Lamayuru-Hemis via Markha Trek

Destinations: Ladakh
Trip Duration: 16 Days
Best Time: June - Oct
Grade: Moderate
Altitude: 5090 mts / 16700 ft
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Lamayuru-Hemis via Markha Trek

Day by Day Details Itinerary

Day 01.  Arrive in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi at mid-night, meet the assistant at the air the air port and transfer to the hotel rest is free, in the afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Old and new Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat in Old Delhi and India Gate, Rastrapati Bhawan and Parliament House in New Delhi overnight in Hotel.

Day 02. Delhi/Leh Flight

Early morning around 3 am transfer to the domestic air port. After an exciting  flight from  Delhi to Leh . We receive and transfer to hotel. Take complete rest for the day for acclimatization. Lunch in the hotel, in the evening take a walk around Leh market.

Day 03. Stok Palace/Shey/ Thiksey/ Hemis monastery/Leh

After breakfast leave by jeep to visit Stok royal Palace, the present home of royal family of Ladakh and you can visit the most beautiful royal musuen for ancient ornaments, jewelleries, Crown of the King and the queen.SHEY- The ancient capital of Ladakh,17th century copper gold gilted statue of historical Buddha.  THIKSEY, the  most beautiful Gelukpa monastery and huge famous Future Buddha- The Lord Maitreya and HEMIS, The Drukpa monasteries located in the deep gorge, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 04: Leh /Alchi

Morning we drive to Alchi which is 65km from Leh will take 2 hrs on the way photo stop at Zanskar and Indus river confluence side and visit the Alchi monastery it is famous for the paintings built by the translator Rinchen zangpo, hot Lunch in Alchi  and overnight in Alchi

Day 05: Alchi/Lamayuru 3420m - Wanla 3250 m (3 hrs)

We will leave for Lamayuru following the Indus River through Sham Valley. After visiting Lamayuru monastery we will pack our backpacks and set off for our first day's adventure. We will follow a stream for a time, and gradually climb up to the pass of Prinkti La (3750m). We will later pass through the small village of Shilla (3700 m) before reaching our campsite at Wanla (3250m),where we will spend the afternoon either relaxing in the sun or visiting the monastery.

Day 06:Wanla -Hinju 3720m (5-6 hrs)

Following a dusty road we will reach the small village of Phenjilla (3410 m) and the scattered village of Uri .We will then walk through a narrow gorge until we reach a traditional Rangthak (flour mill) at the far end of the village. The trail will then cut through the village of Hinju (3720 m) roughly 2 km below our campsite in a yak herder 's encampment.

Day 07:Hinju -Sumda Doksa 4430m (6-7 hrs)

From the encampment we will continue along the trail and ascend the ridge below Kongskil La (4950m). If lucky we will get glimpses of some wild life. We will then climb gradually until we reach Kongskil La where we will be surrounded by dizzying views of the Karakoram and Stok ranges. The descent down the trail is quite steep with loose moraine causing the difficulty--so be careful! The trail then follows the left side of valley floor, passing a yak herders ' hut (4500m), before we reach our campsite. This valley is occupied mainly by the

villagers of Sumda Chenmo.

Day 08:Sumda Doksa - Dung Dung Chan la base 4430m(4-5 hrs)

After a short walk and a few river crossings, we will reach the village of Sumda Chenmo. From there we head towards the true left side of the valley, which provides a beautiful view of the village with its lush greenery. Further on the trail cuts through the valley 's wild rose bushes and leads us to another river crossing (this stream originates from the high snow- capped peaks of Photoksar (5685m).Before making a steep challenging ascent over Lanak, we will see Edelweiss and some of the other rare wild flowers of Ladakh. From the campsite, there is a splendid view of Konskila.

Day 09 :Dung Dung Chan La base - Chilling 3150m (5-6 hrs)

We will begin the day with a straightforward climb to Dungdung Chan La (4820m), which offers views of the beautiful vistas of the Stok Range in the east and the Zanskar Range in the south. From the pass the trail gradually descends down a ridge toward the valley continually tapering before reaching the village of Chilling. Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided metalworks such as copper, bronze, tin, silver and iron to the Leh market through the centuries. From Chilling we will drive for about 3 hours along the Zanskar River .We will eventually reach its confluence with the Indus and the easy road back to Leh.

Day  10: Chilling to Skiu 3200mt. 4/5 hrs

Today after the breakfast we will walk up to the Zanskar River where we have to cross the river then we will enter Markh valley, the firt village will be kaya village, then after another 1 hr we will reach Skiu village overnight in Skiu

Day 11: Skiu to Markha (7-8 hours)3200-3660

Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various points, and passes through winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshment. After cross the river for the last time, we will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.  Overnight in camp

Day 12: Markha to Thachungtse (5-6 hours)3660-4100m

The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched on a towering cliff that looms above Markha, well worth visiting if we have the energy! The path then intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last in the valley), we will press onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste. Overnight in Camp

Day 13: Thachungtse to Nimaling (4 hours)4100-4700m

Today the trail will lead us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley brings their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest camp on the trek, giving us spectacular views of Kang Yatse to the right, the Zangskar Range and the Markha Valley below. Overnight in Camp

Day 14: Nimaling to Shangsumdo via Kongmarula 5200 m (7 hours)5100-3600m
After a hearty breakfast, we will cross Kongmaru La, the highest pass on the trek. Here we have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 2-hour descend is quite steep, but will gradually level as we enter Shang Gorge, with its strange and otherworldly rock formations. More river crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour-spring of Chuskurmo (used in traditional medicine by the Amchi doctors). After a break, we will pass through a couple of villages before reaching Shang Sumdo, where we will spend our last evening together.

Overnight in camp.

Day 15: Shangsumdo to Leh via Martselang3600-3100m
Our spirits lifted by a successful trek, we will enjoy a pleasant 2-hr walk along a jeep road to Martselang, where the jeep will pick us up for Leh.

Day 16: Leh/Delhi

Early morning transfer to leh air port , take the flight to delhi, reach delhi by 11 AM transfer to the hotel rest is free for personal activities later in the night transfer to the international air port

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