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Highest Altitude: 3,850m
Duration: 16 Nights and 17 Days
Also Known As: Markha Valley Trek
It
is short drive from Leh to Spitok, which has
the monastery consider ed
to be one of the oldest monasteries in the upper Indus Valley,
founded at the same time as Thikse and Likir.
The monastery, like Thikse, is situated on
a hilltop with a commanding view of the valley.
New trekkers should consult their guides
on the trekking tips and other relevant information.
For starters each day should take you a day or so and for experienced
trekkers they can complete two of these stages
in a day.
ITINERARY:
Day
1: Delhi-Leh
Arrival in Delhi, flight to Leh.
Day 2: Leh
Tour of Leh city, including the 17th century Palace and Gompa.
Day 3: Leh
Tour of Spitok and Phyang gompas.
Day 4: Leh
Tour of Shey and Matho gompas and Stok palace, the home of Ladakhi
royalty.
Day 5: Leh
Tour of Tikse and Hemis gompas, two the wealthiest and most influential
institutions in Ladakh. Camp at Hemis.
Day 6: Leh-Chogdo
Trek from Hemis to the village of Chogdo.
Day 7: Chogdo-Kngmaru
Trek to Kongmaru La base camp.
Day 8: Kngmaru
Rest day for acclimatization.
Day 9: Kngmaru-Nimaling
Trek over Kongmaru La (5,150m) to the plain of Nimaling,
a vast high altitude pasture.
Day 10: Nimaling
Trek through the tiny settlements of Hankar and Umlung to the valley's
largest village, Markha.
Day 11: Nimaling-Tunespa
Trek to the lovely oasis at Tunespa.
Day 12: Tunespa-Skiu
Trek to the village of Skiu, with its med review gompa.
Day 13: Skiu-Alchi
Trek to Zanskar River. Take the pulley bridge across before boarding
the rafts on the Zanskar River. Ride the river to its confluence
with the Indus at Nimu, then board jeeps for the trip to Alchi.
Overnight stay at Alchi village.
Day 14: Alchi-Leh
In Alchi, we tour the remarkably well-preserved 11th -century gompa
and the famed frescoes within. In the afternoon, we return by jeep
to Leh.
Day 15: Leh
Rest day in Leh.
Day 16: Leh-Delhi
Morning flight to Delhi. Check into hotel there and stay overnight.
Day 17: Delhi
Transfer to Airport for flight to onward journey.
Alternative
Trek
There are two approaches to the trek up the Markha valley.
The first is via Spitok, Jingchan and Rumbak villages to the base
of the Ganda-la; the second approach is via Stok village and over
the Namlung-la to join the first route at Rumbak village. For those
who are fit and well acclimatised, the Stok approach provides breathtaking
views of the Indus valley as one ascends to the Nanlung-la (4,570m).
Normally, one night is spent camping in the gorges above Stok, crossing
the pass the following day before descending to Rumbak village.
If one is not well acclimatised, the first route via Spitok and
Jingchan is the better alternative.
Day
1: Spitok To Rumbak
Day 3: Rumbak To Yurutse & Camp
Day 3: Camp To Ganda La, Markha Valley & Skiu
Day 4: Skiu To Markha
Day 5: Markha To Nimaling
Day 6: Nimaling To Kongmaru La & Chogdo
Day 7: Chogdo To Hemis
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