On 20th of July-2020 the first phase of Reconnaissance/ Recce to Upper Markha valley was flagged off from Office of Tourist department Leh by A.D Tourism Leh Shri Jigmat Namgail , ALTOA president, LMGA president and other members.
Following are the members of LMGA team for the first phase of Recce to Upper Markha valley:
- Konchok Thinles
- Stanzin Norboo
- Stanzin wangial
- Thupstan Dawa
- Stanzin Namgal
- Namgail Tashi
Day 1: Drive to SKYU village:
First day will be an acclimatization day with village tour and interaction with the locals. SKYU village is around 70 km far away from Leh city and the drive will be around two hours.
Overnight camp at SKYU village Altitude: 3,300m
Coordinates: N 33°58.45.59’ E 77°15.42.85’
Day 2: Trek from SKYU to LAYLANG SUMDHO.
On the second the trekking starts up towards SHINGO valley along the Stream water in opposite direction. We have to cross the water many times. LAYLANG SUMDHO is the upper valley of SHINGO village and it is the point where trail to GANDALA pass diverts.
Duration: Approx.: 6 hrs
Name and Coordinates of the camp : LAYLANG SUMDHO (4,200 m) N 34°01.977’, E 77°19.721’
Recommended: Some parts are washed by flood and need to be repair.
Day 3: Trek from LAYLANG SUMDHO to THUNG-THUNG DOKSA:
Today the trek is bit challenge as compare to other days. From beginning the trail starts gaining ascent through the YARLES valley. YARLES is the summer grazing place of Shingo village and others and a beautiful valley with full of wild flowers. The shepherds from the village spent most of the summer times along with domestic animals like Cows, goats and sheep’s at YARLES and other valleys. Today we have one pass called TSAD- La (Alt. 5,314m) N 34°01.392’ E 77°21.950’. TSAD-La is the highest pass of the route. From top of the pass the trail is all the way down to Thung-Thung Doksa.
Duration: Approx.: 7 hrs
Overnight camp: THUNG–THUNG DOKSA (Alt. of camp 4,615 m)
Coordinates of the camp: N 34°00.089’ E 77°21.889’
Recommended: Trial from top of pass to all the way down to THUNG-THUNG camp need to be done properly. Camp also need to be done.
Descend from TSAD-La (5,134m)to THUNG-THUNG DOKSA
Day 4: Trek from THUNG-THUNG DOKSA to ZHING:
The trek from Thung-Thung Doksa till the SUMDZOM is all the way down along the stream water and narrow valley with lots of water crossing. From SUMDZOM we are entering towards left valley by climbing a hill called LAGU. ZHING is the summer place where earlier villager used to have a field and PULU shelter to stay.
Duration: 5-6 hrs.
Overnight camp at ZHING (Alt. 4,300m)
Coordinates of the camp: N 33°58.838’ E 77°21.189’
Recommended: The trail from Thung-Thung to all the way ZHING need to properly repair. Camp also Need to be done.
Day 5: Trek from ZHING TO KHARLUNG DOKSA:
There is one pass called LUNGMAR-La in- between ZHING to KHARLUNG-DOKSA. From today we will get a wonderful view of the KANGYATSE peaks and other high mountains. LUNGMAR-La: (4,809m) N 33°57.202’ E 77 °23.236’
Duration: 5-6 hrs. Overnight camp: KHARLUNG DOKSA (4,400m): Recommendation: The trail is almost fine all the way. Camp is almost fine.
PHOCHE valley with STOK kangri and other peaks in background
Day 6: Trek from KHARLUNG DOKSA to PHOCHE:
In-between KHARLUNG DOKSA TO PHOCHE there is pass called NERLEY. NERLEY: (4664m) N 33°58.080’ E 77 °22.015’
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Name and Coordinates of the camp: PHOCHE (4,600m) N 33°56.792’ E 77 °24.160’
Recommended: The trail is almost fine all the way to camp and also the camp is also good with spring water and water from stream PHOCHE is the south base of STOK Kangri, So here we have a option to climb Stok Kangri from south phase and can do a day hike to the base of STOK kangri.
Day 7: Trek from PHOCHE TO MARKHA-PHU:
PHOCHE la: (5,149m). N 33°56.471’ E 77 °25.961’
Duration: 6-7 hrs
Coordinates of the camp: Markha-Phu 4,718m) N 33°55.703’ E 77 °27.252’ Recommended: After the pass the trail need to be construct properly all the way to Markha-phu. And also Camp need to done.
Day 8:Trek from MARKHA-PHU TO TECHA-PHU: The view from the pass is beautiful with huge rock towers in between. MARKHA-LA : (5138m) N 33°55.219’ E 77 °27.639’ THANGRING pass (5,092m) N 33°54.885’ E 77 °28.006’
Duration: 7-8 hrs
Coordinates of the camp: TECHE-PHU : 4,808 m N 33°54.869’ E 77 °28.015’ Recommended: Whole trail need to be done properly and Camp also need to done.
Rocky trials in between (PHOCHE to TECHA PHU) this need to done properly for horses
Day 9: Trek from TECHA-PHU to UMLUNG-PHU:
TECHA-La: 5,004m N 33°53.865’ E 77 °28.886’ TECHA-La 2: 4740m. N 33°52.966’ E 77 °29.795’
Duration: 7-8 hrs.
Coordinates of the camp: UMLUNG-Phu
Recommended: Whole trail need to be done properly and Camp also need to done.
Day 10:Trek from UMLUNG-PHU to CHANGLUNG-PHU:
UMLUNG-La :(5,004m)
Duration: 6-7hrs
Coordinates of the camp:CHANGLUNG-PHU
Altitude: 4,300m
Recommended: Whole trail need to be done properly and Camp also need to done.
Day 11: Trek from CHANGLUNG-PHU to HANKAR GONGMA-PHU:
In between Changlung-Phu to Hankar Yokma-la we cross Doltokling valley. Doltokling is
quite famous in the Markha valley for medicinal spring water. CHANGLUNG La: (4703m) N 33°51.892’ E 77 °31.154’ HANKAR YOKMA La: (4,651m) N 33°50.911’ E 77 °32.408’
Duration: 6-7 hrs
Coordinates of the camp: HANKAR GONGMA-PHU (4,570m) N 33°50.754’ E 77 °32.690’
Recommended : Some parts of the trail need to be done properly and Camps also need to done.
View of KANGYATSE and other nearby peaks from HANKAR GONGMA – La
Day 12: Trek from HANKAR GONGMA-PHU TO NIMALNG:
HANKAR GONGMA LA: (5001m) N 33°50.133’ E 77 °33.639’ On the way we will be passing two streams of THACHUNGTSE. The view of Giant
KANGYATSE and other peaks on the right side along the trials till NIMALING camp is spectacular.
Duration: 6-7 hrs
Coordinates of the camp: NIMALING: (4757m) N 33°47.291’ E 77 °35.382’
13: Trek from NIMALING TO CHOKDO and drive back to Leh:
KONGMARU-La: (5,178m) N 33°47.422’ E 77 °37.045’
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Note: July, August and September will be the best session for this route.
