MARKHA VALLEY TREK AND GOLDEN TRIANGLE
A feast of scenic and ethnic diversity, the Markha Valley Trek is one of the Ladakh’s classic treks, a rugged high-altitude hiking on Stok range. Begin the Trek at the famous trailhead at Hemis Monastery. Along the way we pass prayer flags rippling silently in the fresh wind, and walk into small green valleys, greeted by cheery herders.
We cross three passes including Kongmaru La (5150 Mts.), higher than two others’ to reach the Markha valley south of Leh.
Many named & un-named peaks in the altitude range of 5500 Mts. To 6400 Mts. makes the great amphitheater. We start our trek at Martselang & end our trek at the village of Stok.
ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive at New Delhi’s international airport a SITA World Travel representative will be waiting for you outside the EXIT gate of arrival terminal, holding a SITA placard. Met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay. Overnight at Hotel
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast proceed for full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi – Leh (3650 Mts.) By air 9W 609 D: 0540 A: 0655
AM: Departure transfer to New Delhi airport to board Flight 9W 609 at 0540 to Leh. Met upon arrival at Leh airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization
Overnight at Hotel
Day 04: Leh
AM: Free for acclimatization. PM: Begin your tour with short visits and walks to nearby monasteries and Leh palace. Today you shall walk to Sankar Gompa, an easy couple of kilometres walk north of the town centre, this Gompa belongs to Gelukpa order and has an impressive representation of the Buddhist deity of compassion, Avalokiteshvara (or Chenresig), complete with 1000 arms and 1000 heads. Later on drive to Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese order whose intention is to spread Buddhism by building temples through out the world. This stupa is located at commanding height and gives great views and excellent orientation of Leh and surroundings. Continue driving to Namgyal Tsemo Hill, buily in 1430, contains a fine three storey-high Buddha image, ancient manuscripts and frescos.
Day 05: Leh – Visit to Shey, Thiksey & Hemis
Leh is an excellent base for excursions to several nearby monasteries and other worthwhile points of interest. Morning proceed for a full day sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis.
Shey- the fifteenth century summer palace and monastery that belongs to the royal family of Leh. The monastery famous for its 30 feet taal, copper gilt statue of a meditating Sakyamuni, called Shey Thubha (Lord Buddha). The nearby Victory Stupa, Ladakh’s largest, is crowned in pure gold.
Thiksey- Set atop a hill this 800 years old Gompa offers a panoramic view of the fertile Indus Valley. The Gompa has numerous chambers, including one hall with a recently constructed enormous 2 Storey high, painted clay statue of Maitreya in the meditation pose.
Hemis- Built in the 1600s by the King Singe Namgyal, this monastery is an imposing architectural tour de-force – one that hits your suddenly. Prayer flags fluttering from tall pillars in the courtyard wave you forward. Hemis also famous for gold statues, stupas studded with precious stones, and the great collection of Thangkas, including one claimed to be the largest in existence, exhibited once every 11 years. Overnight at Hotel
Day 06: Leh – Martselang (Drive 1 Hour)
Morning at leisure to do your own things, after a leisurely lunch at your hotel you shall drive to the Trek head at Martselang, where you shall spent your first night in camps. Overnight in Tents
BEGIN TREKKING
Day 07: Martselang – Chogdo (3956 Meters) (Trek 5-6 Hours)
After a leisurely breakfast at your camps in Martselang you shall start trekking, late in the morning at about 0900 hrs since this is our first day of trekking, porters and mule mans will do the load distribution for balanced loading on the mules. Today’s trek is going to be gentle one. Start trekking, the trail in the beginning is a jeep able wide trek, as you cross first village of your trek, the trail becomes thin and passes through the paddy and wheat fields, after some time the trail disappears and you shall be walking in the river bed, hopping over the small streams and boulders, you shall then take a left turn in the river bed and after walking for about an hour you shall arrive at your campsite for the evening. Overnight in Tents
Day 08: Chogdo – Churkimo (4300 Meters) (Trek 5-6 Hours)
In the beginning the trail shall pass through some spectacular gorges, and then shall rise gradually for a couple hours before it takes a steep ascent to reach the campsite at the base of Kongmaru La.
