Right now at Nimaling: −1°, raining
DifficultAMS highJun–Sep

Markha Valley

Ladakh · Hemis National Park / Markha valley · from Chilling–Skiu bridge (drive from Leh)

Ladakh's classic homestay trek through Hemis National Park's Markha gorge, finishing over Kongmaru La (5,260 m) beneath Kang Yatse.

Plan this trekOpen in the grader
Max altitude
5260 m
Distance
65 km
Days
7
Honest grade
Difficult
AMS risk
high · 49
The map

Where you’ll sleep, on real terrain

The elevation profile traces the full climb and descent; tap a camp on the map and the SpO₂ gauge and safety numbers follow.

Elevation profile — the whole climb
Highest-risk night: Nimaling · sleeps 4,800 m (+800 m)
3,5004,0004,5005,0005,5000 km65 km
Hover the profile to read altitude & AMS zone at any point.
2,500–3,500 m — acclimatise3,500–5,500 m — AMS commonAbove 5,500 m — extreme
D3 7 km · 2–3 hD4 20 km · 6.5–9.5 hD5 12 km · 4–6 hD6 9 km · 5–7 hD7 17 km · 7–10 h

Reconstructed from real per-day distance, ascent and camp altitudes. The line between points is a straight approximation — not a surveyed terrain profile.

When to go

Best months

Prime window: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Curated season (Jun–Sep)— off-months reasoned from the region’s monsoon and winter.

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
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Prime windowShoulderOff-season
Trail path

Stage by stage

Start · Leh→End · Shang Sumdo~65 km walked · est 25–36 h total
Day 1Rest / acclimatisation at Leharrive by air at 3,500 m; mandatory rest
Day 2Rest / acclimatisation at Lehacclimatisation walk
Day 3Chilling–Skiu bridge → Skiu~7 kmest 2–3 hdrive Leh→Chilling first
Day 4Skiu → Markha~20 kmest 6.5–9.5 hlong river-valley day; often split at Sara
Day 5Markha → Hankar~12 kmest 4–6 h
Day 6Hankar → Nimaling~9 kmest 5–7 h
Day 7Nimaling → Shang Sumdo~17 kmest 7–10 hcross Kongmaru La (5,260 m), descend ~1,550 m, drive to Leh

Distances are approximate operator-standard figures. Times are computed— Naismith’s rule (pace + climb + descent) slowed for altitude, for a fit trekker with breaks — not copied from brochures. Plan generously; groups move at the pace of their slowest member.

The route

Night by night, stop by stop

Each stop is where you sleep — the altitude that drives acclimatisation. Exact camps and per-day distances vary by operator; the safety flags are computed from this profile.

  1. 1
    Leh (arrival)3500 m · est SpO₂ 87%
    Fast arrivalNight 1 is already at 3500 m. Arriving high (flying/driving straight up) is a leading cause of AMS — spend a night lower first if you can.
  2. 2
    Leh (acclimatise)3500 m · est SpO₂ 87%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
  3. 3
    Skiu3400 m (-100 m) · est SpO₂ 88%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
  4. 4
    Markha3750 m (+350 m) · est SpO₂ 86%
  5. 5
    Hankar4000 m (+250 m) · est SpO₂ 84%
  6. 6
    Nimaling4800 m (+800 m) · est SpO₂ 78%
    500 m/night limitSleeping altitude jumps 800 m to 4800 m. Above 3000 m the guideline is ≤500 m per night.
    1000 m rest rule1400 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
  7. 7
    Leh (exit)3500 m (-1300 m) · est SpO₂ 87%
    1000 m rest rule1400 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Big summit pushClimbs ~460 m to 5260 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
    Sleeps lowerDescends to sleep 1760 m below the high point — good, it gets you off the summit overnight.
Why this grade

Often sold as "Moderate–Difficult", but by the numbers this is difficult — mostly because of the altitude profile. Plan for the harder grade.

Max altitude
32
Acclimatisation load
15
Daily distance
15
Length & remoteness
12
7-day weather window

Overnight lows lapse-adjusted to the high camp (~4800 m).

Sun
-11°
Mon
-12°
Tue
-11°
Wed
-12°
Thu
-12°
Fri
-16°
Sat
-14°
Permits (Indian nationals)

Ladakh: Inner Line Permit for protected areas (domestic); foreigners need a PAP for the same zones.

Inner Line Permit (ILP)
LAHDC / DC office, Leh (online portal available)
Full permit navigator →
⛑Emergency & evacuation
Nearest roadhead
See the trek roadhead
Nearest hospital
Nearest district / community health centre
Helipad
Charter only — arranged via operator/administration
Trek area (approx)
33.950, 77.350
If things go wrong

Descend to the roadhead; arrange onward transport to the nearest hospital. Carry evacuation insurance.

Approximate planning info — confirm with your operator. HAPE/HACE signs = descend immediately.

Known hazards
  • •Kongmaru La (5,260 m) after a night at 4,800 m — AMS risk builds over consecutive 4,000 m+ nights
  • •Cold thigh-deep Markha river crossings in July–August
  • •Intense sun and dehydration in high-altitude desert
  • •No road between Skiu and Shang Sumdo — evacuation is on foot or horseback
Highlights

On the trail

Photo credits →
Before you go

Necessary preparations

▲

Fitness

  • Serious base needed: 5 km under 30 min, weekly long hikes with a loaded pack; train 8–12 weeks out.
  • Expect ~9 km of walking a day — train on stairs and inclines, not just flat ground.
  • Do a few hikes carrying your actual daypack weight so your legs and shoulders are used to it.
  • Add interval/cardio work — summit days at this altitude are long and relentless.
✚

Acclimatisation & health

  • Know the AMS golden rules: don't ascend with symptoms; if worse, descend; HAPE/HACE = descend now.
  • Carry a pulse oximeter and take a daily resting reading — a falling trend that doesn't recover means stop.
  • Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with a doctor before you go — Shikhar never prescribes medication.
  • This profile ascends fast (AMS: high) — build in a spare acclimatisation day if you can.
  • Stay hydrated (3–4 L/day), eat well even without appetite, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
  • Carry a personal first-aid kit; tell your operator about any medical conditions in advance.
◆

Gear & clothing

  • Layering system: moisture-wicking base, fleece/down mid, waterproof-breathable shell (jacket + pants).
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support + 3–4 pairs of wool/synthetic socks.
  • 40–55 L backpack with rain cover; a 20 L daypack if porters carry the main load.
  • 3-season sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C; a liner adds warmth cheaply.
  • Trekking poles, sun hat, and warm hat + gloves for cold camps.
  • UV protection: category-4 glacier sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm — UV is brutal at altitude and on snow.
  • Headlamp (+ spare batteries), 1 L insulated bottle, and a power bank (cold drains batteries fast).
❖

Documents & permits

  • Government photo ID (original + several photocopies) and passport photos for permits.
  • Forest/national-park entry & camping permit — often arranged at the roadhead or by your operator.
  • Travel + trek insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
  • Emergency-contact card: family contact, blood group, allergies, and your day-by-day itinerary.
Ask about this trek

Markha Valley copilot

Grounded strictly in this trek’s data — route, computed times, AMS grade, permits and field notes. It won’t invent water sources or clear you medically. Ask in English or Hindi.

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