Markha valley
The Classic Ladakh Trek
Ladakh
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13th-22nd August 2026
If you had to pick just one trek that showcased the beauty of one of the most stunning regions of the Indian Himalaya, Markha valley is the answer. Located in Hemis National Park in one of the northernmost frontiers of India, the union territory of Ladakh, this journey takes you through a dramatic high-altitude desert, offering river crossings, views of the stunning Kang Yatse, and an ultimate climb over the 17,060 ft Kongmaru La pass. The trail features striking canyons, wildlife, and welcoming village homestays, making it one of the few teahouse treks in India, and a truly rewarding adventure. Other than the physical beauty of the landscape, this trip also touches on the surface of the rich cultural heritage of the region through its monasteries, architecture, people, and cuisine.
At A Glance
ITINERARY
Day 01
Arrival at Leh airport , check into the hotel, rest, and acclimatize. Meet and greet dinner.
Day 02
Leisurely breakfast, followed by easy exploration wherein we go visit the Shey and Thiksey monasteries for a rendezvous with local culture and spirituality, and seek blessings for our upcoming trip. Active rest is advised today, which involves unhurried movement and nothing strenuous.
Day 03
Today we begin our journey with a plus drive to Skiu after an early breakfast. From here, we start our trek to Sara village, parts of which will be across the Markha riverbed, some stretches dry, and some with icy water crossings! We continue following the river to a bridge, but stay on the same side. The trail has a few sections that require some scrambling and after reaching Narding, we will reach Sara, our destination for the night.
Day 04
Our destination for the day is the Markha village which gives the valley its name. From Sara, we head to the scenic village of Chalak, known for its barley fields. The trail from Chalak climbs gently till the valley widens, and a cold river crossing awaits you! Trek a few more kilometres to cross the final bridge of the day to enter Markha, the largest village in the valley.
Day 05
You are rewarded today finally after days of trekking, with views of the pyramid-shaped Mt. Kang Yatse. As you bid goodbye to the Markha village and enter upper Markha valley, you begin with following the river and after two crossings and hiking uphill, you reach Umlung, a small settlement with a monastery. From here, climb up further for your first glimpse of Kang Yatse, and continue for another couple of hours along a gorge to reach the beautiful village of Hankar.
Day 06
The trail from Hankar climbs steeply and ultimately brings you to Thochuntse, a green campsite with tea tents. After a short break here, we get ready for another trail that climbs up for an hour before easing into a gradual ascent. We pass a scenic pond with Kang Yatse in view, and from here, we descend gently to the wide, grassy plateau of Nimaling, where we will stop for the night.
Day 07
Gear up for the steep 2hour climb to Kongmaru La pass, followed by a long, rocky descent. From Nimaling, we head east, and follow the trail up to the pass. It is a demanding climb, but equally thrilling and one that is rewarded with unmatched views of the Indus valley and Ladakh range at the top. The descent is again challenging and leads into a narrow canyon after a few kilometres . Finally, the trail opens up at Sukarmo, from where we continue for another hour along the riverbed to a descending trail to reach Chokdo, a small village and our destination for the night.
Day 08
Our last day on the trail is a relatively short and easy one that takes us to the roadhead at Shang Sumdo. It is mostly a level walk along the river bed, and upon our arrival, we drive back to Leh with a stopover at the Hemis monastery.
Day 09
Relaxed morning followed by a visit to Old Leh and see the Leh palace and Peace pagoda, with free time for shopping and cafés in the Leh market.
Day 10
Breakfast and airport drop.
Inclusions and Exclusions
- Transport: Airport pick-up and drop in Leh. Transport for sightseeing as per program and for trekking point drop and pickup in comfortable vehicle.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Leh on double occupancy, and alpine tents/ campsite on trekking trails.
- Meals: All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and breakfast and dinner for the remaining itinerary
- Permits & Fees: Trek permit and other local permits.
- Staff: English-speaking tour leader, experienced local mountain guides and camping staff.
- Offloading: Porter and mule charges for ferrying all luggage except personal day pack.
- Insurance: Mandatory travel insurance.
- Personal Gear: Personal equipment (thermal wear, hiking poles, etc).
- Meals: Any meals not mentioned in the program.
- Beverages: Any drinks including soft drinks, bottled water, or alcoholic beverages.
- Extra Tours: Any activities outside the planned itinerary.
- Tips: Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Taxes: All applicable taxes and transactional fees.
- Contingency Fee: Any additional expenses arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks or unrest, that result in an extension or change in the program, or emergency evacuation for medical reasons.