Markha Valley Trek with Kang Yatse

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The Markha Valley Trek is one of the most diverse and attractive Himalayan Trek. It has gigantic rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, slender defiles and prayer-flagged passes.

Kang Yatse lies south east of Leh and it is situated in Markha Valley on the top of Nimaling Plateau. This beautiful peak is a desire for all the trekkers coming to the Markha Valley, as they can see the majestic sights of this outstanding peak while trekking there.

There are two peaks, one is easy and non-technical 6200mts high, and the other one is technical 6400mts high. Though there are many options for this summit, but the best way is to do it with the Markha Valley trek in which 6 days are for acclimatization trek from Spituk to Hankar, 4-5 days to reach up to summit and back to base camp and 2-3 days from base to Nimaling and then to Shang Sumdo Via Gongmarula 5150mts.

The acclimatization trek will include trekking at high altitudes where one gets used to the cold. We also get to view the wild life and camping in tents. We visit local villages on the way which exposes us to the life in the cold regions. Thereafter for the entire trip we trek along various trails and visit monasteries.

Day 01: Spituk to Zingchen (4-5 hours)

After an early start from Leh, we will travel by jeep to Spituk, where horses will be waiting to carry our equipments. The trek will begin along an old jeep road into a parched and exposed region, so water and sunscreen are absolutely vital. After plodding through the shattered land for 3-hours, we will enter the lush Zingchen Valley, where the Rumbak River flows into the mighty Indus. Further into the valley lies our campsite, in the two-house hamlet of Zingchen (meaning 'big field'). The rest of the day may be spent relaxing, or even taking a dip in the stream.

Day 02: Zingchen to Ganda La base (3-4 hours)

On this day, we will enter Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the wild life which consists of the snow leopard, Lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), Arghali (great Tibetan sheep), Blue sheep, Red fox, Tibetan wolf, Dhole (wild dog), Marmot and Mountain hare. After paying the entrance fee, we will climb gradually through a beautiful gorge that will unveil the imposing Stok Range from time to time. Before reaching Rumbak, we will stop at a teahouse run by women from the village. After a warm cup of tea, we will continue through Rumbak, and pass by the house of Yurutse village, before reaching camp at the base of Ganda La (4545m). From our campsite, we can see a spectacular view of Stok Kangri and the whole of the Stok range.

Day 03: Ganda La base to Skiu via Gandala 4900 m (6-7 hours)

After a light breakfast, we will begin our 2-hr ascend to Ganda La. The views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges will leave you breathless. The usual chorten and prayer flags mark the top of the pass, where one may see blue sheep and marmots roaming the hills. After a short rest, we will make a gradual hour-long descent to Shingo and break for lunch. We will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m). Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins of an old castle (once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar).

Day 04: Skiu to Markha (7-8 hours)

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 the peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshments. After crossing 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.

Day 05: Markha to Thachungtse (5-6 hours)

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 awarded 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, where we will camp.

Day 06: Thachungtse to Kangyatse Base Camp (4-6 hours)

On this day, the trail will lead us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to graze during the summer months and then we will reach the Base Camp 5000mts. From here we see some of the most spectacular views of Kang Yatse to the right, the Zangskar Range and the Markha Valley below.

Day 07: Base camp – High camp (4 hrs)

This day is crucial, so we will spend the morning recuperating from the last few days' fatigue. After sufficient rest, we will embark on a steep 2–hour climb to High Camp (5500 m). Although the distance is quite short, the altitude makes the hike quite strenuous.

Day 08: High camp – Summit - Nimaling (9-10 hrs)

The final push, beginning at 2 am, will be both physically and mentally challenging. But once atop the summit (6200m), the surrounding scenery of Tibet is awe-inspiring. With the beautiful panoramic views of the Zanskar and the mighty Karakoram ranges, all of our numbing pains will melt away in a warm glow of success. After spending an hour on top of the world, we will descend to Nimaling, where we will while away the afternoon, relaxing and congratulating each other on a job well done.

Day 09: Nimaling to Shangsumdo via Kongmarula 5200 m (7 hours)

After a hearty breakfast, we will cross Kongmaru La, the highest pass on the trek. Here we will 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 other worldly 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.

Day 10: Shangsumdo to Leh via Martselang (2 hours trek, 1 hour drive)

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. On the way to Leh, it will be possible to visit some of the great monasteries of Ladakh such as Thikse, Hemis and Shey.