Scenic Trekking and Natural Wonders of Markha Valley

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Whilst a beautiful destination itself - there are some aspects that make it less pleasant. We had to turn back before we got to the pass because we ran out of money, which is completely our fault. We didn't plan properly as I was using outdated information about the prices of the homestays involved. I had read somewhere that a homestay is 500 rupee - in 2022 that price has jumped to 1,200 rupee per person, so as a couple we were spending 2,400 rupee a night to sleep on a mattress on the floor and it included dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch the next day. The food included just... wasn't good. It was way too heavy on wheat flour and not nutritious enough for the hiking involved to get there. Dinner was handmade pasta with vegetables, breakfast was chapati and tea, the packed lunch was a boiled potato, boiled egg, a juice box and more chapati. For us, that just isn't good enough value for the price asked of us. I am not a picky traveller or eater, but I expect a certain service depending on what I'm paying. I have hiked many hikes in both India and Nepal and a lot of them included homestays of varying quality - the quality of the homestays in the Markha Valley was amongst the very worst for me and it ended up spoiling what could've been an amazing trip. We also had somewhat of a bad feeling at the very beginning - the bridge that crosses the Zanskar River just after Chilling is now a tent-laden slum camp for the men that are building the roads here. The camp is quite an eyesore but wouldn't be a problem otherwise. Our issue is that we had a man following us from there that seemed to be on drugs, after 10 minutes of walking we had to hide behind a rock in order to get away from him. It was a weird experience as there was nobody else around and it was unpredictable. I don't want this review to be all negative. If you have the money and motivation to hike through here then I definitely recommend it. It is a special place and the villages you pass feel as if they are lost in time. If you go in this hike with the right expectations you'll come out a more fulfilled person!

Set in the arid cold desert of Ladakh, Markha is a stunning river valley in Hemis National Park. The trek through Markha Valley is very picturesque and full of adventure. The trek involves many river crossings, some waist-deep, along with taking you to a hight of 17,060ft while crossing the high pass of Kongmaru La. The trail offers some outstanding views of Mt Kang Yatse (21,300 ft). There are also incredible rocky canyons along the trail, as well as plenty of wildlife.

Nature scenarios are awesome.

Nice eco village