Two Moderate-Difficult Grade Trekking Expeditions to do this Monsoon Season — Markha Valley Trek and Bali Pass Trek

 The monsoon season is indeed a fascinating and excellently refreshing season that brings with it a sense of liveliness. From unprecedented drizzling and raining episodes to cozy ambiances, the monsoon season allows us to appreciate and relish even the most subtle elements of nature.

While you may want to snuggle into your blankets and spend your monsoons curled up in your bed, venturing onto the Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh or the Bali Pass Trek in Uttarakhand; during monsoons can prove to be better alternatives.

The landscapes of Ladakh and Uttarakhand outlined during the Markha Valley trek and the Bali Pass trek remain most endearing, appealing, and hospitable during the monsoon seasons, and that is precisely why the monsoon season is known to add a unique flavor to the overall experiences of both the treks.

MARKHA VALLEY TREK -

Popularly known as the tea-house trek, the Markha Valley trek is a journey that spans over eight days, covering nearly 65 km of distance on foot.

With an itinerary threading many awe-inspiring places together, the Markha Valley trek offers mind-boggling, splendid views of the Ladakh and Indus valleys as well as the Zanskar and the Karakoram Ranges.

Nestled in the Zanskar and Leh districts of Ladakh, the trails to Markha Valley traverse extremely picturesque mountainscapes worth drooling over.

In merely eight days of the Markha Valley trek, you not only elevate to a maximum altitude of 17,100 ft at the Kongmaru La Pass but also return to lower, homely altitudes within the same time frame.

Leh remains the starting point of the trek to Markha Valley. Perched at an altitude of 11,500 ft, Leh is an enchanting and fascinating region with rich Buddhist and Tibetan cultural significance. Since the first stop on the itinerary itself elevates you to a stark height of 11,500 ft, it is crucial for you to stay back at Leh for another day to facilitate proper acclimatization.

After your body has adapted to the immediate altitude changes in its surroundings, you can drive to Chilling to continue the Markha Valley trek. Chilling lies 65 km away from Leh. A pleasant drive lasting not more than 2–3 hours from Leh through the Magnetic Hill and the confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers will take you to Chilling to an altitude of 10,500 ft. At Chilling, you will begin your actual trek to Markha Valley with a 9 km hike to Skiu situated at 11,200 ft. It will take nearly 4–5 hours of steady trekking for you to reach Skiu from Chilling. Skiu is a beautiful village cradled in the famous Hemis National Park of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Distanced roughly 10 km from Skiu is Sara, the next stop on the itinerary. Although you have to rise by an elevation of merely 290 ft to reach Sara at 11,490 ft in 10 km of trekking, it will still take more than 3–4 hours for you to complete this stretch.

Merely 10 km away from Sara lies the Markha village at an altitude of 12,200 ft. The trail from Sara to Markha is flattened with minimal ascends. You will have to traverse the Chalak village as well as many stupas and mani stones and even cross a few rivers to reach the enticing Markha village snuggled in eastern Ladakh.

You will then trek to Hankar village that lies 11 km away from the Markha village, the next day. During this stretch, you will cut across the Umlung village, the last hamlet on the route to cross a few meandering rivers to ultimately reach the Hankar village at 13,100 ft. You will also be able to catch the initial few glimpses of the majestic Kang Yatse Peak this day as you head towards the Hankar village.

9 km from Hankar, nestled at 15,400 ft is the Nimaling village, the next stop on the itinerary. As you trek towards Nimaling, you will be blown away by the arresting, wide-screen views of the mighty and fierce Kang Yatse Peak. Before you reach Nimaling, you will also cross paths with the enthralling Twin Tigu Lakes that lie en route. An easy trek through grasslands from here, followed by a few stream crossings will take you to Nimaling, one of the most beautiful camping grounds of the Markha Valley trek.

The next day will mark the last day of this trekking expedition. You will trek from Nimaling to Chokdo via the Kongmaru La Pass and eventually drive back to Leh to wrap up the Markha Valley trek. The trek from Nimalaing to Kongmaru La Pass is daunting yet equally thrilling. You will have to trek over steep ascents for nearly 2 hours to reach the Kongmaru La Pass at 17,100 ft. From the top of the pass, you will be able to witness the devastating beauty of the surreal Karakoram Ranges. You will also be able to spot the robust and glorious K2 Peak. The goosebumps-inducing panoramic views from the Kongmaru La Pass are not just arresting but also soul-filling.

After you wholeheartedly admire and enjoy the scenic views from the Kongmaru La Pass top, you will have to descend to the village of Chokdo situated at an altitude of 12,100 ft. The descent from Kongmaru La Pass to Chokdo village is quite steep and not very well trailed. It will take at least 6 hours for you to descend to Chokdo with caution.

