Stok Kangri Trek | Stok Kangri Summit Trek Ladakh

About This Tour

The Stok Kangri is the most preferable location for experiencing the most demanding trek in Ladakh. Lying sharply at the altitude of 20075 ft in the middle of the fascinating place in Ladakh, the Stok Kangri is the most prominent location on the southern skyline. The Stok Kangri Trek will bring the fascinating opportunity of spending some days at this impressive region to visit the colorful monasteries at Shey, Thikshey and Hemis before setting off on the rugged but amazing treks through Markha Valley. The trekking routes are a serious challenge even for the experienced trekkers that will lead to the several remote and picturesque villages to the high Nimaling Plain below the imposing peak of Kang Yatze. Crossing the Kongmaru La, the trek will further take you to the unusual high route to Stok Kangri Base Camp, a 3-day approach to the mountain, which includes superbly located campsites and far-reaching views towards Tibet and the eastern Karakoram.

Although objectively very safe and technically straightforward (involving low-angle scree and easy snow slopes), the climb on Stok Kangri is both challenging and interesting. This is a wonderfully varied trip, perfectly suited to someone seeking his or her first Himalayan summit. The sight from the top brings amazing views of the Zanskar, Karakoram ranges and K2 (8611 m), the second highest peak in the world. Trekking across the Stok Kangri Summit is actually finding oneself at one of the most popular trekking peaks in the Indian Himalayas due to its proximity to Leh and is highly recommended for those who wish to climb a nontechnical 6000 m peak.

Itinerary

Up on arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse.

On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order. Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

In the morning after breakfast drive Lamayuru via Alchi. Visit the oldest Alchi Monastery and Lamayuru. Dinner and overnight stay in Guest house.

From Lamayuru monastery descend towards the village, cross the stream, ascend gradually upward the Prinkti la (3800 m) descend into the gorge, arrive at Shilla, crossing the bridge and reached at Wanla.

Now follow the Yapola River on the left and after 2 hours arrive at Penjila. Continue up to the valley, leading off at right angles, after one hour trekking leave the valley on the left, and after one hour arrives at Hinju.

The trail goes through the Hinju village, crossing the Hinju valley; leave one more valley on the left and ascent to the pass. Last ascent is steep. Again from the summit of the Konzke La, long descent to the pastures, follow the trail on the left bank along the mountain side. Here path gets lost, rather close to the river. There are circular walls. Before Sumda there is a glocked cave, so many nice campsites at the edge of the river, but continue along the left bank along the mountainside till Sumda.

This is short day to reduce a long exhausted trek between Sumda to Chilling. A short Steep trail for 1.30 hours. and than gradual walk till the campsite at base of pass.

2 hours trek till the pass, after descending the pass south side, slope is steep and continue towards a valley which gets narrower and narrower, in the end it opens out at Chilling. Up to Chilling there is not much of water. Chilling is a village of craftsmen, here Peoples work with metals like copper, tin, silver and make ladles Tchang pots, tea pots etc.

From Chilling follow the Zanskar river upstream for about ½ km., then cross it in a cable car (by paying fee) then there is a well defined path, Sakaya is 2 hours from the river crossing .After some distance from Skaya, the trail joins with the Markha valley trek. From here, Shingo with 2-3 houses is 3 hours away. Camp here for the night.

Ascent to Ganda la, it is two hours, easy climb descent into a beautiful valley and after passing Yurutse village (with beautiful houses), cross the river on right bank, cross an escarpment which leads into the valley of Rumbak Gompa. From Rumbak Gompa, there is a route joining Spituk via Zingchan. No pass in between, all easy going.

After passing this beautiful stopping valley, Three hours steep climbing to the top of the pass. Descend to the base camp and further trek toward the base of Stok Kangri.

This is one of the easiest peak declared as trekking peak in Ladakh region, one can climb from Lower base directly or well shift the camp to higher base camp. It takes almost 10 hours from base camp to base camp, minimum climbing equipment is required.

Continue climbing Stok Kangri..

In the morning after breakfast trek down to Stok, visit Stok palace, evening drive to Leh, and overnight stay in guest house.

The day is for relaxed. Overnight stay in guest house.

In the morning transfer to the airport to catch flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi take a half day guided sightseeing. In the evening transfer to International airport to catch onwards flight.