Markha Valley Monastery Tour

Region: Ladakh
Season: July to Mid
Trekking along the Markha River through "Little Tibet," one of the world's highest inhabited plateaus, you take in spectacular views of the Great Himalayan, Ladakh & Zanskar ranges. You will cross two high passes at elevations up to 17,400'. Trails wind past willow groves, alongside patches of wild roses & through pastel canyons festooned with multi-hued prayer flags undulating in the breeze. The opportunity to meet nomadic families as they herd their yaks & a visit to a small monastery where butter lamps are lit morning & evening by an elderly nun leave indelible impressions of our journey through this gloriously illuminated landscape.

After the initial period of acclimatization to high altitude in Leh you will set out to explore the heartland of the central Ladakh Valley. It involves crossing of the three passes - Stok La- 4848m, Kagmaru La- 5274m, Gandla- 4878m & walking on the banks of the Markha River. The highlight of the trip is the camping at the base of the Kang-Yutze peak on the plains of Nimaling.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On the 1st day of the tour you will be setting foot on the National Capital - Delhi after you land at the International airport. Our representative will be there to fetch you and transfer you to the hotel. As soon you have freshen up the whole day, you will be on sightseeing tour of the city. The sightseeing tour will include mainly the important places lying in New Delhi such as Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, India Gate, President House and Parliament. In the evening you will be exploring the market areas near to your hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 02: Delhi - Leh ( Flight 9W-609 - 0645 hr - 0800 hr)
On the 2nd day of the tour you will be transferred to the Domestic Airport to board the flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport our representative would assist you at the Airport & transfer to the Hotel for check-in. Rest of the day at leisure & acclimatization. Later in the afternoon a walk around Leh town (3521 m) & visit Leh Market, Leh Palace ruins, Leh Gompa & Shanti Stupa. This walk shall help in getting acclimatized at this height.
Overnight Hotel - Leh((B, L, D)

Day 03: Leh – Shey – Stok – Base of Stok La (25 km drive -4 hr trek)
Next morning we will drive 16 km from Leh & visit Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Shakyamuniwith a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.

After that we drive few kilometres & cross the bridge over the mighty River Indus to reach Stok. We visit Stok Palace,the Royal residence of the King of Stok & the Museumthat has a rich collection of ancient Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms & armoury, the Queen’s necklace & the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. After early lunch at Stok we start trekking towards theBase of Stok La.It is a gradual walk with a few kilometres of ascending path, which will be covered in about 4 hr.
Overnight Camp – Stok (B, L, D)

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Day 04: Base of Stok La – Stok La (4800 m)
Stok La – Rumbak (12 km trek -6 hr)
On the 4th day of the tour we will start with the trekking trip. We start with Rumbak over Stok La (4800 m). The 3 km trek upto Stok La is steep ascent & then it is a steep descent upto Rumbak. The total distance of 12 kms will be covered in about 6 hr. Rumbak is a small shepherd village with few houses.
Overnight Camp – Rumbak (B, L, D)

Day 05: Rumbak – Gand La (4930 m)
Gand La – Skiu (3380 m) (18 km trek -8 hr)
Today is a long day & after early breakfast we trek towards Skiu over Gand La (4930 m). It is a climb upto Gand La top & then a descending path upto Shingo & from there we reach Skiu (3380 m). A distance of 18 km will be covered in about 8 hr.
Overnight Camp – Skiu(B, L, D)

Day 06: Skiu – Markha(4500 m) (16 km trek -6 hr)
Today we trek to Markha via Hermoger & Sase. An easy walk of about 15 km will be covered in about 6 hr. Markha (4500 m) is the main village at the height of about 4500 m & it also has a school.
Overnight Camp – Markha (B, L, D)

Day 07: Markha – Hankar (12 km trek -6 hr)
Today we trek upto Hankar via Omlung. A distance of about 12 km of gradual walk will be covered in about 6 hr.
Overnight Camp - Hankar (B, L, D)

Day 08: Hankar – Nyimaling (12 km trek -6 hr)
Today we trek to Nyimaling, a gradual walk of about 12 km will be covered in about 6 hr.
Overnight Camp – Nyimaling (B, L, D)

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Day 09: Nyimaling (Rest Day)
Today the day is free to explore the surroundings. One can trek upto the glacier of Kangyatse peak (6030 m), one needs permit from (Indian Mountaineering Foundation, IMF) to climb this peak.
Overnight Camp - Nyimaling(B, L, D)

Day 10: Nyimaling – Kongmor La (5200 m) – Chugdo
Today we start our steep ascent of 4 to 5 km to Kongmor La (5200 m). On reaching the top one forgets the tiredness of the steep climb after viewing the beautiful range of Mountain peaks & feels refreshed. From the Pass we descend all the way to Chugdo.
Overnight Camp – Chugdo (B, L, D)

Day 11: Chugdo – Hemis – Thiksey – Leh (13 km trek -6 hr)
Today we trek down to Hemis via Oza & Sumdo. A gradual walk of about 13 kms will be covered in about 6 hr.

We visit the famous Hemis Monastery, founded in the year 1630 by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyal. Hemis is one of the largest & richest monasteries of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in July -August has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha & responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world.

From here we drive to Thiksey Monastery, which falls on the way to Leh. Thiksey Monastery(Gompa) is an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha,the Buddha of the future. Finally we drive back to Leh.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D)

Day 12: Leh Monasteries
Today at leisure till lunch. Later in the afternoon we go on half day tour of the monasteries around Leh & visit Shankar, Spituk& Phyan

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