Invite your friends: 
Markha Valley Trek
Quick Facts
One of the most popular treks in Ladakh, the proximity to Leh brings a lot of people to this valley.
Beautiful landscapes, good chances to spot some high altitude wildlife, moderate terrain, beautiful high altitude meadows, wild yaks and a 5150m pass all make this trek a bucket list item.
A perfect mixture of adventure, culture and beauty.
DAYS 1-5
- Day 1: Leh Airport – Hotel (3500 M)
Transfer to hotel. Relax and acclimatise. Visit Leh market in the evening.
- Day 2: Leh (3500 M)
A day for acclimatization. Optional visit to the Leh palace and the Shey, Thikse and Hemis gompas. Last minute shopping in the Leh market.
- Day 3: Leh -Sara (3500 M)
Drive along the Zanskar. The trail goes through a flat and desolate plain along the river Markha and swings into the mountains along the pretty, willow-lined Zingchen gorge. Drive up to Sku, start our walk for 5 kms to Sara. Overnight Camp at Sara.
- Day 4: Sara – Markha (3800 M)
Today’s trail is not too strenuous, rising 300m over 22 km, crossing the Markha river a couple times. There are a few ancient chortens along the trail, and a number of wolf pits used to trap wolves when they roam the valley during the winter months. Markha is a big village, complete with a derelict fort on the hillside and a small village monastery.
- Day 5: Markha – Thachungtse (4150 M)
Kang Yatse, commands the views for the next two days. On the walk there are sights of some fascinating geological creations of large boulders balanced precariously on top of consolidated earth spikes. Continue down over a bridge to Thachungtse, a popular place to spot blue sheep slide up and down the steep cliffs with incredible agility.
DAYS 6-8
- Day 6: Thachungtse – Nimaling (4720 M)
We pass several Mani walls and suddenly come across a small lake. The view is wonderful from here – both of Kang Yatse, whose bulk gets reflected in the still waters of the lake, and also of the Markha Valley which we are now well above. We descend slowly to the valley of Nimaling which has a semi-permanent population of villagers who come from the Markha Valley to graze their livestock on the summer pastures.
- Day 7: Nimaling – Chuskirmo (Pass Day) (3300 M) – Leh
As we climb the last short but steep slope to the top (5200 M) there are good views over the
Zanskar Range and of the vertical ice walls on the north face of Kang Yaze. It’s about a 3hrs climb to the top. The descent initially is quite steep and then eases out to reach Chuskirmo, where we board waiting vehicles for the 2 hour drive back to Leh. Overnight hotel.
Walk 2 hours to get to our waiting vehicles at Shang Sumdo. Our cars take us to Hemis (optional) or continue directly to Leh. Wash up & spend the evening shopping in Leh.
- Day 8: Leh Hotel – Leh Airport
Early morning transfer to Airport for flight. Trip Ends!
Invite your friends:
Inclusions:
- All transfers in a Non-AC as per the itinerary (Leh airport to Leh airport)
- All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
- All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
- All trekking arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
- Porterage upto 15kg/person
- Peak fee / sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable
Exclusions:
- Sleeping bag
- Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
- Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
- Bottled water
- Items of personal clothing
- Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
- Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
- Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
- Travel & cancellation insurance
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES
A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.
An Experienced Team
Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.
Value for Money
The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.
Best Equipment
Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.
Great Food
Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US
Uday Bengal
Musician & Lead Band Member – Indus Creed
A bunch of us friends recently got in touch with Aquaterra Adventures to set up a whitewater rafting trip on the Tons River in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Aquaterra team were excellent in every way: they were superbly efficient, highly reassuringly safe and extremely warm, friendly and hospitable.
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Pooja Dhameja
Avid Trekker
There isn’t a more classy example of a team that is so well organised, courteous, warm and welcoming! The arrangements right from the camping sights, food, refreshments and stay were so extremely comfortable, of-course the food and the variety offered just beat everything else.
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Mr. Rajesh
Avid Adventurer
Camp Bagi (near Mori, Uttarakhand) is a beautifully located and professionally maintained wilderness camping site. Operated by Aquaterra, the gold standard in adventure tours in India, it offered us a highly memorable rafting, hiking and camping experience over the 4 days that we stayed there (May 28-31, 2019)
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Geetika
Adventure Enthusiast from Gurgaon
Great job by the team, especially Rana. We went with 2 kids aged 2.5 yrs and 6.5 yrs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My elder one loved the trek and the rafting experience was great too! Definitely recommend it for others.
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GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK!
Join us for a trip of a lifetime, if you crave for some high end adventure!
We strive to create the best trips possible for you, with uncommon professionalism, unsurpassed personal service and a commitment to protect and preserve the cultures and environments through which we travel. Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday
