On paper, the Markha Valley trek itinerary looks easy: four walking days, none longer than nine hours, and one pass on the last morning. The schedule hides the order of your nights. You sleep at 3,400 m in Skiu and, three nights later, at 4,700 m in Nimaling.

This guide covers one specific plan, the 5-day itinerary run by Himalayan Holidays. It does not describe every way to walk the valley. You get the route, the altitude gain night by night, the cost, the permit position in October 2026, and the questions worth asking any operator before you pay.

The facts in one place

Fact	Figure	Source
Itinerary	5 days, with Day 1 a drive to Skiu. Add two nights in Leh first.	Himalayan Holidays package page; Leh health advisory
Walking distance	About 54 km over four days (18, 13, 10 and 13 km)	Daily distances on the package page, added up
Overall trek length	The same page calls the whole trek 70 km. Total distance changes with where you start and finish.	Package page
Highest point	Kongmaru La, about 5,200 m on this itinerary. Published figures run from roughly 5,100 to 5,260 m.	Package page; Wikipedia and operator guides
Highest camp	Nimaling, about 4,700 m on this itinerary. Some sources give up to about 4,850 m.	Package page; operator guides
Season	June to September	Package page
Difficulty	Rated moderately strenuous by the operator	Package page
Listed price	₹17,500 plus 5% GST. The Leh hotel and insurance are extra.	Package page, checked 3 October 2026

The itinerary at a glance

Day	Route	Walking	Sleep at	Change from previous night
Leh 1	Arrive and rest	None	Leh, about 3,500 m	None
Leh 2	Easy sightseeing, gear check	None	Leh, about 3,500 m	None
Trek 1	Leh to Chilling to Skiu	65 km drive, about 4 hours	Skiu, 3,400 m	About 100 m lower
Trek 2	Skiu to Markha	18 km, about 9 hours	Markha, 3,700 m	+300 m
Trek 3	Markha to Thachungtse, via Hankar	13 km, about 6.5 hours	Thachungtse, 4,020 m	+320 m
Trek 4	Thachungtse to Nimaling	10 km, about 5 hours	Nimaling, 4,700 m	+680 m
Trek 5	Nimaling to Kongmaru La to Chokdo, then drive to Leh	13 km, about 7 hours	Leh	Down

Add a night in Leh after the trek and a flight out the next day, and the trip is 8 days in Ladakh. Distances, times and altitudes come from the package page, which spells two names Kangmaru La and Chakdo.

Two nights in Leh come first

Flying in puts you at about 3,500 m within a morning. The CDC Yellow Book (2026) places travellers flown straight to a destination above 3,400 m in its high-risk group for altitude sickness and says rates in that situation approach 50%. That figure describes those travellers in general, not Markha trekkers. CDC also states that training and physical fitness do not change the risk.

The Leh district administration's health advisory asks visitors to rest for at least 48 hours and avoid active exertion for the first two days. Follow it. Keep the first day empty and drink water. On the second, walk slowly through the main market or drive up to Shanti Stupa instead of climbing its steps, and check your boots, layers and medicines.

The package does not include a Leh hotel, so book that first. Take three nights if you land late or have never slept above 3,000 m.

Markha Valley trek itinerary, day by day

Trek day 1: Leh to Skiu (3,400 m)

The drive covers about 65 km in around 4 hours. It passes Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara and the point where the Zanskar meets the Indus. At Chilling you cross the Zanskar and follow the road up the valley to Skiu. You camp at 3,400 m, slightly lower than Leh. Rest and drink water; nothing else is asked of you today.

Trek day 2: Skiu to Markha (3,700 m)

This is the longest walk. You cover 18 km in about 9 hours beside the Markha river, crossing it after roughly three hours near a few tea houses. Water levels move with the season, so wait for your guide's call at every crossing. Himalayan Holidays describes Markha as the valley's biggest village, at around 20 houses. Camp sits at its lower end, below an old monastery.

Trek day 3: Markha to Thachungtse via Hankar (4,020 m)

The day is 13 km and about 6.5 hours. You walk through Hankar, which the package page calls the highest village in the valley. Kang Yatse (about 6,400 m) shows on a clear day. Thachungtse is a campsite with no village around it, and it is your last night below 4,500 m.

