8-day Markha valley trek
Fixed departures
690 € per person
BOOK NOW
This classic trek passes through remote villages tucked in verdant valleys surrounded by towering mountains. The high passes of Stok La, Ganda La and Kongmaru La offers spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks. While staying in homestays, you will have the opportunity to discover the everyday life of the villagers and their unique Buddhist culture.
Highlights
- | Trek through some of Ladakh's most dramatic landscapes in Hemis National Park |
- | Explore picturesque villages in remote valleys |
- | Discover the everyday life of the villagers while staying in homestays |
- | Visit the Buddhist monasteries of the Indus valley |
Key information
- | Trek duration: 8 days (from Leh to Leh) |
- | Trek difficulty level: moderate |
- | Average group size: 4.8 participants (based on statistics from 2024) |
- | Minimum group size: 3 participants |
- | Maximum group size: 7 participants |
- | Highest point: Kongmaru La pass at 5260m |
- | Highest night: Nimaling camp at 4841m |
Itinerary
Day 1: | Leh to Zingchen by car (45 min), visit Spituk monastery on the way. Zingchen (3402m) - Rumbak (3956m) 2-3 hrs, 6.5 km, +555m / -0m | Homestay | meals: L, D |
Day 2: | Rumbak (3956m) - Stok La (4855m) - Rumbak (3956m) Those who prefer to rest can skip the Stok La ascent and explore Rumbak area instead. 5 hrs, 10.1 km, +995m / -995m Rumbak (3956m) - Yurutse (4148m) 2 hrs, 3.5 km, +266m / -73m | Homestay | meals: B, L, D |
Day 3: | Yurutse (4148m) - Ganda La (4961m) - Skiu (3366m) 6-8 hrs, 17.8 km, +813m / -1595m | Homestay | meals: B, L, D |
Day 4: | Skiu (3366m) - Markha (3760m) 6-7 hrs, 21.2 km, +451m / -57m | Homestay | meals: B, L, D |
Day 5: | Markha (3760m) - Hankar (4030m) 4-5 hrs, 11.2 km, +305m / -35m | Homestay | meals: B, L, D |
Day 6: | Hankar (4030m) - Nimaling (4841m) 5-6 hrs, 10.7 km, +836m / -25m | Camping | meals: B, L, D |
Day 7: | Nimaling (4841m) - Kongmaru La (5260m) - Chogdo (3905m) 5-6 hrs, 12.1 km, +419m / -1355m | Homestay | meals: B, L, D |
Day 8: | Chogdo (3905m) - Shang Sumdo (3680m) 2 hrs, 4.9 km, +20m / -245m | meals: B, L The car will pick you up from Shang Sumdo. Visit Hemis, Stakna, Thiksey and Shey monasteries. Drive back to Leh. |
Note: | the number of walking hours stated includes lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. |
What's included
- | Accommodation during the trek: 6 nights in a local house in a village (homestay) and 1 night in a fixed camp at Nimaling |
- | Meals (vegetarian): 7 breakfasts, 7 packed lunches, 1 lunch in a local restaurant, 7 dinners |
- | Experienced Ladakhi guide (English speaking) supported by assistant guides as the group size dictates |
- | Horses / porters for the transportation of the luggage, 1 bag of maximum 13 kg per person |
- | Transportation by car from Leh to Zingchen and from Shang Sumdo to Leh |
- | Wildlife fee and entrance tickets to monasteries (Spituk, Hemis, Stakna, Thiksey and Shey) |
What's not included
- | Travel insurance |
- | Hotel and meals in Leh |
- | Flights |
- | Sleeping bag and trekking poles |
- | Any deviation from the itinerary |
Reservation
Note: you should spend 3 days at 3500m for altitude acclimatization before starting the trek.