Winter hike in cold desert to see the most authentic Tibetan legacy
Winter hike in cold desert to see the most authentic Tibetan legacy
A journey to see century-old, untouched heritage located deep inside the mountain valleys of Ladakh
Why this experience is unique?
Unlike any other outdoor experience, trekking in Markha Valley in Ladakh is not just about going on an offbeat track but it is an exploration of hidden monasteries sitting there for centuries. These heritage sites are situated in the pockets of the valley and the surrounding area is known for the presence of endemic species such as Snow Leopards, Blue Sheeps, and Marmots. Known only among locals, these places can be visited by travelers to see the real cultural practices and heritage in its most true form. Spot the ruins of fort and castle, stay in multiple hamlets of Hemis National Park, trek along the Markha River, and reach the village blessed with a Tibetan Monastery.
We will pick you up from the Leh airport and take you to a local homestay in Leh (11,500ft). You will be resting today and acclimatizing yourself to the High-Altitude environment amidst the picturesque Himalayan landscape. This day is called the Acclimatization day and is required to adjust your body to the low oxygen levels of this altitude.
Before we step into the villages of Ladakh we would acquaint ourselves with the Ladakhi culture, heritage, and lifestyle. As per your choice, you can pick local places to visit. Hall of Fame, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Central Asian Museum – these are the places we recommend you to visit. Come back after spending a day doing sightseeing and rest in the same homestay.
The monastery at Sumda Chun village is our first heritage place we will be visiting on this journey. Located at 12,700 ft, the monastery is one hidden heritage of Ladakh. The place is in its most original form and has unique statues. After visiting this first heritage site, we will head to the first homestay – Skiu village – of this experience.
It is a long day of hiking experience that goes through several hidden heritage sites of Ladakh. The popular Markha Valley trek is offered in a unique way to explore the untouched spots and experience the real culture of Ladakh. The long trek of Skiu to Markha Valley is an exploration journey to see lost heritage.
After reaching deep inside the beautiful Markha Valley, the day is dedicated to exploring the several heritage sites and spots that have cultural and historic values. Techa Monastery, Markha Monastery, and the ruins of the old palace are the places that make the valley rich in heritage.
After the exploration of the hidden sites in Markha Valley, the trek begins to reach back to Skiu. After a long day of the walk alongside a Markha River, the homestay in Skiu would feel nothing less than a luxury.
After leaving Skiu, we will drive to a village that has its own unique identity. It is a village of copper artisans where the art of making copper artifacts is a traditional practice. A quick stopover at Tsogsty village will be another authentic experience.
On the last day, the tour ends post breakfast in the hotel. One can fly back keep exploring the destination.
Guests like to eat our Ladakhi food. They say it is delicious, even when it is prepared by an elderly ama (mother) like me. I always make sure I serve them the cleanest and healthiest food. My husband is a copper artist. When guests leave us, they say ‘Julley’, and hug us. It makes us feel happy.
I became a Mountain Homestay Host in 2018, and I have hosted many travellers since then. Running a homestay has helped me and my family a lot. Not only is the solar set up in our house useful for us, but even travellers prefer to stay in our homestay because of it.
The training we got in astronomy turned out to be a life-changing experience for our village. I felt happy and proud while mapping the position of the planets and sharing the secrets of the universe with the tourists. Tourists told me that even they didn’t know so much about the dark skies!
