Markha Valley Trek is also known as the Tea House Trek for a reason. It is because the trek offers trekkers the chance of staying in local homestays and experiencing the teahouses. Along the route, you'll come across several villages that provide a glimpse into the traditional Ladakhi way of life. Unlike other parts of the Himalayas, Ladakh is not normally hit by the Monsoon. Therefore summer (June to September) is the best trekking season.

Day 1 Arrival In Leh
For better acclimatisation reasons we highly insist that the trekkers reach Leh a day prior to the reporting date. Delhi to Leh flight is spectacular and a tourist’s delight. One can see the Snow capped endless ridges and mountains of Ladakh, Zanskar and Eastern Karakoram range. In the later stage the river Indus is clearly seen and the monasteries on top of the hills. Leh is one of the most popular tourist destination for tourist worldwide in India and known as centre of Little Tibet. There are several hotel/lodge/home stay scattered throughout the city. Restaurants and eateries cater people of different continents. However during winter the tourist influx is limited and most of the shops, restaurants including the hotels remain closed. There are limited choices of North, South or Kashmiri food in the main market strip. Spend the afternoon buying last minute items like rubber gummed boots, gloves, cap etc. Night stay in Lodge/Home-Stay/Hotel.

Day 2 Around Leh
Today is spent in Leh. You may arrive today morning if not able to reach Leh on Day 0 (But this is NOT advisable). Stroll in the local Leh market for the things that you need to buy. After lunch take a walk to Leh castle. Night stay in Lodge/Hotel.

Day 3 Drive to Tilat Sumdo: 75 Km - 3/4 hours
In the morning by car reach Tilat Sumdo (~3170m/10400ft). We take the NH1 (Srinagar Leh highway) and the road descends slowly till Nimmo which is the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river. The start difference between the flowing pattern is surprising. While Indus flows steadily, Zanskar remains frozen. After Nimmo we leave the main highway and enter in to the Zanskar valley and slowly ascend following the river course. This road will eventually connect Padum, the capital of Zanskar to Leh and cut short the road distance to a third to the present road via Kargil. Distance is 75Km and can take around 4 hours. After unloading the logistic we carefully descend to the river bed. The camp is beside the frozen river bed and there are few caves which are used by the local support staffs for night shelter. . “Sum” means 3 in Zanskari language. A tributary named Yunglam joins here with Zanskar. After taking the hot lunch walk around on ice to get the feel of it. This is a cold and windy place indeed in the night. Night stay in tent.

Day 4 Trek to Shingra Kongma: 10 Km - 5/6 hours
Today morning we start our trek to Shingra Kongma (~3270m, 10725ft). Mornings are typically cold at Tital Sumdo. Water freezes quickly inside bottle. We start our trek on the frozen bed of the river. Walk slowly to get adjusted with this typical terrain. Depending on the current condition of the Chadar either we walk on the left or right of the ice sheet. In 3 hours we reach Shingra Yongma. This is a good spot to take the hot lunch enroute. The river valley is wide here and a suitable place to camp. Walking for another ohour or so we notice a cave on our left ( True right of the river) and prayer flags. This place is called Bakula Bao. From here we follow the river course to reach our campsite for today named Shingra Kongma. Kongma means “Up” and Yongma means “down” in Zanskari dialect. The camping site is on our right ( True left of the river ) and can easily accommodate 10/12 tents. Distance is around 10 Km take and may take 5/6 hours. Night stay in tent.

Day 5 Trek to Tibb: 12 Km - 6/7 hours
Today we trek to Tibb (~3370m/11050ft). The river takes a turn from Shingra Kongma and then goes straight for a while. There are frozen waterfalls on the left bank of the river. After walking for an hour we reach an opening beside the river where camp is possible and called Tsomo. The river gorge becomes narrow as small as ~6m/20ft at a place and zigzags through. Prayer flags flung here. This stretch is adrenaline pumping for the people who raft down the Zanskar river in summer. Continue walking for another 2 hour to reach Hotong Yongma, and is a good place to take hot lunch. After lunch in an hour we reach Hotong Kongma. Our campsite for the day Tibb is another 2 hours from this point. Distance is 12 Km and may take 6/7 hours. Tibb has camping side on both side of the Chadar, right side being the bigger. On the left side of the Zanskar river, there are few caves which can also be used as shelter. Night stay in tent.

Day 6 Trek to Nerak: 12 Km - 6/7 hours
Our walk for today is till Nerak (~3500m/11500ft). After walking an hour we reach Yongma Do. Here we may have to take a detour from river bed and climb up a rocky cliff to negotiate the semi frozen ice sheet. Continue the walk to Kongma Do and then to a place called Juniper Point where few Juniper trees stand aside the river bed on our right. Local porters will greet you with the Juniper leafs. Tipping the jovial support team is a custom here. From here we go straight and take a right turn and find a huge frozen waterfall. We stop here for posing in front of cameras. Nerak is only 10 minutes walk from here. A wooden bridge is present here to connect Lingshed and Nerak. The villagers of Nerak and Lingshed exchange provisions and connect using this bridge during summer and monsoon. Nerak campsite is on our left side (True right of the river) and is around ~45m/150 ft above the river bed. There are couple of very basic home-stays and one small shop inside it. Basic provisions are available here. Total distance is 12 Km and can take 5/6 hours. The Nerak village is another one hour climb up from the campsite. Night stay in tent/home-stay.

Day 7 Trek to Tibb: 12 Km - 5/6 hours
Today we start our return journey and trek back to Tibb. Night stay in ten

Day 8 Trek to Shingra Yongma: 15 Km - 5/6 hours
Trek back to Shingra Yongma. Distance is 15Km and may take 5 hours. Night stay in tent.

Day 9 Trek back to Tilat Sumdo: 7 Km - 2 hours; Drive to Leh: 75 Km -3/4 hours
Trek back to Tilat Sumdo, 7 Km and can take 2 hours. Then we take the car and get back to Leh by late afternoon. Night stay in hotel/lodge

Day 10 Buffer day
This day is kept as an additional day and utilised for trekking if needed.

Day 11 Fly back home from Leh
You are free to move out from Leh and book your tickets accordingly.

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