The Markha Valley Trek is perhaps one of the most popular treks in ladakh and not without several good reasons. Located in the himalayan rainshadow region, the monsoon barely penetrates to Ladakh. This makes the Markha Valley accessible almost the entire length of summer and a good bit into fall as well. The Markha valley is unique in the trekking landscape of India from a cultural standpoint. However, its potential to inspire in terms of its mountain scenery and diversity in wildlife, along with a higher than expected difficulty level makes it a well-rounded trek for himalayan the adventurer.
1.Stunning Landscape
View of the Markha river 
Downhill from Kong Maru La Pass (5400m)
Markha valley runs behind the Stok range, roughly parallel to the Indus valley, and is bound on its southern flank by the Zanskar range. This stunning valley is a beautiful, isolated and roadless valley thats about 60km in length. In its south-eastern corner lies a group of spectacular snow-capped mountains, the Kang Yatse group, that tower upto 6400 meter. The valley-floor is dotted with lush fields, trees and shrubs, buddhist shrines and idyllic villages that sit alongside the bubbling Markha river. The valley is also interspersed by sections of steep-sided, rugged and starkly beautiful mountain ranges.
2. Homestay Experience
Very few treks offer the opportunity to observe and become intimate with the local culture. Living in a homestay on the Markha Valley trek is your window to partaking in this unique Ladakhi heritage. Expect to share a home-cooked ladakhi meal with the family or just reflect on the day’s walk and contemplate upon the challenges of the days ahead over some butter tea. These pure experiences are unique to the Markha trail! After a tiring day of trekking in high summer, most home-stays can even provide hot water for a shower or for a quick freshen-up!
Homestays offer the trekker a chance to an intimate local experience but also benefit the villagers who take part in this scheme. The interest shown by visitors gives the inhabitants a sense of just how unique their environment is and thus gives them an incentive to conserve it.
3. The Unique Buddhist Culture
While Leh boasts of several large and impressive monasteries, it is in Markha valley that one can truly get a feel for the role Buddhism plays in the life of the rural Ladakhi people. Even in an isolated region such as the Markha valley, almost everyday one can come across chortens, prayer flags, prayer wheels and mani walls on the trail.
4. ScenicHamlets
Trekkers hiking in the backdrop of the Kang Yatse 6400m 
Terraced fields in July in Hangkar enroute Thatchungtse
Below the desert like mountainscape, in the valley where the Markha river gently flows lie several hamlets. Terraced fields of ripened barley on gentle slopes contrast to the rocky mountains and derelict forts of the Markha valley. Unlike most villages in the rest of the country which are clusters of houses, houses here are more akin to farm houses. In the absence of electricity, locals rely on solar power (of which they have plenty being in the himalayan rain shadow).
5. Wildlife
Female Blue Sheep 
Male Blue Sheep
Lying inside the Hemis National Park, the Markha valley and its upper reaches are home to fascinating wildlife unique to this region:
Birds: Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Chukor and Black Billed Magpie are commonly found.
Mammals:
Tibetan Argali, Capra Ibex, Ladakh Urial, Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Marmot and Ladakh Pika.
A suitable high-altitude trek for well-prepared beginners
6. Not an easy trek!
Many people consider the Markha valley trek to be an easy one. The availability of home-stays and passing through inhabited villages with smiling locals help contribute to form that opinion. Nothing could be further from the truth and many unsuspecting trekker have found this out the hard way.
There are many challenges on the Markha Valley trek including acclimatisation to high-altitudes (Kong Maru La Pass, the highest point of the trek is close to 5400m!), river crossings and long walking days. Fitness, gear and proper acclimatization before starting the trek are very valuable assets on this trek!
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