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Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh

9D/8N

Meals Included

Thrillophilia Safe

Guide

Trip Highlights

Get amused with the unexplored beauty of Hemis National Park and also the highest passes Gandala La and Kongmaru La
Enjoy the sightseeing in Leh that will help you know the culture and Buddhist traditions prevailing in the town
Capture the astounding views of Nimaling, surrounded by ponds and stream that will soothe your soul
Witness the Greenfields, willow trees, and quaint villages that can be seen as you reach the altitude of 16,830ft
Behold the stunning view of Kang Yatze Peak that is the reward you get from Markha

INR 25,500

Per Adult

INR 38,999

4.1(596)

What’s inside the package?

Inclusions

Stay

Meals

Transfers

Permits

Guide

Activities

Exclusions

Expenses of a personal nature.

Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions

Know Before You Go

Climatic conditions in the high altitudes vary from the plains; take adequate time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
Pay heed to the guidelines given by trek leader or instructor in order to enjoy a safe and sound trekking experience.
Avoid trekking during the nights.
Consult with a physician if you are fit to undertake the trek.
Do not litter in the local sites or campsites.

Additional Information

About Markha Valley Trek:

An arid cold desert trekking area that offers the best views of Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges has admirers worldwide. It is also known as a tea-house trek, as it is filled with the local culture of Ladakh. Witness the 21000 feet Kang Yissay and 20086 feet Stok Kangri peaks also while embarking on this trek.

Hemis National Park and Gandala La and Kongmaru La are the promising attractions one gets while taking the Markha Valley trek route. Another factor that makes this trek amusing is the waist-deep river crossing which helps us to cross the Markha River to reach the trails to Buddhist villages and rock structures. Markha Valley is in very close proximity to Leh which makes it more accessible for trekkers.

Quick Facts About Markha Valley Trek:

Duration: 9D/8N

Markha valley trek altitude:17100ft

Markha valley trek Difficulty level: Difficult

Trek distance: 75kms

Temperature: During the day: 20°C - 30°C and During the night 0°C - 10°C

Best Time To Travel: July to Mid September

Airport : Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

Basecamp: Leh

Atm: The last ATM where the travelers can withdraw cash is at Leh

Start point / End Point: Leh

How to reach Leh:

By Air:

The easiest way to get to Leh is to fly in, Leh is accessible by air from all major Indian airports. If you do fly in, you should rest in Leh for at least a day in order to acclimatize to the altitude (11,560 ft).

By Road:

The more adventurous but time-consuming way to get to Leh is by taking the road, either from Manali or from Srinagar. The Manali-Leh route is arguably more scenic than the Srinagar-Leh route, though it is also higher. Buses, as well as shared taxis, run on both Manali- Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes.

Traveling by the HRTC bus is the cheapest way to get to Leh from Manali. It takes two days and costs about Rs. 800, halting at Keylong for the night. Keylong is a nice town in itself and it would be a good idea to stay there for a day. A slightly more expensive but convenient option is the HPTDC run deluxe bus which stops at tourist locations along the way. It costs around Rs. 3000, which includes tented accommodation and food at Keylong.

Inclusions:

Accommodation- Camping/Home stay during the trek. Guest house in Leh on Day 1, day 2, and day 8 as per the itinerary.
Meals- All meals while on trek ( Veg ) Starting from Day 3 breakfast.
Trek equipment- Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dining tent, toilet tent, utensils, and crampon (if required).
Safety Equipment- First aid medical kits, stretcher & oxygen cylinder.
Guide- Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide, cook, and Support staff.
Staff- Mules to carry the central luggage.
Permits- Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee (if any)Permits & camping fee (if any) for Indian National
Transport- from Leh guest house to Zinchen and return from Sumdo to Leh as per the itinerary.

Exclusions:

Airport transfers from Leh airport to the guest house Can be availed at an extra cost.
Any kind of personal expense is not included in the package

Available dates:

July : 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

August : 7, 14, 21, 28

September : 4, 11

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Leh Tour faqs

What is the best time for Markha Valley Trek?

The best season to do Markha Valley Trek is from the middle of May to September. The weather will be fine with sunny days and calm nights. After September, it gets colder and the snow fall starts which would cover the whole region.

Then the roads to Markha will be very difficult to cross. Also camping becomes impossible at high altitudes.

Is Camping allowed in Markha valley?

Yes, camping is allowed in Markha Valley. In fact, the Markha Valley trekking package offered by Thrillophilia includes overnight camping in tents amidst the stunning open surroundings.

What is Markha valley famous for?

Markha Valley is one of the most famous trekking routes in the Ladakh region, owing to its stunning natural beauty. The trail takes you across magnificent open fields of barley, glittering streams, willow forests and picturesque little villages.

What is the duration for Markha valley trek?

The Markha Valley trek in Leh takes around 9 days and 8 nights to be completed.

What level of fitness is required for Markha Valley Trek?

There are different levels of trekking and Markha valley falls in the tough category. There is quite a few steep ascend and descend. But if this is your first Himalayan trek, then you must prepare your fitness up to the mark. The best way to stay fit is to run 3 kilometers in 30 minutes.

Do this in order -For the first week, take a brisk walk for 10 minutes and then go on jogging for another 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of leisurely walk. -Next week pick up the pace and after 5 minutes of brisk walking, jog for 15 minutes then cool down with 5 minutes of easy walk.

Continue this routine for the subsequent week as well. -Finally, take a 25-minute jog followed by a 5-minute brisk walk to cool your body down. You will be ready to trek in the Markha Valley in no time.

Will I find snow at Markha Valley?

