Day 3 – Leaving Leh and Heading to Markha Valley Trek
Finally, on Day 3 of our Markhe Valley Trek – the most anticipated journey begins. On this day, we leave the city behind and drive toward the start point of the trek, which lies beyond a place called Skiu.
However, apart from the fact that we are driving to the trek’s start, this drive from Leh excites for two reasons. The first reason is that, on the way, we explore a beautiful confluence of two rivers. And the second – we visit the Pathar Sahib Gurdwara, which offers every trekker a beautiful experience that they should have at least once in a lifetime.
Scenic Drive to Nimoo
The drive from Leh to the start point of the Markha Valley trek is a beautiful journey surrounded by mountains on all sides, offering a 360-degree panorama of views that never seem to end. This drive takes us toward a place called Nimoo, which is also a beautiful village slightly remote from Leh City.
In fact, a large portion of this drive is shared with the route to another trek known as the Chadar Trek, a winter ice trek that occurs between December and February in the region.
The Confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers
On the way, we approach the highway and see a stunning confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. In Hindi, the meeting of two rivers is called a “Sangam,” and this visual is breathtaking. This confluence lies very close to the village of Nimoo. Most of the time, trekkers are lucky to witness the stark contrast between the two rivers: the Indus River flows turquoise blue, while the Zanskar River carries brown water. When they merge, the view is epic. This confluence lies approximately 35 km after leaving Leh.
Moreover, this spot is very popular for rafting. Many trekkers and tourists who spend time in Leh usually come to the Indus and Zanskar rivers for adventure activities, sightseeing, or just to admire the rivers’ beauty.
Pathar Sahib Gurdwara – A Spiritual Stop
The next stop for us is the Pathar Sahib Gurdwara. This stop was personally one of the most awaited for me, as I had always wanted to pay my respects here. The Gurdwara lies around 25 km from Leh City and sits at an altitude of 12,000 feet.
The Indian Army maintains the Gurdwara and ensures its care and protection. If you plan to visit, make sure to dress decently, as the authorities strictly regulate the clothing allowed inside. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited within the premises. Remove your cap, socks, or sunglasses, and cover your head with a handkerchief. If you do not have one, the Gurdwara provides handkerchiefs for every visitor to cover their head before entering the sacred area.
Pathar Sahib Gurdwara allows trekkers to rest and absorb the serenity and silence of the surroundings. The Gurdwara is well maintained, clean, and offers a peaceful spot for prayer. The Sikh community also offers free langars, which are open to everyone irrespective of any distinction. As you leave, you receive a prasadam, usually made of wheat and popularly known as ‘Kadah Prasad’.
If you visit Leh, I highly recommend coming here at least once.
Continuing the Journey to the Trek Start
After visiting Pathar Sahib Gurdwara, we continue our journey toward the Markha valley trek ’s starting point. Initially, the start point of the trek used to be a small village called Sara. However, due to local regulations, the starting point now lies at a place called Pensey, about 5 km before Sara. This place will serves as your first camping night.
Pensey – The First Campsite
The campsite at Pansey is beautiful, a small space surrounded by 360-degree views of huge mountains and a clear, flowing stream nearby. On clear nights, you can see countless stars in the sky.
The campsite used to host a small café run by a local family. However, during trekking season or in case of weather changes, the café may or may not operate. It is best not to depend on it.
We usually reach the Pensey campsite around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. By this time, the sun might feel intense, and you may prefer staying near the stream. It is advisable to sit by the water, soak your feet, enjoy lunch, and wait for sunset, which usually occurs around 5:30/6:00 p.m.
Evening Walk and Acclimatization
After sunset, you can take a long walk near the campsite. During this walk, your body continues to acclimatize to the altitude. You may be surprised to see a small patch of green cover – a tiny forested area amidst the ruggedness around.
This beautiful walk through the forested jungle, crossing small streams and surrounded by the rugged mountain cover, sets the tone for your very first camping night on the Markha Valley trek. The combination of the chilly air, serene surroundings, and the panorama of mountains around you makes it an unforgettable experience.
Early Dinner and prep for the next day
Post the acclimatization walk, it will be time for an early dinner tonight. Since this in particular has no hiking involved, it is relatively chilled out and more importantly you do not gain much altitude. Leh stands at 3500 meters, where as Pensey is roughly around 3650 meters. This allows trekkers to sleep at the altitude and be prepared for the altitude gain on Day 4.
The idea is to have an early dinner, sleep well and start Day 4 energized and acclimatized. Dinner is served in the dining tent at about 7 or 7:30 pm, to allow you to tuck in to bed by 8:30 roughly. The next morning the team begins the journey at the command of 6-7-8.
- 6:00 am – Wake up
- 7:00 am – Breakfast
- 8:00 am – Begin the foot journey
Today, day 4 the plan is to trek from Pensey to Thinleyspa. Which will take us anywhere between 5 to 6 hours. All in all, after the first night at Pensey, Markha valley Trek only keeps getting better and better. A visual high-altitude treat, that will transport you to a place that doesn’t feel like its part of Earth.
To continue the journey ahead on how the upcoming days would look like – Click Here
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