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Holidays

Markha, Kharnak and the Zalungkarpo La Trek

India
Available Departures: Jun, Jul, Aug

14 days from

US$2,860

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
MODERATE MODERATE

The best short trek in the high, wild and wonderful Buddhist enclave of Ladakh

Trip Code: MAZ
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Markha, Kharnak and the Zalungkarpo La Trek

Highlights
  • Views from the Zalungkarpo La (5195m) of nearby Kang Yatze (6400m)

  • Trek on shepherds’ trails from the Markha Valley to the edge of the Chang Tang

  • Acclimatise at Leh, visit Alchi Monastery and drive to the Khardung La

  • Look out for eagles and vultures and for signs of wolves and snow leopards


At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 16
  • 6 days trekking
  • Max altitude - 5195 metres
  • Join In Delhi

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 7 nights Hotel
  • 6 nights Camping
Overview

In the remote north-western corner of India, the Himalayan region of Ladakh is an inspirational destination for a trekking holiday. Connecting the Markha Valley to the Kharnak Valley across the Zalungkarpo La (5195m), this superb trek leads through a dramatic and generally arid mountain landscape, coloured by green irrigated fields and the red of the monks' robes at the villages and monasteries en route. After acclimatising and sightseeing at the monasteries around the ancient regional capital of Leh and taking a jeep ride up to the Khardung La, we drive on a jeep road to Markha at the heart of a valley where the traditional way of life has been based around growing a few hardy staples and herding sheep, goats, yaks and horses. From our first camp at Hangkar, we hike up onto the Nimaling Plain for views of Kang Yatze (6400m), before trekking through the Langthang Valley in the realm of the snow leopard and impressive lammergeier or bearded vulture. Crossing the Zalungkarpo La, where the views extend to the peaks on the Tibetan border, we enter the remote Kharnak Valley, home to nomadic Changpa shepherds who graze their flocks on its streamside pasture during the summer months. Trekking out to Dat, we return to Leh at the end of a splendid holiday that highlights the culture and magical landscapes of Ladakh.

Is this holiday for you?

This is not a long or sustained trek and we have allowed 4 days and nights in and around the town of Leh (3500m) to help us acclimatise to the altitude, before setting off. Throughout the trek we will follow trails used primarily by local shepherds and their animals. There will be stream crossings and sections of more challenging trail including zig-zag paths on scree, but any regular hillwalke …

This is not a long or sustained trek and we have allowed 4 days and nights in and around the town of Leh (3500m) to help us acclimatise to the altitude, before setting off. Throughout the trek we will follow trails used primarily by local shepherds and their animals. There will be stream crossings and sections of more challenging trail including zig-zag paths on scree, but any regular hillwalker will cope well with the underfoot conditions. There are a couple of half-day walks and several where you can expect to be walking for 6 or 7 hours. Daily distances are not great, but at elevations of between 4000 and 5000 metres, the trek will provide a reasonable challenge.

Why KE?

The Best New Itineraries

With the recent establishment of a jeep road into the heart of the Markha Valley, it was inevitable that we would want to take advantage… with the result being this excellent new 2-week trekking adventure which makes the most of the fascinating region of Ladakh.

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