Markha Valley is a magnificent, untouched valley in the remote regions of Ladakh. The valley is home to unique wildlife which includes snow leopards, tahr and ibex.
The trek winds through a mesmerizing winter landscape of pristine, virgin snow-capped mountains to a small village called Skiu, Sara, Markha & Hankar. This trek is perfect for those who want to explore the winter Himalayas with its natural beauty. This beautiful valley is home to many endangered species like Bleu sheep, Shpu, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Mouse, Brown Bear, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, and Snow Leopard. It is a mesmerizing destination where you can find some unspoilt natural beauty. This destination is perfect for trekking enthusiasts, who are looking for a pristine experience without the crowds.
The Markha Valley winter trek through this area will take around 3 days as it covers an elevation of 4,300 meters and passes through Markha River and over numerous mountain passes.
The Markha Valley trek in the Himalayas is not only a test of physical endurance but also intellectual endurance as you need to handle the mental strains of altitude and challenging terrain.
What makes it challenging is the chilly winters and high-altitude areas one faces during the entire trek.
The name Markha drives from Markha River which is a tributary of the main Zanskar River. During the winter season, about three-quarters of the river freezes, and the glowing white sheet extends to several quaint villages such as Chilling, Skeu, Sara, Markha, and Hunkar. The temperature drops to -15 degrees during the day and -25 degrees at night.
Day 1: Arrive Leh
To trek Markha Valley, one must reach Leh first. Leh Stoke is the center of many popular treks like Stok Kangri, Kang Yatse, Spituk, Chadar and Markha Valley. Once you reach Kushok Bakula Rimpochi Airport, shared cabs are available to reach Leh Bazar, where you can find affordable homestays, hostels and hotels. The distance from the airport to Leh Bazar is 4 km and it costs around Rs 100 by cab.
It is important that you take a rest on the first day after reaching Leh. Situated at an altitude of 3500 m, the air here is thin, and the temperature drops down in winter. During the day, it reaches about -15 degrees and drops to -25 degrees at night. Good sleep, warm layers, and hydration are the keys to adapting to changes in altitude and temperature.
Day 2: Acclimatization Day
We usually recommend spending an extra day in Leh. Today, take the time to explore the local market and other nearby places. Make sure you're shaking and hydrating at the same time. This will help your body become familiar with harsh conditions and function better. Leh market has a charm of its own. When you walk through the rustic lanes, you can experience the rich Ladakhi culture from all sides. If you want to start a conversation with them, start by saying "Julie." (Hello)
The Leh Market area has several novel cafes, iconic restaurants, woollen shops, army general stores and gift shops. Flea markets are ideal places to get some souvenirs and fancy Ladakhi merchandise. If you opt for sightseeing, you can visit the Leh palace, and the monastery located right next to the market. In terms of food, you can try Butter Breakfast (Butter Tea with Butter Bread) at any small cozy tea shop and eat authentic momos from local joints.
Some basic information -Only post-paid connection works here.
For a local SIM card, you need both Aadhaar and license for proof.
You can find affordable trekking gear at the Army General Store. Layering is important for freezing. (Upper body - 5 layers, lower body - 2 layers) At local shops, you can get high-quality woollen garments
Day 3: Leh - Chilling - Skiu (3400 m)
Today, we start driving towards Chilling. We will cover a total distance of 60 km. It takes about 2 hours. Driving on the roads of Ladakh is a different experience. Within minutes into the drive, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Stoke Kangri range on your left. As soon as they disappear, we will reach our first stop, the magnetic hill. The road from the magnetic range leads downstream and meets the beautiful confluence – the confluence points of the Zanskar River and the Indus River. The landscape along this route is dotted with army tents and camps. We will make our second stop at Sangam. The blue-toned Indus River coming from the left and the light green Zanskar coming from the right combine to form a steely blue stream, which can be enjoyed.
From the confluence, the road takes a turn and meets into chilling through a large iron bridge. As we enter Chilling Valley, we come to the territories of Hemis National Park. After a few sharp turns and sharp turns, we will finally reach Chilling village. This is the actual starting point of the trek.The path from Chilling to Skieu is quite straight without a sharp ascending or descending. The distance between chilling and ski is 5 km and it takes 2-3 hours to reach the campsite. The campsite is home to some unique flora and fauna such as bushoi-cotton-shaped wildflower, jo- crossbreed from a yak and a cow and beautiful horses.
Day 4: Skieu - Sarah (3500 m)
Today we will be trekking a total of 10 KM. It takes about 6 hours to cover this distance. The paths are well paved as villagers and yaks often use the same route to get between the two villages. The Markha river will accompany you all along the way.Keep your eyes open for some exotic Himalayan birds such as the Eurasian magpie and the white-hated red star along the trail. When you come across areas with dense shrubs and vegetation, look for nimble blue goats. They specialize in climbing steep and inclined surfaces.
5 km in the trail, an old wooden bridge will take you to the other side of the Markha River stream. The trail emanating from the bridge stretches and opens to the bottom of a delightful river filled with colorful pebbles nestled in dry brown sand. This process continues for the next 4 kilometres to the whole village. When you enter Sarah, see the rich flora that grows around this area. There are wheat plantations and bushes (a cotton-shaped flower that is also a natural pain reliever). All the villages in this valley have a yak or sheep skull at the entrance. It is a welcome symbol and a symbol of pride for the locals. Once you pass through the village houses, you will find an open area from where you will see spectacular views of the spread Markha Range. This will be our campsite for the day.
Day 5: Sara - Markha (3700 m)
The route from Sara to Markha is the same as the previous day. We will cover 10-11 km in 5-6 hours. The real challenge though is in dealing with the wind, which adds to the cold. Landscapes change attractively while you walk. We will pass through the walls of Mane, a small spiritual tomb with sacred stones attached to it. Then comes the quaint little village of Chalak, which is barely populated and marked by houses and half-baked structures. As you walk down from the driver, two interesting local materials emerge. One is the sour berry that is common in the Himalayan ranges and the other is the wild rose berry which is used to make tea. A little before Markha, the trail takes you for a fun spin.
Before reaching The Markha Bridge, we get to walk on a wide stretch of frozen river. The bridge is connected by a simple trail that leads to our camp for the day. If you reach the camp site early, be sure to visit the nearby Markha Monastery. It is the oldest monastery in the whole series. The view from the monastery is also a visual treat for the eyes. The entire landscape of Markha village can be seen from top to bottom. Since Markha, the temperature starts dropping to -25 or -30 due to strong downhill winds at night. Proper layering can help keep you comfortable and safe.
Day 6: Markha - Skeu (20 kilometers)
Today, we take our way back to Skieu. You will find that climbing is easier than climbing. Our body is better adapted which makes a distance of 20 kilometers a day relatively easy.Hope to reach Skeu. Overnight stay
Day 7: Skiu -Leh
Morning starts your trek towards to Chilling and get a drive to Leh. Arrive Leh in the evening.
Trail Navigation:
The Markha Valley trek is mostly quite clear and will be difficult to get lost all the way through the Kongmaru Pass. There were also a lot of people on the way, so there was no shortage of anyone to ask.After the pass, however, there were some random paths here and there on the way down, and even some of the trails I could see would have been destroyed old and recent. So, the best way to do this is to follow very clear footprints and animal droppings as this will be what the locals use and they know best.Trails are also marked on maps. I but I use footprints/footprints. Poo will ask to follow as it is likely to be more accurate. Trails can be destroyed year after year by landslides and water.
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