DAY 01: ZINGCHEN TO BASE OF GANDHA LA (3-4 HOURS)

You have enter in to Hemis National Park, where we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of wild lives as diverse as the snow leopard, lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a mountain goat ), arghali (great Tibetan sheep),blue sheep, red fox, Tibetan wolf, dhole (wild dog), marmot and  mountain hare. After paying the entrance fee, we will climb gradually through a beautiful gorge that will unveil the imposing Stok Range from time to time. Before reaching Rumbak, we may stop at a teahouse run by a local women from the village. After a warm cup of tea and good rest, we continue through Rumbak, and pass by the house of Yurutse hemlet, before reaching camp at the base of Ganda La (4545m).  From our campsite, we can see a spectacular view of Stok Kangri and the whole of the Stok range.

DAY 02: BASE OF GANDHA LA TO SKIU VIA GANDA LA 4900 M (6-7 HOURS)

After breakfast, You will begin gradual ascend to Gandha La for about 2 hrs; views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges will leave you breathless. The usual prayer flags mark the top of the pass, if you are lucky, may see blue sheep and Himalayan marmots roaming around the hills. After a short rest, you will make a gradual hour-long descent to Shingo and break for lunch. You will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m). Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins kind of an old castle. Overnight camp at Skiu.

DAY 03: SKIU TO MARKHA (7-8 HOURS)

After breakfast again start your trek following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various points, and passes through the Lhatos (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with ancient prayers). During peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshment. After crossing the river for the last time, we will arrive in Markha, the large village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort. Camp here for the night.

DAY 04: MARKHA TO THACHUNGTSE (5-6 HOURS)

The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and a small temple, which is proudly perched on a towering cliff that looms above Markha, well, worth visiting if we have the energy! The path then intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, you will be seeing the first view of Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. Take a lunch break in the village of Hangkar, and then you will press onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste, where we will camp.

DAY 05: THACHUNGTSE TO NIMALING (3-4 HOURS)

Today the trail will lead us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest pasture land and our highest camp on during this trek, giving us spectacular views of Kang Yatse to the right, the Zangskar Range and the Markha Valley below.We will be camping here for the night. You may roaming in this high pasture land and explore this land and may also hike to the base of Kangyatse.

DAY 06: NIMALING TO SHANGSUMDO VIA KONGMARULA 5200 M (6-7 HOURS)

After a good breakfast, we will cross Kongmaru la, the highest pass on this trek. Here we have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 2-hour descend is quite steep, but go on gradually as we enter Shang Gorge, with its strange and otherworldly rock formations. Some stream crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour-spring of Chuskurmo. After a break, we will pass through a couple of hamlets before reaching Shang Sumdo, where we will spend our last evening together and have an excellent dinner along with bonfire!

Day 07 : Shang sumdo to Leh

Our transportation will pick you all from Shang to Leh via visiting Thiksey and Shey monastery  and reach at Leh and overnight stay at Leh.

Alternative trek routes: 

A fresh new trek route was opened recently and here is the itinerary  for new routes:

“PHOCHEY VALLEY”

Best time: Early June to end October

Brief itinerary:

Day 1) Leh to Tsoksti, 2hrs. drive

Day 2) Tsoksti to Dangsa Pulu camp, 5hrs.

Day 3) DPC to Shingo larsa pulu via Tsangti la (5230m), 6/7hrs.

Day 4) SLP to Thun thung valley camp via Tset la (5230m), 6/7hrs.

Day 5) TTVC to Lungmar camp via Lhula (4230m), 5/6hrs.

Day 6) Lungmar to Phochey via Near la (4730m), 6/7hrs.

Day 7) Phochey to Markha village camp, 5/6hrs.