From November to February the temperature remains below -30 degrees. This is the time when the valley gets heavy snow fall too. This is why this part of the valley remains isolated for most parts of the year. But you can enjoy trekking during other seasons.

During winters trekking is not feasible due to the extremeness of the weather. The other times when trekking is possible, the place doesn’t actually have snow fall. The best time to trek here is from June to the end of September.

What kind of food will be provided during Markha Valley Trek?

You will get 8 dinners, 8 breakfasts, and 7 lunches for a regular 9 days and 8 nights trekking package at Markha Valley. It depends upon the package that you take. But it is usually vegetarian food at is offered during the trekking course.

However, some trekkers might also get to have non-vegetarian momos and boiled egg with packaged sliced cheese and bread. It is a typical Ladakhi lunch which is home cooked. The breakfast is the usual chapatti with butter and jelly for that extra energy. During the trek, boiled drinking water is provided usually.

You can refill your bottles (and it is advised that you carry your own insulated water bottle) in the morning every day. You can also fill it up from the kitchen during the evening. Water is usually provided from the home stays during the trekking trip. Everything including the meal and safe drinking water is available at the home stays.

How many people will be in a group at Markha Valley Trek?

This tour requires a maximum of 12 trekkers in a group.

Will there be mobile connectivity on trek to Markha Valley?

It is said that when all things fail you up in the mountains the BSNL SIM card stands out. The connection has a large bandwidth and therefore it is able to provide you coverage where many other networks might be dead.

If you are going to trek in Markha Valley, you might have to get yourself a new BSNL SIM card. Although there are parts of the valley where even BSNL might not be able to give you coverage, overall it still remains the best.

Can I have liquor or smoke while we're on the Markha Valley Trek?

It is actually prohibited. Smoking, drinking or any other kind of intoxication is prohibited during the trek for your own safety. It is harmful to smoke and drink during the trek because it causes a lot of things like dehydration, which can prove to be quite an issue.

At such a great altitude, when you are already breathless, you cannot smoke. It will cause further issues with your lung. Many people think a little liquor can keep them warm but that is not the case – in fact, drinking actually lowers your body temperature.

Is Diamox is advisable on Markha Valley trek?

Yes. Diamox would really helpful on any trek in Ladakh region due to the drastic altitude change and climatic variations. Having Diamox handy will solve half the problems you face while trekking down the routes to Markha Valley.

If you feel acute mountain sickness, please have Diamox which will eventually help you to overcome the uneasiness. Carry around 12 or more Diamox tablets while you come for Markha Valley trek.

How long will be trek each day at Markha Valley?

A Markha Valley trek would cover 65 kilometers distance and an altitude of 17000 feet in 6 days. The first-day trek would last about 2 to 3 hours, reaching Chilling before continuing onto Skiu. The second and third day will each last three to four hours, and on the fourth day, the trek will go on for at least 5 to 6 hours, reaching Hankar from Markha.

On the fifth day, the hike will again last only 3 to 4 hours. The last day of the hike will be the hardest, consisting of walking and climbing for 7-8 hours over a distance of 16 kilometers.

What will be the weather conditions at Markha valley on time of trek?

Most of the hikes through Markha Valley are held from July to September. The summer months are too hot in the desert to undertake any sightseeing or exploration activities, and the winter months are plagued by snow and extremely cold temperature.

During the above mentioned months, the average temperature varies from 20 degrees to 30 degrees centigrade during the day. At night, the temperature falls between 0 degrees to 10 degrees . The weather is pleasant enough to explore the beauty of the region.

It is also ideal for trekking through the valley. During these months, the Manali Leh and Srinagar Leh highways are also open, so those of you who want to take a bike trip to Leh can do so.

What should I keep in mind before going for Trekking at Markha Valley?

Since this is a moderate to difficult trek, it is wise to start the training for the trek as early as possible. Work out your body daily, especially legs, and follow a diet routine to avoid getting fatigued during the trek.

You should also keep in mind the essential items to carry during the trek. These include items like a torch, swiss knife, backpack, water bottles, energy bars, first aid kit, etc. Also, keep a sleeping bag for emergencies and sun protection and a hat in case the weather gets too hot. If you are prone to altitude sickness, carry medication for that too.

What is the difficulty level of Markha Valley Trek?

Markha Valley Winter Trek is considered to be a moderate difficulty trek. The trek starts from an altitude of approximately 10,490 ft. and takes you all the way to a maximum of 17,060 ft. One most important thing that you need to ensure is pretty strong lungs to prevent any kind of difficulty.

How much does Markha Valley Trekking cost?

If you make your booking through Thrillophilia, you can book this 9-day trek experience at a discounted cost of INR 19,500/person which includes all the meals, activities, accommodation, as well as an experienced guide.

This trek would start from Leh and end off at Leh itself. You can also avail of transportation to Leh and therefore back again to your destination at an additional cost at your convenience.

Do I need permits to go for the Markha Valley trek?

No, you do not need any kind of permit to fo ahead for the Markha Valley Trek.

Can beginners do the Markha Valley trek?

Yes, any beginner can attempt the trek to Markha Valley, provided that they possess a pretty decent fitness level. The trek difficulty is not much, however, due to the high altitude; it might become quite problematic for people with any kind of lung problems.

Being a beginner, ensure that you travel with some other familiar people or have an experienced tour guide to help you out whenever required. Also, make sure that you carry all the necessary stuff applicable for completing the Markha Valley Trek without facing any difficulty for your daily chores.

Which are the other best Ladakh treks that we can book via Thrillophilia?

Here is the list of other best Ladakh treks that you can book via Thrillophilia:

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