Markha Valley Trek

Overview

Markha Valley Trek

One of the most popular treks in the Ladakh region is the Markha Valley Trek that tickles the mind of several adventurers travelling to Ladakh. It is a traditional journey that passes through various landscapes, wildlife territory and remote villages. The Markha Valley Trek when winds onto the Hemis National Park and Rumbuk Valley, one can acquaint some of the rare species of the Himalayan belt and if you are fortunate enough you may encounter a Snow Leopard. Nonetheless the valley also hosts several species like the lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), Arghali (great Tibetan sheep), Blue sheep, Red fox, Tibetan wolf, Dhole (wild dog), Marmot and Mountain hare. Moreover this part of trekking in Ladakh region also offers serious birding that catches the eye of trekkers and bustling them with many snaps.

The Markha Valley Trek also delves into the remote and hard folklore of the Rumbuk village followed by Yurutse and Markha that fetches the explorers to mull over the indigenous culture of the Indo-Tibetans. One may also live their lifestyle for a night stepping onto the floor of traditional home stays. Further the trekking trail in Ladakh region also carves your way up to the shrines like Lhatos and Mani before entering Markha village. The journey winds and trails up to the Kongmaru La at 5100 meter wherefrom one can capture the spectacular view of the hulking high Kang Yatze peak and northwards to the peaks of the Tibetan border.

The traditional Markha Valley Trek commences from Spituk and heads up to Ganda La en route Zingchen and thereafter to Skiu, which is an isolated village and host an old monastery and ruins of an old castle that was once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar. From Skiu the tracks lead to Markha and thereby to Shangsumdo via Kongmaru La.