The Himalaya, which in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit means' 'Abode Of Snows,' are the greatest mountains on the face of the earth. They have an especially unique place in the history and legend of India, where they were worshipped as the dwelling place of the gods of the Hindu Pantheon. These mountains extend in a grand sweep all along the northern frontiers of the Indian nation and conceal within their folds many vibrant lands and peoples.
Ladakh is one such magical land, abounding in awesome physical features, set in an enormous and spectacular environment. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalaya in the south, it is traversed by two other parallel chains, the Ladakh Range and the Zanskar Range.
In geological terms, this is a young land, formed a few million years ago. Its basic contours, uplifted by tectonic movements, have been modified over the millennia by the process of erosion due to wind and water, sculpted into the form that we see today. Today a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalaya, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south-east plateaus of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or, lakes of Tso-moriri, Tso-kar and Pangong-tso. But the main source of water is winter snowfall.
Dras, Zanskar and the Suru Valley on the Himalaya's northern flanks receive heavy snow in winter, this feeds the glaciers from which melt water, carried down by streams, irrigates the fields in summer. For the rest of the region, the snow on the peaks is virtually the only source of water. As the crops grow, the villagers pray not for rain, but for sun to melt the glaciers and liberate their water.
Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 ft (2,750 m) at Kargil to 25,170 ft (7,672m) at the Saser Kangri peak, in the Karakoram Range. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 27C in the shade, while in winter they may at times plummet to minus 20C even in Leh. Surprisingly though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes. It is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!
Ladakh was the conduit through which Buddhism reached Tibet from India and in the process it got deeply entrenched in the region from the very beginning. In this beautiful and intensely mystical land, where peace seems to prevail forever over the remote mountains, valleys and high plateaus, the only sound that reverberates is the eternal chanting of the divine invocation
“Aum Mani Padme Hum” –
Meaning ‘O Jewel In The Lotus Flower (Lord Buddha – The Enlightened One), I Seek Salvation.’
THE MARKHA VALLEY TREK TOUR:
One of the most popular treks in Ladakh, the Markha valley trek gives you the real feel of the stark landscape of Ladakh.
SEASON: June – September
MAX. ALTITUDE: 5200m
NUMBER OF DAYS: 13
HIGH PASSES: Kongmaru La (5200m), Ganda La (4900m)
TREK GRADIENT: Moderately challenging

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival at New Delhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Delhi, India’s capital city, with a thousand years of history, is a city of contrasts that combines a unique ambience of the ancient and the modern. An orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings, which was established soon after the Imperial capital of British India moved here from Calcutta in 1911.
1400 hrs: Sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar and Sikh Temple
(Bangla Sahib) and drive past the Parliament House, India Gate and President’s House.
Overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Delhi – Leh…………………………by flight.
0345 hrs: Transfer to the domestic airport to board flight for Leh.
0540 hrs: Depart by 9W 609.
0655 hrs: Arrive Leh and transfer to your hotel.
Rest at your hotel for the entire day to acclimatize .
Overnight at hotel

Day 3: In Leh

Full day sightseeing / community work programme
AM Sightseeing of Sankar Gompa, Spituk Monastery & Stok Palace.
Samkar Gompa is little up in the valley, 3 km from Leh Town, which is open to visitors in the morning and evening only. The Gompa belongs to Yellow Sect and was founded in the 18th Century. The Gompa is the seat of the Head Lama of Ladakh and founder of the Yellow Sect, Tson-Kha-Pa. The temple walls have recently painted figures including those of Sakya Muni, Avalokiteshwara, Padmasambhava, Tson-Ka-pa and green Tara.
Spituk – 8 Kms from Leh, Spituk stands majestically atop a hillock overlooking the Indus valley for miles. Many icons and fine “Tangkhas” are to be found in this 15th century monastery. It also houses a collection of ancient masks; antique arms and an inspiring image of “Mahakala”.
After Spituk, visit Stok Palace - Stok lies 14 kms south of Leh on the opposite side of River Indus, the castle was built on a hill at the end of the village around the year 1825 by King Tsespal Tondup Namgial. Not long after it was built, Ladakh was lost to the Dogras. From then on the successive kings of Ladakh resided in this Castle. Inside the castle are preserved shrines, the Crown, ceremonial dresses and jewellery of the Kings and Queens of Ladakh, which can be seen well preserved and displayed in the castles’ museum. In Stok there is also the sacred Monastery of Gurphug, a branch of Spituk Monastery. On the 9th and 10th days of the first Tibetan Calender month, the festival called GURU TSECHU is held here during which the monks of the Spituk Monastry come to perform their sacred dances.
When back in town, take a walk through the bazaar.
Later in the day go for a community work programme near Leh, perhaps to a school, where you can have the opportunity to contribute books and other stationary etc. to the students and if possible, play a game of cricket with them or, involve in some other social work.

