Markha Valley Trek

LaReponse

Hi IMers,

I am going to do the Markha Valley Trek in two days or so.

At the moment I am staying in Changspa at Greenland Guesthouse. I have asked at Gesar Travel for that trek.

Anyone likes to join me? Then please ask at Greenland or Gesar Travel and mention my name: Daniel.

Juley
Daniel

JCGerms

Hi Daniel,

you mentioned Gesar Travel to do the Markha Valley Trek with you. How much is the trek? Have you checked other agencies as well? What made you choose Gesar?
How is the weather in Leh right now? Does it get really cold at night and warm during the day?
I will be in Leh in two weeks and after a few days rest in Leh we want to start with Sham Trek and Markha Valley afterwards.
Enjoy the trek and please don't forget to write about it when you get back.

Take care and viel Spass.

Viele Gruesse
Jochen

LaReponse

Hallo Jochen,

I have choosen Gesar Travel because it was recommended by a friend of mine who lives and works here in Ladakh. Treks are about 20 USD/day depending on whether or not you need a horse, cook and guide, tent and so on. Other agencies are quite at the same price level, need to bargain a lot, of course. All travel agencies have their known boards where trekkers announce their trekking plans and that they are looking for accompany. The weather is fine at the moment, sunny but sometimes a little bit cloudy. In the sun it's almost hot, but it immediately freezes when in shadow. Night times are very cold, temperature in the morning about 3 - 5 Celsius. It got cold the last two weeks I've been told, but the warm time could start from now. (Hopefully)

A swiss girl who is staying in my guesthouse as well and one Ladakhi girl told me that they have already done the Markha trek and that it was very good to go - despite one pass on which it had very little snow.

Of course, I will tell you how the trek was afterwards.

Enjoy your Vorfreude and have a good time in Ladakh! Probably we'll meet because in two weeks I will hopefully be back to Leh, staying at Greenland's.

Juley
Daniel

JCGerms

Hallo Daniel,

thank you very much for the update on the weather. I will try to get in touch with you when we get to Leh. Hopefully that will be June10. Knock on wood and keep the fingers crossed.
Well 20 US$ for the Trek seems okay. I did get a crazy quote for the Trek yesterday. Have you heard of anyone that organized the Trek by themself. That is what the Lonly Planet recommented.
Well like I said I will try to get in touch with you after the trek.

Enjoy it.

Jochen

LaReponse

Hi Jochen,

Organizing a trek by yourself is possible but you need to be well acclimatised if carrying all your stuff and of course you need to be really self sufficient. ;-) Finding a horseman without contacting an agency might be possible, especially at this time of the year as the season has not really started yet, but is, of course, very time consuming. Prices might be much lower if you would do so. All the people I have already met and asked have used the help of travel agencies.

Some weather update: at the moment all the days start pretty well, it's sunny and very warm in the sun (still wearing a long sleeve and a west), but at afternoon clouds fill the sky and rain is not unlike to happen. At night time it can be very cold. So, bring rain clothes and warm clothes anyway.

June 10th could be the right time to meet up here as I will probably start the 8 day trek at June 1st.

A recommendation for a travel/trek guide: look for "Trekking in Ladakh" from Charlie Loram, ISBN 1 (or I?) 873756 75 5

Lonely Planet (both the big India one and the Trekking in the Indian Himalaya) might be nice (but not more than that) but "Trekking in Ladakh" is really what I call a good trekking guide and is really helpful in finding the right trek and preparing yourself for Ladakh.

Julee from Leh,
Daniel

lehlover

I and my friend shall reach Leh around 21st june. Can you please do me a favour?

1) I have a budget of Rs. 300/- 400/- for a decent double bed room with good views. What do you suggest? Contact details please?

2) What are rates of taxis for Leh-Nubra-Leh and Leh-Pangong Tso-Leh - each 2 day trips.

Please.

nyiltsa

Hi,
I just read the posts and wanted to make something clear here, as it could be confusing to some people. 20 USD/day for Markha Trek is just a very basic package! That means you do it with Village Homestays or with simply a Horseman who cooks for you as well. And after all it is dependent on the group size!
A FAIR payment for a good trekking guide in Ladakh is 600 Rupees and above per day which is approx. 15 USD!
It is important to check what is included in a price and what services are given. Quotes are not simply crazy and high - there are simply different packages with different services and qualities!
Regards
Nyiltsa

__________________
A travelling fool is better than a sitting wise man.
www.gesar-travel.com

Rashmig

Hi
can you recomond a guide/ operater for markha valley ?

LaReponse

Having this trek done now with Gesar Travel I can really recommend this agency. The people there are lovely, the trek was perfectly described in advance, everything was like it should have been, the price was absolutely fair and they are also looking for environmental trekking.

If you do a trek with them, please say best regards from Daniel from Germany who did the Markha Trek with Kunzang.

Gesar's hidden a little bit because it's not in one of the main roads in Leh. Coming from let's say La Terrasse follow Old Fort Road to Changspa and turn the second corner left (same road where the "My secret recipe bakery" is). The office was renewed just a few days ago.

Best regards,
Daniel