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India Trekking
THE MARKHA VALLEY TREK
The Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh is one of the
most varied and beautiful treks in the Himalayas.
It has giant rock pinnacles, beetling
cliffs, narrow defiles and prayer-flagged passes. The route takes us
high into the Himalayas crossing over two passes, the Ganda La (4850m) and
Kangmaru La (17,409ft/5,306m).
The trail leads us past hilltop monasteries, elaborate Tibetan "chortens"
(shrines) and "mani" (prayer) walls. You may well spot Himalayan Blue Sheep,
Ibex and, if you are lucky, the rare snow leopard. The views are spectacular
and towards the end of this trek you will be able to see the snow capped peaks
of Tibet and the Karakorum range of mountains.
After the trek
you will have time to relax in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, before your flight
back to Delhi.
Duration: 17
Days London to London
Grade:
*Strenuous
*GRADE:
This trek is graded strenuous and will be enjoyed by the fit enthusiast who has
had some prior trekking experience in the Himalayas.
HOW THE TREKS
ARE ORGANISED:
All food supplies, camping equipment and personal belongings are carried by
porters and/or pack horses. A camp crew is designated to oversee all cooking
arrangements.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1:
Arrive Delhi and after clearing customs you
will be met by our representative who will be holding a placard and transferred
by taxi to your hotel. In the afternoon there is a guided tour of Delhi.
Delhi basically is 7 cities all
merged into one and laced together by the new city of the British Raj, designed
by Lutyens & Baker. It was one of the boldest expressions anywhere in the world
of British Imperial ambitions and has endless sightseeing possibilities. In the
afternoon we will tour Old Delhi, visiting the Raj Ghat memorial at the site
where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, the Red Fort, once the most lavish fort and
palace of the Mughal Empire and
the Qutab Minar, or tower of
victory rising five storeys and impressively ornate.
RED FORT.
This imposing monument to the rule of Shah Jahan was begun in
1639 and completed in 1648, taking its name from the red sandstone used in its
construction. It is said to have cost 10 million rupees to build, much of it
spent on the opulent marble royal palaces within. Here the Emperor exercised his
divine authority in the Halls of Public and Private Audience - seated in the
latter on the fabulous gold-canopied Peacock Throne that was inlaid with a vast
number of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
Day 2: FLY
TO LEH.
Early morning transfer by taxi to board the
Jet Airways flight 9W 609 to Leh departing at 05:40hrs and arrive Leh (3521m) at
06:55hrs. On your arrival you will be met and transferred by private transport
to your Hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Day 3: AT LEISURE IN LEH.
A day to acclimatise before your trek. The
main bazaar is close
by and there are many shops and good restaurants. Overnight Hotel.
LEH
The capital of Ladakh, has long been a remote and
facinating outpost. Its situation in the upper Indus Valley made it an
important crossroads for pilgrims and traders. Pilgrims continued from here
along the Indus Valley to Mt Kailash and Tibet, while traders would set off with
their caravans over the Karakoram pass to the markets of Yarkland, Kashgir and
central Asia.
Day 4: GUIDED TOUR.
Today
we will drive in jeeps to see some of the largest monasteries and palaces in
the Indus valley.
THIKSE GOMPA
(17 km from Leh)
The 500-year-old
Thikse monastery, perched on a hill high above the Indus, has the largest
contingent of monks in Ladakh. On the right of the entrance to the main
courtyard a new chapel houses an enormous 15 metre high seated Buddha figure.
About 100 yellow-cap monks belong to the gompa.
SHEY PALACE
(14 km from Leh)
The old 'Summer
Palace' of the kings of Ladakh was built about 550 years ago by Lhachen
Palgyigon, the first king of Ladakh. It stands next to the remains of a larger
construction on the east side of a hill, which runs south-east towards the
Indus. From the palace you can see over the fertile Indus plain northeast to
Tikse Gompa and over the Indus to the Zanskar mountain range. The old Shey
palace has the largest golden Buddha statue in Ladakh in its Monastery.
Overnight hotel
in Leh.
DAY 5:
DRIVE TO
SPITOK, TREK TO ZINGCHEN (10,500ft/3,200m) 1 hours drive time.
