The short version
- 17 days, about 53 km on foot, topping out at 5,200m. Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in May–Sep.
- 3Starts from Leh / Chilling, reached via Leh.
- 4One night gains more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹22,500 per person; 1 listed, 1 verified.
The trek
Overview
The Markha Valley trek crosses the heart of Ladakh on foot, past poplars, monasteries, chortens and nomadic herder camps — like walking through a living thangka painting — with river crossings and isolation found nowhere else in India. It tops out at Kongmaru La (5,200m), with Stok Kangri and the Karakoram behind you — one of the great Ladakhi summit moments.
Right for you if
- You can spend 3 nights in Leh acclimatising before you start
- You can cross Kongmaru La at 5,200m: a long day starting before dawn
- Village homestays suit you: beds, home cooking, very basic toilets
- Wading cold rivers, sometimes thigh-deep in July, is fine (poles help)
Think twice if
- You'd fly into Leh and start straight away: skipping acclimatisation is how people get sick here
- You have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition without a doctor's OK for 5,200m
- You need phone signal: prepaid SIMs from outside Ladakh and J&K don't work (postpaid does)
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
June: warm days and snowmelt streams running high in the afternoons. The monsoon can arrive in the second half of the month.
July and August: the best time for this region, which sits largely beyond the monsoon's reach. Expect sunny days, cold nights and the odd shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Leh
Nearest airport
Leh
Nearest railway
No railway; flying in is usual
By road
Leh to Chilling, about 2 hours
Most operators run a shared pickup from Leh early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 66 km with about 2,130 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 4, climbing 780 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Chilling → Skiu
Cross the Zanskar at Chilling and walk into the dry Markha gorge
13 km230 m80 msleep at 3,373 m
- Day2
Skiu → Markha
A long, hot day along the river, wading it in places
19.3 km400 m20 msleep at 3,790 m
- Day3
Markha → Hankar
Past Tacha monastery on its cliff, Kang Yatse coming into view
11 km270 m20 msleep at 4,034 m
- Day4
Hankar → Nimaling
Up onto the high plateau below Kang Yatse, where herders summer their yaks
10.8 km780 m0 msleep at 4,839 m
- Day5
Nimaling → Chokdo
via Kongmaru La
Over Kongmaru La at 5,200 m, the trek's highest point, and down a red-rock gorge
≈11.6 km410 m1,270 msleep at 3,950 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
3,231 m
Highest night
4,839 m
Highest point
5,259 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Hemis National Park fees are collected on the trail.
- Ladakh's environment and wildlife fees, and Hemis National Park fees on park routes. Carry original photo ID.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Markha Valley Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- A proper rain jacket and trousers or a poncho, a pack cover and liner, and quick-dry layers
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Streams rise in the afternoon and after rain. Cross early, and turn back if it looks too fast.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
1 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹22,500 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trek The Himalayas4.8₹22,500
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Markha Valley Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 5,200m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Markha Valley Trek?
May–Sep. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Markha Valley Trek take?
7 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 5 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Markha Valley Trek?
Most groups meet in Leh. Nearest airport: Leh. Nearest railway: No railway; flying in is usual. Leh to Chilling, about 2 hours.
How much does the Markha Valley Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹22,500 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Markha Valley Trek?
Hemis National Park fees are collected on the trail. Ladakh's environment and wildlife fees, and Hemis National Park fees on park routes. Carry original photo ID.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.