This trek is the most sought after trekking destination for it offers amazing journey through Leh the capital of Ladakh region with spell-binding views of High Himalayan and Karakoram Ranges. Along with the insightful cultural exploration, you get plenty time for acclimatization. You can capture magnificent sights of Karakoram ranges and Leh valley from an outstanding vantage point at Kongmaru La pass situated at an elevation of 5200m. The trek journeys through rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, narrow defiles, willow groves, glaciated passes, chortens, and walls festooned with multi-hued prayer flags, quaint villages, irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, yak pastures and nomadic settlements. If nature favors you, you may even get to spot exotic fauna like Himalayan Blue Sheep, Ibex and snow leopard. By the end of the trek, you get extensive knowledge on Markha valley and completely fulfilling indelible travel experience.
Trip length: 15 Days
Grade: Moderate to fairly challenging
Starts in: Delhi
Ends in: Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel & camping
Transportation: Flights & private car
ITINERARY:
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Our staff will meet you at New Delhi Airport and escort you with warm reception and utmost hospitality from New Delhi airport to your hotel. After giving you the thorough briefings about your travel plan, you can thereon enjoy your leisure time according to your wish.
Day 02: Visit Delhi
The entire day in New Delhi will be exclusively planned to guide you around the major attractions of New Delhi. The sightseeing tour begins shortly after breakfast. The 17th century Red Fort which was built by the great Mughal Shah Jahan gives you delightful reflection on the India history. On approaching Jama Masjid, you get some insights into Muslim religion culture and belief. India Gate is another living pride of New Delhi and it is also a reminder of the World War. You will also have a pleasure to visit President Palace, an official residence of India’s President. Thereafter, the journey takes you to Qutab Minar. At the end of the day, you finally head back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03: Fly to Leh.
Very early morning flight will bring you to Leh, the capital town of Ladakh. At an altitude of 3505 meters, Leh lies at the base of Khardung La on the north of the Indus River bank. Our Ladakhi staff will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Leh.
Day 04 & 05: Visit Leh & it surrounds.
Your entire days in Leh are exclusively planned guided tour in Leh & its surrounds, the cultural heart of Ladakh. Shey, Hemis and Thiskey monasteries are the major highlights of the tour, and also the fertile valley, historical monuments and Buddhist houses. While touring around in this valley, you will observe that the town resembles Tibetan culture and distinctively influenced by Buddhism. Leh has several houses with terraced roofs. 16th century Leh Palace was built by King Tashi Namgyal is one of the major attractions of Leh. On climbing up the stairs of the palace, you reach an ideal vantage point to sights the magnificent view of Leh valley. On heading 15km away from Leh, Shey monastery springs into picture. Built amazingly on a hill, this monastery looks scintillating with its two-storey statue of the sitting Buddha adorned in copper and gold. If you turn to the east of Shey gompa, you can see several chortens. Further on, and then your guide will escort you to Hemis gompa, situated 49km south of Leh on the upper Ladakh. This is the biggest monastery built in 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and being headquarter of the Red Hat Drukpa Kagyu order administers all the monasteries of Ladakh. Lamas need to be trained at Hemis monastery prior to working for other monasteries at Leh, Shey, and Bazgo. It is believed that this monastery possesses the largest thankas in Ladakh which is displayed once in every 12 years. In June or July it depends on lunar calendar of the year, you can see a very important festival of masked dances at this site. Equally fascinating is Thiskey monastery which rests 19km away from Leh town. It has the biggest library in Ladakh, accommodates 60 Lamas, and houses historic statues, stupas and thankas. This monastery is most dotted for its picturesque panorama of verdant Indus Valley. Eventually, after sightseeing you will head back to your hotel and enjoy with the service at the hotel and get ready to enjoy another insightful sightseeing tour around Leh on the second day. Visits to Spituk and Phyang are the two major attractions. On following the trail along the Kargil road 10km away from Leh, you will come across Spituk monastery. Nestled high on a hill, Spituk monastery overlooks breathtaking view of the Indus. Historic thankas and statues are the prides of this site. There are several statues of Kali at this monastery and once in a year Kali’s face is unveiled before her devotees. You can find the reformist Gelugs-pa or Yellow-Hat sect at this monastery. Phyang gompa is another such religious site which represents diversity of India’s culture and tradition.
Day 06: Trek via Zinchen to Kandala Base
Early in the morning, shortly after breakfast, you will transfer and start trekking from Zinchen towards Kandala base. En route, the trail meanders past pristine village of Rumbak. As you near Yurutse, you have to cross a bridge. You get to halt for lunch and thereafter head further towards Kandala Base where you will camp for the night.
Day 07: Trek to Shingo
Soon after breakfast you ascend for 3-4 hours to reach atop Kandala Base. After lunch the trail descends and leads to a beautiful village of Shingo. Your camp will be pitched at a superb location. After dinner you can go to good night sleep.
Day 08: Trek to Skiu
To day the trek that follows very pleasure able and involves easy trail. Amidst the breathtaking gorges and natural vistas set as perfect backdrops, you walk for 3 to 4 hours. Lunch will be served during the trekking. Finally, you arrive at your campsite in Skiu and you will accommodate yourself for the night in your camp.
Day 09: Trek to Markha 3800m.
To day the trail continues in the morning immediately after breakfast. The trail runs parallel to Markha River. Lush vegetation, stunning flora and fauna offers you awesome visual treat on the way. You halt for a while to lunch and thereafter head for your destination. 6-7 hours of trekking finally ends in Markha.
Day 10: Trek to Thochungtse 4250m.
After enjoying your great breakfast, you walk past Markha towards Thochungtse. Several descents bring you close to a monastery. Further ahead the trail crosses a bridge and enters traditional villages of Humlung and Hankar. You get few minutes of cultural immersion as you talk to local people who you will find very friendly and hospitable. This culturally-stimulating journey progresses towards the destination after lunch. 5-6 hours of trekking finally concludes in Thochungtse. Dinner will be served after setting your camp.
Day 11: Trek to Nimaling 4730m.
As usual, you will start your trekking shortly after breakfast. Walking away from Thochungtse you follow the trail that ascends to Nimaling. The trail passes by a series of grassy ridges. As you move towards Nimaling, chortens and walls carved with Buddhist prayers become visible. After covering 7 km, you will approach rich pastures of Nimaling. Amid the unsurpassed beauty of Nimaling valley and you get to your camp.
Day 12: Trek via Kongmaru La pass to Shang Sumdo.
Leaving behind Nimaling, you start trekking towards Kongmaru La pass and then reaching to atop of the pass at an elevation of 5200 m. You can catch breath taking outstanding view of Karakoram ranges and Leh valley from the pass. Several pristine village settlements can also be sighted. Thereafter, the trail descends further down to meets gorges and follows the left bank to Chumiktangmo. After lunch, you continue your journey towards Shang Sumdo where you camp for the night.
Day 13: Trek to Martselang & Transferred to Leh.
After breakfast, you will be going to descend through rock-strewn route and then cross the gorge. Further ahead and you enter to Martselang village, the final stage of your trek. Our transport staff will be waiting for you to receive you in Martselang and they will escort you to Leh.
Day 14: Fly to Delhi.
You have to have very early breakfast and you will be transfer to Leh airport for your flight board to Delhi where you will be chauffeured to your hotel by our staff.
Day 15: Final departure.
You will be transferred to the New Delhi international airport for your flight back to home. We ensure that you will leave India with cherishing memory and an experience of a lifetime. |