SPITOK GOMPA
Spitok Gompa was
built about 500 years ago by Gyalpo Bumlde, although one temple, dedicated to
Mahakala was built about 900 years ago. About 125 yellow-hat sect lamas are
considered Spitok Lamas, but at least half of them live and pray at Spitok’s
dependent monasteries at Sankar, Stok and Sabu.
The trek begins from Spitok by crossing a
bridge and walking west of the River Indus. We follow the trail for 3 hours
until the Indus enters a narrow gorge at its confluence with the Zinchen. From
here its a gradual ascent through the Zinchen Valley, before we reach the
small village of Zingchen.
Day 6: TREK
TO YURUTSE.
(12,960ft/4150m). 7 hrs.
The trail from
Zinchen ascends gradually all the way along the Rumbak Nala until you reach
Rumbak, the largest village in the Zingchen Valley. You then follow a trail
passing cultivated fields and scattered houses until you reach the village of
Yurutse. Camp overnight.
Day 7:
TREK TO SKIU.
(9,900ft/3,018m). 8 hrs.
A gradual ascent
followed by a steep climb gets you to the Ganda La (15,910ft/4,971m). From the
pass we are treated to fine views of snow capped mountains merging into the
distant ranges of the Karakoram. The trail descends steadily to Shingo, the
head of the Skiu Valley and continues down into Skiu village. You enter the
village confronted by towering rock faces. Camp overnight.
Day 8: TREK TO MARKHA VILLAGE.
(12140ft/3,793m). 6 hrs.
Today is a
pleasant walk along one of the loveliest sections of the Markha valley.
En-route we will pass several monasteries perched high on the hillsides above us
and the path is dotted with Chortens and prayer walls. Camp overnight.
Day 9: TREK TO HANKAR.
(13,078ft/3,986m). 7 hrs.
From Markha the
country changes and the warm, relatively heavily wooded section of the lower
Markha is left behind. The camp below the twin villages of Lower and Upper
Hankar is distinctly cooler than at Markha Village. Camp overnight.
Day 10: TREK
TO NIMALING.
(15,490ft/4,840m). 8hrs.
From Hankar the
trail climbs steadily up the narrow valley. The Nimaling plain is a broad
meadow, reaching upwards to the base of the ice-clad Kang Yatse,
21,500ft/6,553m. The Nimaling meadows provide pastures in the summer for yaks,
sheep, goats and horses from villages further down the valley. It is not
unusual to see the occasional wild sheep or wolf. Camp overnight.
DAY 11: REST
DAY.
A time to relax
at Nimaling and enjoy the wonderful scenery. For the more energetic, we would
recommend a walk to the base camp of Kang Yatze, the highest peak in the Zanskar
range. Camp overnight.
Day 12:
TREK TO
CHOGDO. (1250ft/4,000m). 7-8 hrs.
Today you cross
to the north of the Markha, on a well marked trail, climbing to the top of the
highest of the three passes, the 17,409ft/5,306m Kangmaru La. To the north
there are spectacular views of the eastern Karakorum. The trail descends
steeply to the head of the Martselang valley past the sulphur springs of
Chyushkarmo before reaching our campsite at Chogdo.
Day 13: TREK
TO MARTSELANG. DRIVE TO LEH.
4 hrs trek.
After an easy
decent along the left bank of the Martselang river, we reach Martselang village
where transport will be waiting to take us on a 2 hour drive to Leh. Overnight
Hotel.
Day 14: AT LEISURE IN LEH.
A chance to
relax and do any last minute sightseeing. In the evening their will be a
farewell party with the camp crew. Overnight Hotel.
Day 15: FLY
TO DELHI. Transfer to the domestic airport to board 05:40hrs
Return flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi at 06:55hrs and you will be met and
transferred by taxi to your hotel. Late evening transfer by taxi to board your
return flight home.
Day 16:
DEPART
DELHI.
TREK NOTES:
A "strenuous" trek at high altitude.
16 day trip, London to London. 8 Days Camping
with full porterage.
Maximum altitude
5,306m. Average 3600m.
TREK LEADER:
Sunder Khampa.
Sunder speaks English fluently and for many
years he has been leading treks for Embassy personnel based in Delhi.
