The Markha Valley trek, India

Supporting the Markha Valley’s remote communities

“The main issue that people face living here is that it’s a summer destination” says Kashka Lantis, “so in July and August people arrive to hike but in winter the local people are completely cut off from the world. It’s a harsh, and often very poor life.” Tourism plays a huge role in the local economy but there is a very short window for local people to benefit from it. It becomes vital that responsible tourism can maximise the income and opportunities local people receive. Our trekking specialists, Exodus Travels, have a unique solution:

“We helped set up and support two eco-cafes in the Markha Valley, one in Skiu and one in Hankar” explains Kashka Lantis. “The cafes give people another livelihood and they are a place to share a common love of our planet and ideas on how to protect its fragile environments”. Trekkers are encouraged to fill up reusable water bottles using the filtered water available instead of buying plastic bottles – while the local people running the cafes focus on how they can limit the amount of plastic being used.

But the project goes beyond simply serving traditional Ladakhi food – from produce sourced from local villages – to passing hikers and a focus on reducing plastic waste. “Workshops on felting are held in the cafes and this enables local people to create handicrafts during the winter to then sell to trekkers when they return in the summer. Porters in Ladakh are still primarily men so the cafes and workshops are enabling women to train in creative and business skills and contribute to the income of their families”.

And for trekkers the cafes offer an insight into traditional Ladakhi culture they might otherwise bypass along the way. Kashka adds “For tourists the cafes offer a really nice way to interact with local people as well as taste authentic Ladakhi food. The cafes really bring the community together and there’s a lot of local pride.”

Day 1 – A short drive from Leh to Jinchen, where you’ll meet your porters and mules. Once loaded expect a straightforward day ascending the Jinchen Gorge below the snow-capped Stok Mountains. An abundance of prayer flags fluttering around wide pastures marks your arrival at your campsite below tiny, remote Rumbak village.

Day 2 – A gradual ascent takes you further up the valley towards the Ganda La Pass. Today is all about acclimatisation, so expect to arrive at your stream-side campsite early, with a short walk in the surrounding hills planned for the afternoon.

Day 3 – The first of the Markha Valley’s big challenges looms over your campsite. The Ganda La Pass zig zags to almost 5,000m, with spectacular views over the Zanskar Range and Stok Mountains, before a long descent through a dramatic colourful gorge to your campsite in the village of Skiu.

Day 4 – An easier, but still long day today sees you follow the river through barren, yet beautifully colourful mountains to the village of Markha. Explore its small monastery and be prepared for a few river crossings along the way.