Markha Valley Trek in Mid October.

Illusion

Hey Mikers,

I am a complete newbie at Indian-Mike and trekking and would appreciate some valuable advice for planning an itineary for the Markha Valley Trek.

I am planning to arrive at Leh on October 14th/15th 2008 for a 10day visit and have decided on taking the following trek:

Leh - Spitul - Zinchen - Yurutse - Shingo - Skiu - Markha - Nimaling - Kangmarula - Chokdo - MartseLang – Leh

The reason i ended up deciding upon taking this trek path over others is the fact i wanted to cover as many Monasteries, wildlife, local people/culture and harsh terrain
and have been told that the above would cover everything and then some.

- However i was just wondering if the above trek can be completed during mid Oct within 7-8 days?

- What kind of weather/conditions should i expect during that time of the year?

- I will be looking for travel agencies to book guides/cooks, mules, cooking supplies once i reach Leh, how much should i expect to pay for the trip? (Excluding hotel accomodation and local sigh seeing)

- Would any one here have a recommendation for booking a Hotel/GuestHouse before i reach Leh? Also how much should i expect to pay for a 3-4 star accomodation during Oct?

- While on the trekking trip i would like to do as many homestays as possible + Live overnight in Moasterie. How much should i expect to pay to the home owners?

- Do the local villages/Tea shops on route have facilities for plugging my gadgets (Laptop, DSLR, CellPhone, Gps etc), if not how do other trekkers manage to keep there gadgets going?

- Can i rent trekking equipment, tents, sleeping beds etc. upon my arrival at Leh. How much should i expect to be charged?

- Should i have a plan B, just in case the above trek is not doable due to bad weather etc? If yes would you have a recommendation which can be done in Oct.?


Just a few things about me, which i think one should know, while critiquing.

- I am in my mid 20's and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
- I have been to Himalayas a few times before but never for anything like this.
- I will be trekking alone and most likely would be against the idea of sharing cost with fellow tourist. Should there be any safety concerns?
- I am used to harsh weather and temperatures upto munus 40 celsius as i live in conditions where it snows regualrly.
- I will be arriving at Leh via Delhi on a IA/Jet airline.

Thanks for your help in advance and the fantastic work you guys are doing at IndianMike.


rAj'.

Meeone

Hi Raj

I am new on this board too.
Am going on the same trek route Aug 17-25.
As for your trip, most of Leh would be closing down for winter - you have to reserve in advance so that the Guest house would remain open for you and provide heating facilities. It will be very cold on the trail - and whether the Kongmaru La pass can be traversed during that period, the trek agency are the best people to provide you with the information. You can get your gear on hire, quality is questionable, again book in advance to know exactly what you will get. Home stays possible only at a few locations, be prepared to camp outdoors. You would not get any source of power for your gadgets on your trek outside of Leh. Depend on solar power, that is if you can see the sun

Plan B = Nubra Valley

Hope this helps!

Illusion

Thanks Meeone,

So have you made the advance reservations with the travel Agencies and Guest Houses yet? Can you please share some details.

I have had some contact with trekking agencies in Leh via email and so far none of them have told me its not do-able. Infact some of them have even given me a Quote for the trek. I was kind a waiting and gathering the information and make the bookings only once i reach Leh. However based on the information you just provided, i might as well alter my plans.

r'.

Meeone

Yes, I have made advance arrangements with the agency and GH - in fact as early as Feb for my trip in June. That was postponed to the current dates.

It is not that the trek is NOT do-able, you only have to have additional days in hand for any contingencies. Weather is unpredictable and if the pass has too much snow, you would have to retrace your steps back from Nimling - adding another 4 days to your schedule.

I would be leaving base in a couple of hours and would not have access to the internet till the afternoon of 13 Aug [at Leh]

Should you want any more details, you can send me an email to sinha.bijoy at gmail

Cheers!

Illusion

Thanks Meeone,

I would definitely would like to stay in touch to gather from your experiences and get the details on the GH and other bookings that you have made. I think i am going to take a chance and attempt the trek i Oct, hopefully the conditions will hold by then.

Good luck mate on the adventure and travel safe

Also please make sure you share the details once you are back.

r'.

sbballer33

Easy to do as a homestay trek no need for guide ponies tent ect. There are a couple decent books that give this route. I used trailblazer trekking in Ladakh. Best to pick it up before Leh if you can but it is available in the Ladakh Book Store next to the SBI ATM for a 1200 rupees about a 400 rupee mark up over the list price. If your just interested in the Markha valley there are some cheaper local guide books as well not sure how good they are. The homestays charge 350 rupees for breakfast dinner and a pack lunch. Available in every village just ask. In october the tent homestay in Nimaling may not be open so that could be a problem the only problem.

There is electricity in some of the villages usually only at night. It may be possible to charge at one or two places along the way but the best option is to bring extra batteries for your camera and fully charge them before you leave.

No need to book accomidation before you arrive especially in october. You will get a much better deal if you wait. Loads of guest houses you should be able to find a very nice room TV, hot shower attacted bathroom and clean for 400 rupees. If you look you can find very good rooms for 150 even now in the high season.

Weather wise it should be fine given my experience in other parts of the Himalayas Tibet/Nepal i haven't been in Ladakh in october. There is a small chance of some snow probably at Nimaling and the passes. Bing a good sleeping bag from home the ones in Leh are not good.

Illusion

Thanks sbballer33,

Very valuable information and is thoroughly appreciated.

However would you have any recommendation as far as GH goes. After i get out of the airport, which part of the town should i be heading to get the most options within the vicinity? I would like to stay as close to the town as possible. Also would you recommend me hiring a guide myself, by hitting the refuge settlement area(as suggested in another thread) or should i deal with an established travel agency, very well assuming that would cost me much more though. I have been told that a pony man charges around 1600/- INR per day all inclusive, is that a fair assumption?

Thanks,

r'.

brownboy66

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sbballer33

For guesthouses Chanspa (backpacker area) or the area near fort road (if you want it a bit more laid back), you should have no problem finding one that suits you at that time of year. 1600 sounds steep for only a pony man. I've never hired one but I know that the travel agents pay 500 a day for two horses. If you arrange on your own you should be able to get somewhere near that price. I think a guide is really unnecessary on the markha trail. Its very obvious even if you have a poor map, assuming you can read a map.

Illusion

Thanks Sbballer33,

You have been of great help. My only concern at this stage is the weather conditions and if the trek woould be open during that period. So far i have had split opinions who have done the trek. I am going to throw open this thread to ask for opinions on Plan B, in case the weather is not conducive upon my arrival next month.

Would you have any suggestions on what else is available for trekking that comes close to a similar landscape?

thanks

r'.