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Markha Valley is
located between the Zanskar and Ladakh and is one of the most favoured and
easily accessible, popular among the people. The trek begins from Spituk
monastery or Stok village passing through Stok La and Gandala Pass, which takes
you across Markha valley. Trekking along the Markha River through the beauty of
Markha Valley with rock pinnacles, high cliffs, narrow pathways and
prayer-flagged passes gives you the moment to be with the nature. The trail from
Zinchen ascends gradually all the way along the Rumbak Nala until you reach
Rumbak, the largest village in the Zingchen Valley. From Ganda-La, the views
extend south to the Zanskar range and distant summits of the Himalayan range.
The highest of the three passes which you come across this trek is the Kongmaru
La, (5,306m). Nimaling upland is dominated by Kang
Yatse (6400 mtrs) ideal place of shepherd lives with their herds. If you
are an traveler looking for amazing and extraordinary, the trekking in Ladakh is
just for you
Itinerary 1st Day: Jingchan
to Ganda-La base camp (4.380 m), 6 hours (3.380 m), 5
hours
From Leh you take the jeep to the
Jingchan village 3.380 m (11.090 ft.)
Trek starts. After a few river crossings you reach the village Rumbak 3.800 m (12.470 ft.)
and Yurutse 4.120 m (13.520 ft.). There are great views to the Stok-La (4.800
m). You have to be well acclimatized for this trek because you sleep 1.000 m
higher than the last night.
2nd Day: Ganda-La base camp (4.380 m)
to Skiu (3.400 m) via Ganda-La (4.900 m), 6 hours
You go along the
mountain side up to the Ganda-La 4.900 m (15.910 ft.). You may see yak, brought
up here so that the grazing close to the villages has a chance to grow during
the short summer. If you are on the pass you see the Zanskar range and the Stok
Mountains. It is a long but easy descent to the Markha Valley and the village
Shingo (4.150 m), which you already see from the pass. May be you are lucky and
see some marmots. In Singo you can find solar panel on the roof of the main
house. After 3 hours you reach the village Skiu 3.400 m (11.160 ft.) with an
attractive monastery on top of the cliff.
3rd Day: Skiu (3.400 m)
to Markha (3.700 m), 8 hours
A not too strenuous path continues from the
right bank from Skiu to Markha. It is all green around. After river crossings
you arrive at the village Chaluk and Tunespa. There are wonderful views back all
the way down. About 2 hours and you reach the beautiful village Markha 3.700 m
(12.140 ft.).
4th Day: Markha (3.700 m) to Tahungste (4.150 m), 5
hours
There a several river crossings until passing the village of
Umlung. The monastery is often closed during the summer time as the monks have
to go back to assist their families with the harvest. It is a nice and easy walk
to the next village Hankar with the snow-covered Kang Yatse (6.400 m) in the
background. You camp at the village Taghungste 4.150 m (13.620 ft.).
5th Day: Tahungste (4.150 m) to Nimaling (4.720 m), 3 hours
You climb up
until you reach a small lake. There are wonderful views down to the Markha
Valley and to Kang Yatse (6.400 m) reflected in the water of the lake. You reach
the yak-grazing pastures of the village Nimaling 4.720 m (15.490 ft.). Kang
Yatse (6.400 m) dominates the valley from Nimaling.
6th Day:
Nimaling (4.720 m) to Shang Sumdo (3.660 m) via Kongmaru-La (5.100 m), 7 hours
It is a long climb along the mountain to the highest pass of the trek. A zigzag
trail leads you up to the Kongmaru-La 5.100 m (16.730 ft.). There are great
views over the Zanskar Range and the Ladakh range. After crossing the pass it is
a long descent to Chukirmo (4.070). Finally you reach the lovely village Shang
Sumdo 3.660 m (12.010 ft.).
7th Day: Shang Sumdo (3.660 m) to
Hemis (3.500), 4 hours
You have to cross several times the river until
you reach the village Hemis 3.500 m (12.010 ft.). You often walk along the
riverbed. The monastery of Hemis is one of the most accessible, famous and
most-visited gompas in Ladakh. From Hemis you go back to Leh (45 km).
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