Markha Valley - Besthike

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Markha Valley
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Markha Valley
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09.01.2018 Markha Valley | besthike.com
AT A GLANCE
the most popular hike in Ladakh, northern India, bordering Tibet

easy access out of Leh
6-8 days
111km (69mi)
early June to mid-October
moderate-demanding
big risk of altitude sickness
2-3 high passes (4900m-5200m)
several nights at very high altitude
sleep in tent or in “homestays”
frequent ights from Delhi. Infrequent ights from Srinagar and
Jammu.
hike independently or with a Guide
check the confusing tourist visa requirements for India. Some
nations can get a visa-on-arrival at airports.
other nations are eligible for the new 30 day e-visa
Why We Like This Hike
homestays are very popular on this route. You can stay under a
family roof (or rent-a-tent) every night, reducing the weight of your
pack. They provide 3 meals a day.
Buddhist culture
meeting local Tibetan peoples with their horses, mules and yak
hybrids
Himalayan blue sheep, ibex, hares, picas and marmots and other
mountain mammals
lammergeier and golden eagle
sheer canyon walls, alpine meadows, beautiful colours
ancient Gompas
very dry, very little Monsoon effect
the challenge of those high passes
you can buy (some) food en route
optional climb of trekking peak Stok Kangri 6153m (20,182ft), the
easiest non-technical 6000m+ peak in India
— blue sheep
Considerations
altitude sickness is the greatest danger

many tourists in India get sick, as well. Plan on loosing
some days due to illness
bring a good sleeping bag and mattress, regardless of
whether you are sleeping in a tent or under a roof. It can
be cold any night of the year.
it can get crowded in high season (July and August)
cold river crossings. Bring a second pair of footwear.
treat the water
mostly devoid of vegetation
Five days of continuous downpour (very unusual) in
August 2015 resulted in the Indian Air Force helicopter
unit at Leh evacuating 22 foreign trekkers.
safest is to carry your own tent and consider a night or
two in homestays, as you go
Locals cook with kerosene. But camping stove fuel
canisters are available in Leh. You’ll be asked to pay $7-
14 each. You may have to shop around.
camping equipment is available for purchase or hire.

But it’s best to bring as much with you from home as
possible.
grocery stores are very basic. Some products have the
prices stamped. Otherwise, you’ll need ask the price. In
2015 one shop did use a computer scanner.
In Leh ask about “The Good-for-All” Shop.
Environmentally friendly products and services. You
can drop leftover batteries there.
— Group of gear shops just off the main bazaar, Leh
A word of advice from GHT:
During the main trekking season, July to September, the best

campsites are frequently pre-booked by groups who send
someone ahead early in the morning. Unfortunately this is
now common practice and trying to explain campsite
sharing etiquette is a complete waste of time. So, to avoid
disappointment later in the day try and team up with one or
two other groups who are prepared to share sites and send
your own person ahead as early as possible.
Cost
It’s very inexpensive for independent hikers, once you get to Leh. It
might cost you $8/day to tent or $15/day to homestay rather than
$50/day or much more if you sign on with a Guide. All are good value
considering what you get.
Routes
It’s long, long road to travel overland from Shrinigar or Manali. Expect
delays.
But if you y to Leh 3500m (12,480ft) from Delhi, plan to relax a few days
before hiking. Those ying in will almost certainly suffer symptoms
of altitude sickness.
Most spend 3-4 days in dusty, noisy Leh acclimatizing and getting
organized.
We recommend the itinerary as described in Lonely Planet Trekking in

the Indian Himalaya (2009)
start Spitok 1hr by bus from Leh (or Zinchen 1.5hrs by bus if you are
acclimatized)
the dusty walk out of Spitok is dull, but you might need it if not yet
used to the altitude
safer than Spitok / Zinchen is starting in Chilling. You avoid the rst
high pass gaining more days of acclimatization
the best starting point of all is Stok village, harder but more scenic.
But you need to be very acclimatized for that. There’s an additional
high pass immediately out of Stok.
— click for larger version
nish Shang Sumdo (rather than Hemis which demands a long walk
on gravel and paved roads). Bus back to Leh. Or try to nd a jeep
returning with other hikers. We did – paying about $8 for the
return journey.
could extend the adventure by continuing on to the “Remote
Zanscar” trek as described in LP. Or the trek to Pang as described
in Cicerone Trekking in Ladakh 2012.
Almost everyone does the trek in the same direction. To reverse would
mean a very harsh approach to Gongmaru La.
Trekking Guides
World Expeditions
KE Adventure Travel
Dreamland Trek & Tour (local)
Snow Leopard Adventures (local)
Indie Trekking
Himalayan Highlights
Himalayan Expeditions
Red Chilli (good company out of Rishikesh)

RENOK ADVENTURES
Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company (local)
Less Known India
Dreamland
We signed on with Red Chilli for our Kuari Pass trek 2013.
Rather than booking online, It would be cheaper to y to Leh and

organize your support team (guide/cook/mule/horsemen) in town during
the days you’re acclimatizing to altitude. There are hundreds claiming to
be Guiding companies. Any day during the high season many companies
have groups starting.
If you wait for Leh, shop around.
Budget an additional 10-20% of your tour costs for tips, assuming you are
happy with your trek.
If you don’t mind carrying your own packs, consider hiring only a guide.
Often you’ll get a young student. It doesn’t take much experience or
expertise to guide this trek.
Logistics
If you sign on with a Guide, they handle all arrangements.
If you want to do it on your own, get a Guidebook in advance of the trip.