Trek day 4: Thachungtse to Nimaling (4,700 m)

Only 10 km, about 5 hours. But you climb roughly 680 m, the biggest overnight jump of the trek, so go slowly and drink steadily. Nimaling is a high grazing plateau used by yaks, sheep and pashmina goats, with the two Kang Yatse peaks to your right. It is also the highest camp. Keep your warm layers within reach.

Trek day 5: Kongmaru La to Chokdo, then Leh

Leave early. The day is 13 km and about 7 hours. About two hours after Nimaling you reach the pass, where prayer flags and stone walls mark the top, and the package page and several trekking sources report mobile signal. The descent to Chokdo is steep and loose in places. A vehicle waits there for the drive to Leh.

The one night to plan around: Nimaling

The CDC Yellow Book, citing Wilderness Medical Society guidance, advises raising your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night once you are above 3,000 m, with an extra night for every 1,000 m gained. This itinerary's nightly gains are 300 m, 320 m and then 680 m. Nimaling is the only night that breaks the guideline.

CDC also names gains of 600 to 900 m as a risk even for travellers who have already adjusted, and the Nimaling night falls inside that range.

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 12 hours after you reach a new altitude, often during or after the first night. Headache is the main sign. It usually comes with loss of appetite, dizziness, tiredness or nausea. Watch for all of it on the evening you arrive and again the next morning, before the pass.

CDC gives three rules for preventing serious illness, and they apply directly here:

• Learn the early symptoms and admit it when you have them.
• Do not climb to sleep at a higher altitude while you have symptoms, however mild. If you feel unwell at Nimaling, tell your guide before the pass day starts, not at the pass.
• Go down if symptoms get worse despite rest. CDC says mild altitude sickness improves quickly after a descent of 300 m or more. On this itinerary, Thachungtse is about 680 m below Nimaling.

If you can add one day to this plan, add it at Nimaling. The package page does not say whether the operator can do that, so ask. Also ask your doctor about altitude medication before you travel; CDC lists acetazolamide as an option and the Leh advisory mentions it, but dosing is a medical decision.

Then ask about rescue. The package lists oxygen cylinders, a first-aid kit and walkie-talkies. It does not describe how a trekker would be brought down from Nimaling.

Where the walk starts, and which route

Road access has been moving up the valley, so operators now begin walking at different points: Chilling, Skiu, Sara or further on. Himalayan Holidays starts at Skiu. Ask any operator where the walking begins, because it changes the distance on Day 2 and the number of days.

The longer alternative starts at Zingchen or Spituk, passes Rumbak and Yurutse, and crosses Gandala La (about 4,900 m on the package page) before joining the valley at Skiu. Shikhar Travels lists a 13-day version called Pastures and Passes of Markha Valley. If this is your first high-altitude trek, skip it. It puts a 4,900 m pass early in the trip, before you have acclimatised.

Difficulty: moderate to challenging

Nothing here needs technical climbing. The difficulty is four consecutive walking days of about 9, 6.5, 5 and 7 hours, with altitude on top. Himalayan Holidays rates it moderately strenuous.

Train for the walking and rely on acclimatisation for the altitude, because fitness does not protect you from altitude illness. Back-to-back long walks with a loaded backpack prepare you better than one big hike, since Day 3 follows Day 2. Beginners with that preparation, proper acclimatisation and a guide can complete this itinerary.

Cost, inclusions and permits

What the price covers

The package page lists ₹17,500 plus 5% GST (₹18,375 in total). It does not say whether the price is per person, so confirm that, and the departure batch, before you book.

Included: alpine tents and all meals in the programme; vehicle transfers from Leh towards Skiu and from Chokdo to Leh; trekking, camping and permit fees; kitchen, dining and toilet tents; guides, cooks and support staff; mules for common gear; a first-aid kit, oxygen cylinders and walkie-talkies.

Not included: GST, Leh accommodation, personal gear, a personal porter and travel insurance. Flights to Leh are also yours to book.

The page promises "all necessary camping and trekking equipment" but does not itemise sleeping bags or mattresses. Ask whether both are supplied.

