Markha Valley in pictures

I trekked along the Markha Valley in Aug 2013 with a guide - Dorje - whom I found from one of the travel agencies located on Changspa road in Leh. We did not carry tents or cooking implements and stayed at homes in the villages along the way. The highest point in the trek was Gongmaru La, 5250 m. During the trek, I saw only foreigners (other than the local guides and poney men) with the exception of one Indian woman who was travelling in a group. The trek over 6 days cost me Rs 9000 and this included the charges for the travel agency, guide, food and lodging at the homestays and taxi for commuting to/from Leh.

Aug 20th: Leh (3400 m) - Skiu (3350 m)

On the morning of the 20th, we took a cab from Leh to the Zanskar valley road. The road was damaged by rain and the cab dropped us a couple of km short of the ropeway across the Zanskar from where the trekking route started.

Walking on the Zanskar Valley Road

There was a long wait at the ropeway caused by a large expedition with a lot of luggage who had reached the spot earlier. After crossing the Zanskar, we soon reach the right bank of the Markha which flows into the Zanskar. Our night stay is in Skiu village.

The ropeway across the Zanskar

Walking along the Markha

Aug 21: Skiu (3350 m) to Markha (3800 m)

Markha river just beyond Skiu

Dorje (my guide) looking back for me on the trail.

Markha Village - first sight

Children of Markha Village

Markha Village towards evening

Our homestay in Markha

Aug 22: Markha to Hangkar (4000 m)

A famous rock formation off the trail

Fields of Hangkar. KangYatze (6300 m +) in the background

Like the wild west

Art in the fields of Hungker 

A pair of Chukar

Our host in Hangkar

Our host at Hangkar is Shiring Doshkar Tamalung. She runs the Tamalung homestay. Her children are away in school in Leh and her husband also stays away because of his work. Besides looking after guests at her home, she also has horses to take care of.

Aug 23: Hangkar (4000 m) to Nimaling campsite (4840 m)

Today was to be a good climb - over 800 m. I was fortunate that our host at the homestay arranged a horseman to carry my luggage to Nimaling and further over the Gong Maru La to Chumdo. Setting out, I came upon a pair of Chukar absorbed in each other. Quite some distance from the house, on the way to Nimaling I was surprised to see our host again. She had got there apparently looking for her horse which had strayed.

Kang Yatze straight ahead

Fantastic earth formations

Approaching the plains of Nimaling

Nimaling campsite along a tributary of the Markhs

Aug 24: Nimaling (4840 m) - over the Gong Maru La (5250 m) - Chumdo

This was the toughest day of the trek. I was gasping for breath every step of the way. Soon I started counting steps and pausing after a count of 50. After some more time I think this reduced to 20 steps. My guide took over even the day pack that I was carrying to lighten my load. I was carrying only a water bottle. AFter crossing the pass, the trail soon follows another stream all the way to Chumdo village and then the road head. The stream flows into the Indus.

View at the start of the climb from Nimaling

Kang Yatze 1 (left 6401 m) and Kang Yatze 2 (right 6250 m) peaks seen during the climb to Gongmaru La

Nimaling campsite from above

Negotiating a narrow gorge on descending from Gongmaru La

First view of Chumdo village

Aug 25: Chumdo - road head - Leh

Approaching the road head

View from the Leh highway

Postscript:
On the bus journey from Leh to Manali, I meet a couple of young men from Bengal, Arup and Adhiraj who are returning home after climbing Kang Yatze 2.
Dorje a resident of Leh who served as my guide can be contacted at 9622375220

Himalayan Trek 9, Aug 2013