Review:South of Indus Valley, the trails through the Markha valley would have been followed by villagers and monks for many centuries. Eminent travelers William Moorcroft and George Trebeck wandered these valleys while awaiting permission to cross the Karakoram pass.

Ref: LMH.
Grade: Moderate to Vigorous.
Duration: 15 Days. ( Actual Trek 08 Days, From Spituk To Hemis)
Season: June – Oct
Itinerary: Delhi - Leh -  Spituk - Trek - Hemis - Leh - Delhi

DAY 01.   ARRIVE DELHI 
Morning arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon combined guided tour of Old and New Delhi includes Jammia Masjid Mosque, Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni chowk, Red Fort, drive through India Gate and Parliament house, Qutab Minar and Humayuns Tomb.

DAY 02.   DELHI – LEH  Fly 
Morning transfer to airport and fly to Leh, arrive and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization. 

Leh is a small picturesque town of about 10,000 people. Situated at 3505 Mt. (11500 ft), the summer days are dry and sunny but nights can be cold. A double lines of "Manies", stone shelters for departed spirits, protects the towns approaches. During these three days we will explore some of the interesting monasteries of the area.

DAY 03.   IN LEH 
 Morning half day sightseeing of  Phyang – founded in 16^th century by King Tashi Nangyal. Spituk - The monastery first belonged to the Kadampa order but in the 15^th century it was restored and Tsong Kapa sent two Lamas to transfer it to Gelupa order. Afternoon free for preparation of the trek.

 DAY 04 to 11.   TREK
Morning a short drive to Spituk trek point, where the mules will be waiting. After loading the mules, we commence the trek. To begin with it is a short stage and moderate ascend to Zinchen. The second stage to Yurutse is too easy and moderate. Our next stage is strenuous all the way up hill till Gandla Pass (4900 M.), then descend to Skiu village. Trail now is fairly flat along the river, we will have to switch several times from right to left and for this purpose we have to begin our day very early in order to complete river crossing in early hours of the day to avoid high tide, finally we camp near Markha village. From here the trek involve some steep ascends with a few difficult stretch at the river bed and pass through Humling monastery as well as Hankar village to Thanchungtse pasture for night halt. Now a short and beautiful stretch under at the foot of Kangyatse Peak (6400M.) in the wonderful, one high valleys of Ladakh to Nimaling (4700M.) for night halt. This is a gazing ground for yaks.

Now the trail climbs steeply for few hours up to Kongmarula pass (5150M.) which commands a beautiful view of surrounding peaks, we stop here for some time to enjoy the panoramic views, then descend down in to gorge with few difficult stretches over the boulders and cross several time the ford to Shang for night halt. A short and easy stretch all the way down hill to Martselang village, the a gradual ascend up to Hemis monastery.  

DAY 12.   HEMIS – LEH  Drive 45 Km 2 Hrs
Morning visit the famous Hemis - largest monastery founded in 1602 by Tagtsangrepa  and drive to Leh. En-route visit Thiksey Gompa – Tsong Khapa had prophesied that a monastery would be built here and Thiksey was founded by one of his disciple and Shey Palace – once the capital of Ladakh in the pre – Tibetan era until the 15^th century. Arrive Leh and check in at hotel.

DAY 13.   IN LEH 
Full day at leisure to explore the town and nearby monasteries. 

DAY 14.   LEH - DELHI  Fly 
Morning fly to Delhi arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 15.   DEPARTURE 
Morning transfer to airport for onward / homeward flight