The Markha Valley Trek is one of the most beautiful and popular trekking routes in Ladakh. It mainly passes through Hemis National Park in the Ladakh region of India, where trekkers can experience natural beauty, high mountain peaks, and local culture. This trek usually takes 6 to 8 days, and along the way, trekkers pass through villages and camping spots like Chilling, Skiu, Markha, Hankar, and Nimaling.

The main reason for the popularity of the Markha Valley Trek is its diverse natural scenery and trekking experience. On this route, trekkers see snow-covered mountains on one side and green valleys and Buddhist monasteries on the other. Also, several small rivers must be crossed along the way, which makes the trek more challenging and adventurous. Because of the high altitude, this trek is considered moderate to difficult, but with proper preparation, the experience is truly amazing. That’s why trekkers from India and abroad come here every year.

The trek starts from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Usually, trekkers first go to a village called Chilling, where the trek begins. Completing the trek usually takes 6 to 8 days, depending on the trekker’s speed and the weather.

This route has several important stops where trekkers rest and enjoy the surrounding nature. On the first day, trekkers reach Skiu, a beautiful village by the river. Next, they reach Markha, the main settlement of the valley. After Markha comes Hankar, where trekkers can see some old monasteries and mountain trails. Then, the trek reaches its highest region, Nimaling, a high-altitude grassland. Finally, the trek ends at Kongmaru La Pass, which is about 5,200 meters high, and from here, trekkers can see an amazing view of the snow-covered mountains.

To understand the trek route, you can use Google Maps, which will help you locate each stop. Checking the map before the trek enables you to get a better idea of the roads and makes planning easier.

The best time to do the Markha Valley Trek is from May to September. During this time, the weather in Ladakh is relatively stable, daytime temperatures are comfortable, and nights are not too cold. Also, snow begins to melt, river flow becomes manageable, and the paths are safe for trekking. In summer, the nearby mountains are covered with green plants, which makes the whole trekking experience more beautiful.

How Dangerous Is It to Trek in Winter?

In winter, especially from November to March, doing the Markha Valley Trek can be very dangerous. The temperature can drop to -20°C, which makes trekking extremely difficult due to the cold. Walking on snow-covered roads becomes hard; sometimes, the trek route gets blocked by snow, and food and water become harder to find. Also, due to the altitude, the lack of oxygen becomes more noticeable, increasing the risk of altitude sickness. So, without proper preparation and experience, trekking in winter is not safe at all.

To do the Markha Valley Trek, certain permits and permissions are needed because the area is a protected zone and goes through Hemis National Park. Indian and foreign tourists both need to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which is a special permission approved by the Ladakh administration. This permit can be collected from the DC Office in Leh, or it can be applied for online.

Foreign nationals have a few extra rules. They must submit copies of their passport and visas, and usually, they are not allowed to go to sensitive border areas. Indian tourists can get the permit more easily, but they also need to show ID proof while applying. There is usually a fee for the permit, which is used for the conservation of the national park.

If someone is traveling through a trekking agency or with a guide, they usually take care of the permits. But those doing solo trekking must get the permission on their own and follow the rules. Trekking without a permit can lead to trouble with local authorities, so it’s important to get the permit in advance.

To do the Markha Valley Trek, you first have to reach the city of Leh, which is the main city of Ladakh and the gateway to the trek. There are mainly two ways to reach Leh—by flight or by road trip.

Ways to Reach Leh:

By Flight: Leh has an airport called Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Direct flights are available to Leh from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Srinagar. This is the easiest and fastest way to get there.

By Road Trip: If you love long drives and adventure, you can reach Leh by car or bike through the Manali-Leh Highway or the Srinagar-Leh Highway. However, these roads remain open only during certain months due to snow and weather conditions (usually May to September).

Transport from Leh to the Trekking Point

To start the Markha Valley Trek, you usually need to go to a village called Chilling. From Leh to Chilling, you can take a shared taxi, private cab, or rent a bike. The trek begins from Chilling, and the first destination is the village of Skiu.

Some people also start the trek from Spituk, but the Chilling route is the most popular and convenient.

If you want to travel more easily, you can take help from trekking agencies or local tour operators, who can arrange the transport for you.

Personal Opinion

The Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh was one of the most challenging and enjoyable trekking experiences of my life. This trek goes through the mountainous areas of Ladakh, where the high peaks, quiet gorges, and unique alpine villages leave a deep impression on your mind.

When I first started, I thought I could finish it easily. But while walking on rocky roads, struggling with breathlessness due to high altitude, and fighting the cold, I realized how challenging it was.

However, the thing that impressed me the most was the natural beauty. The whole trek was beautifully adventurous, especially Markha village and the scenic views of that area. Every step felt like a discovery!