Overnight in Tents
Day 09: Churkimo – Kongmaru La (5150 Meters) – Nimaling (4268 Meters) (Trekking 6-7 Hours)
You shall begin early today, the trail starts with very gentle rise in the beginning as you start approaching the foot of the pass gradient becomes more steep and soon you shall approach one of the most strenuous part of the trekking as you approach the top of the pass, the trail becomes steep and turns into small zigzag stretches. Once you reach the pass the views of Nimaling plains on the other side of the pass and Mt. Kang Yatze (6400 Meters) on left hand side are breathtaking. Start gradual descend towards the Nimaling plains and turn left to go further below to the Nimaling pastures, you shall cross the Markha river today, either over a bridge made up of wooden planks/log or through knee deep water, you shall then arrive at one of the biggest grazing grounds of Markha valley and your campsite for tonight. An evening walk towards the ridgeline shall offer you great views of Mt. Kang Yatze. Nimaling is also going to be the highest camp on your trek. Overnight in Tents
Day 10: Nimaling – Hankar – Markha (3650 Meters) (Trekking 5-6 Hours)
Start walking through the pastures and cross a small mountain lake, as you start descending to the village of Hankar, you shall cross the river for more than one occasion and the trail shall then enter in the fields of paddy as you approach the Village of Markha, we shall cross the village and river over a small village and then arrive at our campsite either at the banks of the river or amidst the plantations. Overnight in Tents
Day 11: Markha (Rest Day)
Today is going to be the only rest day on this trek, you shall have an opportunity for bathing, washing and exploring the Markha Village. Overnight in Tents
Day 12: Markha – Skiu (3567 Meters) (Trekking 5-6 Hours)
Today’s trek is more or less gentle along the river and fields. Arrive at the campsite just before the village of Skiu. Overnight in Tents
Day 13: Skiu – Shingo (3450 Meters) (Trekking 4-5 Hours)
Start trekking and pass the Skiu village you shall turn right as the trail bifurcates for Chilling another head for exiting this valley, start gentle ascend through the shrubs and small trees and cross the village of Shingo to arrive at the campsite. Views of Ganda La (4900 Meters) are constant from our campsite. Overnight in Tents
Day 14: Shingo – Ganda La (4900 Meters) – Rumbak (Trekking 6-7 Hours)
Start a gradual ascent to the top of the pass today’s prime hurdle, reach at the top to have views of Mt. Kantaka on your right hand side, descend to the valley pass a few homes and then turn right and continue trekking through the village of Rumbak. Overnight in Tents
Day 15: Rumbak – Stok La (4700m) – Stok (Trekking 6-7 hrs) Stok – Leh (Driving, 30 Minutes)
You shall start early as the trail rises gradually in the beginning and then turns in to similar zigzag fashion as it was on the approach of Kongmaru La & Ganda La. Arrive at the top and then descend to the valley turn left along the river, follow broad Jeep Able route before arriving at the pick up point at the village of Stok. Board the mechanized transport and arrive at Leh, to check into your hotel, rest of the evening will be at leisure.
Day 16: Leh
Day free to rest and relax or explore the down town. Overnight at Hotel
Day 17: Leh- Sumoor – ht 4350 mtrs -Over Khardong La-ht 5260 mtrs
After break fast drive to Sumoor village 120 kms; (5-6 hrs) over Khardong La, the highest motorable road pass in the world. The view from the top of this pass is amazing. One can see all the way south over the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. After crossing the pass, drive another 80 kms; (2-3 hrs) across the river Shyok to reach Sumoor village. Overnight at Sumoor Camp.
Day 18: Sumoor–Disket- ht 4600mtrs-Hundar-ht 4150mtrs – Sumoor
Bacterian camel safari subjects to availability. Drive to Hundar, en route visit Disket. See the Disket monastery perched on a rock overhanging a stream, which is the source of energy, used by the mills of the monastery. The monastery is full of Tangkas (silk paintings), magnificent giant statues of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences. Overnight in camp at Sumoor.
Day 19: Sumoor – Leh-by surface
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung la. Afternoon rest & relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at Guest House/hotel.
Day 20: Leh – Delhi (Flight) 9W 610 (0730-0845)- drive to Agra
Departure transfer to board the flight for Delhi, met upon arrival at New Delhi airport and Drive to Agra. Evening free to rest and relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: Agra-Jaipur by surface 240 km, 5-6 hrs drive
Forenoon visit famous Taj Mahal and Agra fort. Afterwards drive to Jaaipur. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Evening free to rest and relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22: Jaipur
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort.
Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power.
An elephant /Jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject to availability) Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. Come back to your hotel after your excursion.
In the afternoon you will visit the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. Than you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. Overnight at the hotel
Day 23: Jaipur-Delhi by surface (240 km, 5-6 hrs drive)
Breakfast at leisure and afterwards drive to International airport in Delhi to connect flight back home.