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In comparison to Nepal, Ladakh has relatively few trekkers, and although you are still in the Greater Himalaya the scenery is so different you would hardly know that you were in the same range. It is often called 'Little Tibet' and lying north of the main chain it receives little rainfall. The scenery is stark and dramatic - deep gorges, alluvial fans, contorted starta, large Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, flat-topped mud-brick houses in oasis-like villages, snow-capped mountains and grand distances.
The Markha valley epitomises the best of this scenery. It has giant rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, narrow defiles, prayer-flagged passes and evidence of a much older civilisation, the history of which has been lost in antiquity. As you trek up the valley, there are the ruins of many forts and castles, some built in some pretty unlikely places!
It is fairly long trek, crossing a pass of over 17,000ft/5,182m, which can be achieved in just under 3 weeks and has the fine objective of visiting the base camp of the highest peak in the Zanskar range, Kang Yatse, 21,500ft/6,553m.
We have run this trek many times, usually as private itineraries. People are always highly enthusiastic and come back with a feeling of real achievement. Great value as a classic with a Ladakhi sirdar.
Duration: 18 Days.
Trekking: 09 Days
Area: Ladakh (Western Himalaya).
Best Time: June to September.
Weather: Warm sunny days and cold nights.
Focus: Tibetan religion & culture, High valleys, flora & fauna, Monasteries & Monks
Suggested program :
Day 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Assistance and garland welcome upon arrival. Transfer to hotel.
Day 02 AT DELHI
Today we will take you for combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, drive past Chandani Chowk and visit Raj Ghat-the cremation site of Gandhi. In New Delhi visit Qutab Minar-234 feet high tower, nearby stands the Iron pillar, the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, the modern Birla Mandir Temple. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President's House, which was once the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and Secretarial buildings. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 03 DELHI / LEH
Early morning transfer to the International Airport to board Leh bound flight. The one-hour classic flight over the majestic Himalayas brings you to Leh, the Buddhist influenced kingdom of Ladakh. Arrive and transfer to the Ladakhi style hotel. A day of complete rest to acclimatize to the arid high altitude of Leh (3100 meters) Evening a very brief walk in the bazaar and also to attend a Ladakhi folk cultural show. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 04 AT LEH
After breakfast leave for a halfday sightseeing trip to visit the Shankar monastery which is about 200 years old, it contains plethora of impressive images and frescoes with huge statue of Aloketesvara-with 1000 arms and heads.
Next visit the Japanese built peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa). The Pagoda was built about 11 years back. The winding road leading to it offers enthralling views of the countryside. Crowned with massive dome, this stupa is a reminiscent of Nalanda & Rajgir stupas. This grand structure is the symbol of the spiritual ties between the people of Ladakh and Japan.
Finally visit the ruined Leh Palace a look a like of the Patola Palace of Lhasa in Tibet. The Palace was built strategically on the hilltop in the 18th. Century. You will have fabulous views of the Indus valley below. Afternoon visit a Ladakhi Buddhist family and share a cup of rancid butter tea, tsampa (roasted barley) and tschang (fermented barley beer), and see their way of living. Evening free.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 05 AT LEH
Today after breakfast leave for a full day sightseeing to visit the Alchi and Lamayuru monasteries, driving via Nimmu-the confluence point where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet, creating a beautiful scenic spot. Alchi Gompa is built on a low land, quite unusual than the other monasteries in Ladakh which are perched on hilltops. The Gompa is noted for its massive Buddha Statues and lavish woodcarvings and the only example of Kashmir -style wall paintings in the area. There are also many chortens around the village. The Alchi Gompa, believed to be 900 years old is about 70 Kms. from Leh.
At Alchi we will be having our pack lunch. We drive little further to visit the Lamayuru Gompa. Legend has it that the upper reaches of this valley were once filled by a vast lake. The sage Naropa miraculously breached this. The site of the breach was revered, and became the location of the monastery, which was built in the 10th. Century. One of the original temples is situated just beyond the main assembly hall and has been renovated.Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 06 LEH / SPITOK / ZINGCHEEN
In the morning we transfer by Jeep to Spitok monastery and after a brief visit to the monastery we travel by foot to Zingchen. The first few hours is walking on the plains until we reach the Markha river gorge and from here a gradual climb takes us to the small hidden village of Zingchen.
