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]
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]
Demography
Nomadic families herd their yaks in this valley.[6]
Tourism
Many small monasteries exist, of which Techa Monastery[6] is the most important Buddhist monastery in the Markha valley.
See also
References
- 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.
- "Hemis National Park on Google Maps". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- Kucharski, Radek (2012). Trekking in Ladakh (1st ed.). Cicerone. p. 325. ISBN 978 1 85284 675 6.
- "The 4 Coolest Treks in Ladakh". AlienAdv Blog. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- Jina, Prem Singh (1 January 1994). Tourism in Ladakh Himalaya. Indus Publishing. ISBN 9788173870040.
- Maggie and Richard (31 August 2018). "Ladakh's Monasteries, Palaces and Fortresses". Monkey's Tale. Retrieved 29 March 2019.