But at one point, when the cold suddenly increased, I realized that without proper preparation, nothing is possible on this trek. Going in winter doesn’t just mean bearing the cold—you also need mental strength and preparation.

From this experience, I learned that trekking should never be taken lightly. A few days ago, I slipped on a stone and got hurt a little, so from then on, I was fully careful all the time. One day, when we crossed the Ganda La Pass, I felt very proud of myself because we had reached our destination after overcoming such a tough challenge.

I would even advise others that those who want to do this trek should have very good physical fitness and use good-quality trekking gear. Don’t forget to carry enough food and water, because in the vast open areas of Ladakh, you have to walk a lot and your body needs energy.

Markha Valley Trek is a moderate to difficult level trek, which requires some experience and physical fitness. The whole trek takes about 6–8 days, and you have to cross several high mountains, rivers, and rocky paths.

Since this trek is in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, you may face a lack of oxygen and altitude sickness at some places.

If someone is a completely new trekker, this trek might be a bit difficult in the beginning. But if the trekkers are physically fit and prepared, and get used to the high altitude slowly, then it is possible to complete the trek successfully.

For beginners, it’s important to walk slowly, take enough rest, and give themselves time to adjust.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Due to high altitude, many trekkers may feel headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, or tiredness, which is known as Altitude Sickness. To avoid this, follow these important steps:

• Spend at least 2 days in Leh to get used to the height (acclimatization).

• Drink enough water and keep your body hydrated.

• Walk slowly and avoid climbing too high in a single day.

• Avoid alcohol and smoking.

• If needed, take altitude-related medicine (like Diamox).

With the right preparation and caution, the Markha Valley Trek can be an amazing experience and create great memories for a trekker.

During the Markha Valley Trek, trekkers mostly stay in either camping tents or homestays. Since it’s a long trek, there are no fixed hotels or luxury stay options on the way. However, local villagers offer homestays (a place to stay in their homes), which make the trekking experience more enjoyable.

Camping and Homestay Options

Those who want to spend the night close to nature can bring their tents and camp. But most trekkers stay at homestays in the villages, where they get basic accommodation and food. The homestays are usually simple, but they provide warm blankets, meals, and necessary items for a comfortable night.

Brief About Local Food

On the way during the Markha Valley Trek, trekkers can get simple and healthy food from villagers. Mostly, Tibetan and Ladakhi food is served, including:

• Thukpa – a popular noodle soup

• Momo – stuffed dumplings

• Barley bread and butter tea – common local items

• Dal-rice and vegetables – simple but nutritious meals

Since food options are limited in this region, trekkers are advised to carry some dry food, chocolates, or energy bars with them. This helps avoid tiredness and worrying about meals during the trek.

To complete the Markha Valley Trek successfully, having the right gear and preparation is very important. As this is a long and medium-difficulty trek, you should carry comfortable clothes, good trekking boots, medicines, and other important items.

Clothing:

The weather in Ladakh can change quickly, so wearing multi-layered clothes is a smart choice.

• Thermal innerwear (for warmth)
• Full-sleeve T-shirts and light jackets (for daytime)
• Woolen or down jackets (for cold nights)
• Trekking pants and windproof pants
• Gloves, mufflers, and caps (to protect from the cold and the sun)

Trekking Gear:

• Good quality trekking boots (with strong soles for rocky paths)
• Backpack (50–60 liters) (to carry all essentials)
• Trekking pole (for balance on slopes)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (sunlight is strong at high altitudes)
• Rain cover or poncho (useful in case of sudden rain)

Medicines and Personal Items:

• Diamox tablets (for low oxygen levels)
• Light painkillers
• Bandages, antiseptics, and a first aid kit
• Water purification tablets
• Energy bars and dry food

With the right gear and preparation, the Markha Valley Trek becomes easier and more comfortable, and you can avoid any problems during the trek.

Personal Recommendation

The Markha Valley Trek was one of the most challenging but beautiful experiences of my life. When I went for this trek in Ladakh, I realized that not just physical fitness, but also patience and preparation are very important.

First of all, I must say that due to the altitude, you might feel dizzy, tired, or short of breath, so you should climb slowly. From my experience, if you don’t drink enough water, you get tired quickly. So, it’s important to keep water and light food with you along the way.

I also took plenty of rest, especially while climbing higher areas, so that my body wouldn’t get over-stressed.

Taking a guide was also a good decision because the route is quite confusing in some places. The guide gave me a sense of safety. Walking beside the Kulung River, resting at support camps, and respecting local culture were all very important.

So, for those who want to do this trek, if you prepare well and stay cautious, the whole journey will truly become unforgettable.