Markha Valley Trek
A nine-day trek crossing Ganda La and Kongmaru La. Experience remote Ladakhi villages, high pastures, and the shadow of Kang Yatse.
The Markha Valley route is one of Ladakh’s most definitive treks. It crosses two high-altitude passes — Ganda La at 4,900m and Kongmaru La at 5,150m — while following the Markha River through some of the region's most isolated and culturally intact villages. This is not a trek built only around altitude; it is deeply tied to the human geography of the valley. Between the high passes, the route moves through fields of barley, ancient mani walls, small monastic settlements, and the wide nomadic pastures of Nimaling beneath the 6,400m Kang Yatse peak. The itinerary includes essential acclimatisation in Leh and visits to Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis monasteries before the physical demand begins. It is an excellent route for those who want both the physical challenge of the Himalayas and the quiet rhythm of its oldest settlements.
- Duration
- 9 Days | 8 Nights (Leh to Leh)
- Location
- Ladakh, India
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Season
- Summer (June - September)
- Group
- Solo traveller to 7 travellers
Journey highlights
- Cross Ganda La (4,900m) and Kongmaru La (5,150m) passes.
- Camp in the expansive Nimaling valley beneath Kang Yatse peak.
- Walk through the remote Ladakhi settlements of Markha, Hankar, and Skiu.
- Visit Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and the hidden Humlung Gompa.
- Experience a landscape that shifts from deep river gorges to high open pastures.
- Trek with full camp support and local Ladakhi guides.
Full itinerary
Arrival in Leh
Land in Leh and transfer to your hotel. At 3,500m, the air is thin and the body requires time to adjust, so the first day is deliberately slow and non-negotiable. The aim is simple: hydrate, rest, eat lightly, avoid unnecessary exertion, and allow your body to begin acclimatising before any monastery visits or trail movement.
Stay: Hotel Grand Willow Leh or similar
Meals: Dinner
Monastic Heritage: Shey, Thiksey & Hemis
A gentle acclimatisation and cultural orientation day before entering the Markha valley system. Instead of rushing into the trek, the route moves through the Indus valley to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis, helping you stay lightly active while still sleeping another night in Leh. This day also gives context to the Buddhist landscape you will see later on the trail.
Stay: Hotel Grand Willow Leh or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Drive to Rumbak — Trek to Yurutse
Leave Leh after breakfast and drive toward the Rumbak side of Hemis National Park, where the road journey gives way to the first walking stage. The trek begins gently, which is intentional: this is the day to settle into rhythm, understand pack animal logistics, and let the legs adjust before the first high pass. The landscape is dry, open and shaped by the Stok range, with small settlements and grazing patches appearing gradually.
Stay: Yurutse Village Homestay / Trek Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Skiu via Ganda La
This is the first serious trekking day and the first major pass crossing. From Yurutse, the trail climbs steadily toward Ganda La at around 4,900m, where the view opens across the Stok and Zanskar ranges. After the pass, the route descends for a long stretch toward Skiu, shifting from exposed high slopes into a greener valley with willow groves, water channels and village fields.
Stay: Skiu Village Homestay / Trek Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Markha
The route now follows the Markha River deeper into the valley. Compared with the previous pass day, this stage is more about distance, rhythm and heat management than steep altitude gain. You pass small settlements, chortens, mani walls, barley fields and sections of rocky trail before reaching Markha, the largest village in the valley and the cultural centre of this route.
Stay: Markha Village Homestay / Trek Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Hankar
From Markha, the trail continues upstream and the valley begins to feel more remote. The walking day is visually rich: mani walls, village fields, cliff faces, Humlung Gompa and distant views that begin to hint at Kang Yatse. Hankar sits higher in the valley, below dramatic rock formations and old fort ruins, making it one of the most atmospheric halts on the trek.
Stay: Hankar Village Homestay / Trek Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Nimaling
Leave the main village belt and climb into the high grazing country of Nimaling. This is a transition day from valley life to open alpine pasture. The trail gains altitude steadily, and the landscape widens until Kang Yatse begins to dominate the horizon. Nimaling is exposed, beautiful and cold, with big skies, grazing herds in season and one of the most memorable campsites in Ladakh.
Stay: Nimaling High Pasture Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nimaling to Chokdo via Kongmaru La
This is the biggest and most demanding day of the trek. Start early from Nimaling and climb to Kongmaru La, the highest point of the route at around 5,150m. The pass gives sweeping views across the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, but the day is far from over: the descent is long, steep and dramatic, dropping through a narrow gorge before the trail finally reaches Chokdo, where the vehicle meets you for the drive back to Leh.
Stay: Hotel Grand Willow Leh or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departure from Leh
After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for your onward flight. Keep the morning simple: pack early, leave enough time for airport checks, and avoid last-minute exertion after several days at altitude. If your flight schedule allows, the team can help with a calm departure plan from the hotel.
Stay: Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing and planning
₹38,000
- Indian private.: ₹68,000. Per person + 5% GST, based on 2 travellers unless final quote says otherwise.
- International private.: USD 1,550. Per person. Final quote depends on nationality, permits, season and crew plan.
- Premium private.: ₹92,000 / USD 2,050. Per person estimate; final pricing is confirmed after dates and rooming.
- Luxury / expedition.: On request. Custom quoted for premium hotels, upgraded camp comfort and private support.
Inclusions
- Private departure planning with route briefing, altitude pacing and permit guidance.
- Experienced English-speaking mountain guide and local trek crew.
- Town hotel nights, trek camps and village homestays as mentioned in the day-wise stay plan.
- Meals on trekking days, plus breakfast and dinner in town stays unless noted otherwise.
- Pack animals or porter support for common camping equipment and one soft duffel per guest.
- Trailhead transfers and route support as per the confirmed private itinerary.
Exclusions
- Flights, train tickets or long-distance arrival travel unless specifically included.
- Lunches in town areas, beverages, snacks and personal expenses.
- Personal trekking gear, sleeping bags, down jackets and trekking poles.
- Travel insurance, medical evacuation cover and any rescue costs.
- Tips for guide, cook, porters, drivers and local support staff.
- GST or government fee changes unless mentioned in the final quote.
Questions before you book
What is the physical demand of this trek?
The Markha Valley trek is graded as Medium to Challenging. You will cross two passes around 5,000m. Previous trekking experience is highly recommended, and a strong baseline of fitness is mandatory.
Are the river crossings difficult?
There are a few river crossings along the Markha River. Water levels depend heavily on the snowmelt and time of year. Your guide will assess the safest crossing points and provide support.
Can Markha Valley be done as a solo private trek?
Yes. We can plan it privately for a solo traveller or for your own group, with route pacing, stay style and support crew matched to your fitness.