Hike Thachungtse - Hankar

The beginning of this stage leads along a narrow, but very steep ridge separating this valley from the next one, where leads the path over the pass Zalung Karpo la and farther into the wild and deserted valley of river Kurna – adventurous and alternative way to Padum in Zanskar.

Once the canyon becomes wider in a while, the first green boxes appear. On the horizon is a series of pointy beautifully colored ridges.

You gradually approach the rock gate in beautiful rough landscape – Markha river had tough work before it broke its way through here.

Just before the confluence awaits you the passage through rock gate. Finally, it is wider than it seemed from a distance, but even so, there is not much space left except for the river.

After overcoming the rocky gate you will finally get behind the ridge falling eight kilometers directly from the mountain Kang Yatse, which peeks out at you unexpectedly right here again. You are still separated from the neighboring river Langtang Chu flowing here from the pass Zalung Karpo la by the heap of stones and gravel, much like the rest of the old moraine.

Markha river almost doubled its flow just before Hankar due to side tributary of Langtang Chu.

Only few people walk through this valley over the pass Zalung Karpo la into Zanskar. Those walking through the valley of Markha upstream and plan to take an adventurous crossing into Zanskar, mostly choose the former branch already in the village of Markha and ascent through the valley over the pass Rabrang la.

After two hours walk from the camp Thachubgtse you finally reach the destination of this stage (although probably not the destination of the trek day) – village Hankar (4 030 m asl) – the last inhabited village in this valley.

The path gradually rises to a small pass under the fortress and the views are truly breathtaking. All around are the imprints of Buddhism – a lot of chortens and mani walls.

But you can see at first glance that the village´s best years have already passed – a lot of the houses are abandoned. It gradually becomes a ghost village.

A few inhabited buildings in Hankar are of a typical Tibetan /Ladackh style with flat roofs.

The view of Kang Yatse and another massive unnamed mountain behind it again opens after the ascent to a small pass below the fort.

Those who want to go to Zanskar by a shortcut continue from Nimaling directly through the western slopes of Kang Yatse into a small pass Konka Wongpo and thus avoid this descent into Hankar through Thachungtse.

The valley in Hankar full of fields is beautiful. This section is also considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the entire trek.

You finally ascent to the fortress, which seems to be almost undoable without climbing skills. Around you are a large number of chortens and mani walls with beautifully worked stones with prayers.

The local mani walls are beautiful. You should pray here as the continuation of the trek at incredible hot weather is slightly devastating.