Beyond The Markha- Valley Trek (Ladakh)

Assistance on arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport

Arrive Delhi, the Political Capital of India. Delhi is history, and the monuments are tablets on which the history is written. Every conqueror did his best to possess Delhi and make it his capital. It is not a single city but a combination of eight cities that have been established here from as early as 900 BC to 1930 when the British completed the construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. It is therefore not surprising that the monuments of Delhi successfully mirror the development of the architectural styles in the country. On arrival, once you have completed the Immigration formalities and collected your baggage, please proceed to the arrival lounge where you will be welcomed by the TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive holding a placard who will assist you with a transfer.

Full day city tour of old and New Delhi visiting Jama masjid with rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and Qutab minar

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, begin with a drive past Red Fort to reach Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built in red sandstone. Between the mosque and Chandni Chowk is a narrow shop-lined street along which you will be transported by cycle rickshaws on your most exhilarating journey of the tour. Thereafter visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, dedicated to 8th Sikh Guru Sri Harkishen Sahib and located in the heart of the city. One can visit the main complex barefooted only, covering one’s head. Visit Qutub Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphically decorated interiors and also inscriptions of verses of Holy Quran.

Flight to Leh

Assistance on departure and transfer to Delhi airport to board flight to Leh, the land of beautiful landscapes that are with never ending gorgeous vistas. Often described as a moonscape, this desolate high-altitude desert is a kingdom of mysticism and mystery. With a superabundance of attractions to visit and fabulous landscapes, amazing people and culture, like a land of no other, Ladakh is truly a heaven on earth.

Assistance on arrival at airport, afternoon free to explore the market

Upon your arrival at Leh airport collect your luggage and proceed to the arrival lounge. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS tour executive will meet you holding a placard. He will assist with transfer and check-in at hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the market and surrounding and get acclimatise to the weather.

Full day sightseeing tour of Leh

Start your day with the visit to Shey, the former capital of Ladakh region and erstwhile home to the Ladakhi royalty. The main attraction at Shey is Shey Palace, the erstwhile royal residence of the Ladakh monarchs, built by Ladakh king Deldan Namgyal in 1655 AD. Currently serving as a centre of Buddhism, it houses Shey Monastery, which had the largest golden Buddha statue towering 39 feet. From here move on and discover the largest Gompa of central Ladakh at Thiksey Monastery. The 12 story complex of the monastery belonging to Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, strikingly resembles the Potala Palace of Tibet. Apart from housing many important items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords, the Thiksey monastery, it also houses the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha in Ladakh standing 49ft tall. Later visit the Hemis monastery, more famous for the annual Hemis festival held here, the monastery was established in 1672.

Visit to Tsemo Monastery, Japanese Peace Pagoda

Today we will have an acclimatisation walk around the Leh Valley. Set above Leh on the Namgyal Hill, are the ruins of the Old Royal Palace. From here a winding path takes us to Tsemo Monastery, from where we enjoy a magnificent view of Leh and its surrounding villages. Descending round the back of the palace we walk via Sankar to the Japanese Peace Pagoda, which overlooks Leh with stunning views of the town and the Stok range of mountains across the valley.

Travel to Zinchen and Trek to Rumbak (1 hr Drive & 3 Hrs Trek)

We drive via Stakna village and alongside the Indus River to reach the tiny settlement of Zinchen (3380m). It will not take long for our packhorses to be loaded before commence our trek that gradually ascends a spectacular gorge to the village of Rumbak (3960m). Our camp (3850m) is located just below the village.

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Ganda La

A short day today for acclimatisation. We head up the main valley past a watermill and to a bridge, which we cross. The trail ascends the valley gradually and when the valley splits we take the right-hand fork up past the one-house village of Yurutse. Leaving the fields behind we ascend towards the Ganda La and camp tonight. In the afternoon there will be an acclimatisation walk on the hills around camp. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 4,539m).

Check in at Tented camp

Upon arrival Check in at Tented camp.

Travel to Skiu

A long day today as we cross our first pass. Behind us, Stok Kangri dominates the skyline. Finally, we reach the top of the Ganda La (4,970m) decked with colourful prayer flags. Ahead is the Zanskar Range and behind are the Stok Mountains. As we descend keep an eye open for marmots and blue sheep, both of which seem to thrive in these high altitude spots. From Shingo, the trail takes us through a spectacular gorge to the small hamlet of Skiu. We camp around Skiu overnight. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,360m).

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Markha

The trail gradually ascends the Markha Valley passing a few small settlements en route to Markha (3770m) the largest village in the valley where we will visit the derelict fort above the village and the gompa that has recently been renovated by funds from trekkers and Hemis monastery. From Markha, we continue up the valley (with one river crossing) just before the village of Umlung. A few km beyond the village the valley widens and the imposing peak of Kangyaze (6400m) can be appreciated before reaching Hankar (3980m), the highest village in the Markha Valley. *Full-service Camping .

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Thachungtse

Just beyond Markha, the trail meets the Chacham Valley. We will have one or two river crossings this morning. Just after the river crossings is Tache gompa, set way above us on the cliff face. There is time to visit the most important monastery in the valley. It is a steep 10-minute climb up to the small temple but the stunning views from the top are well worth the effort. Continuing up the valley we walk through Umlung village to Hankar where there are more impressive fort ruins and a small gompa here we stop for lunch. From Hankar the trail turns off from the main valley, climbs up a small side valley past the ruins of Hankar Fort before dropping down to Upper Hankar. Climbing more we now follow the Nimaling stream to Thachungtse where we camp. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 4,250m.

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Nimaling

A short but quite tough walk today to Nimaling. The trail climbs steeply to a plateau where the valley opens out. Ahead are spectacular views of Kang Yangtse, at 6,400m, the highest peak in the valley. In this area, there is no permanent habitation but during the summer months, the shepherds bring their flocks of sheep, goats and dzos (cow-yak cross breeds) to graze on the high altitude pasture. In the evenings, the animals are brought down from the hills and it is quite usual to have hundreds of them wandering through the campsite. We should get to Nimaling by lunchtime and in the afternoon, there is an optional walk up behind camp towards Kang Yangtse for a close-up view of Kang Yangtse. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 4,854m).

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Chokodo

It a long day as we cross our second, and highest, pass of the trek. Our trail begins today by climbing to the Gongmaru La. It is a fairly long, steep ascent zigzagging to the top of the pass at 5,286m, but the views from the top are worth the effort. Looking back we see Kang Yangtse, Dzo Jongo East and West and Regoni Malari. Ahead there are views of the Stok Range and down to the Indus valley. Passing through Chuskurmo we continue our long descent crossing the river several times to the village of Chokodo and camp overnight.*Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,980m).

Check in at Tented camp

On arrival check-in at your tented accommodation.

Travel to Leh

This morning we drive to Hemis Monastery though very occasionally the road gets blocked and our transport cannot make it so we will then need to walk down the jeep track to Hemis. Hemis was once the largest and richest of all the Ladakhi monasteries. A wander around the dimly lit temples containing grotesque yet beautiful masks and statues will take us back hundreds of years in time. We should get to Leh for lunch and the rest of the day is free for last-minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars.

Assistance on arrival

On arrival, you will be assisted with the transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore the market and surrounding and get acclimatized to the weather of Leh.

Assistance on departure to airport

Early morning assisted departure transfer to Leh airport to board the flight to onward destination.