Trek through the Markha Valley

View from the Markha Valley Trek

Hi Friends,

As mentioned at the end of my last post, here are some photos taken on the seven day trek through the Markha Valley in Ladakh.

After the 10 day retreat at the Mahabodhi Sambodhi Meditation Center (see last post) I lead a group of six people from the retreat on this trek. We had a trekking staff of a local guide, cook and a caravan of six horses and two donkeys to carry all the camping and personal gear. We started the trek by driving to the roadhead at Jingchan where we met our guide and horses.
 I'll let the photos do most of the talking.

The first of many river crossings-the guide helps out 

A flock of blue sheep

Three of our group opt for riding a horse most of the way 

Our first night at Ganda High camp:4,400mts.

Gabriele and Petra-happy campers

View of Stok Kangri covered by clouds

 Next morning leaving campsite for the Ganda-La(pass)

 Marmots on left and right

A pause half way up

Ganda-La top: 4,960 mts;16,270ft.

Klaus fell with the horse through this rickety bridge (below)

Fortunately Klaus nor the horse was seriously injured

A blue sheep atop the mountain

After the fall from horse Klaus walks the rest of the way


 The Gompa at Skyu-second night halt

Trail meandering through the Markha Valley

Long mani wall and chorten

Third night camp at Markha village

Gompa above Markha village

Markha Valley from Gompa

Interesting landscapes

 

More River crossings

Horse and riders do it the easy way

A scene out of the Old West?

 Hey-whatta you guys looking at?

A small hermitage up there

Location keeps away visitors

Fourth night camp at Thachungtse;4,240mts

First Views of the

Nice rest spot

View back down valley

The saddle  dip on the ridge is the Kongmaru La pass

 

Our fifth night camp at Nimaling:4,740mts.

Leaving camp for the ascent to Kongmaru La

Getting closer

Looking down at the trekkers below

One person made it to the top before me

Then comes Nissanka and Klaus

Followed by our mounted team, Petra, Gabriele and Miyako

Couldn't have done it without them

The Karakorum Range in far distance-K2 could be visible at the left with binoculars

 

 

 

The way down

Summer flowers

 

Steep downhills tough for horses too

Creative trails

 

 

 

 

 

Last night camp at Chuskyurmo

End of trek at Shang Sumdo

After lunch at Shang Sumdo two SUVs picked us up and drove back to Leh with a stop at the Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Gompa- the largest Monastery in Ladakh

Parking lot and monks kutis

The view down to the Indus Valley from Hemis

See you next post with the Ajanta Caves and the Grand Royal Kathina Ceremony

Until then be Mindful, Peaceful and Wise