Day 4: Leh - Phey – Zingchan (3550 mt , 4 hrs)
The first part of the trek is by road to the village of Phey.. The first day’s walk begins from here. It is a fairly pleasant walk in a south-westerly direction along the Indus on your right. It is long gentle walking before you enter the Zingchen Gorge. The gorge is dotted with poplar trees and you reach Zingchen village after an hour’s walk. To skip the regular rush of trekkers at the normal campsites, it is advisable to continue walking to Hemis National Park to reach the village of Sumdzom. There are nice camping options here and we pitch up here for the night.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 5: Zingchan – Kanda-La Base Camp ( 4280 mt, (5/6 hours)
From Sumdzom we walk upstream and then climb up the hill till we get to Kandala Nallah along which a path leads to high pastures. On the east is a path that leads to Rumbak Village which we avoid taking, instead, we go westward following the path to Yurutse and the Kandala Base Camp. The flat campsite commands a very nice view of the valley below. We shall pitch up here for the night.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 6: Kanda-La Base Camp – Skiu (4280-3018 mt , 7/8 hours)
It is a long day today. The trek up to the Kandala Pass (4970m) takes a little under two hours of steady climbing from the base camp. From the pass, a well-defined path leads down to Shingo. This descent takes around two hours. Beyond Shingo, we head left for Skiu after crossing the Shingo Nallah. This stretch takes around three hours. Skiu is a fascinating place with ruins of ancient monasteries. Our campsite is beyond the village by the Markha River.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 7: Skiu - Markha ( 3018- 3589 mt , 8 hours)
An early start is recommended for this day as it gets very warm when it is sunny, although the walking is not very strenuous. The trail from Skiu leads to Sara where one can stop for a quick lunch. Beyond Sara the trail goes up to the village of Chalak. We cross a river and keep going ahead for around two hours till we reach the swift Markha River. After fording across the river from the shallowest spot, we carry on further to arrive at Markha Village. There are a number of options for camping here.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 8: Markha - Thujungtse ( 3589-4187 mt, 6/7 hours)
This day is a moderately tough walking day, passing through the villages of Umlung and Hanikar. The Kangyatse Peak (6400m) dominates the landscape. The trail goes northwards upto the confluence of two rivers Luntang Chu and Nyimaling Chu. At the end of the trail we get to Thujungste village. The campsite is excellent.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 9: Thujungtse – Nyimaling ( 4187-4806 mt, 4 hours)
It is an easy walk today. The trail from Thujungste leads you to Nyimaling passing through several Mani walls and shepherd camps. On the way the views of Kangyatse Peak are simply spectacular. Nyimaling is a beautiful place and one can spend the afternoon exploring the valley. You may spot Blue Sheep and other wildlife in this area.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 10: Nyimaling – Shang Sumdo Across Kongmaru - La ( 4806- 4033 mt , 7/8 hours)
From Nyimaling the trail crosses the Nyimaling Chu and ascends steeply upwards to the pass at Kongmaru La (5130m). From here the descent is sharp and an hour’s walk takes you to Lhartse. The trail leads to Shang River and beyond this are the shepherd camps at Chuskumo and Chukdo. Finally we get to Shang Sumdo where the campsite is located before the confluence of the two tributaries.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 11: Shang Sumdo - Hemis(3/4 hours)
The early morning may be spent exploring the side valley and the monastery of Shang. Then we set out along the jeepable road to Martselang. From here we board our waiting SUVs to drive on to Leh.
Enroute we will visit the Hemis Monastery- Built in the 1600’s by the King Sengye Namgyal, the most well known Ladakhi ruler and Thiksey Monastery - set atop a hill, this 800 year old Gompa offers a panoramic view of the fertile Indus Valley. The Gompa has numerous chambers, including one hall with a recently constructed 2 Storey high, painted clay statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, in a meditative posture.
Photo stop near Shey Monastery
Evening arrive Leh and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 12: Leh – New Delhi………………………..by flight
0345 hrs: Transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi.
0735 hrs: Depart by 9W 610.
0850 hrs: Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel.
1400 hrs: Sightseeing of Old Delhi. Drive past Chandni Chowk- the crowded bazaar (silver street ) of old Delhi and Red Fort- Built in 1648, this sprawling fort of red sand stones along the river Yamuna is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Visit Raj Ghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) and Jama Masjid (Mosque) built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, the Jama Masjid is the largest and one of the most magnificent mosques in India.
Overnight in the Camp

Day 13: New Delhi-Overseas Destination
Morning : Transfer to international airport to connect Virgin flight for London.