Markha Valley Trek - Chilling to Shang Sumdo

jasauh

Hi,

Last month we trekked in Ladakh from Chilling to Markha. all through the trek we did homestays, except at Nimaling, and had wonderful experience. Everything was organised by non commercial group like home stay, food, guide, donkeys etc. anybody interested in contact details can send me private request.

our group had one guide and one donkey men. both were very cooperative and nice.

the home stays were very clean with good mattresses and blankets. generally an independent room was given to us. we were sceptical about toilets but though it they all had ladakhi toilets they were not stinking.

the dinner was traditional ladakhi food with barley rotis, local green leaves bhaji, rice and black dal.

breakfast was tea and some more barley rotis.

lunch was dry lunch.

the itinerary was as follows.

August 5 Reached Leh in morning from from Srinagar. did some local sightseeing.

August 6 Visited Hemis and Thiksey

August 7 In the morning we visited Kardung la. this was not a good move. My better half and self go severe headache. it was so bad that we were thinking of abandoning the trek. however in afternoon we started from Leh to Chilling. At Chilling we crossed the river through basket and rope and started the trek. it was about two hours to Skiu. the gradient was mild. teh night we stayed in skiu.

August 8 Early morning we started from Skiu to Markha. again the trek was long but mild. in between unfortunately at Sara ( between Skiu & Markha )two people from our group had to drop out due ill health. only three of us were left. the trek goes to some real stark area and small meadows. Markha village is of fair size like Skiu with lot of greenery.

August 9 Early Morning we started for Hankar. in the begining there are two river crossings. this is not really a long trek and some experienced trekker go upto nimaling from markha. however, the day was really hot and we were really fatigued and glad for break in hankar. hankar homestay was the best with delicious food.

August 10 once again early morning start. the trek had gradient since we go from 3900m to 4747m. in the late afternoon we reached nimaling. this is a huge grassy plain. all ladakhi cattle seemed to be here for grazing. we stayed in a tent.

August 11 last day of trek. we started early in the morning. there is arduous climb to get over the pass at 5300m. after the pass it down all the way upto Chokdo. from Chokdo to Shang Sumdo it is a flat trek.