Markha Valley trek and Hemis Festival with Rebecca Stephens

Following the success of our Himalayan Trust fundraising trek to Bhutan in 2009, where we raised over £3500, Rebecca Stephens, the first British female to climb Mt Everest will once again accompany this special fundraising trek commemorating the Himalayan Trust UK's 21st anniversary.

And what a fantastic trekking opportunity it is - it would be hard to beat this classic trek that we first operated in 1979. We follow ancient trails linking the villages of the secluded Markha Valley with the yak grazing pastures of the vast Nimaling plains. We cross high passes where views stretch across fold upon fold of the Zanskar Range and where the flutter of the prayer flags provide a constant reminder of the deep seated Buddhist heritage of the region. We combine our trek with time to explore the monasteries and forts of the Indus Valley as well as two colourful days at the annual Hemis Festival, which commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The festival will be experienced prior to the trek to allow us to acclimatise well to the altitude before our trek.

Your tour escort – Rebecca Stephens M.B.E

Rebecca Stephens will accompany this special trek. Rebecca is the first British woman to have climbed Everest and subsequently went on to become the first English-speaking woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Not surprisingly, Rebecca continues to seek out adventure at every opportunity. She has sailed the Southern Seas to the South Magnetic Pole and Antarctica, competed in an eight-day Eco-Challenge with polar explorers Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud, running, biking and canoeing across the Canadian Rockies. She has also crossed the island of South Georgia in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Rebecca is a trustee for the Himalayan Trust UK.

DAY 1 Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the group hotel where you will meet your Indian trip leader and your tour escort, Rebecca Stephens. Time permitting. The remainder of the day is free for personal exploration of this exciting city.

Note: If you are arriving in Delhi on a late night flight, you may like to arrive the day before the trip commences. Please talk to your World Expeditions reservations consultant or travel agent for pre-tour accommodation options.

DAY 2 Fly to Leh (3505m)

We take the early flight from Delhi to Leh in the Indus Valley. If the conditions are clear you will be rewarded with grand views across the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges before landing at the capital of Ladakh.

Leh is at an altitude of 3505m so it is advised to take it easy over the next few days while we acclimatise for our trek. This itinerary has been carefully designed to allow us to walk at a gentle pace over the next few days to experience the highlights of Leh and surrounds as well as enjoy the spectacular Hemis Festival.

On our first day in Ladakh we spend time wandering the bazaar and imposing Leh Palace. We have the opportunity to climb to the Victory Fort (above the Palace) built in the 17th century to commemorate Ladakh's independence from the invading armies from Baltistan and Kashmir. From the Palace we can also appreciate the alleyways that comprise the old town of Leh, located to the east of the main bazaar. (B,L,D)

DAY 3/4 In Leh. Attend Hemis Festival

The two-day festival at Hemis commemorates the Indian sage Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to the Himalaya in the 8th century. The festival consists of an elaborate series of masked dances depicting the life of Padmasambhava and the moral victory of knowledge over ignorance etc. Several hundred Ladakhi villagers from throughout the Indus Valley attend the festival. Besides its religious significance it is a time to renew acquaintances, visit the many stands and drink large quantities of butter tea and barley beer. In essence it is more of a medieval fair than a religious festival that reflects much of the contemporary cultural life of Ladakh. On both days we return to Leh for overnight accommodation.

On these days we also have the option of visiting Tikse monastery and the nearby Shey Palace to gain a further perspective on Ladakh’s rich cultural history.

DAY 5 Leh to Zinchen and commence trek to Rumbak (5 to 6 hours, 7km)

On our first day we complete the one hour drive via Spitok monastery and the Indus Valley to the settlement of Zinchen 3380m) located into a shady willow-lined gorge that marks our route to our camp below the thriving village of Rumbak (3960m).

