Markha River (India)

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]

Markha River
The 6,400-metre-high (21,000 ft) Kang Yatze from Markha valley

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-high (21,000 ft) mountain. The Markha River also passes to the south of the Stok range which includes the 6,153-metre-high (20,187 ft) Stok Kangri mountain.[1]

Nomadic families herd their yaks in this valley. Many small monasteries exist, of which Techa gompa[6] is the most important Buddhist monastery in the Markha valley.[7]

References
  1. Partha S Banerjee (2016). Ladakh and Zanskar Trekking Map (Map). 1:175,000. Milestone Himalayan Series. Kolkata: Milestone Books. ISBN 978-81-903270-9-1.
  2. "Hemis National Park on Google Maps". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  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. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  5. Jina, Prem Singh (1 January 1994). Tourism in Ladakh Himalaya. Indus Publishing. ISBN 9788173870040.
  6. Maggie and Richard (31 August 2018). "Ladakh's Monasteries, Palaces and Fortresses". Monkey's Tale. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  7. "Markha Valley Trek - Cross the Kongmaru La Pass at 5200m". Kashmir Treks. Retrieved 10 January 2015.


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