- Markha is a 6 to 10 day Ladakh trek (depending on operator) through villages and homestays, with one big pass, Kongmaru La at 5,260 m.
- The season is roughly June to September. Operators list departures from May or June and Bikat names June to September as best.
- Spend at least two or three days acclimatising in Leh first. Prices on operators' own pages range from about ₹18,450 to ₹55,000, and one Leh operator charges €690.
The Markha Valley trek is Ladakh's classic homestay walk: you follow the Markha river past villages and monasteries, camp on the high pasture at Nimaling and cross Kongmaru La at 5,260 m. The season is roughly June to September, and you need days in Leh to acclimatise first.
Who is the Markha Valley trek for?
It suits fit trekkers who have done a multi-day Himalayan trek before and want culture along with views. Grades differ: Ju-Leh Adventure calls its version moderate, while Bikat rates its own as difficult and suggests a prior BRS 4 trek. It is a summer alternative to the winter Chadar trek. The Markha page has the 3D route.
Markha Valley trek itinerary
Operators run different versions (Bikat crosses Ganda La from Zingchen over 10 days; others start at Chilling). Here is Ju-Leh Adventure's 8-day fixed departure, with distances and altitudes from its page:
| Day | Route | Distance | Time | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leh → Zingchen (3,402 m), walk to Rumbak | 6.5 km | 2 to 3 h | Homestay, 3,956 m |
| 2 | Rumbak → Stok La (optional) → Yurutse | 10.1 + 3.5 km | 5 + 2 h | Homestay, 4,148 m |
| 3 | Yurutse → Ganda La (4,961 m) → Skiu | 17.8 km | 6 to 8 h | Homestay, 3,366 m |
| 4 | Skiu → Markha | 21.2 km | 6 to 7 h | Homestay, 3,760 m |
| 5 | Markha → Hankar | 11.2 km | 4 to 5 h | Homestay, 4,030 m |
| 6 | Hankar → Nimaling | 10.7 km | 5 to 6 h | Camp, 4,841 m |
| 7 | Nimaling → Kongmaru La (5,260 m) → Chogdo | 12.1 km | 5 to 6 h | Homestay, 3,905 m |
| 8 | Drive Chogdo → Leh, monastery visits | - | - | - |
Read the altitude column. The night at Skiu is low (3,366 m), then you climb steadily to Nimaling at 4,841 m, an 836 m rise from Hankar in one day. That is much more than the usual guideline of raising your sleeping altitude by about 500 m a day above 3,000 m, so this is the step to plan carefully with your operator. Ju-Leh also builds in three days at about 3,500 m before the trek. Learn more in how to read a trek's altitude gain.
Best time for the Markha Valley trek
- June: Bikat says nights can drop to about -10 °C, and snow is possible on the pass. See treks in June.
- July and August: warmer, with days of 10 to 25 °C. See July and August.
- September: Bikat's best window ends in September. Ju-Leh lists departures up to 22 September 2027. See treks in September.
- Winter: not a Markha season; the river freezes and the Zanskar becomes the Chadar.
How to reach the Markha Valley trek
Everything starts from Leh. Trailheads are reached by car from Leh: Zingchen is about 45 minutes for Ju-Leh, and Bikat has a one-hour jeep ride. The end point, Chogdo or Shang Sumdo depending on the plan, is a drive back to Leh. Leh has plenty of ATMs, but there are none on the trek (Bikat).
Markha Valley trek cost
Base prices on each operator's own page in October 2026. They change and cover different days, hotels and transfers.
| Operator (own page) | Base price | Notes on that page |
|---|---|---|
| TrekUp India | ₹18,450 | plus GST, promo price |
| Thrillophilia | ₹25,500 | ex-Leh, 9 days, sale price, transport extra |
| Himalayan Hikers | ₹35,000 | ex-Leh, plus GST, insurance extra |
| Bikat Adventures | ₹35,500 | 10 days via Zingchen, plus 5% GST; Leh hotels, meals on trek and first-aid kit with oxygen included |
| Himalaya Shelter | ₹55,000 | ex-Leh, 9 days, plus GST |
| Ju-Leh Adventure | €690 | 8 days, groups of 3 to 7; hotel and meals in Leh, insurance and sleeping bag not included |
See how much a trek in India costs for what is usually in and out.
Permits and fees
- Indians: no separate Inner Line Permit since 2021. You pay Ladakh's online fee at lahdclehpermit.in: ₹400 once a year, ₹20 a person a day wildlife fee, and an optional ₹50 Red Cross contribution, per Discover with Dheeraj. Carry photo ID.
- Foreigners: a Protected Area Permit is not needed for Markha, but Outlook Traveller lists a Hemis National Park fee of ₹100 for foreigners against ₹20 for Indians, from an undated guide, so confirm at the gate.
Rules change; confirm on the official portal. Read trek permits in India.
What to pack and stay safe
- Thermals, fleece, down jacket, windproof shell, woollen cap and sun cap: Himalayan Hikers lists these for cold nights at Nimaling.
- Sleeping bag if not provided, since homestay blankets can be dusty (Ju-Leh). A soft duffel for horses; hard suitcases cannot go on horseback.
- UV sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, 2 litres of water, ORS, power bank. Homestays often have solar charging but it is not certain.
Full list: Himalayan trek packing list. Kongmaru La is above 5,000 m, so acclimatise in Leh, drink water, walk slowly and go down if a headache worsens or you feel confused or breathless at rest: see altitude sickness on treks. Ju-Leh says each village has a satellite phone for emergencies and personal satellite phones are banned in Ladakh. This is general guidance; talk to a doctor if you have a health condition.
Sources
- Ju-Leh Adventure: Markha Valley fixed departure
- Ju-Leh Adventure: Markha from Chilling (FAQ)
- Bikat Adventures: Markha Valley trek
- Discover with Dheeraj: Ladakh permits online
- Outlook Traveller: Hemis National Park
- Himalayan Hikers: Markha Valley trek
- Himalaya Shelter: Markha Valley trek
- TrekUp India: Markha Valley
- Thrillophilia: Markha Valley trek
Quick questions
Is the Markha Valley trek difficult?
Ju-Leh Adventure grades its version moderate; Bikat rates its version difficult (5 on its scale) and recommends a previous BRS 4 trek or equivalent. The high pass above 5,000 m and the long days are the hard part.
What is the best time for the Markha Valley trek?
June to September. Bikat says June nights can fall to about -10 °C, and July and August are warmer with days of 10 to 25 °C.
Do I need a permit for Markha?
Indian trekkers pay Ladakh's online environment fee (₹400 once a year plus ₹20 a day wildlife fee) instead of an Inner Line Permit, per Discover with Dheeraj. Foreigners do not need a Protected Area Permit for Markha, but pay a higher Hemis National Park fee.
Where do you sleep on the Markha Valley trek?
Mostly village homestays, plus a camp at Nimaling. Homestays have no showers, and Ju-Leh Adventure advises bringing a sleeping bag.
