Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh (5288 Metres)

• Maximum altitude: Leh (3,402 meters)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in a hotel

The day is for rest and an acclimatization walk to the Stupa. This is important to allow your body to adapt to the new environment and reduce the chances of adverse health conditions. It is recommended to give yourself multiple days to rest and perform light activity before your trip to a high-altitude destination. The day ends with an overnight stay in a hotel.

• Trek Distance: 35 kilometres
• Maximum altitude: Skiu (3,520 metres)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in camping tents

The drive from Leh to Chilling village goes through a desolate plain alongside the Indus River until we reach its confluence with the distinctly colored Zanskar River. Witness barren mountains on the way, making it the perfect introduction to the terrain for the next few days. The trek starts from Chilling which is popular among trekkers as the basecamp for the Chadar Trek and ends in Skiu village. Skiu and Markha are among the largest villages in the valley. Each village in the valley has traditional homes and a Buddhist monastery. The day ends with an overnight stay in camping tents.

• Trek Distance: 20 kilometres
• Maximum altitude: Markha village (3,722 metres)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in camping tents

We start early as we trek towards the Markha village. The trail is mostly straight with a few sections of ascent, with rocky peaks and poplar trees. The trail leads through picturesque landscapes of Mani walls, and Lungtas (prayer flags) along the way. Markha village holds great historical significance, evident in the fact that the entire valley is named after it. The village exhibits the remains of a grand palace known locally as Markha Gyalpo Khar, meaning 'Royal Castle.' The ruins of this palace can be found in the southern part of the terrace, serving as a testament to the village's rich past. After reaching Markha village we settle in the camping tents and relish the tranquility of the valley.

• Trek Distance: 24 kilometers
• Maximum altitude: Hankar (3,900 metres)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in camping tents

After leaving Markha village by crossing the rivers, we start with a trek to the historic village Hankar. To reach Hankar, we ascend through a meandering path which leads to the spectacular panorama of the Hankar plateau. The journey to Hankar village is truly mesmerising with impressive fort ruins, ancient Buddhist shrines (chortens) and Mani walls (mendongs) adorned with prayer stones. The day ends with an overnight stay in camping tents.

• Trek Distance: 12 kilometers
• Maximum altitude: Nimaling (4770 metres)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in camping tents

While trekking, we pass several Mani walls as we come across a small lake. The view from here is breathtaking, with Kang Yatse's reflection in the still waters of the lake and the Markha valley visible from above. We then descend slowly to the valley of Nimaling, which has a populace of locals who come from the Markha valley to graze their livestock in the summer. The day ends with an overnight stay in camping tents at the high altitude pastures of Nimaling.

• Trek Distance: kilometers
• Maximum altitude: Kongmaru La (5,288 meters)
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in hotel

We will start the trek from Nimaling towards Chokdo, via Konganaru La. Kongmaru La is one of the passes that connect Markha Valley and Indus Valley. The maximum altitude we will reach is Konganaru La, which is at 5,288 meters. The colorful terrain has interesting fauna, geological formations with massive walls of rocks and the gush of water filling the narrow passageways. After crossing this section to get to the endpoint of Chokdo we begin our 3-hour drive to Leh. The day ends with an overnight stay in a hotel.

We reflect on the heartfelt journey, as we head home with indelible memories.