Markha Valley Trek The green oasis of the Markha Valley guarded by Kang Yatse 6400mts from east and Zanskar range from the south west. From any of the high points you can have breath-taking views of the Korakoram Saser Kangri peak (7670mts) Stok Kangri (6150mts) Kang Yatse 6400mts.and Nun Kun (7135mts.) Sculpted canyons, fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, Buddhist gompas and snow-peaks. The Markha Valley is one of the most popular treks in Ladakh. Its located close to Leh, the walking is mostly below 4000 metres with night stops around 3500 meters and has the best of Ladakh. This trek being in of Hemis National Park, there is always an opportunity of spotting rare species of wild animals.
There are three alternate options for Markha Valley which are as under:

Spituk to Hemis 8 Days:

Cost: 585 Euros/ person for a private trek of 2-3 Pax
Cost: 425 Euros/Person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Gongmarula Pass 5150mts
Grade: Medium
Duration: 8 Days

Zingchen to Shang 6 Days:

Cost: 500 Euros/ person for a private trek of 2-3 Pax
Cost: 400 Euros/Person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Gongmarula Pass 5150mts
Grade: Medium

Chilling to Hemis 6 Days

Cost: 500 Euros/ person for a private trek of 2-3 Pax
Cost: 400 Euros/Person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Gongmarula Pass 5150mts
Grade: Medium

What’s included in the price:
Transportation both ways (to the starting point and coming back from the finishing point by Jeep)
Tents
Mattresses
Pack Horses
Food
Guide
Cook
Helpers
Cooking gears
Wildlife fees
Camping fees
And inner line permission where ever it’s needed.

Trekking Menu:
Our cooks are careful to prepare your meals with your enjoyment in mind. Typically these plentiful meals will be primarily vegetarian in nature with some meat or protein in the form of canned fish or tofu. This is typical of the Ladakhi diet in general.
Our cooks are encouraged to use hand sanitizers such as alcohol based gels prior to food preparation. You are encouraged to do the same.
Dishes are typically stainless steel bowls and pans and are cleaned after meals with scrub pads and soap.
Our staff will provide rehydrating liquids in large quantities throughout your trek. Take advantage of tea, coffee, juice boxes and water whenever you can.
At altitude it is typical not to feel much hunger or thirst. Make sure you stay adequately fed and drink plenty of fluids, both at meals and along the trail. During the summer, heat can be a real factor requiring significant intake of liquids while you trek. Carry 2 liters of water with you.

MENU
Breakfast :
Porridge, Cornflakes, Muesli, Bread, Apricot Jam, Honey, Butter, Peanut Butter, Cheese,
Pan-Cake, Omelet, Tea and Coffee.
Lunch :
(You will have Pack-Lunch while trekking)
Sandwiches, Boiled Eggs, Boiled Potatoes, Fruit Juice, Energy Bars/Chocolate Bars, Biscuits, and Peanut Candies.
Tea Time :
You will have Instant Noodles Tea & Coffee with Biscuits, Snacks, and Cookies when you end the days trek.
Dinner :
Soup, Rice, Curry (Veg. Mushroom, Paneer, & Dal) Noodles (Thukpa & Chowmien) Veg Momos, Tuna Momos, Spring Rolls, and for Deserts Custards, and Fruits
Cocktail :
Please Note: All of the above items are served different on different days, and the items are subjected to the availability in the market. Drinking Water :
Being a local and an Eco friendly organization we encourage you to kindly use boiled water instead of plastic bottled mineral water coz that will help us to keep the trekking routes/environment clean For the first day we will provide two liters of pressure boiled water, and from 1st evening of the trek our staff will supply boiled water, the source would be either glacier or Spring and the supply will continue till the end of the trek.   

