Markha Valley – Trek with Ascension To Summit Stok Kangri
Trip Highlights
- Ancient monasteries of the Indus Valley
- Views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges
- Hemis High Altitude National Park
- Stok Kangri
The Route
| Title | Markha Valley - Trek With Ascension To Summit Stok Kangri |
| Details | Delhi - Leh – Spituk - Zinchen – Yurutse – Skiu via Ganda la - Skiu - Markha - Thachungtse - Nimaling - Shangsumdo - Martselang– Hemis - Leh – Matho – Matho Phu - Stok Kangri BC - Advance Base Camp - Climb Stok Kangri -Stok Kangri BC – Stok Village– Leh - Delhi |
| Duration | 18 Nights / 19 Days |
The trail starts from Spituk village and heads towards the Markha village through some of the most scenic areas in Ladakh. A portion of the Hemis High Altitude National Park [4400 Sq.Kms] falls within this route and you are likely to spot Bharal or Blue Sheep and colourful birdlife and certainly the hyperactive marmots. Two passes over 4800m / 15,750ft are crossed besides a few stream and rivers forded as the trail offers you spectacular views of valleys and towering snow clad mountain peaks.
Stok Kangri is one of the most beautiful peaks in Ladakh. The climb is technically not difficult, and requires no special mountaineering skills. It gives you a real opportunity to climb a 6150 m mountain in less than a week, which is not possible in any other part of the world. The summit presents one of the most spectacular views of the Saser peak in the Karakoram Range, where the K2 lies.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Some of them which could cherish your mind with the beauty of places are Red fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi – a truly memorable experience. A visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
Some of them which could cherish your mind with the beauty of places are Red fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi – a truly memorable experience. A visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
Day 02 : To Leh(3,500 m / 11,550 ft) - by flight
Flight to Ladakh. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.
Flight to Ladakh. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.
Day 03 : In Leh – visit the east indus valley
After an early breakfast you will drive to Thikse to witness in the morning Puja. THIKSE MONASTERY, is one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region.
A short drive from Thikse you crossing the Stakna Bridge you visit the Stakna Gompa situated on the right bank of the Indus River, On your drive back to Leh, you visit SOS Village (Choglamsar). Choglamsar is an important center for the study of Tibetan Culture and History.
Day 04 : To Zinchen – drive and trek approx 4-5 hrs
After an early start from Leh, we will travel by jeep to Spituk, where horses will be waiting to carry our equipment. The trek will begin along an old jeep road into a parched and exposed region, so water and sunscreen are absolutely vital! The rest of the day may be spent relaxing, or even taking a dip in the stream.
After an early start from Leh, we will travel by jeep to Spituk, where horses will be waiting to carry our equipment. The trek will begin along an old jeep road into a parched and exposed region, so water and sunscreen are absolutely vital! The rest of the day may be spent relaxing, or even taking a dip in the stream.
Day 05 : To Yurutse – trek approx 4-5 hrs
Today we will enter Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of wild lives as diverse as the snow leopard, lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), etc. Continue through Rumbak, and camp at Yurutse age, before reaching camp at the base of Ganda La (4545m). From our campsite, we can see a spectacular view of Stok Kangri and the whole of Stok Range.
Today we will enter Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of wild lives as diverse as the snow leopard, lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), etc. Continue through Rumbak, and camp at Yurutse age, before reaching camp at the base of Ganda La (4545m). From our campsite, we can see a spectacular view of Stok Kangri and the whole of Stok Range.
Day 06 : To Skiu via Ganda la(4545M) - trek approx 6 hrs
After a light breakfast, we will head towards Ganda La; views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges will leave you breathless. We will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m).
After a light breakfast, we will head towards Ganda La; views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges will leave you breathless. We will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m).
Day 07 : To Markha(3660-3200 M) – trek approx 7-8 hrs
Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. We will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.
Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. We will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.
Day 08 : To Thachungtse(3,589M) – trek approx 5-6 hrs
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!. 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.
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!. 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.
Day 09 : To Nimaling (4700M) – trek approx 4 hrs
At 4700 m, 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.
At 4700 m, 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.
Day 10 : To Shangsumdo (3600m) via kongmarula (5200M) – trek approx 7 hrs
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. Enjoying the camaraderie and an excellent beer at your overnight camp.!
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. Enjoying the camaraderie and an excellent beer at your overnight camp.!
Day 11 : To Martselang – trek approx hrs – Hemis to Leh – by surface – approx 1 hr
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. Before heading to Leh you will visit the famous monastery of HEMIS GOMPA. Hemis or Changchub Samstanling (
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. Before heading to Leh you will visit the famous monastery of HEMIS GOMPA. Hemis or Changchub Samstanling (
Day 12 : To Matho – by surface - Matho Phu (4,480m/14,700ft) - trek approx 4-5 hrs
Leaving Leh early in the morning, you drive across the Indus River to the village of Matho (one hour’s drive). Matho itself is an idyllic village with a fantastic monastery set on a rocky ridge above the houses below. Commence your trek up to Matho Phu along the side of the Matho stream.
Leaving Leh early in the morning, you drive across the Indus River to the village of Matho (one hour’s drive). Matho itself is an idyllic village with a fantastic monastery set on a rocky ridge above the houses below. Commence your trek up to Matho Phu along the side of the Matho stream.
Day 13 : To Stok Kangri BC (5,000m/16,000ft) – trek approx 5-6 hrs
This is an exciting moment as from here you can see the whole of the route and base camp below
This is an exciting moment as from here you can see the whole of the route and base camp below
Day 14 : In Stok Kangri BC - rest and acclimatisation
Time to sort out the gear, enjoy the scenery, perhaps do a little local exploration and basically enjoy being high in the mountains.
Time to sort out the gear, enjoy the scenery, perhaps do a little local exploration and basically enjoy being high in the mountains.
Day 15 : To Advance Base Camp (5,300M/17,400FT) – trek approx 3-4 hrs
Base camp is located not far from a stream and you may well also see Ladakhi sheep/goat herders up here in the summer months. Crossing this stream, you now follow a rising traverse which will eventually take you up to the snout of the glacier coming off Stok Kangri.
Base camp is located not far from a stream and you may well also see Ladakhi sheep/goat herders up here in the summer months. Crossing this stream, you now follow a rising traverse which will eventually take you up to the snout of the glacier coming off Stok Kangri.
Day 16 : To Stok Village – trek 4-5 hrs – Leh- by surface – 45 mns
It is an easy and relaxing walk back down to Stok village.
It is an easy and relaxing walk back down to Stok village.
Day 17 : In Leh
The day serves as a reserve for any unexpected delay in the itinerary or as an opportunity to visit a few monasteries of the Indus valley. Stay overnight at the hotel.
The day serves as a reserve for any unexpected delay in the itinerary or as an opportunity to visit a few monasteries of the Indus valley. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 18 : To Delhi – by flight
In time transfer to the Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi
In time transfer to the Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi
Day 19 : Departure Delhi – by flight
Depending on your flight. Afternoon City tour Of Old Delhi. Later in time transfer to the International Airport to connect your flight for home / onward journey.
Depending on your flight. Afternoon City tour Of Old Delhi. Later in time transfer to the International Airport to connect your flight for home / onward journey.
The above tour can be travelled all year round if not travelling during the fair