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H K L 4: T H E M A R K H A
V A L L E Y T R E K - (1 7 D
a y s )
 This
wilderness trail skirts the hi-altitude Hemis National Park
with its abundance of wild life and heads through far flung
villages with lush green fields of barley and potato the
chief crops in the region. These tiny oasis appear as welcome
sights as you traverse an otherwise stark barren landscape.
Far to the northwest extend excellent views of the mighty
Karakorum mountain ranges.
Day 01: We welcome you on your arrival at the Indira
Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and escort you
to your hotel where you stay overnight.
Day 02: Take the morning flight to Leh and check
into your hotel. Afternoon free to wander around the bazaars
and relax. A couple days in Leh is strongly advised due
to the high altitude.
Day 03: We visit the ancient monasteries of Shey
with its enormous state of Buddha and Thikse one of the
most important Gompas in central Ladakh which has some beautiful
wall paintings besides gilded statues of the Buddha. In
the afternoon we drive down to the famous Hemis Gompa in
a secluded grove of poplars. Return to your hotel for the
night.
Day 04: We drive to Lamayuru 3420m / 11,217ft. a
journey of 5 hours visiting the Alchi monastery on the way.
Overnight camp.
Day 05: Lamayuru - Prinkiti-La at 3726m / 12,221ft
to - Wanla - 3550m / 11,844ft. 5 hours. Visit the Lamayuru
monastery built in the 16th century and said to be the biggest
in western Ladakh. The Gompa hugs a cliff side overlooking
a deep canyon and houses numerous intricately done wall
paintings. From here the trail descends to a valley from
where it climbs steadily towards the Prinkiti La pass and
then gradually slopes down to the village of Wanla. Camp
overnight.
Day 06: Wanla - Hinju - 3900m / 12,792ft. A 6 hour
walk through an arid and barren valley takes us to the small
village of Phanjila from where the trail turns into another
valley besides the Ripchar river to Hinju. Camp overnight.
Day 07: Hinju - Konke La -4950m / 16,236ft to Sumdha
at 4150m / 13,612ft. 7 hours.
The trail ascends steeply towards the Konke La pass from
where you are afforded extensive views of glacial fields,
sweeping barren valleys dotted with splashes of green. From
the pass the trail leads downward over mountain ridges to
the village of Sumdha. Camp overnight.
Day 08: Sumdha Chenmo - base camp below Dungdungchen
La - 4050m / 13,284ft. 6 hours.
We now descend towards the tiny village of Lanak at 3750m
/ 12,300ft then climb up towards the base of Dungdungchen
La. Camp overnight.
Day 09: Base of Dungdungchen La - 4050m / 13,284ft
-over the Dungdungchen La at 4700m / 15,416ft. to Chilling
at 3350m / 10,988ft. 6 hours. A steady climb to this small
pass from where again you are rewarded with glorious views.
The trail then winds downwards to the large village of Chilling
on the banks of the Zanskar river. This village is known
for its fine metalwork particularly exquisitely made cups
and cutlery and local gold ornaments. Camp overnight.
Day 10: Chilling - Skiu - 3510m / 11,512ft. 5 hours.
The trek now converts into a river crossing by a cable cart
over the Zanskar. We leave our pack ponies behind and get
new ones once we're across. From the other side we pass
the village of Kaya before we reach Skiu, a pleasant walk
away. Camp near the village.
Day 11: Skiu - Markha - 3850m / 12,628ft. 6 hours.
A leisurely trek that involves a number of river crossings
across the Markha river. At times the water may be low solely
depending on the
weather conditions. We camp near the Markha village with
its green fields on the banks of the Markha river.
Day 12: Markha - Hankar - 4000m / 13,120ft. 4 hours.
The trail involves a day of a few river crossings till you
reach the Umlung Gompa high up on a hillside. The climb
is stiff one but there are good views of the valley far
below. The Umlung village is a little ahead and from here
the walk is almost a level one to Hankar village. We camp
at the foot of the soaring Kang Yaze peak - 6400m / 20,992ft.
Day 13: Hankar - Nimaling - 4650m / 15,252ft. 4
hours. Passing below the ruins of the Hankar Gompa we continue
crossing a stream and then walking through fields to a the
Nimaling chu. We go along the right bank of the river through
a rocky gateway and pass incredibly balanced boulders on
thin spike like spires. Crossing a bridge a bit further
we continue past a small lake and high pasture land finally
reaching Nimaling village. Cam overnight.
Day 14: Nimaling - Kongmaru La - 5150m / 16,892ft.
to Shang Sumdo at 3750m / 12,300ft.
7 hours. A long days trek as we climb up to the summer pastures,
to the top of the ridge and the saddle of Kongmaru La from
where you get spectacular views of the Zanskar range and
the vertical ice walls of the Kang Yaze peak. Descend to
the valley floor and continue on to the small village of
Shang Sumdo. Camp near irrigation channels gurgling through
fields near the village.
Day 15: Shang Sumdo - Hemis - 3600m / 11,808ft.
3 to 4 hours. This is a short days trek as you head down
to the village of Martselang and further down to Hemis Monastery.
Day 16: Hemis - Leh. After exploring the ancient Hemis
Gompa, we drive on to Leh stopping briefly to visit the
palace and monastery at Shey and then further on to the
Thikse monastery which startlingly resembles the Potala
Palace in Lhasa Tibet. Overnight in a hotel in Leh.
Day 17 : Catch your early morning flight to Delhi.
Your afternoon is free to relax and unwind at your hotel
before catching the late night / early morning international
flight to your next destination.
If you need more information please feel free to write
us at info@himalayakingdom.com
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