Markha Valley 8 days

Day 1: Drive from Leh to Spituk (40 min Approximately) Trek to Zingchen (4-5 hrs)
Day 2: Trek from Zingchen to Gandala Base (5-6 hrs)
Day 3: Trek from Gandala Base to Skiu via Gandala Pass 4850m ( 6-7 hrs)
Day 4: Trek from Skiu to Markha (7-8 hrs)
Day 5: Trek from Markha to Thuchungtse ( 5-6 hrs)
Day 6: Trek from Thuchungtse to Nimaling 4700m highest Camping point during the trek (4-5 hrs)
Day 7: Trek from Nimaling to Shang Sumdo via Gongmarula Pass 5150m Highest point of the trek 6-7 hrs
Day 8: Trek from Shang Sumdo to Hemis after visiting the Hemis monastery we will drive you back to Leh via Shey and Thicksey (4-5 hrs) and 2 hrs drive. Trek finishes here.

For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at

Markha Valley 6 days

Day 1: Trek from Zingchen to Gandala Base (5-6 hrs)
Day 2: Trek from Gandala Base to Skiu via Gandala Pass 4850m ( 6-7 hrs)
Day 3: Trek from Skiu to Markha (7-8 hrs)
Day 4: Trek from Markha to Thuchungtse ( 5-6 hrs)
Day 5 :Trek from Thuchungtse to Nimaling 4700m highest Camping point during the trek (4-5 hrs)
Day 6: Trek from Nimaling to Shang Sumdo via Gongmarula Pass 5150m Highest point of the trek 6-7 hrs and we will drive you back to Leh via the famous monasteries Shey Thicksey and Hemis

For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at

Markha Valley via Chilling 6 days

Day 1: Drive to Chilling by Jeep and trek from Chilling to Skiu 3-4 hrs
Day 2: Trek from Skiu to Markha (7-8 hrs)
Day 3: Trek from Markha to Thuchungtse ( 5-6 hrs)
Day 4: Trek from Thuchungtse to Nimaling 4700m highest Camping point during the trek (4-5 hrs)
Day 5: Trek from Nimaling to Shang Sumdo via Gongmarula Pass 5150m Highest point of the trek 6-7 hrs
Day 6: Trek from Shang Sumdo to Hemis after visiting the Hemis monastery we will drive you back to Leh via Shey and Thicksey (4-5 hrs) and 2 hrs drive. Trek finishes here.

For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at

A Typical Day of Trekking

Our typical day of trekking is based on an average level of client physical fitness coupled with the nature of our weather and terrain. This could include very warm days during summer, high passes, and the need to move between campsites which ensure adequate grazing for the ponies.

06:00 Bed tea is served to your tent. A great way to warm up before packing up your gear.

06:30 Hot water is provided for your morning wash.

07:00 Breakfast is served

08:00 Your personal packing is complete and your trail lunch is available to place in your day pack. Your guide will go over the day’s travel plans highlighting those areas along the route you will want to visit.

08:15 Off on the trail with your guide, or with instructions as to the route and where he will meet you if he needs to assist with pony packing (dependant on party size).

12:00 Lunch along the route, often in a meadow or beside a stream. A typical lunch might consist of a sandwich, juice box, cheese, boiled egg, boiled potato, apple, cookies or chocolate bar.

17:00 In camp with a pot of tea after a great day of sights and trekking. The tent is up and you are making notes in your journal and taking photos of the picturesque landscape.

18:30 Supper is served. Time for more tea and, perhaps, an early bed.

Expect to have rather lengthy days of travel with plenty of time to take photos and look at the scenery, visit tea tents or local villages as you pass through. You will have plenty of time in camp each evening to meet with other travelers, compare notes, read a bit, take photographs or visit surrounding villages or sites either before or after your supper is served.
By starting early you will have made substantial progress in the cooler part of the day, and will be able to take your time ascending the passes which can be up to 17,000 feet (5,180 M) on some routes, arriving at your next camp with some reserves of energy for the evening.

