we visit the Sankar Gompa a short walk from the Leh Bazaar, and then the Leh Palace an imposing structure on a hill overlooking Leh town. After lunch we head to the Phyang Gompa 15 Kms west of Leh perched on a hill. This is one of the two Drigungpa monasteries in Ladakh and was founded in the third quarter of the 16 th century. Beautiful images, wall paintings and thangkas are within the temples of this neat Gompa. Get beautiful views from the terrace. Return to Leh by evening.

Day 5: Today we drive to the Spituk monastery startlingly reminiscent of the Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet. After exploring the priceless images and wall paintings in this ancient monastery we begin our 5 hour trek to Zingchen village where we set up camp for the night near a river at 3410m.

Day 6: After an early breakfast we take the trail that ascends gradually towards the Ganda La pass. We pass the two picturesque villages of Rumbak and Yurtse and five hours later set up camp at 4200m - the base of the pass.

Day 7: Today a gradual ascent of about 770 metres (2 hours) takes us up to the saddle of the Ganda La at 4970m. Extensive views of the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. From here we descend to the pretty village of Skiu at 3300m. In the evening we walk up and visit the ancient 11 th century monastery high above the village and return to our camp in time for dinner.

Day 8: We take the pleasant trail that winds along the river heading towards the Markha village which we reach after about seven hours. We explore the ancient Markha Gompa and get back to our camp for dinner and a good nights rest.

Day 9: We now head east towards the small village of Thachungtse at 4200m after passing s few villages including Hankar. We set up camp at a green patch beyond this typical Ladakhi village.

Day 10: Today the trail heads north east as we pass barren hills and a few isolated villages to reach the small village of Nimaling at 4700m where we set up camp on the banks of the river. From our campsite you get stunning views of the towering Kang Yaze peak rising to 6400 metres.

Day 11: Today the trail descends gradually through the green valley flower with a few small streams as we ascend a zigzag trail towards the Kangmaru La pass at 5150m from where a steep descent takes us to the scenic village of Shang at 5665m.

Day 12: The last day of our trek take us down a craggy hillside towards the ancient Hemis Gompa which is the richest and most famous monastery in Ladakh. En-route we pass the small village of Martselang. A Jeep awaits us to drive us back to Leh and your hotel.

Day 13: Free day in Leh to either relax or stroll around the bazaar and shop for handicrafts and other knickknacks.

Day 14: We drive you to the airport in the morning to board your flight to New Delhi.