The Markha River is a river in Ladakh, India. It is a tributary of the Zanskar River and starts at the junction of the Langtang Chu and Nimaling Chu. Villages along the river valley include Skiu (Skyu), Markha, Umlung and Hangkar (Hankar).[1] The Markha River lies within the Hemis National Park.[2]

The Markha Valley is one of the most popular trekking routes in Ladakh,[3] accessible from Ganda La pass near Spituk in the west, which is usually the beginning point of the trek,[4] and Gongmaru La pass near Hemis,[5] where the trek usually ends.[4] Villages on the route of Markha valley trek are Rumbak, Shingo, Skyu, Sara, Markha and Hankar.

Towards the head of the valley you can find the Kang Yatze, a 6,400-metre (21,000-foot) mountain. The Markha River also passes to the south of the Stok range which includes the 6,153-metre (20,187-foot) Stok Kangri mountain.[1]

Demography

Nomadic families herd their yaks in this valley.[6]

Tourism

See also: Tourism in Ladakh

Many small monasteries exist, of which Techa Monastery[6] is the most important Buddhist monastery in the Markha valley.

See also

References

  1. ^ Partha S Banerjee (2016). Ladakh and Zanskar Trekking Map. Milestone Himalayan Series. Kolkata: Milestone Books. ISBN 978-81-903270-9-1.
  2. ^ "Hemis National Park on Google Maps". Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  3. ^ Kucharski, Radek (2012). Trekking in Ladakh. 1st ed. Cicerone. p. 325. ISBN 978 1 85284 675 6.
  4. ^ "The 4 Coolest Treks in Ladakh". AlienAdv Blog. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  5. ^ Jina, Prem Singh (1994-01-01). Tourism in Ladakh Himalaya. Indus Publishing. ISBN 9788173870040.
  6. ^ Maggie and Richard (2018-08-31). "Ladakh’s Monasteries, Palaces and Fortresses". Monkey's Tale. Retrieved 2019-03-29.