Plan on a few days in Leh to get organized, buy fuel and food. This is one
of easiest great Himalayan hikes logistically.
Here are two inexpensive hotels with good reviews on Tripadvisor:
Hotel Nalanda Ladakh

Hotel Chube (chube_leh (a) rediffmail.com)
Book your rst night or two online. Some hotels will meet you at the
airport.
Local Information
Everyone in Leh is an expert. Best source of advice will be hikers just

returned. Check around on arrival.
— by Githa Van Gorp
Best Trekking Guidebooks
Cicerone Trekking in Ladakh 2012 by Radek

Kucharski
— NOT available in Leh in 2015. You should

order this book online.
Markah Valley – Trekking and Homestay Guide by Nicholas Eakins is

widely available in Leh. Another good option.
Trekking Guide to the Western Himalayas 2009 by Depi Chaudhry

includes a short description of the Stok to Shang Sumdo route variation.
That guidebook is available in Leh, as well.
Ladakh: the Essential Guide: Including Kashmir & Manali 2014 by

Partha S. Banerjee
Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya 2009 by Garry
Weare
Trailblazer Trekking in Ladakh 2004 by Charlie Loram and Jim
Manthorpe
Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya 2001 by Kapadia
does not include Markha
Best Travel Guidebooks
Lonely Planet India (2013) – consider PDF version for

about $10
Footprint India (2012)
Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia 2012 by Janet Rizvi
Ladakh & Manali: Himalayan India, 199 Tips for Tourists
& Backpackers (Kindle only)
Check that you are getting the most recent editions.
— pica
Other Recommended Books
Ancient Futures: Lessons From Ladakh for a Globalizing

World 2015 by Helena Norberg-Hodge
A Journey in Ladakh: Encounters with Buddhism 2000
The Snow Leopard – Peter Matthiessen … best Nepal
book ever
Best Maps
On arrival in Leh, check the shops. There are many options of different
price.
Best Web Pages
Summit Post
Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide
Great Himalayan Trail – Markha Valley to Hemis
wikitravel
himalayan-homestays.com
— Rick McCharles – Gongmaru Pass
Best Trip Reports
besthike editor Rick McCharles – Stok to Chang Sumdo 2015

(independent tenting)
The Hiking Life 2008 (independent)
David Money Harris – Markha Valley Trek 2007 (guided)
Sathya’s Travels = Markha Valley – Part 4 of my solo trek 2011
Ed Douglas – Ladakh: changing times in the Markha Valley 2011
(guided by Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company)
Movies
Click PLAY or watch 3minuteAdventures – Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh

on YouTube.
Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh, India-Episode 70 sd
Click PLAY or watch a Ladakh promo on YouTube.
Stunning timelapses of Ladakh - Timeless journey in 4k
Questions? Suggestions? Leave a comment on this page. Our editors will reply.
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09.01.2018 Markha Valley | besthike.

World → Asia → Indian Himalaya → Markha Valley

One of the best hikes in the world

the most popular hike in Ladakh, northern India, bordering Tibet

Why We Like This Hike

altitude sickness is the greatest danger

camping equipment is available for purchase or hire.

— Group of gear shops just off the main bazaar, Leh

A word of advice from GHT:

During the main trekking season, July to September, the best

We recommend the itinerary as described in Lonely Planet Trekking in

— click for larger version

Red Chilli (good company out of Rishikesh)

Rather than booking online, It would be cheaper to y to Leh and

If you wait for Leh, shop around.

If you sign on with a Guide, they handle all arrangements.

If you want to do it on your own, get a Guidebook in advance of the trip.

Here are two inexpensive hotels with good reviews on Tripadvisor:

Hotel Nalanda Ladakh

Everyone in Leh is an expert. Best source of advice will be hikers just

— by Githa Van Gorp

Best Trekking Guidebooks

Cicerone Trekking in Ladakh 2012 by Radek

— NOT available in Leh in 2015. You should

Markah Valley – Trekking and Homestay Guide by Nicholas Eakins is

Trekking Guide to the Western Himalayas 2009 by Depi Chaudhry

Ladakh: the Essential Guide: Including Kashmir & Manali 2014 by

Best Travel Guidebooks

Lonely Planet India (2013) – consider PDF version for

Check that you are getting the most recent editions.

Other Recommended Books

Ancient Futures: Lessons From Ladakh for a Globalizing

Best Web Pages

— Rick McCharles – Gongmaru Pass

Best Trip Reports

besthike editor Rick McCharles – Stok to Chang Sumdo 2015

Click PLAY or watch 3minuteAdventures – Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh

Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh, India-Episode 70 sd

Click PLAY or watch a Ladakh promo on YouTube.

Stunning timelapses of Ladakh - Timeless journey in 4k

 Facebook 1  Google  Twitter  Print  Email

ONE THOUGHT ON “MARKHA VALLEY”

Pingback: ying to India in September – RickMcCharles.com

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