The Markha Valley Trek is an 8-day Ladakh trek through Hemis National Park, from a road head south of Leh into the Markha river valley, past the villages of Markha and Hankar, up to Kangyatse base camp at the head of the valley, and out via the 5,260m Kongmaru La pass. The Vertical Tribe runs it as a Leh-to-Leh trip with two acclimatisation nights in Leh, three trail days to base camp, a rest-and-training day, an exploration day around base camp, and a final pass crossing back to the road at Chokdo.
Highlights
- Markha, Hankar — small Buddhist villages with parachute-tent kitchens, mani walls, and ancient gompas line the Markha river.
- You walk into Hemis National Park.
- You finish at Kangyatse base camp under a 6,250m peak, at the head of the valley — the same camp our climbers use for the Kang Yatse II expedition.
Markha Valley Trek at a glance
- What is the Markha Valley Trek?
- A classic 8-day trek in Ladakh through the Markha river valley to Kangyatse base camp, finishing over Kongmaru La (5,260m, ~17,260ft).
- How hard is it?
- Moderate. No technical climbing — high-altitude trail walking with one big pass day. The trek tops out at Kongmaru La (5,260m).
- How long does it take?
- 8 days Leh to Leh, including two acclimatisation nights in Leh and three trail days to base camp before the pass crossing on Day 8.
- How much does it cost?
- ₹24,000 per trekker — covers transport, all stays, meals from Day 3 lunch, all permits and camping charges, trekking gear, and certified TVT guides. Insurance and Leh meals are extra.
- When is the best time?
- Mid-July through mid-September. Trails are dry, river crossings manageable, and Kongmaru La (5,260m) is clear of snow.
How difficult is Markha Valley Trek, really?
No technical climbing. This is high-altitude trail walking with one big pass day. The trail portion is six days, Day 3 to Day 8. The high point is Kongmaru La at roughly 5,260m, crossed on the last day; the highest you sleep is 4,900m at Kangyatse base camp, for three nights.
- Terrain
- Valley trail through Markha and Hankar villages, then high pasture to Kangyatse base camp at the head of the valley. The last day climbs to Kongmaru La and descends the gorge to Chokdo.
- Altitude
- High point roughly 5,260m at Kongmaru La, sleeping at 4,900m. Two nights in Leh at 3,500m, a staged approach at 3,800m and 3,950m, then three nights at base camp at 4,900m. The descent drops to the road head at 3,800m.
Overview
Markha is one of the few Ladakh treks that walks you into the heart of a valley rather than across passes between valleys. After two nights in Leh to acclimatise, you drive to the road head and drop into the Markha river. Trail days carry you east up the valley through Markha (the largest village) and Hankar (the last village before the high meadows) to Kangyatse base camp at the head of the valley. After a rest-and-training day and an exploration day around base camp, you cross Kongmaru La — the highest pass on the route — and descend the gorge to Chokdo for the drive back to Leh.
Who climbs with us
Markha pulls a mixed crowd. Some are first-time Himalayan trekkers above 4,000m; others are on their fourth or fifth trip with us. We've taken software engineers, doctors, designers, and a few who'd never camped before. First-timers find the trail forgiving; return climbers still find it worth the trip. Small groups mean guides set pace to whoever needs it.
The route, point by point
| Point | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leh | 3,500m | Two nights to acclimatise before the trek |
| Markha | 3,800m | Largest village in the Markha Valley |
| Hankar | 3,950m | Last village before high meadows; ruins of an old fort |
| Kangyatse Base Camp | 4,900m | High meadow under Kang Yatse south face |
| Kongmaru La | ~5,260m | Highest pass on the trek; descent route |
| Chokdo | 3,800m | Road head; drive back to Leh |
Itinerary
8 days, Leh to Leh.
- Day 1: sleeps at 3,500m .
- Day 2: sleeps at 3,500m .
- Day 3: sleeps at 3,800m .
- Day 4: sleeps at 3,950m .
- Day 5: sleeps at 4,900m .
- Day 6: sleeps at 4,900m .
- Day 7: sleeps at 4,900m .
- Day 8: sleeps at 3,500m , climbing to 5,260m.
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Day 1 Arrival at Leh
Acclimatise 3,500mFly into Leh in the morning. Take it slow — altitude hits even seasoned trekkers. Hydrate, rest, light meals. Welcome briefing in the evening.
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Day 2 Acclimatisation at Leh
Acclimatise 3,500mEasy acclimatisation walk in Leh. Final gear check and trek Q&A. Early dinner, full rest.
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Day 3 Drive to road head, trek to Markha
Approach 3,800mDrive from Leh to the trek road head. Cross into the Markha Valley and walk to Markha village — the largest in the valley. First night on the trail.
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Day 4 Markha to Hankar
Approach 3,950mWalk along the Markha river through small Buddhist hamlets to Hankar — the last village before the high meadows.
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Day 5 Hankar to Kangyatse Base Camp
Approach 4,900mClimb out of the village onto the high pasture and continue to base camp under Kang Yatse's south face. Establish camp; rest the afternoon.
