Markha Valley – Ladakh’s most popular trek has Mt. Kang Yatse dominating its skyline most of the route. Just a little distance from Kang Yatse is the little known Dzo Jongo. This demanding trip comprises the trek and the twin ascents into 12 days, packing in a powerful punch. Although the climbs don’t require serious climbing skills, it definitely requires some serious endurance and a love for prolonged periods in the outdoors.

Nimaling at 4720m from where most of the action commences can get pretty cold and windy. It happens to be the grazing grounds of all the cattle in the Markha Valley and has a big parachute tent shelter in the summers for visiting trekkers. If you have some tough treks behind your back and atleast one small climb, then this is a good trip to up the game further. Brace up for some really demanding days if you are signing up for this one.

If you want to test yourself at 6000m and make the transision to become a true mountaineer; this is the trip for you!

• Day 1

  Arrive Leh 3,350m
• Day 2

  Drive Leh to Chilling and Trek to Skiu (3400m)
  A little ahead of Chilling lays Kaya-Do, where we cross the river and start our trek to the village of Skiu.
• Day 3

  Trek Skiu to Markha (3700m)
  The trail to Markha is not too strenuous, rising about 300m over 22 km. Being at a relatively low altitude it gets very hot in the sun. Walkthrough small villages will help in getting some shade under the tree to reach Markha.
• Day 4

  Trek Markha to Thochung-Tse (4150m)
  The path keeps close to the river until it reaches a wooden bridge crossing the river. Prayer flags signifies the entrance to Zhunglam (extremely demanding route to Zanskar). Passing by Umlung and Hankar is only 1-hour walk to Thochung-Tse, a popular watering spot for Bharal is the campsite.
• Day 5

  Trek Thochung-Tse to Nimaling (4720m)
  After trekking to top of the first ridge with hundreds of Cairns, note the beautifully eroded rock spikes down to the left and the Kang-yatse massive (6400m) on the right. The trails raise gently passes lots of Mani walls descend slowly to Nimaling.
• Day 6

  Trek to Kongmaru La (5100m) and back to Nimaling
  Start acclimatisation walk to Kongmaru-La. Descend back to Nimaling for Lunch. After lunch, relax and check climbing gear.
• Day 7

  Trek Nimaling to Kang-yatze Base Camp (5000m)
  The first section is quite steep and loosed rocks will be found sometimes till the ridge. The trail ease down a bit with gentle walk to reach the base camp.
• Day 8-9

  : Summit Day (6200m)
  Rest for the whole day, a practice with gears and ropes are must in case of using it for the first time. Early dinner and sleep, to leave for summit midnight and scale the 6200m peak early morning for a wonderful view of sunrise. Descend back to base camp from summit
• Day 10

  Trek Kang-yatse BC to Dzo-jongo BC (5500m)
  Trek through the ridge to reach Dzo-jongo base camp.
• Day 11-12

  Summit Day (6050m)
  Rest whole day, early dinner and sleep. Leave for summit midnight, scale summit and back to Base camp.
• Day 13

  Trek Dzo-jongo BC to Chokdo and drive to Leh
  Trek over the grazing grounds of Nimaling, a gradual ascent to Kongmaru-La. After crossing the last pass, descend all the way to Chokdo. Car will be waiting there to drive you back to Leh.
• Day 14

  Departure to Delhi
  Most flights leave Leh in the morning to catch an international flight from Delhi in afternoon/evening