Hemis National Park, Leh · Ladakh
Markha Valley
A homestay trek through desert canyons and tiny villages, over the Kongmaru La.
Markha Valley is a moderate trek in Hemis National Park, Leh, Ladakh, reaching 5,150 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 9 to 10 days on the ground from Leh and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Markha Valley
The one thing not to miss
Kongmaru La
The high pass near the end, facing Kang Yatse.
- 2The villagesSkiu, Markha and Hankar, with homestays most of the way.
- 3NimalingA high pasture where the last camp is made.
- 4HemisThe monastery near the end of the trail.
A sample plan: 6 days
Day 1
Two days in Leh
Acclimatise before anything else.
Day 2
Leh to Chilling by road, then walk to Skiu
An easy first day.
Day 3
Skiu to Markha
A long, level day along the river.
Day 4
Markha to Hankar
Past old fort ruins, with Kang Yatse coming into view.
Day 5
Hankar to Nimaling
Up to the high pasture.
Day 6
Over Kongmaru La to Chokdo, and drive to Leh
The big day; a long descent through a gorge.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Village homestays every night and real Ladakhi life, with snow peaks overhead.
Why not
High and dry — the Kongmaru La is over 5,000 m, and river crossings can be cold.
Before you go
- Permits
- Hemis National Park fee and Ladakh permits.
- Guide
- Recommended.
- Safety
- Acclimatise 2–3 days in Leh. Start river crossings early, before snowmelt raises them.
- Phone & internet
- None on the trail.
Altitude
Markha Valley reaches 5,150 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Ladakh →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: SNM Hospital, Leh.
All emergency contacts for Ladakh →What to pack for Markha Valley
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 5,150 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 70 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
11 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 5,150 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
- Moisturiser and a saline nasal spray The air is very dry; skin and the inside of the nose crack within days.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsHemis National Park fee and Ladakh permits.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone on the trail.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Ladakh Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Homestays in Ladakh
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Leh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Spend at least two nights in Leh before going higher.
By road
From
Leh
- Distance
- about 65 km
- Drive time
- about 2.5 hours
- Leh
- Nimmu
- Chilling
- Skiu
The road now reaches into the lower valley; many people start walking from Chilling or Skiu and finish near Hemis.
Live directions from Leh
Buses and shared taxis. Most people fly to Leh. By road it is two days from Srinagar via Kargil (open roughly May to November) or from Manali via Keylong and Sarchu (roughly June to October). Take a taxi to the trailhead.
Pickups & drivers
From Leh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Markha Valley yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Markha Valley: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Markha Valley?
The best months for Markha Valley are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Markha Valley?
Markha Valley is rated moderate. The trek is about 70 km in total, starting at 3,300 m and reaching 5,150 m.
How many days do you need for Markha Valley?
Plan 9 to 10 days on the ground, counted from Leh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Markha Valley cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹30,000 for 10 days, before the cost of getting to Leh.
How do you reach Markha Valley?
By road: from Leh it is about 65 km, about 2.5 hours (Leh → Nimmu → Chilling → Skiu). Most people fly to Leh. By road it is two days from Srinagar via Kargil (open roughly May to November) or from Manali via Keylong and Sarchu (roughly June to October). Take a taxi to the trailhead. The nearest gateway is Leh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Markha Valley?
Permits: Hemis National Park fee and Ladakh permits. Guide: Recommended.
Is Markha Valley suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is moderately busy in season. Acclimatise 2–3 days in Leh. Start river crossings early, before snowmelt raises them.
What should you pack for Markha Valley?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Markha Valley?
None on the trail.
Will I get altitude sickness at Markha Valley?
Markha Valley reaches 5,150 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Markha Valley?
Markha Valley is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 5,150 m. Also keep in mind: High and dry — the Kongmaru La is over 5,000 m, and river crossings can be cold.
Close to Markha Valley
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Chadar (frozen river) trekabout 25 km
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