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Markha Valley Trek

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Markha Valley Trek - A Journey Into Unknown

  • Price: Rs. 18499
  • Region : Leh, Leh & Ladakh
  • Duration : 8 days
  • Distance : 65 km
  • Altitude : 17100 ft ft.
  • Grade : Moderate - Difficult

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Overview

Markha Valley, located in the Leh-Ladakh is one of the largest valleys in the region. The trek gives you an opportunity to explore the cultural heritage of the Leh-Ladakh area. A number of small villages like Skui, Markha, Hankar, Nimaling along with monasteries, ancient ruins and temples makes this trek an exciting journey. Tacha Monastery is a must visit. The trek is located in the Hemis National Park and you can spot a wide variety of fauna and flora throughout the journey. You might spot Mountain Sheep, Argali, Rabbits or even snow leopards on the way.

On the Markha Valley trek, you can view the mighty Himalayan Ranges in the area. The most famous being the Karakoram & Ladakh ranges. The mesmerizing sight of K2 mountain, Stok Kangri and Kang Yatse peaks will also greet you on your way.

The first day is set aside for check in at Leh. Leh-Ladakh area is well connected to the National Capital New Delhi and once you reach there, you will not have any problems in finding your way to Leh. Today we will be exploring Leh as it is located at a high altitude of 11,000 ft and such sudden drastics change in altitude can trigger AMS

You can check out the local market in the area to purchase anything that you might need for your journey ahead. Avoid travelling to higher altitudes. Leh is also famous for its beautiful monasteries and temples which also serve as a major attraction for tourists.

Brief Overview of the day

  • Check in at Leh
  • Network - Available (Only Postpaid)
  • Max Altitude - 11,500 ft.
  • Overnight stay at a guesthouse

Today is the acclimatization day and having an extra day for this purpose will help you to get better used to the environment at high altitude. Try to spend time outside. You can hike up to Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery or Thiksey Gompa. But remember not to stress your body too much and conserve energy for the upcoming trek.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Acclimatization Day
  • Explore Ladakh
  • Overnight stay at a guest house

After having breakfast in the morning, we will drive 65 Km through a picturesque landscape to Chilling. On our way you will be crossing the famous Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and the Magnet Hill. The “sangam” of Indus & Zanskar river is another attraction to look out for during the ride. As we reach closer to Chilling, you will notice a drastic change in the landscape around you. We will enter the valley full of Juniper & Alpine trees which will keep you company until we reach Chilling.

The trek to Skiu from Chilling starts with a steep ascent. As we keep walking we will reach Kaya-Do and we will make our first river crossing of the trek. Skiu village is located at the confluence of Shangri Nala & Markha and we will be camping here for tonight.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Driving Distance - 65 Km
  • Driving Time - 3 Hours
  • Trekking Distance - 9 Km
  • Trekking Time - 5 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 11,150
  • Overnight stay in camps

We will start walking on a well-marked, easy & flat trail. Keep an eye out for any rare birds or animals that you might spot on the way. The hike goes along the Markha river and crosses a sparsely populated forest that opens up near a wooden bridge at Zanpa. Another 40 minutes walk from here will take us to Nagding. Nagding is famous for paintings that are found here in the meditation caves. 

After walking for an hour from Nagding, we will reach the entrance of Sara Village. You can explore the area around and enjoy the beauty of nature. Night stay in tents

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Trekking Distance - 10 Km
  • Trekking Time - 4 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 11,490 ft
  • Overnight stay in tents

Today is another easy day and we will start again on an easy well defined trail. On the way you will spot stones engraved with Buddhist prayers and some of them are in Sanskrit language. After walking for 30 minutes from Sara village, we will reach Chalak village and we can stop there for tea to re-energize ourselves.

Markha Village is one of the largest villages of the area and we will reach there by walking along the Markha river. Overnight stay in camps.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Trekking Distance - 10 Km
  • Trekking Time - 4 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 12,200 ft.
  • Night stay in camps

Today's trail will take us through the least visited parts of the area. The hike is beautiful with a number of streams crossing our way. We will stop for refreshments at Umlung which is famous for a beautiful monastery that is located there.

As we cross Umlung, you will get a glimpse of the mighty Mt. Kang Yatse (6,400 m). Once again we will cross many streams to reach the final destination for the day at Hankar Village. The village is located in a beautiful setting with the Tacha Monastery visible on top of a mountain.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Trekking Distance - 11 Km
  • Trekking Time - 6 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 13,100 ft.
  • Night stay at camps

We will leave Hankar early in the morning and head towards our next destination at Nimaling. The trail is a beautiful walk through nature and you will spot the pasture of Thochuntse after hiking for about 2 hours. The Mt. Kang Yatse seems to keep getting bigger as we inch closer to our destination. After crossing a couple of streams, the trail enters into a grassland and you will see twin lakes in this area. This grassland is used by sheeps, goats and other herbivorous animals for grazing. 

