India: Trekking in Ladakh

Intrepid Travel · 14 days

4.5

3 Reviews

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Duration

14 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Challenging

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Leave the tourist track for an incredible trekking experience in Ladakh – from Delhi to Leh, you’ll hop on the Markha Valley trek and hike through almost untouched lands.

Highlights

Explore the panoramic views of the Markha Valley on this remote trek popular with avid trekkers (due to its proximity to the mountainous city of Leh) and wander through Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and remote villages, backdropped by the Himalayas.
Tap into your leader’s local knowledge during your many discoveries around Leh – also known as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas.
Enjoy fully supported camping with expert guides and porters. Rub shoulders with the local villagers, known for their hospitality and warmth enjoying home coooked meals along the trek.
Spend a night in Nimaling – one of the most gorgeous high valleys in Ladakh, at 4800 m above sea level – and watch as the locals bring their herds of sheep, goats and yaks to graze in the summer.
Discover old ruins hidden on the hill tops of Markha Village. This shows the former importance of this ancient route and little is known about the origin of these ruins. Here, you might even spot a wild blue sheep on the slopes, or an eagle circling above!

Trip Details

Duration

14 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Plane

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Delhi, India

Finishes

Delhi, India

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Challenging

Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your trekking adventure kicks off in Delhi – the capital territory of India’s north. Meet your trip leader and new travel buddies at a 6 pm welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this wonderfully chaotic city. Maybe wander the streets, sip on your first chai or practice haggling in one of the many markets. Tonight, ask your leader for the best nightlife spots and maybe grab a drink with your group.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Leh

Take a flight to Leh this morning – the joint capital of Ladakh, in the Himalayan region, sits framed by the towering peaks of the mountains. When you arrive at the airport, transfer to your hotel, then the rest of your day is free. It might be a good idea to take is easy today as you acclimatise to the altitude (Leh sits at 3500 m above sea level). This afternoon, head out for a gentle orientation walk around the city and its bazaars.

Included Activities:

Leh - Orientation walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Leh

Today after breakfast, you’ll explore Leh’s gorgeous scenery and main sites with your leader. First, head to the Shey Monastery and Palace – this complex, sitting on a high hill, is best known for the one-of-a-kind three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Next, you’ll visit the Thiksey Monastery. Also resting on a hill, this site overlooks the Indus Valley with a full view of the Stok Range in the Himalayas. Directly across, you’ll see the Matho Monastery in the village of Matho. Sitting at the mouth of a deep gorge that runs out of the Zanskar Range, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery features red and gold inlays and beautiful views. Later this afternoon, you’re free to wander at your own pace or head back to the hotel and rest.

Included Activities:

Leh - Matho Monastery visit
Leh - Shey Palace visit
Leh - Thiksey Monastery visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Leh

Today, you’ll hike in and around Leh to continue to acclimatise to the altitude. Time in this city is crucial to properly get used to the high altitude! You’ll set off after breakfast with your leader on a hike around the Leh Valley. Visit the Ruins of Royal Palace – an outstanding example of monumental architecture akin to the Potala of Lhasa, which was built between 1645 and 1695 by the fifth Dalai Lama. Then, visit the Tsemo Monastery for views of Leh and the surrounding villages. From here, continue your walk via Sankar to the recently built Shanti Stupa – this stupa also overlooks Leh and the Stok Range across the valley. If you’re lucky, you might even see the sunset from here!

Included Activities:

Leh - Valley acclimatization hike
Leh - Ruins of Royal palace visit
Leh - Tsemo Monastery visit
Leh - Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Zingchen to Rumbak

After breakfast, drive to the small village of Zingchen where your trek begins. Meet your crew, then start the gradual climb to Rumbak. You’ll be walking through epic mountain scenery, blanketed in snow in winter and green grasses in summer. Rare snow leopards live in this area, but the chance of a sighting in summer is very rare. Visit the village Rumbak and meet some members of the local community. Watch the sun go down and maybe help out with dinner tonight.

Included Activities:

Rumbak - Zingchen to Rumbak guided trek
Rumbak - Fully supported camping
Rumbak - Expert Licensed professional local guide
Rumbak -15 kgs of porter services per person

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Rumbak to Yurutse

From your camp site, you’ll take a short trek this morning to the village of Yurutse in the Rumbak Valley. This remote village is home to only one large house and the family here are considered very hospitable hosts. Soak up the natural landscape and watching the stars as they come out, uninterrupted by light pollution.