Permits in 2026

On this package, your operator handles the fees. Indian nationals do not need an Inner Line Permit: the official Leh portal says that permit applies only to foreign tourists. Domestic visitors pay the environment fee, the Red Cross fund contribution and a wildlife fee online instead. Check the amounts on the portal, because they change.

The valley lies inside Hemis National Park, which charges an entry fee that independent trekkers pay themselves. Carry a photo ID and your fee receipts.

For foreign nationals, the position is in flux. In August 2026 the Ladakh administration reviewed its Protected Area Permit and Restricted Area Permit rules and said it would explore a single permit for most of the territory. That proposal had not been implemented at the time of writing.

Until the administration issues a notification, current rules apply, so confirm the permit needed for this route with your operator and the Leh portal.

First-timers should go with a guide or registered operator. Whether independent trekking on this route is allowed under current rules is something to confirm before you travel.

Season, buffer day and packing

Himalayan Holidays lists June to September. The package warns that weather, roads, landslides, river crossings and health can change the plan. Book your flight out for the day after Day 5, not that evening.

Pack for the cold at Nimaling:

• Thermal layers, an insulated jacket, gloves and a warm cap
• Broken-in trekking shoes and a headlamp
• Sun protection and your personal medicines
• Cash from Leh

Questions to ask before you book a Markha Valley trek

1. Where does the walking start: Chilling, Skiu or Sara?
2. Is there a rest day at Nimaling, or can one be added?
3. Is the price per person, and for which batch?
4. Are permits and park fees covered?
5. Are a sleeping bag and mattress supplied?
6. What happens if someone shows altitude symptoms at Nimaling?
7. Are any Leh nights included?
8. What are the cancellation and refund terms if the plan changes?

Why book with Himalayan Holidays

• Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as an Inbound Tour Operator and Adventure Tour Operator, and registered with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
• Part of Shikhar Travels India Pvt. Ltd., which dates its start to 1979 on the company's About page.
• The package page lists oxygen cylinders, a first-aid kit and walkie-talkies among the inclusions.

Markha Valley trek FAQs

Is this 5-day itinerary suitable for first-time trekkers?

It can be, with walking preparation, two or three nights in Leh and a guide. Fitness does not remove the altitude risk.

How many days does the trek take?

Himalayan Holidays runs 5 days, and Day 1 is a drive. Add two nights in Leh before it and one after.

How far is the Markha Valley trek?

About 54 km of walking on this itinerary. The operator's page calls the overall trek 70 km, and the total changes with your start and finish points.

What are the highest point and highest camp?

Kongmaru La, about 5,200 m on this itinerary, and Nimaling, about 4,700 m. Other sources give slightly different figures.

How difficult is it?

Moderate to challenging. The operator calls it moderately strenuous.

When is the best time to go?

Himalayan Holidays lists June to September.

How much does it cost?

₹17,500 plus 5% GST on the package page. The Leh hotel, insurance and personal gear are extra, and you should confirm whether the price is per person.

Do Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit?

No. The official Leh portal says it applies only to foreign tourists. Domestic visitors pay environment, Red Cross and wildlife fees online.

Do foreign nationals need a permit?

Rules were under review in August 2026. Confirm the permit for this route with your operator and the Leh portal.

Can I trek without a guide?

First-timers should not. Whether independent trekking is allowed on this route under current rules needs confirming before you travel.

Where do you sleep?

Himalayan Holidays uses alpine tents. Some plans use village homestays in the lower valley.

Is altitude sickness a real risk?

Yes. Headache with nausea, dizziness or tiredness is the warning. Tell your guide early, and go down if it gets worse.

Can I finish the trek in fewer days?

Starting further up the valley can shorten it, according to some operators. The Nimaling gain stays the same.

What if weather or roads change the plan?

The package says weather, roads, landslides, river crossings and health can change the itinerary. Keep a buffer day.

How do I book?

Call +91-9717891151, message +91 9821088817 on WhatsApp, email tours@shikhar.com or use the enquiry form on the package page.

Your next step

Before you buy flights, confirm the price and batch for your dates and book three nights in Leh. Then send your operator the questions above, starting with the Nimaling rest day and the rescue plan.

To enquire with Himalayan Holidays: +91-9717891151, tours@shikhar.com, or the Markha Valley Trek page on himalayan-holidays.in. More trips are listed under trekking packages.