The Markha Valley is a breath-taking sight, and an excellent place to journey through if you’re interested in Buddhist monasteries and mountain villages. The high-height fields of Nimaling are also worth a visit, as well as the high-elevation top of Kang Yatse.

Location and introduction

The Markha River is a stream in Ladakh, India. It is a feeder of the Zanskar River and starts at the intersection of Langtang Chu and Nimaling Chu. Towns along the stream valley include Skiu, Markha, Umlung, and Hangar. The Markha River exists in the Hemis National Park. 

How to reach

It takes more than 6 hours to arrive at Chalak from Skiu. From Chalak, the path rises step by step as you pass by a path set apart by Bharal horns. After 2-3 km, the valley opens up and a waterway crossing takes more time to Markha Village. The water level can be up to your thigh, so make sure while you are crossing the waterway.

Difficulty level

The Markha Valley venture is classified as a moderate-inconvenient excursion. You start from a height of 10,490 feet at Chilling and end up at the most important characteristic of 17,060 feet at Kongmaru La. Consequently, you want to make sure your lungs are strong for this.

Where do I begin?

Spituk is the most famous beginning stage. From the Spituk side, any way you gain height, you gain height quickly to Ganda La (north of 5,000 ft in two days) before diving strongly to Skiu. Beginning from Chilling offers a much more straightforward methodology, as you join the path at Skiu and slowly gain height.

Assuming you’re in good shape and have some experience, you can start with Spituk or Stok. While the best perspectives on this trail are seemingly from Markha up to Kongmaru La, beginning from Spituk offers you the chance to cross two high passes.

Things to carry

• Full-sleeved jackets, T-shirts, pullovers, sweatshirts, etc. Because it is a Himalayan trek, the temperature may lower during the nighttime and sometimes also during the daytime. 
• Comfortable and perfect trekking shoes with thick soles to ensure comfortable trekking throughout, even on harsh paths.
• Trekking pole or trekking stick to ensure comfortable trekking 
• In case of an emergency, medications such as Dolo 365, Crocin, and others should be available.
• First aid kit if anyone comes down with an injury 
• Use a backpack to carry all your essential things and elements along with you during your journey. 
• Water bottle as you will be hydrated during your full journey. 
• Carry food packets with you in case you don’t find any eating points. 
• Ropes
• Torches and flashlights because it is a Himalayan region so there may be cut off of electricity and power. 
• Necessary documents such as photo ID proof, cards, IDs, etc.
• Refreshments for yourself when you stop for a break in your journey.

Why visit?

The most enchanting piece of this trip, however, is the exquisite towns of the Markha Valley. The modest mud houses set amid lavish green fields are a terrific sight in the desolate piles of Ladakh. Tibetan culture flourishes in these towns, with customary ornamented kitchens and Buddhist petitioning God banners, in addition to other things Tibetan. Its most amazing aspect is that you can remain in such wonderful homes all through the journey. 

This makes the trip an exceptionally remunerating experience, without the operations associated with setting up camp. The bone-dry, emotional, and forsakenly excellent high mountain territory here is additionally home to a portion of the Indian Himalayas’ most conventional networks, a progression of exceptionally customary, small mud-block towns each concealing cloisters and sanctuaries so various that this locale has procured the moniker ‘Little Tibet’. Also, it is these networks whose vocations depend intensely on the short summer traveling season close to resource agribusiness.

Best time to visit

The unforgiving, sharply cold, and snow-filled winters mean the paths through the Markha Valley are everything but forbidden from October to March. For the best travelling conditions, travel in July and August, when temperatures are sufficiently gentle (coming to the mid-20°C during the day and around 10°C around evening time) for agreeable evenings under the material.

Visiting the Markha Valley trek from the middle of May to September is also a very good season to go. The weather conditions will be fine with radiant days and quiet evenings. After September, it gets colder and the snowfall begins, which would cover the entire locale.

Conclusion:

The Markha Valley is located in the Ladakh region of India. This area is well known for its Buddhist monasteries, mountain villages, and high-altitude landscapes. While journeying through the Marka Valley, sightseers will go by some excellent examples of Buddhist architecture, including Shey Gompa, Thiksey Gompa, and Stok Palace. They will also see traditional mountain villages like Spituk and Phyang. The highlight of the journey may be the fields of Nimaling at an elevation of over 17,000 feet or Kang Yatse at over 21,000 feet. These are among the highest elevations in all of India.