Trekking along the Markha River through "Little Tibet," one of the world's highest inhabited plateaus, you take in spectacular views of the Great Himalayan, Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You will cross two high passes at elevations up to 17,400'. Trails wind past willow groves, alongside patches of wild roses and through pastel canyons festooned with multi-hued prayer flags undulating in the breeze. The opportunity to meet nomadic families as they herd their yaks and a visit to a small monastery where butter lamps are lit morning and evening by an elderly nun leave indelible impressions of our journey through this gloriously illuminated landscape.

After the initial period of acclimatization to high altitude in Leh you will set out to explore the heartland of the central Ladakh Valley. It involves crossing of the three passes - Stok La/ 4848m, Kagmaru La/ 5274m, Gandla/ 4878m and walking on the banks of the Markha River. The highlight of the trip is the camping at the base of the Kang-Yutze peak on the plains of Nimaling.