A final drive of approximately 2 hours from Chokdo to Leh will remain the last but not the least part of the Markha Valley trek that will bring your journey to a full circle.

BALI PASS TREK

One of the very few lesser-known treks of India, the Bali Pass Trek is an adventurous trekking expedition settled in the Gangotri valley of the Uttarkashi region of the state of Uttarakhand. It is an adventurous, difficult-grade trek that ventures into remote yet enthralling areas of Uttarakhand.

Distributed across eight days, this trek offers to elevate you to a maximum altitude of 16,200 ft. With an itinerary crisply connecting various exotic locations of Uttarkashi, the Bali Pass trek makes for an intriguing, thrilling, and tempting trekking expedition.

Since the monsoon season highlights the beauty of the landscapes of Uttarakhand like no other season, the best time to do the Bali Pass trek is during the monsoon season, between May and October.

The trek to Bali Pass begins with a smooth drive from the delightful city of Dehradun to the mesmerizing village of Sankri, perched at an altitude of 6,400 ft. During this drive, you will cut paths with the Kempty Falls and the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie to reach the scenic hamlet of Sankri. This drive does not usually last for more than 10 hours.

A 12 km drive from Sankri further to Taluka will mark the beginning of the second day of your trek to Bali Pass. Taluka village perched at 6,700 ft is the actual starting point of the Bali Pass trek.

You will hop onto a 12 km-long trail to trek from Taluka to Seema that lies at a height of 8,500 ft. The trail from Taluka to Seema is exceptionally refreshing and soul-filling. Initially, it remains parallel to the gurgling Supin River, and after a while, it unfolds into open grounds that lead to the Ghangad village. After you cross the Ghangad village, the trail takes you through dense forests of deodar and chestnut trees and ultimately drops you at Seema.

Distanced 10 km from Seema is the entrancing Rainbasera at 10,200 ft. To trek from Seema to Raibasera, you will first walk along the Supin River to enter the spellbinding Debshu Bugyal, a charming little meadow. You will be able to catch clear glimpses of the mighty and majestic Kala Nag, also known as the Black Peak, from the Debshu meadow. A steep descent from here followed by a steep ascent will ultimately take you to the mesmerizing campsite of Rainbasera, beyond which lies the Ruinsara Tal.

Encapsulated by lush green meadows and vibrant Rhododendrons, the Ruinsara Tal lies roughly 7 km away from the campsite of Rainbasera. The trail from Rainbasera to Ruinsara Tal takes you through boulders, meadows along moderate ascents to a patch of flat land at 11,800 ft with the Supin River on one side and the Ruinsara Tal on the other.

The Ruinsara Tal is a pristine, emerald green lake that beautifully reflects its surroundings. That includes the ridiculously fascinating, as well as famous peaks of Banderpooch and Kala Nag.

4 km from the Ruinsara Tal lies the next stop called Odari at an altitude of 13,100 ft. The trek from Ruinsara Tal to Odari is along a couple of ascends and descends that unfold into a vast meadow that eventually opens into the campsite of Odari. At Odari, you will be able to clearly view and admire the stunning peaks of Swargrohini 1 and 2 that stand tall and aloof at a distance.

The Bali Col camp lies merely 5 km away from Odari. However, the trail from Odari To Bali Col camp is very steep as well as challenging. You will walk on a mountain ridge with loose scree and boulders to reach the Bali Col camp and stand at an altitude of 15,100 ft.

The next day is when you trek to Lower Dhamni via the Bali Pass. The trail from the Bali Col camp to the Bali Pass is an unbelievably stunning and transfixing trail with carpets of fresh, powdery snow stretched far and wide. A minimum of 2–3 hours of trekking over steep ascents will take you to the Bali Pass top. There you can enjoy the drool-worthy, 360-degree views of the Garhwal Himalayas and the Swargrohini, Kala Nag, as well as the Banderpooch peaks on the one side and the eagle’s eye views of the enchanting Yamunotri Valley on the other side.

The descent from the Bali Pass top is extremely steep and spine-chilling. Enjoy the action-packed descent as you trek down with caution to reach the campsite of Lower Dhamni at 11,100 ft.

A final trek of 8 km from Lower Dhamni to Jaani Ki Chatti remains the last part of the Bali Pass trek. You will walk along well-pathed trails for nearly 4–5 hours to reach the last stop of Jaan Ki Chatti at 8,500 ft.

Dehradun lies approximately 170 km away from Jaan Ki Chatti. A pleasant 7-hour long drive from Jaani Ki Chatti to Dehradun will bring your Bali Pass trek to a nostalgic end.