TRAIN TRAVEL. Train
travel is by air-conditioned carriage. Bedding is normally provided free of
charge on the train (sheets, pillows and blankets)
IMPORTANT
NOTE: Whilst
every effort is made to keep to the above itinerary, clients will hopefully
appreciate that this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region. Given
the nature of these treks there will quite likely be changes to the itinerary in
terms of anything from on the spot choice of camp site to the day that a rest
day is taken. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns off
the beaten track, local availability of porters, can contribute to the need for
changes. Your trek leader will do everything in his/her power to see that you
are inconvenienced as little as possible in such events.
Timings given are approximate.
Meal Plan:
B&B in Delhi and elsewhere. Full board on Trek
Not Included:
Entry fees to monuments of historical importance.
ACCOMMODATION:
En-suite. twin sharing.
Delhi The Park Hotel: This 4 star property is a 10 minute walk away from
Connought Place, in the centre of town. Facilities include en-suite
accommodation with swimming pool, bar and restaurants as standard. Nalagarh (3
star) In Manali we use Bannons Lodge. (3 star) Elsewhere we use the best
available Guest House and Lodge accommodation.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED.
We provide ‘A’ frame or dome tents which have room for two people plus all of
your equipment. There is also a dining tent*, a toilet tent exclusively for our
group use, and a kitchen and staff tent. There are camp chairs or stools, a
kerosene/gas lamp or candles for reading in the dining tent at night, stainless
steel crockery and tableware and foam *sleeping mats. We strongly recommend
you bring your own karrimat or therma-a-rest as well. (*Subject to
availability) The staff complement of cooks and assistants are always in
attendance. They put up and take down the tents, make the tea, cook the food,
wash the dishes, load the porters and carry a load of their own. They work
extremely hard and are always willing to help. If you want to join in putting
up tents and taking them down, you are free to do so, but it is not expected.
*Dining tents are heavy to carry and are only
provided for a minimum of 4 people. For under 4 people a smaller tent will be
provided.
A TYPICAL DAY ON TREK
Soon after dawn you are served tea or coffee
while still in your sleeping bag. A few minutes later a washing bowl of hot
water is placed outside your tent. You can wash inside or outside the tent.
Once dressed you can pack your kit-bag and day-pack in preparation for the day’s
hike, and place these outside the tent. The camp staff will take down the
tents. While this is happening, breakfast is served. In the Himalaya breakfast
usually consists of cereals and/or porridge with milk, eggs, usually served with
chapatis, (unleavened bread that is cooked on a hot iron plate) or pancakes with
honey or jam. There is always plenty of tea and coffee.
The camp will be being struck while you are eating, and you will
need to be packed and out of your tents before breakfast.
You can take a leisurely breakfast breakfast
will the staff prepare loads for the porters or pack animals. If you have not
filled up your water bottle the night before ask the cook to fill your bottle
with boiled water. You may also collect a packed lunch, although usually you
may have a cooked meal at the lunch stop. Departure from camp could be from any
time between dawn and 9.00am, depending on the days itinerary, but generally you
will start walking at around 8.00am.
Depending on the length of the day’s walk, you
will walk for three or four hours before stopping for lunch. The lunch stop
will last for about an hour.
You usually arrive at the next camp site by
5:00pm. Camp may already set up by the time you get there, and tea/juice and
biscuits will be ready to welcome you. Supper will be ready soon after dark,
and will be served in the dining tent or in some instances, around the camp
fire. Camp fires will only be made if dead wood is available. The standard of
cooking on trek is usually surprisingly good, with the style of cooking being a
compromise between local and western food. Menus vary, but typically we start
with soup. The main course is often a rice based meal with meat stew or mild
curry, plus separate vegetable and salad dishes. A sweet dish is provided after
the meal. Our meal is finished with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Sometimes a
bottle of local spirit is provided by the camp staff, but we advise clients to
buy plastic half bottles from duty free. However, you should only drink alcohol
when you feel acclimatised. After dinner, the usual practise is for your water
bottle to be filled with hot water and used as a hot water bottle for your
sleeping bag and for drinking water the next day.
We would like you to enjoy the serenity of the
unhurried atmosphere that exists in these wilderness regions. Our day to day
camp routine on your trekking adventure is geared to allow you to make the most
of your holiday.
LEADERS:
Sunder Khampa will Lead this trek for a minimum of 4 people Under 4 will be led
by our English speaking Sirdars.
WEATHER:
In August it can be quite hot during the day
(up to 30°C) at lower altitudes. At
night it can drop to freezing at higher altitudes over (11,000ft
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