MAJESTIC MARKHA VALLEY TREK (5 Days Chilling to Shang Sumdo)
White snow covered peaks, rocky mountain range, yaks grazing, boundless valley and overhearing mesmerizing Buddhist chants 'Nam myoho renge kyo' this will be the delightful experience of Markha Valley in Ladakh.
The Markha trek is one of the most popular trekking expeditions in Ladakh, reaches at an altitude of 3760m after 78km long journey. It passes through mesmerizing landscapes of Zingchen and Yurutse plateaus. Along with spectacular view of KangYatse peaks from high pass Kongmaru La at 5130m. With proper halts at homestays and camping sites, this trek can be completed in minimum 5 days or more depends on halting points and trekker's experience.
HOW TO START? The breathtaking experience of Markha Trek starts from Leh town, which can be reached via air or road transport. Flights are easily available from Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport, Leh. But if you want to choose a complete road trip then you can hire a taxi from Delhi/Chandigarh/Manali to Leh or a bus from Delhi/Chandigarh to Manali and then you can hire a taxi to Leh. This will take unto 2-3 days to reach Leh, or depending upon halts you want to take in journey and most importantly climate conditions.
WHEN TO VISIT? After getting acclimatized in Leh for at least 2 days, which is very essential as day temperature varies from 22-30 degree Celsius and dips to -5 degree Celsius in summer. Winters are pretty bone chilling, where all day temperature goes beyond 0 degree Celsius. So, the best time of the year to visit Markha is from June to September when all the conditions are favorable. One can visit in October too but weather is too unpredictable and rest months have quite harsh weather condition.
WHERE & HOW OF THE ITINERARY? Taking an easy start one can hire taxi from Leh to Chilling Village (60 kms), which saves time and energy too. Or else there is a trek from Spitok which involves crossing Rocky Mountains, Ganda La pass and walking down till you reach near Markha River. This adds 2-3 days of trekking in complete schedule, so most of the trekkers choose to start from Chilling. This side of the trek is a bit easy and exciting to start with.
Day 1: From Chilling trekking route begins to Siku. The distance between these two points is nearly 6.9 kms that can be covered in 2-3 hours; halt for the night can be planned here as home stays are easily available.
Day 2: Trekking is going to be little longer as the distance from Siku to Marka Village is 21 km long and it will easily take 6-7 hrs to cover. This spectacular trek goes along with Markha River while passing many beautiful small villages and reaching the village Markha at an altitude of 3760m. Home stays are available here as well.
Day 3: Now, the trail here will be quite longer as the next stop after Markha is nearly after 12 kms i.e. Tachungtse. It is a camping site situated on a little higher side of the valley at 4376m. During this journey, one can visit Techa Gompa , built on a cliff near Umlung Village and can witness Yaks grazing near passing villages. Also, before reaching Tachungtse, this trail starts becoming little difficult as the altitude ascends.
Day 4: After one night halt at Tachungtse next trail has to start as early as possible as the distance to last stop of this trekking route, Shang Sumdo is nearly 22kms which will easily take minimum 11 hrs. If you don't want to trek for this long then you can choose to stay at Nimaling campsite than at Tachungtse which is 5kms ahead.
Now on wards, the difficulty level increase a little but it is equally rewarding to eyes. The next and last trail till Shang Sumdo, you'll be passing the highest point Kongmaru La pass (5260m) and will be witnessing the spectacular view of Kang Yatse and Karakoram peaks, also don't forget to turn around and take a look at the beautiful trail you passed.
After the majestic view from Kongmaru La, the trail now goes steep down towards Shang gorge that will take directly to Shang Sumdo. There might be times when one won't be able to find the trail because of blocked or landslides but there is a possibility that some horses or shepherd with cattle might accompany or cross path. This will help you in finding the trail or making the trail and this will be your lifetime experience of beautiful Markha Trek.
From Shang Sumdo taxi is available to Leh, and if time allows one can stay for more days and enjoy the city and nearby picturesque landscapes.
Accommodations: Homestay and camping sites are available in case trekker is not planning to bring personal tent. Nimaling is quite big campsite where locals have pre fixed tents with thick matress and blankets. Rest homestays with basic food options are available in villages like Chilling, Siku, Markha, and Shang Sumdo.
Food: Don't expect any fancy, as there will be very basic food like rice, lentils, Indian bread (chapatti) or if you get acquainted with locals you might get a treat of local Tibetan cuisine.
Permit: Climbing permit will be required from Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Leh. Along with medical certificate ensuring climber's fitness for trek and an undersigned declaration form stating voluntary participation.
WHAT ALL TO PACK?- Identity Cards, Passport size photos, permits and copy of all these things are very essential.- Durable trekking shoes with woolen socks (at least 2 pairs)- Warm clothes (thermal inner, woolen cap, gloves etc)- Fleece, trekking pants, winter jacket and windcheater- For Sun protection: Hat/Cap, Sunglasses and mandate sun lotion- Water Bottle (only natural water from water streams is available)- First Aid Kit with personal medicine (add Diamox tablets or alternative for altitude sickness)- Little things but most essentials : Torch, some covers for garbage and wet clothes, whistle, power bank for camera or phone, swizz knife and some chocolates.
Let's pack it up and get ready to the most amazing trekking experience of your life.