Markha Valley Trek with Home Stays

India

12 Days 11 Nights

Trek through Ladakh’s stunning Markha Valley, crossing 5,430m passes, staying in local homestays, and soaking in epic Himalayan views on this 7-day high-altitude adventure!

Group Size

2-12

Availability

June-September

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Ladakh on the Markha Valley Trek, a moderate 7-day journey through remote villages, towering peaks, and high mountain passes. Staying in authentic Ladakhi homestays, you'll immerse yourself in local culture while trekking past ancient monasteries, deep gorges, and stunning views of Kang Yatze (6,400m). At 5,430m, this trek is an incredible blend of adventure and tradition, offering an unforgettable Himalayan experience. Perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure with minimal logistics—no need for ponies or porters unless desired. Best enjoyed from mid-June to mid-September. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Includes: -Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis as required. -Meals as per the itinerary – Delhi – breakfast only, Leh - Breakfast and Dinner and -All meals on trekking days (Breakfast, Pack Lunch and Dinner) -Transportation: All pickup and drop at trekking point by Non 01 Non Ac Innova / Xylo/ Tempo Traveller as per group size. -Arrival and departure airport transfers in Delhi -English Speaking Trekking Guide throughout the trek. -Trekking fee/Wildlife fee/Expedition fee. Excludes: -Any Air/train/bus fare from/to your originating city of stay, unless specified. -Horse / Pony / Helper for luggage. -Any trekking equipment. -Items of personal nature viz, tips, porterage, room service, laundry, mineral water, beverages, phone calls, pony/horse rides, rafting etc. -Any increase in fuel cost, government taxes, entrance fees, intra and interstate taxes etc, the tour price will be amended in accordance. -Any items / services not specifically mentioned in the ‘Tour Price Includes’ column. -Travel Insurance. Note: In Every Home stays, they do not have an attached washroom or toilet. They use the common local composting toilet (a dry toilet)

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Delhi

Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 1

Arrive in Delhi

Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 1

Arrive in Delhi

Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 1

Arrive in Delhi

Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2

Delhi to Leh (3,505 m / 11567 feet.) – by Flight

Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to board flight for Leh. Upon arrival at the Leh Airport, you will be received by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Since you are arriving at 11000 ft, we strongly recommend taking complete rest on the first day where you should not indulge in any strenuous activity. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Delhi to Leh (3,505 m / 11567 feet.) – by Flight

Day 2

Delhi to Leh (3,505 m / 11567 feet.) – by Flight

Day 2

Delhi to Leh (3,505 m / 11567 feet.) – by Flight

Day 3

Day of leisure

Full day free to relax and prepare for next days trek. One can walk around the Leh city and Shanti Stupa if interested. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Day of leisure

Full day free to relax and prepare for next days trek. One can walk around the Leh city and Shanti Stupa if interested. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Day of leisure

Full day free to relax and prepare for next days trek. One can walk around the Leh city and Shanti Stupa if interested. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Day of leisure

Full day free to relax and prepare for next days trek. One can walk around the Leh city and Shanti Stupa if interested. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Leh to Rumbak (1 Hr of drive)

Morning departure by car towards Zingchen, from where this first hiking day goes towards Rumbak. After leaving the village of Zingchen, you enter Hemis National Park – a natural habitat for snow leopards and mountain goats. You walk along a narrow track and reach a valley where the path widens before you arrive at Rumbak village. In Rumbak, you have the opportunity to visit a local family, where you can try the local specialties and foods during this homestay experience. In the evening you camp for the night in a tent in Rumbak.

Day 4

Leh to Rumbak (1 Hr of drive)

Day 4

Leh to Rumbak (1 Hr of drive)

Day 4

Leh to Rumbak (1 Hr of drive)

Day 5

Rumbak to Yurutse/Gandla Base - 4,000m - 2 Hrs of trek

After breakfast, your tour begins towards Gandala Base Camp. You hike along the mountains and then cross a small valley on a steep zig-zag path. This area is good for spotting wildlife and birds flying at high altitudes. You spend the night in a tent at Gandala Base Camp.

Day 5

Rumbak to Yurutse/Gandla Base - 4,000m - 2 Hrs of trek

Day 5

Rumbak to Yurutse/Gandla Base - 4,000m - 2 Hrs of trek

Day 5

Rumbak to Yurutse/Gandla Base - 4,000m - 2 Hrs of trek

Day 6

Gandala Basecamp/Yurutse to Skyu over Gandala Pass (4,900m) (6 - 7 Hrs)

On this day you enter the Markha Valley itself. Trek over the Ganda La pass and after about two hours you will reach the beautiful valley of Markha. A few hundred meters further is a Kaya village where you will visit a local family house. Enjoy stunning views of the Zangskar Range from the pass. You spend the night in a tent at Skyu.

Day 6

Gandala Basecamp/Yurutse to Skyu over Gandala Pass (4,900m) (6 - 7 Hrs)

Day 6

Gandala Basecamp/Yurutse to Skyu over Gandala Pass (4,900m) (6 - 7 Hrs)

Day 6

Gandala Basecamp/Yurutse to Skyu over Gandala Pass (4,900m) (6 - 7 Hrs)

Day 7

Skyu to Markha (5 – 6 Hrs / Markha 3,800m)

This day the tour goes through vast green areas crossing several rivers before stopping at Chaluk which consists of just a few houses. Markha village, where you spend the night, is beautifully situated and one of the richest in the valley.

