6. Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh, India
Best trek for: independent hikers
Distance: 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Timeframe: 6-7 days
Grade: moderate
On the Indian side of the world’s biggest mountain range, there are fewer hikers, but those who do are rewarded with views that rival those found in Nepal, Tibet, or Pakistan. Many breathtaking treks may be found in the Indian Himalaya, from the exciting Goecha La climb in Sikkim to pilgrimage treks to lonely mountain shrines in Uttarakhand and Kashmir. The best trekking region for the value of the rupee, though, is lofty Ladakh, which crosses high-altitude deserts in the rain shadow of the high Himalaya.
The Markha Valley walk, which circles south from Leh through the craggy mountains that line the south bank of the Indus River before emerging close to the well-known Buddhist gompa (monastery) at Hemis, is a strenuous week-long journey across a marvelously barren moonscape. The best part is that no elaborate planning is necessary; you may take a bus from Leh to the trailhead, cross the river while hanging from a basket, and pause at whitewashed teahouses in traditional Buddhist communities as you go.
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