The Markha Valley is located in the arid mountain desert of Ladakh, and it is formed by the stunning river valley within the Hemis National Park. The trek through the Markha Valley is very picturesque and relatively remote.
It is a camping trek, with tents, a field kitchen, horses, and everything we need for trekking in the remote region of Ladakh.
The trek follows the river, and currently, jeeps can travel as far as the village of Markha. Our trail will partly follow the road and partly the original paths. Towards the end, we will cross the Kongmaru La Pass at an elevation of 5200 meters. The route offers excellent views of Mt. Kang Yatse (6,400 m). Along the way, there are also incredible rocky canyons and a variety of wildlife.
However, the most enchanting part of the trek is the beautiful villages in the Markha Valley. Modest mud houses amidst lush green fields, with magnificent views in the middle of the barren Ladakhi mountains. These villages are a hub of Tibetan culture, with traditional decorated kitchens and Buddhist prayer flags.
After crossing the Kongmaru La Pass and descending to the village of Chogdo, jeeps will pick us up and take us back to civilization, to the heart of the region – Leh, in about two hours. After a day of rest, we will face the next challenge: we will take jeeps to the base of the 6,000-meter peak, UT Kangri. The Himalayas in this area resemble the Low Tatras or Western Tatras in character.
The ascent of UT Kangri is technically easy and straightforward, with no glaciers, crevasses, or need for securing (upper parts with snow). The usual duration of the ascent is 5–6 hours. After descending to the base camp, we will rest and then descend to the road where jeeps will take us back to Leh.
It is also possible to replace the UT Kangri ascent with a cultural program in the Ladakhi valley (visiting monasteries, optional trips, or relaxation). This trek in many ways is comparable to trekking in Tibet or Upper Mustang, as it is geographically and culturally part of Tibet.
Ladakh offers an incredible number of ubiquitous Buddhist monasteries. Many of them resemble castles perched on high rocky cliffs.
Accommodation on this trek is in tents, two people per tent, and a sleeping bag is required. The group will also have a communal tent, a table, chairs, a kitchen tent, food, and drinks for the trek. The camping equipment will be carried by horses.
The trek itself is not difficult, but it is at high altitude—3,400 to 5,200 meters above sea level. The daily elevation gains are moderate. The weather in June is warm and relatively stable.
Accommodation in Leh is in a European-standard hotel. The entire trek and ascent (arrival/departure) lasts 14 days, and we will undertake it in the company of Slovak Himalayan guide Michal Gabriž. We will also be accompanied by a local guide, cook, and other necessary staff. The trekking group is limited to a maximum of 10 people.
