TREK TO MARKHA VALLEY WITH STOK KANGRI
Area : 97,000 sq kms out of which nearly 38,000 sq. kms.
Population : Approx. 2.40 lakh in the 2 districts of Leh & Kargil.
Languages : Ladakhi including Balti / Purgi, Shina or Dardic, Urdu / Hindi.
Ethnic composition : Mongoloid/Tibetan, Dardic and assorted Indo-Aryan elements.
Altitude : Leh 3505 m, Kargil 2750 m
ATMs available : SBI & J&K Bank
Credit Card Facility : Not accepted by most of the shops, restaurants & hotels.
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 and Zanskar ranges. You will cross two high passes at elevations up to 17,400'. Trails wind past willow groves, alongside patches of wild roses and through pastel canyons festooned with multi-hued prayer flags undulating in the breeze. The opportunity to meet nomadic families as they herd their yaks and a visit to a small monastery where butter lamps are lit morning and 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 and 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 Leh to Chilling - Sku (3500 m) in 5 hours
After Breakfast drive to Chilling. We cross the Zanskar River with a trolley bridge turn wise to join the waiting team on the other side of the river.
Day 02 Skiu - Markha (3850 m) in 7 hours
The trail joins the Markha stream and will follow it for a few days. The day’s trek is relatively easy, but it involves crisscrossing the stream at numerous points depending on the water level. Markha has a monastery and a fort for a local cultural sightseeing.
Day 03 Markha - Hankar (4000 m) in 4 hrs
Many monasteries are spread along our route today. After the Umlung monastery, the valley narrows and we stop to camp at the foot of Kang Yaste (6400 m).
Day 04 Hankar - Nimaling (4650 m) in 4 hrs
Trek in the valley in direction of Zalung Karpo and Rupshu. We pass through Thagshungtse pasture and start our gradual ascent towards the wonderful high valleys of Ladakh.
Day 05 Nimaling - Kongmaru La (5150 m)- Chogdo (4000 m) in 7 hrs
Climb up to the summer pastures of Nimaling, used by the shepherds of Hankar and Markha, then follow the hedge to the top. The Kongmaru La pass commands a beautiful view of the Kang Yatze north face (6400 m), the Ladakh ranges and the Indus valley.
Day 06 Chogdo - Gyuncho La (4600 m) - Camp at 4350 m in 6- 7 hrs
From now on, we will follow a new and rarely travelled route through the valleys to the east of our objective. Today, we turn towards the west into a tributary valley that leads after a long and gradual ascent to the Gyuncho La. We descent a few meters bellow to establish our campsite.
Day 07 Camp at 4350 m - Shang La (4800 m)- Matho Phu (4350 m) in 6 hrs
Today, we will cross many spurs and minor passes with occasional views northwards towards the Indus Valley and the peaks beyond. We climb up to the Shang La and then descend to the Tokpo River. Afterwards we will trek downhill to a nice camping place.
Day 08 Matho Phu - Mato La (4820 m) -Stok Kangri Base Camp (4700 m) in 5 hrs
At the pass, colourful prayer flags flap in the wind, with the Zanskari range in the background. Afterwards, we descend steadily along the Jingchan River. We get great views towards the Stock summit and the Stock Kangri (6121m).
Day 09 Acclimatization day at Base Camp
Day 10 Summit day (Approx. 8-9 hours to base-camp)
Our route initially crosses scree and boulder slopes, and then leads to easy angled snow slopes, which require ice axe and crampons. The route is not difficult but at this altitude, it will be strenuous. From the summit of Stok Kangri (6116m), we should see as far as the Karakoram, the Pamirs and Tibet. If it's warm enough we'll rest and recover some energy on top before descending to base-camp.
Day 11 Stok Kangri Base Camp - Leh (5h walk to Stok)
All downhill and through wild gorge scenery. There should be time to visit Stok Palace and museum while we wait for our jeeps. Then an hour's drive across the Indus valley to the comforts of the guest house in Leh.
• Accommodation in Guest House in Padum and Hotel in Kargil with all meals.
• All transportation by Toyota Qualis, Innova or Scorpio.
• Two men tent, Kitchen and dining tents.
• Kitchen equipments and Toilet Tent.
• Stool, Table and mattresses.
• Food veg and non-veg.
• Cook, helper and guide.
• Horses for Luggages.
• Monument entrances, wild life fees and camping charges.
• Climbing permit to Stok Kangri and Equipments.
Any flight tickets and any Accommodation except Padum and Kargil.
• No accommodation in Leh is included in Trekking Packages.
• Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.
• Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
• Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
• Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
• 4.50% Govt. service tax