Jasmin Dillon Recommends October 4, 2011
"The beauty of the nature and people were so Pure and Raw"
This trek was one of the best experiences of my life. I have had many adventurous experiences across the world, but the this was unique. The customer service was outstanding. The team at Dream Ladakh helped us book out trek from Australia- they were informative, helpful, easy to communicate with, and directed us to choose the right trek with the small amount of time we had. We were picked up from the airport free of charge, taken care of at the office while they so calmly too care of sorting out the most suitable accommodation for the few nights before our trek. Naturally we had altitude sickness kicking in- but drinks and snacks provided we soon felt much calmer ourselves. The team are friendly and kind and go out of their way to help you with any questions you have and offer help where ever they can. The actual trek itself was PURE MAGIC. This part of the world is so pure and untouched, the nature, the people, the whole experience. It was hard work over our Markha Valley 8 day trek, but with an excellent and experienced guide who spoke good English, was super fit, full of knowledge, and such a genuine kind person, it made it very safe and enjoyable- even when climbing 5,200m.

As vegans we had no trouble at all with the right food be provided, with a great cook. So much food was available for us. The tents and equipment provided where in great condition and we were always warm and dry. The horses and donkey which carried all the gear were well fed and cared for by the pony man. They all looked very happy and healthy compared to some of the others horses we saw along the way. Dream Ladakh were professional, have fantastic knowledge and experience, but what I liked the most is how trustworthy they were!!! Good for: adventure, All tourists, hiking trekking walking, Fit people of all ages, amazing nature
jazzdillon@hotmail.com

Andrea & Manuela Recommends this, September 15, 2011
We spent our last holiday in Ladakh; would like not only visit this fantastic country, but do a trekking. We began to look for on internet and we found Dreamland Trek & Tour and booked with your the Markha trek and the other trip around Ladakh. For us it was a amzing experienrice. The trekking was magnificent; we must thank our guide, your assistent and the ponyman. They were very kind with us, very professional and we spent with them a great experience and we thank them for letting us know Ladakh.
At the end of trekking, the staff of Dreamland organised for us the trip to Nubra Valley and the big lake. Also this trips was fantastic. We thank a lot Dreamland for the great experience we had spent
andreamanu1@virgilio.it

Anne-Lise Garcel et Georges Korchia
La markha Valley: excellent trek c etait splendid et notre guide, Pema, etait genial. Ils nous a raconte plein de trucs sur le Ladakh et est un excellent cuisinier. Merci egalement a l agence Dreamland pour sa gentillesse et son efficacite. 04/09/03 algarcel@recherche.loreal.com

Excellent Tour Company Operator - Flexible, Honest. Use them
Lyn Michaud Recommends November 21, 2010
My wife and I had opportunity to use Dreamland Trek&Tour during a month in Ladakh. Javeed and his staff were most helpful. We organized our tour over the internet due to recommendations from other Canadians. Javeed met us at the airport and ensured we were well looked after throughout our trip including accommodation, guides, tour drivers, pony boys - in fact the lot! We did change our trekking schedule and Javeed met the challenge, was flexible, and as a result we also squeezed in a trip across Khardung La into the Nubra Valley after our trip up the Markha and into Rupshu. We enjoyed Leh, our trek and sightseeing journeys to a very interesting land with many excellent gompa's combined with a rich cultural heritage. Dreamland kept us well physically as we went to altitude and we were pleased with their approach to the environment in Ladahk. We found Javeed and his staff to be friendly and helpful throughout. There are many tour operators in Leh, but Dreamland stands out as a professional, honest, competent and well run company.
lmichaud@telus.net

Important Questions :
How long does it take to get acclimatize?
Abruptly going to a height of 3500 m, one naturally feels a difference. Your body reacts and behaves differently in rarified air at high altitude. What you need to do is just take it easy and give some time to your body to adjust in to less oxygen (hypoxia) by a slow physiological process called Acclimatization. Time taken for acclimatization varies from person to person; usually you nee atleast 2-3 days in order get well acclimatized and you need to take complete rest for the 1st day even if you are feeling fine. Drink plenty of fluids at least 3-4 litres. Diet should be high in carbohydrates, less oily and predominantly vegetarian. Avoid excess of alcohol and tobacco in any form.

