Markha Rupsho Trek

Arrival and transfar, Installation at the hotel, breakfast and rest until noon, to acclimatize the best during this first day. Meal, then a short jeep ride takes us to Namgyal Tsemo, a small monastery overlooking the city. Downhill walk, the path passes next to the former Royal Palace. Visit the old town and its typical bazaar before returning to the hotel.
Discover the capital of Ladakh, located in the heart of an impressive mineral world.

• Transfer: 0h30
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h

First day of discovery of the high places around Leh. On the program, the monastery of Spituk , one of the most important in the region. Located south of the city, it offers beautiful views of the valley. Its rooms decorated with paintings and imposing statues allow an interesting approach to Himalayan Buddhism . After 30 minutes drive, we arrive at the Stok Palace , residence of the ancient kings of Ladakh. Transformed into a museum , the collections presented evoke a recent past where the royal family ruled over this valley. We leave this place on foot, and following the small road, we descend for 45 minutes in the countryside. Picnic in front of mani walls,in the middle of the fields of barley. Continuation to Stakna , monastery located on a promontory in the middle of the plain of the Indus and offering a magnificent panorama. Belonging to the Drukpa-kagyu School (the official school in Bhutan), this religious building dates back to the 16th century. He owns a beautiful statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• Transfer: 2h
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h30

Continuation of the visit of the high valley of the Indus and its monasteries. It takes an hour driving up the course of the Indus, to arrive at the monastery of Hemis , beautiful architectural ensemble, order Drukpa-Kagyu. Nestled in the valley floor, this monastery was built around 1602 by a Bhutanese monk invited by the king of the time. Back and stop for lunch in the beautiful village of Thikse , dominated by an imposing gelugpa monastery . This Thikse monastery majestically overlooks the valley, a magnificent ensemble of about 80 monks; discovery of the beautiful inner courtyard that distributes access to different temples. The most amazing is certainly the temple of Maitreya with itsgigantic interior statue that covers all floors of the building. To join the next site, we will take the path of schoolchildren. Departure on foot from the monastery of Thikse following small roads that cross the fields. It is possible to find the vehicles after 45 minutes of walking … or to go to Shey , in this case to count 1:30 of easy walk. Shey, capital of Ladakh until the 15th century , is an interesting complex whose importance is still measured by the quality of the paintings and the astonishing quantity of chortens or other votive monuments that surround it. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• Transfer: 2.5 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1 / 2h

This morning we are definitely leaving Leh. One hour drive and we arrive in front of Phyang Monastery . The name of Phyang comes from Gang Ngonpo which translates as “blue mountain”, in reference to the topography of the place on which the Tashi Chozong Monastery was built . This monastery is famous for its murals, and the thangkas of its old Mahakala temple , erected since the construction of the monastery. We continue then following the road, right bank of the Indus. A little before the village of Nyemo, stop to admire the confluence of the Zanskar Riverwith the Indus River. Further downstream, after the village of Saspol, a bridge allows the passage on the left bank of the Indus and a small road leads to the village of Alchi. Installation in a hotel. In the afternoon, visit the monastic complex of Alchi, one of the most interesting sites of Ladakh (11th and 12th): finely chiselled paintings typical of Indo-Kashmiri art (provide a headlamp to enjoy the frescoes in the dim light), monumental statues, chortens, prayer wheels and Loungta. Walk in the neighborhood and peaceful evening in the village of Alchi, lined with fields of barley, apricot orchards.

• Transfer: 2hr
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1hr
• Altitude difference: +540 m
• Altitude difference: -670 m

Morning transfar toward Chilling cross the Zanskar river on bridge and we take a path that goes slowly up to the village of Skyu, in the Markha Valley, where we set up our camp.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4h
• Altitude difference: +340 m
• Altitude difference: -200 m

From the hamlet of Skyu , we follow the river Markha , which we will go back the next days. Crossing some bridges through a path without surprise and nice, before arriving at Sara . Easy climb to the village of Markha, where a beautiful vegetation willow contrasts with the sharp rocks that overlook the valley. Attention, in addition to bridges, many fords are to cross, more or less easy depending on the water level. Provide sandals at your fingertips! We camp in a nice place, close to the traditional houses of the village that gave its name to the Valley.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4h30
• Altitude difference: +280 m
• Altitude difference: -90 m

The path follows the bed of the river with sometimes painful passages (pebbles, path little or badly drawn). Break at Humlung Monastery . Camp set up near Hankar at the foot of the Kang Yatse Glaciers. Of yaks will surely our prairie neighbors.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 5h30
• Altitude difference: +660 m
• Altitude difference: -340 m

Continue south to Zalung Karpo and Rupshu . The Kang Yatse and its 6400 meters covered with ice still dominates the valley. Several crossings fording lateral torrents are to be expected. We continue in a few meadows, then a final river crossing allows us to reach the camp.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 6h
• Altitude difference: +590 m
• Altitude difference: -90 m

Walk along the Langtang Chu. The big sharp points on both sides, as well as the Kang Yatse always present, force us to stay in the valley. After the crossing with a large valley that descends from the glaciers, the climb becomes steeper and leads to a false pass then we finally arrive at the real neck, wide and flat, Karpo La(5050 m). Great views of the valleys and many surrounding peaks. Descent into the third and last valley of Khar Nag and settlement of the camp at Sorra , a small village dominated by an old fort in ruins.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 7h
• Altitude difference: +570 m
• Altitude difference: -930 m

Superb and last stage between colored rocks, narrow gorges and green meadows. Descent into the gorges of the Khurna , with many passages of fords. At the confluence of Khurna and Dad Chu, the road climbs into the valley of Dad. Passage again in gorges. The atmosphere is extraordinary and has nothing to envy to Zanskar ! Then the valley eventually widens and we arrive at the Dad , where we set up our camp and enjoy a last meal with our trekking team.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 5h30
• Altitude difference: +290 m
• Altitude difference: -260 m

The road now advances to this stage and we find our vehicles. These bring us to the heart of Rupshu , the land of open spaces and nomads. Between heaven and earth, it is the universe of desert altitude and endless pasture. Back on the main axis Manali-Leh where we find the joys of “civilization”. Arrival at Leh in the afternoon.

• Transfer: 5h
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD

Early departure and flight to Delhi (subject to weather conditions). Installation at the hotel, near the city center. Free time or for those who wish, visit the districts of old Delhi and monuments such as Gurudwara Bangla Sahib , the splendid Sikh temple of Delhi, or the red mosque Jama Masjid . we book 1 room for 4 people so that everyone can shower at the end of the day. Last dinner in common then transfer to the airport and back to the destination with sweet memories.

• Accommodation: Day Hotel
• Meal: BLD