Nimaling is an amazing camping location and this is the second highest point we will touch on this trek that is 15,400 ft. It can snow anytime at this high altitude and therefore we will have to come prepared.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Trekking Distance - 9 Km
  • Trekking Time - 4 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 15,400 ft.
  • Overnight stay in tents

Today is the last day of the Markha Valley Trek and it is going to be a long one. Today we will be trekking a total of 16 Km for around 8 hours but every step you take will be totally worth the scenic beauty that you will experience in this location. After a tiring climb of 2 hours we will reach Kongmaru La Pass at an altitude of 17,100 ft. The clear view of the Karakoram Range and the second highest peak in the world - K2 will leave you at a loss of words.

As we say goodbye to Kongmaru La, the trail will enter a steep descent followed by a gradual descent to Chkirmo Village. After climbing down gradually on a rocky trail, we will reach Chokdo & a vehicle waiting for us will take us back to Leh.

Brief Overview of the Day

  • Trekking Distance - 16 Km
  • Trekking Time - 8 Hours
  • Max Altitude - 17,100 ft
  • Driving Time - 2 Hours

By Air -

Flights to Leh are available for booking all year round, even in winters. The Leh Airport is a military airport and security checks are a little more stringent than usual. Please carry a printout of your e-ticket before entering, failing which you might be denied entry. From the airport, you can easily get taxis that will take you to your hotel/resort.

By Bus -

From Jammu and Kashmir or from Manali, if you're planning to approach Leh in a bus, get ready for an adventurous bumpy ride. It’s got what it takes to become the ride of a lifetime and will take at least 4 days (starting at New Delhi).

By Train - 

Pathankot and Chandigarh are the closest railway stations to Leh, still a three-day bus ride away. This is one route that most travellers to Leh avoid. 

Self Drive -

For adventure lovers around the world, hitting the road to Leh is a dream they look forward to living at all times. They may pick up a motorbike, a jeep, an SUV or try to tackle this journey on a bicycle, but driving to Leh is certainly an adventure. You can either take the (lower) road from Jammu and Kashmir or the (higher) road from Rohtang La via Keylong and Sarchu.

Inclusions :-

  1. Accommodation. (Home stay, Camping)
  2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
  3. Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dining tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required)
  4. All necessary permits and entry fees.
  5. First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
  6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
  7. Mules to carry the central luggage

Exclusions :-

  1. Any kind of personal expenses.
  2. Food during the transit.
  3. Insurance.
  4. Mules or porters to carry personal luggage.
  5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
  6. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.

Note : Normally THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.

Charges of offloading backpack:-

INR 1200/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance

INR 1500/- if you inform us any later

The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have a waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.

Basics Gear
Back pack & rain cover (50 - 60 ltr) with comfortable shoulder straps
Day pack + rain cover 20 - 30 ltr (If hire a mule or porter)
Walking stick Advisable (At least one)
Head torch 1 Nos.
Water bottle/Hydration pack 2 bottles of one litre each
  People who use hydration pack
  1 hydration pack and 1 bottle of one liter
  Carry at least one thermos flask
Snacks Energy bars, dry fruits, electral/ors
Personal Medical Kit Consult your doctor
Be comfy at the Markha Valley Trek 
T-shirts 2 Full sleeves (Non-cotton)
Fleece T-shirts 1 Nos.
Fleece jacket 1 Nos. (Alternative: a woollen sweater)
Down feather / Hollofil jacket 1 Nos.
Wind & waterproof (jacket & pant) 1 Pair
Thermal inners (upper and lower) 1 Pair
Trek pants 2 Synthetic (avoid shorts, fitting denims, capris)
Poncho 1 Nos.
Think about your head
Sun cap 1 Nos. (One that covers the neck as well)
Woolen cap 1 Nos.
Balaclava 1 Nos.
Neck-gaiters 1 Nos.
Sunglasses Dark with side cover, it should be U/V protected.
        People who wear spectacles- 
  (A)- Use contact lenses. (Not for Chadar trek)
  (B)- Photo chromatic glasses. 
Mind your step
Trekking shoes 1 Pair (Waterproof, high ankle with good grip)
Floaters/flip-flops 1 Pair (Optional)
Cotton socks 5 pairs
Woollen socks 3 pairs
Gaiters 1 Pair (The Crazy Mountaineers team will notify you if required)
Keep these handy
Waterproof gloves 1 Pair
Fleece/woollen gloves 1 Pair
Personal Utilities
Sunscreen cream Hand sanitizer
Moisturiser Antibacterial powder
Toilet Paper & wipes Toothbrush and toothpaste
Lip balm Quick dry towe
In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: -

Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek

Book any other trek till one year or get 95% refund (Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)

Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek

Choose to go for the same trek, with any other batch, till year or get 70% refund

Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the trek

Choose to go on the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch or get 50% refund.

Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek

Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.

Note:-

  1. Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.
  2. In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS.
  3. THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.

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