Why are some treks more expensive than others?
If we have to organize a trek near Leh than it's less expensive for transportation and same is for the pack horses as we have to send them to the starting point. Even after finishing the trek we have to pay for the horses for reaching Leh. That's why there are different rates for different trek routes.

Who carries the things/gears and food during the trek?
In Ladakh normally you have to trek around the height of 4000mts and the passes are around 5000mts so its very difficult to carry heavy loads at this height, that's why we provide pack horses/ponies they will carry everything, trekkers will have to carry only the pack lunch, water, camera, note book, and some delicate things which they don't want keep with the horses.

What we do with the garbage that are produced during the trek?
We are very keen to keep Ladakh clean, that's why we strictly instruct our staff to bring back all the garbages produced during the trek.

What about the temperature (maximum and minimum) during the trekking season?
The average temperatures in the trekking routes during the trekking season are as under:
May................. (Max 15*C & Min -3*C)
June................ (Max 25*C & Min 6*C)
July................. (Max 30*C & Min 10*C)
August ............ (Max 27*C & Min 8*C)
September...... (Max 15*C & Min -2*C)
October........... (Max 8*C & Min -8*C)

How we look after your health while trekking?
Our guides are careful to prepare your meals with your enjoyment in mind. Typically these plentiful meals will be primarily vegetarian in nature with some meat or protein in the form of canned fish or tofu. This is typical of the Ladakhi diet in general. Our guides are encouraged to use hand sanitizers such as alcohol based gels prior to food preparation. You are encouraged to do the same. Dishes are typically stainless steel bowls and pans and are cleaned after meals with scrub pads and soap. Our staff will provide rehydrating liquids in large quantities throughout your trek. Take advantage of tea, coffee, juice and water whenever you can. At altitude it is natural not to feel much hunger or thirst. Make sure you stay adequately fed and drank plenty of fluids both at meals and along the trail. During summer, heat can be a real factor requiring significant intake of liquids while you trek. So always carry 2 liters of water with you.
Our guides will make every effort to pace your day so you are not pushed to your physical limits. This means you will be getting up and away in good time so your day will allow a consistent but moderate pace.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or other chronic illness it would be wise to let Dreamland Trek and Tour know of this condition prior to leaving Leh. This way your guide will understand that you have medication along with you should someone other than yourself have to administer the drugs.
Preparation for altitude during the trek is vital. Acclimatize in Leh prior to departure on your trek. Take at least 4 days doing tours or other easy to moderate physical activity prior to beginning your trek. If possible start low and go slowly for the first few days of your trek. Some routes will not allow this, so acclimatization is even more important in these cases.
Prior to your trek meet with your doctor and discuss your overall physical condition and your doctor's recommendation for high altitude medication. You may also wish to discuss treatment and medication for traveler's diarrhea as you experience new foods and bacterial environments.
With these simple ideas in mind, your trekking experience will be most enjoyable for you and other travelers along the way.

What do we do if someone is sick or injured during the trek?
During the trek our guides will make every effort to pace your day so you are not pushed to your physical limits. This means you will be getting up and away in good time so your day will allow a consistent but moderate pace. And in case it hits a member of the tour then our assistant guide will immediately bring him/her down asap. He will use the ponies to ride for the sick person in the mean time he will inform us through a satellite phone (now we have satellite phone in almost every remote villages of Ladakh) and we will soon send a jeep to bring her/him to the hospital in Leh.

Rescue in Emergency:
In case if someone is critically sick or injured and requires helicopter evacuation, this can be done with the cooperation of JK Tourism Department & Indian Airforce as long as you have the insurance to cover this so it would be useful to let us know which insurance.