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Day 6 Rest and training day
Acclimatise 4,900mRest day at base camp with a short acclimatisation walk and skills session.
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Day 7 Explore around
Acclimatise 4,900mAcclimatisation walk above base camp — onto the moraine, with views into the upper Kangyatse cirque. Return to camp for the night.
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Day 8 Base Camp to Chokdo via Kongmaru La, drive to Leh
Descend 5,260mpass, 3,800m road head
Climb to Kongmaru La — the highest pass on the trek — and descend the long gorge to Chokdo. Vehicle waiting; drive to Leh. Hot shower, real bed, group dinner.
What's included
Included
- Transport — Leh to last road head and Chokdo to Leh
- Accommodation — stay from Day 1 to last day in Leh (sharing)
- Food — all meals from Day 3 lunch to lunch on the last day
- Permits — all trekking permits and camping charges
- Trekking and safety equipment — tents, sleeping bags, and technical equipment
- Certified trek leaders, guides, and support staff
Not included
- Backpack offloading charges
- Any kind of personal insurance and rescue expenses
- Meals during Leh stay and road journey
- Personal expenses of any kind, and anything apart from the inclusions
- Emergency evacuation and hospital charges
How it compares to other peaks
| Peak | Altitude | Grade | Best for | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markha Valley Trek (this) | 5,260m | Moderate | Ladakh's classic trek | Valley trek with a high-pass finish — no summit, no technical sections. |
| Kang Yatse II Expedition | 6,250m | PD+ | Same valley, plus a 6,000m summit | Pick this if you want to add a glaciated summit to the Markha approach. |
| Twin Peaks (KY2 + Dzo Jongo East) | 6,250m / 6,217m | PD+ / PD | Two 6,000m summits in one trip | Pick this if you want to chain two summits off the Markha approach. |
| Dzo Jongo East | 6,217m | PD | Quieter 6,000m summit, same region | Pick this if you want a less-trafficked summit at PD difficulty. |
Dates & availability
One departure scheduled, Leh to Leh. Get in touch for private or custom dates.
- AUG 1–8 2026Open₹30,000 per trekker
Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Mid-Jul – Mid-Sep with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · Mountain Athlete · 8+ years
What we don't do
- We don't pad the itinerary
- Eight days is what the trek actually needs: two acclimatisation nights in Leh, three trail days to base camp, a rest-and-training day, an exploration day around base camp, and the pass crossing and drive back to Leh. No invented "extra rest" days that exist only to inflate the price.
- We don't publish weather figures we haven't measured
- We do not publish a temperature range for base camp, because we have no measured record of our own to publish and a figure copied from a general forecast is not worth planning against. What we do share on confirmation is a gear list graded for the conditions we actually pack for at 4,900m. Ask us and we will talk you through it.
Permits, rules and cancellation
Permits
- All trekking permits and camping charges — handled by TVT, included in the trek cost
Cancellation
- More than 60 days before departure — full refund
- 60 to 30 days before departure — 50% refund
- Less than 30 days before departure — no refund
Rules on the mountain
- No alcohol or smoking during the trek
- Don't litter; do not disturb the flora and fauna
- No loudspeakers
- Leave No Trace
Frequently asked
What is the Markha Valley Trek?
The Markha Valley Trek is an 8-day Ladakh trek through Hemis National Park, walking up the Markha river valley to Kangyatse base camp and exiting over Kongmaru La (5,260m, ~17,260ft). The Vertical Tribe runs it as a Leh-to-Leh trip with two nights of acclimatisation in Leh.
How difficult is the Markha Valley Trek?
Moderate. There's no technical climbing, but you're at altitude for a week and the final pass day climbs to 5,260m before a long descent of around 1,500m.
How long is the Markha Valley Trek?
TVT runs it as 8 days Leh-to-Leh, with the trail portion being 6 days (Day 3 to Day 8).
How much does the Markha Valley Trek cost with TVT?
₹24,000 per trekker, Leh to Leh. The fee covers transport from Leh to the road head and Chokdo back to Leh, all accommodation from Day 1 to the last night in Leh, all meals from Day 3 lunch to the last day's lunch, permits, camping charges, trekking equipment (tents, sleeping bags), and certified guides. Personal insurance, Leh meals, and personal expenses are extra.
When is the best time to do the Markha Valley Trek?
Mid-July through mid-September is the peak window — clear trails, manageable river crossings, no snow on Kongmaru La (5,260m).
Do I need a permit for the Markha Valley Trek?
All trekking permits and camping charges are included in your trek fee and handled by TVT.
Are there homestays on the Markha Valley Trek?
Yes. You'll alternate between TVT-pitched tented camps and parachute-tent homestays in the villages.
What's the cancellation policy?
More than 60 days before the start date: full refund. 60 to 30 days before: 50% refund. Less than 30 days before: no refund.
What gear do I need to bring?
Personal gear: trekking boots (broken in), down jacket, base + mid-layers, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses, daypack. Tents, sleeping bags, and group safety equipment are provided by TVT. Full personal-gear checklist shared after enquiry.