Arrive and overnight stay in Camps.
Day 07 ZINGCHEN / RIMBIK / BASE of GANDA La
After breakfast, gradual ascent takes us to Base of Ganda La Pass. En route we pass the village of Rimbik. Arrive at the Base Camp and overnight stay in Camps.
Day 08 BASE of GANDA LA / SKIU
Leave early morning and cross Ganda La Pass (4900 meters) You will have beautiful views of the Zanskar and in the distance the Karakoram ranges. After the crossover it is long easy descent to Skiu. There is a small monastery at Skiu and a derelict for tress on the cliff above our riverside camp. Arrive at the village and overnight stay in Camps.
Day 09 SKIU / MARKHA
Crossing and recrossing the Markha Stream, we make a long day's walk of around 7 hours to Markha village. The trail passes through quite lush vegetation at the riverside, whilst the upper valley-slopes are uniformly brown and dry. There are bridges at many of the more difficult crossing places. There are number of well-maintained chortens and prayer walls on the way.
Arrive at the village and overnight stay in Camps.
Day 10 AT MARKHA
A day of rest and explore the area. On the hill to the north of Markha there is a small gompa. The resident monk will be happy to show you the ancient wall paintings and festival masks. Overnight stay at the Camps.
Day 11 MARKHA / TATCHUTSHE
Continue above Markha village, trekking eastwards, deeper into the Markha valley to camp at Tatchutshe. During 6 hours walk we pass some impressive monasteries, some ruined and some intact, a testament to the fact that this valley was once more populous than it is today. In this area we are likely to see small herds of blue sheep (bharal) which often come right down to the river to graze. Overnight stay at the Camps.
Day 12 TATCHUTSHE / NIMALING
The walk further takes us to the head of the valley with the good views of the prominent peak of the Kang Yatze (6'400 meters). Passing a well-maintained wolf pit, we cross the Markha stream on a bridge and start a steeper climb up towards the high plains known as Nimaling. The blue sheep's, golden marmots and large hares, the other impressive wildlife in the area are the birds of prey, including lammergiers and golden eagles. Overnight stay in the Camps.
Day 13 NIMALING / KONGMARU LA / SHYANG
Morning after breakfast we climb the highest pass of our trip. The climb is relatively easy and at the pass there are scenic view of the Ladakh and Stok range of mountains. From the pass there is a steep scree slope leading all the way to your camp on the other side of the pass.
Arrive at your camp and overnight stay at the Camp.
Day 14 SHYANG / HEMIS
We continue our descent, passing a couple of impressive houses, the impressive houses, the highest in the valley and then another section of rocky gorge. Via the village of Martsylag we reach Hemis. After lunch we visit the monastery of Hemis. Overnight stay at the Camps.
Day 15 HEMIS / LEH
Morning our waiting jeeps will take us back to our hotel in Leh, covering about 45 Kms. and on the way we visit the monasteries. Shey was once the residence of the royal family and is famous for its 8.5-meter high copper gilded statue of Buddha. In the afternoon visit the Thikshey Gompa, which is one of the most impressive monasteries and is famous for its collection of various images, stupas, ancient tankhas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two-storied statue of Buddha. Later in the late afternoon return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 16 AT LEH
Morning free time. Today you may just relax at the hotel terrace, sipping local tea and enjoying the mesmerizing views or visit Ladakh Ecological Center or some shopping in the Tibetan bazaars of Leh town. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 17 LEH / DELHI
Morning transfer to the Leh airport to board Delhi bound flight. Upon arrival in Delhi assistance and check into the hotel. Afternoon visit to the Lotus temple and Qutab Minar. Evening witness the Dances of India show followed by farewell Dinner at the Village Bistro complex. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 18 LEAVE DELHI
Departure transfer to the International Airport to board next days' early morning flight for onward destination.
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(This web page last reviewed on 01st. Dec. 2009)
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