We asked one of our leading Ladakh guides what he especially adores about trekking in the Ladakh region of northern India, especially the Markha Valley trek, a trek we offer from Mid-May to the beginning of October. That’s a period when the premier treks in Nepal, like the Everest Base Camp trek, are not the best due to the monsoon. If you like to travel in the summer months and want a high-altitude trek of a lifetime in a remote, rugged region, the Stok Kangri trek is a true gem!
The first time I climbed Stok Kangri (20,187 feet) via the Markha Valley route was way back in 1993. Ladakh was still an unknown area for international travelers mind and only a government Indian airline was operating in the region.
It was love at first sight. I love treks where I get to meet local villagers along with beautiful mountain vistas. And Markha Valley has it all. Sculpted canyons and fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, Buddhist gompas, mighty Himalayan rivers, the high altitude pastures of Nimaling and snow-covered peaks are just some of the features of this unique and exciting trek,
Every time I go back, I am captivated by this surreal multicolored landscape of white capped ranges with bright green patches of barley fields below, of locals working in the fields with their donkeys and mules, pasture lands laced with hungry yaks and sheep.
For the outdoor lovers, this trek has everything to excite your senses, with the optional ascent of Stok Kangri providing an unforgettable highlight to an amazing trip.