Day 7

Skyu to Markha (5 – 6 Hrs / Markha 3,800m)

Day 7

Skyu to Markha (5 – 6 Hrs / Markha 3,800m)

Day 7

Skyu to Markha (5 – 6 Hrs / Markha 3,800m)

Day 8

Markha to Thachungtse / Hangkar(4 - 5 Hrs /4,000m)

After breakfast, there is a departure for Thachungtse via Hankar through a relatively flat landscape. On the way you will pass the Umlung Monastery. You spend the night in a tent at Thachungtse

Day 8

Markha to Thachungtse / Hangkar(4 - 5 Hrs /4,000m)

After breakfast, there is a departure for Thachungtse via Hankar through a relatively flat landscape. On the way you will pass the Umlung Monastery. You spend the night in a tent at Thachungtse

Day 8

Markha to Thachungtse / Hangkar(4 - 5 Hrs /4,000m)

Day 8

Markha to Thachungtse / Hangkar(4 - 5 Hrs /4,000m)

Day 9

Thachungtse to Nimaling(5 - 6 Hrs / 4,841m)

Day 9

Thachungtse to Nimaling(5 - 6 Hrs / 4,841m)

Day 9

Thachungtse to Nimaling(5 - 6 Hrs / 4,841m)

Day 9

Thachungtse to Nimaling(5 - 6 Hrs / 4,841m)

Day 10

Nimaling to Leh over Kongmaru La Pass –(6 Hrs / Kongmaru la 5,100m

After breakfast, the trekking day is started to reach Kongmaru La (5100 M). The trip to Kongmaru La goes through narrow canyons. From the top of the mountain pass, you can get a view of the Ladakh mountain range with small villages along the northern part of the Indus valley – it is stunningly beautiful. You end by trekking to Shang, from where you will be picked up by a car and driven back to Leh.

Day 10

Nimaling to Leh over Kongmaru La Pass –(6 Hrs / Kongmaru la 5,100m

Day 10

Nimaling to Leh over Kongmaru La Pass –(6 Hrs / Kongmaru la 5,100m

Day 10

Nimaling to Leh over Kongmaru La Pass –(6 Hrs / Kongmaru la 5,100m

Day 11

Leh to Delhi

After breakfast, transfer back to Leh Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time either free to relax or take a quick Delhi.

Day 11

Leh to Delhi

After breakfast, transfer back to Leh Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time either free to relax or take a quick Delhi.

Day 11

Leh to Delhi

Day 11

Leh to Delhi

Day 12

Depart Delhi

Transfer to Airport intime to board flight for next destination.

Day 12

Depart Delhi

Transfer to Airport intime to board flight for next destination.

Day 12

Depart Delhi

Day 12

Depart Delhi

Real

stories

from travelers

Will and Joey are the best guides! They are communicative and take input from customers to give them what they want from their services. Truly a team for the people.
Robinson
California
I loved working with Joey and Will! Both are extremely knowledgeable and held a space that was professional, fun, and a comfortable environment for newcomers. I would highly recommend them for any outdoor needs!
Lily
Colorado
Will and Joey were great instructors. They helped tailor our specific needs and knowledge as a group. They communicated clearly and efficiently. They adapted to conditions and involved the group in that decision-making. Would highly recommend having them as a guide again in the future!
Jordan
Colorado
The authenticity of the experiences, coupled with knowledgeable guides, allowed me to delve deep into the heart of each location, and creating lasting connections
Bob
Mexico

Will and Joey are the best guides! They are communicative and take input from customers to give them what they want from their services. Truly a team for the people.
Robinson
California
I loved working with Joey and Will! Both are extremely knowledgeable and held a space that was professional, fun, and a comfortable environment for newcomers. I would highly recommend them for any outdoor needs!
Lily
Colorado
Will and Joey were great instructors. They helped tailor our specific needs and knowledge as a group. They communicated clearly and efficiently. They adapted to conditions and involved the group in that decision-making. Would highly recommend having them as a guide again in the future!
Jordan
Colorado
The authenticity of the experiences, coupled with knowledgeable guides, allowed me to delve deep into the heart of each location, and creating lasting connections
Bob
Mexico

Will and Joey are the best guides! They are communicative and take input from customers to give them what they want from their services. Truly a team for the people.
Robinson
California
I loved working with Joey and Will! Both are extremely knowledgeable and held a space that was professional, fun, and a comfortable environment for newcomers. I would highly recommend them for any outdoor needs!
Lily
Colorado
Will and Joey were great instructors. They helped tailor our specific needs and knowledge as a group. They communicated clearly and efficiently. They adapted to conditions and involved the group in that decision-making. Would highly recommend having them as a guide again in the future!
Jordan
Colorado
The authenticity of the experiences, coupled with knowledgeable guides, allowed me to delve deep into the heart of each location, and creating lasting connections
Bob
Mexico

Will and Joey are the best guides! They are communicative and take input from customers to give them what they want from their services. Truly a team for the people.
Robinson
California
I loved working with Joey and Will! Both are extremely knowledgeable and held a space that was professional, fun, and a comfortable environment for newcomers. I would highly recommend them for any outdoor needs!
Lily
Colorado
Will and Joey were great instructors. They helped tailor our specific needs and knowledge as a group. They communicated clearly and efficiently. They adapted to conditions and involved the group in that decision-making. Would highly recommend having them as a guide again in the future!
Jordan
Colorado
The authenticity of the experiences, coupled with knowledgeable guides, allowed me to delve deep into the heart of each location, and creating lasting connections
Bob
Mexico