Markha valley Trek with Kangya Tse II

Day 1 Delhi

Leh flight / Arrive Leh. Leh airport pickup, check into hotel. Rest and acclimatise. In the afternoon is free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude of 3500m as well as visit Leh bazaar. visit the Royal Palace of Leh from the 16th century, overnight in hotel

Day 2 Leh – Acclimatize / Sight-seeing in around Leh.

After breakfast, we drive to visit Shey first, than Thiksey. Thiksey monastery, which is 27 km from Hemis. This monastery is the oldest monastery of Gelugpa School in Ladakh. The great Lama Paldan Shesrap built it in 14th century. Here you can see the big statue of the Future Buddha. Continue to Taktok and Chemdey and return back to visit Hemis monastery which is 45 km far from Leh and it takes 90 minute drive. The great Mahasiddha Staktsang Raspa along with great ancestor Singey Namgyal builds this biggest monastery in 16th century. Continue to Matho than we drive to Stok which is situated opposite of Leh at a distance of 14 kms, At Stok visit of Royal Palace built
during 1825 AD and palace has great collections of antiquity. Continue to visit Matho situated 10 kms from Stok, which has 10th century complex. Finally we drive back to Leh.

Day 3 Drive Leh

Chilling (3200m) 3-4 hrs, Trek to Skiu (3290m), 3-4 hrs Leaving Leh we drive to Chilling, where a bridge over the Zanskar River marks the starting point of today’s route. After the loads were loaded onto the horses, you can loosely with only a small daypack ongoing running. It is necessary to overcome a first small pass (3400 m), before you reach the first large village in the Markha Valley with Skiu.

Day 4 Trek to Markha (3710m), 6-7 hrs

Leaving Skiu today we will have long, easy, and pleasant walk up the Markha valley. We hike along the Markha River and cross numerous adjoining streams. The trail passes through willows, poplar trees and sea buckthorn bushes. Passing by Chaluk, last river to be cross before Markha. Markha is a wonderful village which has charming campsite and deserted fort can be seen from camp.

Day 5 Trek to Hankar (3900m) – Thachungtse (4200m), 6-7 hrs

Leaving Markha today you cross the river several times. We follow the clear path along the right bank and pass beneath the Humlung monastery. Few hours later arrival at high village of Hankar, continue on the track leaving the broad valley and turning towards narrow valley. As the trail goes higher and higher up the landscape presents spectacular scenes. Lastly crossing the bridge and continue to higher meadows of Thachungtse.

Day 6 Trek to Nimaling (4750m), 5-6 hrs

Today leaving camp we pass several Mani walls and come across a small lake. From here you have a spectacular view of the two peaks of Kang Yatse. Nimaling is a high pasture ground where you will find herder from Markha valley and Shang Sumdo area graze their livestock during summer time. We will have oppurtunity to taste fresh Dzo
milk and other milk product to taste. The view of main Markha valley to the west is wonderful especially during sunset.

Day 7 Trek to Base camp (5150m), 5-6 hrs

From Nimaling trail up the mountain to reach more high pasture where you will find Dzo and yaks grazing. Through the loose rocks to reach a point where we will get clear view of Kang Yatse. We establish base camp near the stream.

Day 8 Rest day / Preparation day

Today take the day to rest and before noon practice some technical skills which can be useful for next day and in the afternoon take some rest or gain some altitude.

Day 9 Ascend Kang Yatse II 6200m – back to base camp, 10-11 hrs

The summit day. Leaving midnight early approach to the edge of Kang Yatze II. In the beginnig walking on scree and moraine than onto snow. At the snowline crampons are applied and the rise follows. Gradual ascent all the way up except last few steep parts where you rope up. Reach at the summit by sunrise and enjoy the great view over the
Markha Valley to the West and Zanskar to the South, Ladakh & Karakoram to the North. Descent to base camp.

Day 10 Nimaling / Reserve day

We keep this day as reserve day or rest day, in case of any bad weather. This day will be use as alternative.

Day 11 Trek Kongmaru La (5150m) – Chuskirmo (4140m), 6-7 hrs

Today leaving Nimaling, continue on path where small stream to cross then gradual climb to the top of the highest pass of our trek, with its wonderful views from the top as far as eye goes to all directions. On a clear sky one can see Kangyatse, far across K2 and Karakoram Range and its peak rising above 7000m. Soon after crossing the pass steep
and long descent to Chuskirmo.

Day 12 Trek Shang Sumdo (3660m) 3-4, Drive Leh 2 hrs

We pass the small village of Chokdo and continue along the stream to village of Shang Sumdo. leaving Shang Sumdo, we say adieu to our horseman and drive to Leh.

Day 13 Leh – Delhi flight

Morning transfer to airport and flight to Delhi