Ladakh

Hike Skyu - Chilling

The way to the confluence of Markha with

Petr Liška
Wrote 2409 articles and follows him / her 241 travelers
Hike Skyu - Chilling
Inserted: 14.11.2014
© gigaplaces.com
Suitable for:
Hikers
They been there:

Markha trek 10: If you set out for a shorter version of Markha trek, so you can expect only the last walking stage from Skyu to Chilling already lying at the mighty river Zanskar. You can expect a relatively easy and picturesque stage with an unexpected ascent to the last pass Kuki la and the way across Zanskar in a primitive cable car as the final icing on the cake.  

Fields behind Skyu

The first part of this trekking stage leads along the fields of barley to less than one kilometer distant village Kaya (3 300 m asl). On the horizon rises jagged massif, already situated across the river Zanskar. You will be admiring its panorama during the whole today's walk.
 

Fields behind Skyu
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Path above the canyon of the river Markh

Leave the first village in the valley Kayu after half an hour of comfortable journey from Skyu and before you'll be only the uninhabited arid area. You will also see the first refreshment tea tent, from where is a nice view of further continuation of your journey. Markha river disappears in a wild canyon and the path leads high above it.
 

Path above the canyon of the river Markh
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Outĺook at the confluence of Zanskar wit

During the walk over the canyon sometimes opens up a nice view. The path leads around a hundred vertical meters above the valley bottom. After a while you come across the attempt for a road into Markha valley.
 

Outĺook at the confluence of Zanskar wit
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View of the canyon of Zanskar

Finally, the view of the confluence opens. Markha looks just like a tiny creek compared with Zanskar. The entire canyon of Zanskar looks impressive, although a road is built here. But it will take a long time before they get to Padum. Nowadays is the canyon passable only a few days in the winter, when locals organize here world famous Chadar trek across the frozen river with spending the night in caves.
 

View of the canyon of Zanskar
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Path in the direction Kuki la

The road drops in nine twists to Zanskar, but where is the bridge torn down (so maybe the reason why is the project for the road to Markha valley suspended). Our journey, however, traverses the upland plain to the last ascent on this trek – to the pass Kuki la. Along the way is another tea tent, where you can buy some food. Be aware that it takes here about hour and a half from Skyu.
 

Path in the direction Kuki la
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View from Kuki la

After overcoming nearly two hundred vertical meters in switchbacks you finally get to the top of the mountain Kuki la (3 440 m asl), where you will be welcomed by fluttering flags. In fact, it's just the end of another upland plateau. From the top is nicely visible far down of the river Zanskar.

View from Kuki la
Author: Ivan Puškáš © gigaplaces.com

Walk along the upland plain

The journey through the upland plain goes by very quickly. The views are of the jagged mountains across the river. There is not much to see from the canyon itself, only the road occasionally peeks out.
 

Walk along the upland plain
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Before Chilling

Once you cross the upland plain, panorama of the oasis of Chilling appears in front of you. From there starts another famous trek Chilling – Lamayuru, so you can theoretically combine them. The cable car itself is a few hundred meters away from the village. It is also the starting point for rafting.
 

Before Chilling
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Cable car over Zanskar

Cable car ride is a kind of adrenaline experience. You will be on the tackle in a crate over more than 60 meters wide wild river. It certainly does not meet any safety standards, but it works for decades.
 

Cable car over Zanskar
Author: Ivan Puškáš © gigaplaces.com

Driving through the canyon of river Zans

On the other side of the river you must hope that you will stop a car either here or in Chilling. If you set out from Skyu early in the morning, your chances are high, because you will certainly encounter taxis driving here tourists or rafters from Leh.

The 25 km long ride through the canyon is great. The canyon itself is really beautiful, rugged rocky and arid. The road is narrow and without barriers, so if your driver is sports-based, it's also quite an adrenaline experience.

Driving through the canyon of river Zans
Author: Ivan Puškáš © gigaplaces.com
Applaud the author of the article!
Share it on:

Articles nearby

Distance 4 km
Hike Markha - Skyu

Hike Markha - Skyu

Distance 20 km
Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers

Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers

Distance 21 km
Hike Umlung - Markha

Hike Umlung - Markha

Distance 21 km
Markha trek

Markha trek

Distance 22 km
Ascent to Stok La pass

Ascent to Stok La pass

Distance 23 km
A trip to the Purple Valley at Stok Kangri

A trip to the Purple Valley at Stok Kangri

Distance 24 km
Drive Lamayuru - Léh

Drive Lamayuru - Léh

Distance 25 km
Hike Stok - Changma

Hike Stok - Changma

Distance 25 km
Trip to the valley of the river Stok

Trip to the valley of the river Stok

Practical information

Part of itienary

Article: Markha trek

There is perhaps no more traditional trek in Ladakh than walk through Markha valley, during which you will see in just one week… continue reading

Markha trek
Part of gigalist

Giga List: The most beautiful stages of the Markha trek

Perhaps the most famous trek in Ladakh, or rather in the vicinity of the capital Léh, is without a doubt the trek through the… continue reading

The most beautiful stages of the Markha trek
Thanks!

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

Already rated by 0 travelers

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

You must be logged in to post a review or