Markha Valley is one of the popular destinations among trekkers, making trekking in Ladakh a fun and adventurous activity. Markha Valley Trek has been quite popular among trekkers. Choose your Leh-Ladakh Packages today and hop on board.
Trekking has always been a fun activity and for travellers like us, every trek is an opportunity to explore and unwind.
Leh, the most famous destination of Ladakh, is popular among youngsters who are always up for exploring new places and adventures.
When you trek through the Markha Valley, you pass through the arid region of the burned-out trails.
Tucked in deep valleys, this trek is surrounded by high mountains, providing stunning backdrops.
The Markha Valley is famous for being home to remote villages, Buddhist monasteries, rugged terrains and ease of accessibility from Leh. Due to this reason, it is one of the popular destinations for trekking among adventure enthusiasts, making Markha Valley Trek more enjoyable.
It also has a picturesque fort that has been long abandoned. The valley has a Markha Village and a Markha River, blessed with picturesque views. The route to Leh starts from Markha Village only.
The trekking trail begins from the lower Markha Valley, ascending to alpine grasslands.
The Village is proof in itself of the old civilisations of Ladakh in the form of castles, forts and ruins.
Back in the time, the place was full of snow leopards, but now the number of snow leopards and wolves has been reduced significantly.
The Nimaling Plateau of Ladakh is one beautiful peak and a significant tourist attraction. It is one of the highest campsites, located at an elevation of 1500 ft above sea level, with stunning views of Kang Yatse Peaks.
After crossing the Ganda La Pass, you will come across the Markha River and witness the rice and barley fields and a few Ladakhi Villages.
This 8-day trek brings in a blend of lush greenery as well as barren landscapes that will definitely make it a trek of a lifetime.
The trail is full of thrill and adventure as you traverse through a few monasteries on the way, tiny hamlets of the Ladakhi people and Buddhist monuments. The trail reflects the culture and history of the Union territory when the area was still barren and unexplored by the world.
On your Markha Valley trek, you will also come across several shops where you can take a halt, and have a nice cup of tea or maggie. You can have other hot and cold beverages to revamp from the strenuous hike and then continue your trek.
Markha Valley is said to be the largest among the rest of the valleys, so your trek is going to be a lot of fun, and as you gain altitude, you will feel revitalised.
Several monasteries will be on the way, out of which the Tacha Monastery will win your heart. Although the Markha Valley trek follows a dry trail, you will come across rivers such as Indus, Markha, and other streams will be there as well.
The trekking trail goes as far as the Hemis National Park, so you are in for some stunning views; you will also witness various treasured fauna of the region, including snow leopards, rabbits, argali, and mountain sheep. All these can be spotted at each campsite, so you will have plenty of pictures to take back home, not just of the spellbinding views but also of the beautiful species here.
Two cardinal passes en route will be Ganda La and Kongmaru Lu, and these passes are particularly famous for providing stunning infinite views of the mighty Himalayas and the Ladakhi Mountains, so you can imagine how beautiful that would be.
Some of the basic things that you need to know before starting your Markha Valley Trek:
- Trekking Shoes: Ensure that you carry your trekking shoes while trekking because you will be travelling a long distance, and you need to be comfortable the entire time. You may also encounter some snow, so ensure your shoes are waterproof.
- Backpack: You must carry your backpack, which should be able to carry at least 40-60 litres and have enough space to carry your camping equipment.
You should have a minimum of three layers of clothing because Nimaling is quite windy, and you need to protect yourself. A padded jacket is a must, which is windproof. Keep two track pants, and a raincoat, just in case it begins to rain.
Accessories
- Sunglasses: The sun rays at the hills are blinding, and sunglasses are a must.
- Sunscreen: The heat waves can cause sunburns if your skin is sensitive, and even if it doesn’t leave a sunburn, it will give you a tan you will regret when you return. So it’s advisable to keep sunscreen to protect yourself.
Bring your toiletries, hand gloves, two water bottles, and plenty of electrolytes.
Ensure that you drink enough water. Taking a small sip now and then would help you a lot. Trekking may dehydrate you, and before you realise it, you may start feeling uneasy.
