Stage 3 of the Markha Valley Trek covers 10.1 km from Markha to Hankar, with 407 m of ascent and 203 m of descent. The highest point is 3,981 m. Allow about 4 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Registered homestay in Hankar (registration to March 2024), the last village before Nimaling. The map point is the village.
Ask for Tundup Dorjay
Homestay with a tea stall in lower Hankar, on the trail. Meals included; open roughly June to September.
Homestay in upper Hankar, on the trail towards Thachungtse and Nimaling. Meals included; open roughly June to September.
Homestay with a campsite at the upper end of Umlung, on the trail about 5 km before Hankar.
Registered homestay in Umlung (registration to March 2025), about 5 km after Markha and 5 km before Hankar. The map point is the hamlet.
Ask for Tsewang Dolkar
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed in a map or official register" appear on OpenStreetMap or in an older entry of the Leh tourism homestay register, but could not be confirmed as open in 2025–2026. Village homestays rarely have websites: ask in the village on arrival. Most places are family homestays that take guests in turn, with dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch included; they open from about June to September. You can usually just turn up, but carry cash in rupees: there are no ATMs after Leh.
Emergency: call 112 (ambulance 102 or 108). Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.