Highlights
- It's Ladakh's iconic tea-house trek.
- You walk into Hemis National Park.
- You finish at Kangyatse base camp under a 6,250m peak.
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. The trail is forgiving enough for first-timers and interesting enough for return climbers — and the small-group format means the guides set pace to whoever needs it most.
Itinerary
8 days, Leh to Leh.
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Day 1 Arrival at Leh
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
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
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
3,950mWalk along the Markha river through small Buddhist hamlets to Hankar — the last village before the high meadows. Watch for blue sheep and lammergeier on the cliffs above the trail.
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Day 5 Hankar to Kangyatse Base Camp
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
4,900mRest day at base camp with a short acclimatisation walk and skills session — knot work, walking-pole technique, glacier safety basics for trekkers headed onto snow patches above camp.
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Day 7 Explore around
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
5,200m pass, 3,800m road headClimb 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
Dates & availability
No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next Mid-Jul – Early Sep batch or private/custom dates.
We haven't opened a public batch for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.
Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Mid-Jul – Early Sep with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · 8+ years
Long-distance hiker, trail runner, and occasional poet — at home in the Himalaya.
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 (5,200m). The Vertical Tribe runs it as a Leh-to-Leh trip with two nights of acclimatisation in Leh on either side.
How difficult is the Markha Valley Trek?
Moderate-to-difficult. There's no technical climbing, but you're at altitude for a week and the final pass day climbs to 5,200m before a long descent of around 1,500m. Daily walking ranges 6–8 hours.
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). The trek route itself is roughly 65–80 km depending on the start point.
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 early September is the peak window — clear trails, manageable river crossings, no snow on Kongmaru La. June can be unpredictable with high snow on the pass; mid-September onwards turns cold quickly.
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. No Inner Line Permit is required for Indian nationals on this route. The trek passes through Hemis National Park, and the park entry fee is included.
Are there homestays on the Markha Valley Trek?
Yes — Markha is widely known as Ladakh's tea-house trek. You'll alternate between TVT-pitched tented camps and parachute-tent homestays in the villages.
Can I see snow leopards on the Markha Valley Trek?
The valley is part of Hemis National Park — snow-leopard country — but the cats descend to the valley floor only in late winter. Summer trekkers see blue sheep, marmots, and lammergeier; snow leopards are essentially never sighted on a July–September trek.
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.