Included Activities:

Rumbak - Yurutse village visit
Rumbak to Yurutse Guided Trek

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Yurutse to Skiu

Today will be one of the longer hiking days of the trip. After breakfast, you’ll climb the 4900-m-high pass of Ganda La passing through base camp. Take in the amazing view and the clean, clear air. It will then be a long descent to Shingo village. When you arrive in the village, continue through a narrow gorge to Skiu in the Markha Valley. Here, there’s a small monastery, part of which is assumed to be over 1000 years old!

Included Activities:

Ganda La pass
Skiu - Monastery visit
Yurutse to Skiu Guided Trek

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Skiu to Markha Village

Today is another long trekking day, but on mostly flat trails. Walk through the scenic Markha Valley in the middle of the Hemis National Park and check out the old ruins that are on many hill tops here. These show the former importance of this ancient route and little is known about the origin of these ruins! Most likely, they are from the fortresses of Darden, who colonised the first sedentary inhabitants of Ladakh. If you’re lucky, you might see the wild blue sheep on the slopes here or an eagle circling in the sky. Just before the village of Markha, you’ll cross a stream to reach tonight’s campsite. Then, you can set up and settle in for the night.

Included Activities:

Skiu to Markha Village guided trek

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Markha Village to Hankar

Your trek continues up to the valley this morning. After a few hours of taking in the wild landscape, you’ll reach Hankar – the last village in the Markha Valley. When you arrive and if you feel up to it, you can take the short but very steep hike up to the small monastery in Tetsa – the view from the top is breathtaking and you’re well rewarded for the effort!

Included Activities:

Markha Village to Hankar Guided Trek

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Hankar to Nimaling

This morning, you’ll trek to the high plateau of Nimaling. When you arrive, you can take in the flat, green plains of the area, surrounded by the white-capped mountains. Nimaling is known as one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh and the views of the 6400-m-high Kangyatze are simply breathtaking. In the evening, the villagers bring their herds of sheep, goats and yaks to these plains to graze in the summer and you can watch them as the sun begins to set! This is your final night with your crew, so soak it up and celebrate an amazing adventure together.

Included Activities:

Hankar to Nimaling Guided Trek

Accommodation:

Fully supported camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Nimaling to Leh

Today, you’ll tackle Kongmaru La – the second pass on the Markha Valley trek. From the pass, take in the sights of Kangyatze one last time, then descend into the long, narrow gorge for spectacular natural scenery. You’ll arrive in Chokdo, then drive back to Leh through green, fertile lands. Spend the night back in the city, celebrating a long and rewarding trekking adventure.

Included Activities:

Kongmaru La pass
Nimaling to Chogdo Guided Trek

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Leh

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you have a free day in Leh to do some last-minute shopping in the bazaar for any souvenirs or gifts you might like to bring home. Tonight, why not grab dinner with your fellow travellers and swap stories.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Delhi

Take a morning flight to Delhi today. When you arrive, settle in and relax. This afternoon, you’ll have the option to explore Old Delhi on an Urban Adventures sightseeing tour in the afternoon. Wander around the wonderfully chaotic sights and sounds, then later, why not head out with your group for one final dinner together of delicious, local cuisine.

Optional Activities:

Delhi - Red Fort (600 INR)
Delhi - Gandhi's Delhi Urban Adventure (3350 INR)
Delhi - Humayun's Tomb (600 INR)
Delhi - Delhi Food Walk Urban Adventure (3750 INR)
Delhi - Culture Vulture Delhi Urban Adventure (2500 INR)
Delhi - Home-Cooked Delhi Urban Adventure (4000 INR)
Delhi - Qutub Minar (600 INR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Delhi

With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your time in Delhi, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time. Maybe consider another trip through India, like the Classic Rajasthan (trip code HHSC), India’s Golden Triangle (trip code HHSN) or Premium India Safari (trip code HHPT).

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $3,895

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 14 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Challenging

Leave the tourist track for an incredible trekking experience in Ladakh – from Delhi to Leh, you’ll hop on the Markha Valley trek and hike through almost untouched lands.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 07 Jun 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Christine

Traveled, September 2024

10/04/2024

I really enjoyed everything about this trip done so much at a good pace. Some hotels were a let down especially the one in dharamasala. No hot water to shower toilet leaking room damp pretty bleak

5.0

Alan

Traveled, April 2024

04/24/2024

Great trip overall. Just the right mix of cycling and tourist attractions.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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