High altitude desert trek
Located in the River Valley of Ladakh, the charming Tea House Trail in Markha offers a picturesque and adventurous trek through the arid, cold desert landscape of Hemis National Park. This trail features numerous river crossings, some waist-deep and reaches a height of 17,060 feet when crossing the high pass of Kongmaru La. Along the way, trekkers are treated to breathtaking views of Mt Kang Yatse (21,300 feet) and encounter stunning rocky canyons and diverse wildlife. The most enchanting aspect of this trek is the quaint villages of Markha Valley, with their humble mud houses surrounded by green fields amidst the rugged Ladakh mountains. These villages showcase Tibetan culture with traditional ornamented kitchens and Buddhist prayer flags. What sets this trek apart is the opportunity to stay in village homestays along the trail, making it one of the rare tea-house treks in India. This allows trekkers to enjoy a rewarding experience without needing camping logistics. For those with limited time in Ladakh looking for a memorable trekking experience, the Tea House Trail in Markha Valley is an ideal choice.
On the third day of your trek, you will catch sight of Kang Yatse for the first time as you make your way towards the upper Markha valley. As you ascend from Umlung, the impressive pyramid-shaped peak of Kang Yatse dominates the landscape, creating a captivating and enchanting scene. This mountain serves as a serene and majestic presence during your journey, offering stunning views from various points of the trek, until you reach the Kongmaru La pass.
Nestled in the heart of a desolate, high-altitude desert, the villages of Markha and Hankar present a breathtaking anomaly – vibrant green landscapes that thrive in an otherwise arid environment. The juxtaposition of the harsh desert mountains sheltering a verdant haven of civilization is a sight to behold. Markha stands out as one of the largest villages encountered on the trek, while Hankar embodies a more untouched, rugged beauty, adding to the diversity of Ladakh’s natural beauty.
From the summit of Kongmaru La, the breathtaking panorama unfolds as a sweet payoff for the arduous ascent. When the skies are clear, this vantage point offers a stunning introduction to the Indus Valley and the majestic Ladakh ranges. As you pivot, the towering form of Kang Yatse comes into view, standing sentinel over the landscape. The spectacle is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The Markha Valley trek is popularly known as a ‘tea house trek,’ where travellers can expect to find lodging in parachute tents at many villages. In addition to the captivating experience of trekking through a cold, arid desert valley, participants are treated to breathtaking views of the Ladakh and Zanskar mountain ranges and the impressive peaks of Kang Yatse and Stok Kangri. The route passes through the picturesque Hemis National Park, offering a glimpse of its beauty. The trek features thrilling waist-deep river crossings along the Markha River, passes through charming Buddhist villages, and navigates rocky canyons, contributing to its distinctive appeal. With its convenient proximity to Leh, easily reachable by a short flight from most major Indian cities, the Markha Valley Trek is a compelling option for any traveller visiting Leh.