DAY 6 Rumbak to camp below Ganda La (3 hours, 7km)

We follow a well-defined trail that winds gradually to the tiny settlement of Yurutse. The stunning peak of Stok Kangri looms above the stark mountainscape. Our campsite (4350m) will be located at the base of the Ganda La. That afternoon we undertake a short walk to further assist with acclimatisation.

DAY 7 Base camp to Shingo village via Ganda La (6 hours, 15km)

Above our camp we gain views of the snow-capped Stok Range. After gradually ascending a series of switchbacks we make the final gradual ascent to the Ganda La (4950m). From the pass there are spectacular views south across the endless folds of the Zanskar Range to the snow capped summits of the main Himalaya Range before the long, gradual descent to the village of Shingo (4150 metres)

DAY 8 Shingo village to Narding in the Markha Valley (5 to 6 hours, 17km)

Below Shingo the trail enters a narrow gorge where willow, poplar and rose bushes provide a natural canopy alongside the river course. The Skiu monastery (3435m) marks the confluence of the stream coming from Shingo and the Markha Valley. We then head up the valley to the settlement of Narding (3540m) and a comfortable, grassy campsite.

DAY 9 Narding towards Markha (4 to 5 hours, 10 km)

The trail gradually ascends the Markha Valley passing a few small settlements en route to Markha (3770m). Markha consists of about 25 houses and is by far the largest village in the valley. The dilapidated fort dates back to the 1830’s while the nearby monastery has been recently renovated and affiliated to Hemis monastery.

DAY 10 Markha to camp beyond Hankar village (3 to 4 hours, 11km)

Beyond Markha our trail crosses the Markha River twice to reach the village of Umlung. A few km beyond the village the valley widens and the imposing peak of Kangyaze (6400m) can be appreciated en route to Hankar (3980m), the highest village in the Markha Valley.

DAY 11 Hankar to Nimaling (3 to 4 hours, 9km)

Beyond Hankar the trail heads north to the meadows of Thochuntse (4150 metres) before we ascend to a series of grassy windswept ridges. As the trail gradient eases there are a series of mani walls and chortens marking the route, while the huge peak of Kangyaze looms to the south beyond the alpine pastures. The camping areas at Nimaling (4730m) are shared with the yak herders from Hankar, Umlung and Markha. There is also an option to head across the yak pastures to the base of Kangyaze for further views south and west across the Zanskar Ranges.

DAY 12 Nimaling to Sumdo via Gongmaru La (6 - 7 hours, 18km)

The gradual ascent to the pass can be completed in no more than two hours. The Gongmaru La (5150m) is the highest pass on the trek and affords a birds eye view down to the Indus Valley and across to the Ladakh Range. From the pass there is a steep 500m descent to a small shepherd encampment before entering a narrow gorge crossing the main stream on several occasions as it drops steeply to the village of Chogdo before the final stretch to our camp at Shang Sumdo (3730m).

DAY 13 Complete trek, return to Leh

From Shang Sumdo we make an early morning transfer back to the Indus Valley to Leh. The rest of the day is free to visit the Ecological Centre, wander the bazaar and complete any last minutes shopping.

DAY 14 Fly to Delhi. Connect for flight to London.

Depart Ladakh and take the spectacular flight across the crest of the Himalaya. On arrival in Delhi the trip concludes.

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

Tour escort Rebecca Stephens

Expert bilingual Indian guide

Airport transfers on Day 1 & Day 14 if arriving/departing on group flight

Group medical kit

Accommodation on a twin-share basis at the 5 Lalit Hotel in Delhi on Day 1 including breakfast

Accommodation in Leh on a twin-share, full board basis

Three hearty meals a day whilst trekking

Full trekking service including twin-share tents, all required camp equipment and portable altitude chamber (PAC)

Return flight Delhi/Leh/Delhi approx. £450

Gear package for use during the trip including kit bag, sleeping bag, down or fibre filled jacket and insulated sleeping mat

Private internal transportation

All park entrances & permits

Mules to carry all personal and group baggage

NB - Tour cost does NOT include the compulsory, minimum £250 donation to the Himalayan Trust UK

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