MARKHA VALLEY TREK [4970M] GANDALA PASS

On Arriaval, you will be received by our representative at the Leh Airport and transferred to the Hotel. You need to take complete rest for the first 24 hours to acclimatize to the high altitude. Overnight at Hotel.

After Breakfast you will visit some of the monasteries in the indus Valley along Indus river. Shey palace and Thiksay monastery are the two most popular monasteries of Ladakh. Leh palace and Shanti Stupa. You spend the evening exploring the leh market, as there are couple of good adventure shops as well. Overnight at Hotel.

After an early start from Leh, we will travel by jeep to Spituk, where horses will be waiting to carry our equipment. The trek begins along an old jeep road through a dry and exposed landscape, so carrying enough water and applying sunscreen are essential.

After approximately three hours of trekking through the rugged terrain, we enter the lush Zingchen Valley, where the Rumbak River flows into the mighty Indus River. Further into the valley, we reach our campsite in the small hamlet of Zingchen, which means “big field.”

The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the campsite, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, or taking a refreshing dip in the stream, depending on local conditions.

Today, we enter Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to spot diverse wildlife, including the snow leopard, lynx, Ladakhi urial, argali (Great Tibetan sheep), blue sheep, red fox, Tibetan wolf, dhole (wild dog), marmot, and mountain hare.

After paying the entrance fee, we gradually ascend through a beautiful gorge, with occasional views of the imposing Stok Range along the way.

Before reaching Rumbak, we will stop at a teahouse run by women from the local village. After enjoying a warm cup of tea, we continue through Rumbak and pass through the village of Yurutse before reaching our campsite at the base of Ganda La (approximately 4,545 m).

From the campsite, we can enjoy spectacular views of Stok Kangri and the surrounding Stok Range.

After a light breakfast, we will begin our 2-hr ascend to Ganda La; views of the lofty Zanskar and
Stok Ranges will leave you breathless. The usual chorten and prayer flags mark the top of the
pass, where one may see blue sheep and marmots roaming the hills.

After a short rest, we will make a gradual hour-long descent to Shingo and break for lunch. We
will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m).
Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins of an old castle (once a rest stop for the
Royal family on their way to Srinagar).

Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail
crosses the river at various points, and passes through winter settlements that contain Lhatos
(religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers).
During peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshment.
After cross the river for the last time, we will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley,
consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.

Note: Water and sunscreen are essential, since the valley is quite exposed.

The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious
monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched on a towering cliff that looms above Markha, well
worth visiting if we have the energy! The path then intersects the river several times before
cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be
afforded our first view of Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru
La.

After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last in the valley), we will press onward to
the lovely green pasture of Thachungste, where we will camp.

Today the trail will lead us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha
Valley brings their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest
camp on the trek, giving us spectacular views of Kang Yatse to the right, the Zangskar Range
and the Markha Valley below.

After a hearty breakfast, we will cross Kongmaru La, the highest pass on the trek. Here we have
a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 2-hour descend is quite steep,
but will gradually level as we enter Shang Gorge, with its strange and otherworldly rock
formations. More river crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour-spring of Chuskurmo
(used in traditional medicine by the Amchi doctors).

After a break, we will pass through a couple of villages before reaching Shang Sumdo, where we will spend our last evening together enjoying the camaraderie and an excellent beer!

Our spirits lifted by a successful trek, we will enjoy a pleasant 2-hr walk along a jeep road to
Martselang, where the jeep will pick us up for Leh. Upon arrival we check in at our pre arranged
hotel for overnight stay.

Excursion to Hemis & Stok Palace Museum

Today, we proceed for a monastery and cultural sightseeing tour. We begin with a visit to the famous Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic institution of the Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Many other Drukpa monasteries are branch monasteries of Hemis. The monastery was built in the early 17th century with the blessings of Lama Stagtsang Raspa (Shambunatha) by the famous Namgyal dynasty king, Sengge Namgyal.

Later, we drive to Stok Palace Museum, located in Stok Palace and owned and managed by the descendants of the royal family of Leh. The museum is beautifully situated below the Stok Kangri glaciers, overlooking the Indus Valley. It houses some of the oldest artefacts and belongings of the royal family, offering visitors a glimpse into the bygone era and traditional Ladakhi lifestyle.

OR

Excursion to Khardong La

We drive to Khardong La, one of the world’s highest motorable mountain passes, located at an elevation of approximately 5,359 metres (17,582 feet) above sea level. The journey offers spectacular views of the surrounding Himalayan landscapes and is one of the most popular excursions from Leh.

After completing the sightseeing tour, we drive back to Leh and have some free time to explore Leh Market for last-minute shopping and souvenirs.

Drop back to the Airport for your onward journey. End of a memorable tour with India Private Tours