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It is short drive from
Leh to
Spitok, which has the monastery considered to be one of the oldest
monasteries in the upper Indus Valley, founded at the same time as Thikse
and Likir. The monastery, like Thikse, is situated on a hilltop with a
commanding view of the valley.
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
, flight to Leh
.
Day 2: Tour of Leh city, including the 17th century Palace and
Gompa.
Day 3: Tour of Spitok and Phyang gompas.
Day 4: Tour of Shey and Matho gompas and Stok palace, the home of
Ladakhi royalty.
Day 5: Tour of Tikse and Hemis gompas, two the wealthiest and
most influential institutions in Ladakh. Camp at Hemis.
Day 6: Trek from Hemis to the village of Chogdo.
Day 7: Trek to Kongmaru La base camp.
Day 8: Rest day for acclimatization.
Day 9: Trek over Kongmaru La (5,150m) to the plain of Nimaling, a
vast high altitude pasture.
Day 10: Trek through the tiny settlements of Hankar and Umlung to
the valley's largest village, Markha.
Day 11: Trek to the lovely oasis at Tunespa.
Day 12: Trek to the village of Skiu, with its med review gompa.
Day 13: Trek to Zanskar
River. Take the pulley bridge across before boarding the rafts on
the Zanskar River. Ride the river to its confluence with the Indus at
Nimu, then board jeeps for the trip to Alchi. Overnight stay at Alchi
village.
Day 14: In Alchi, we tour the remarkably well-preserved 11th
-century gompa and the famed frescoes within. In the afternoon, we return
by jeep to Leh.
Day 15: Rest day in Leh.
Day 16: Morning flight to Delhi. Check into hotel there and stay
overnight.
Day 17: Transfer to Airport for flight to onward journey. 
Alternative Trek: -
There are two approaches to the trek up the Markha valley. The first is
via Spitok, Jingchan and Rumbak villages to the base of the Ganda-la; the
second approach is via Stok village and over the Namlung-la to join the
first route at Rumbak village. For those who are fit and well
acclimatised, the Stok approach provides breathtaking views of the Indus
valley as one ascends to the Nanlung-la (4,570m). Normally, one night is
spent camping in the gorges above Stok, crossing the pass the following
day before descending to Rumbak village. If one is not well acclimatised,
the first route via Spitok and Jingchan is the better alternative.
Day 1: Spitok To Rumbak
Day 3: Rumbak To Yurutse & Camp
Day 3: Camp To Ganda La, Markha Valley & Skiu
Day 4: Skiu To Markha
Day 5: Markha To Nimaling
Day 6: Nimaling To Kongmaru La & Chogdo
Day 7: Chogdo To Hemis
The bus from Hemis to Leh departs around midday and takes about two hours to reach. The bus stops on the way at Thikse monastery and Shey palace, where there are small hotels for overnight accommodation.