Region: Ladakh
Duration: 9 Days
Grade: Moderate+
Time: July-September
Departure Dates
- July 16, 2016 – July 24, 2016
- July 23, 2016 – July 31, 2016
- Aug 01, 2016 – Aug 06, 2016
- Aug 13, 2016 – Aug 21, 2016
Overview
It has been a wish of every mountaineer and trekker to climb a summit of 6000 plus meters. Stok Kangri is the most accessible peak in this elite club in the Himalayas. This majestic peak can be seen towards the southern sky from the town of Leh. Located in the Stok Ranges of the Hemis national park area at an elevation of 6157 m, this is almost 70% the height of mt. Everest. The are streams of clear water, wonderful campsites and a pristine glacier. Once on the top the view enchants you. If you can see the Karakorum Ranges as far as the K2. Towards the north you have a view of Leh and towards the south you can see a endless spectacular landscape as far as the Pir Panjal Range. Stok Kangri is mostly underestimated as a normal trek which can be done in 5 days. Over the years this has been a failure, due to the low levels of summits done and people coming back sick. We have a scientifically designed to give you proper acclimatization. We believe that our success is you standing on the summit and reaching back safely.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Leh
Day 2: Acclimatization day at Leh
Day 3: Leh to Changma (13078 ft)
Day 4: Changma to Mankarma (14200 ft)
Day 5: Mankarma to Basecamp (16300 ft)
Day 6: Acclimatization day and rest day
Day 7: Basecamp to Stok Kangri summit and back to Basecamp (20182 ft)
Day 8: Basecamp to Leh via Stok village
Day 9: Departure from Leh
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Leh
Leh is the headquarter of Ladakh. It is located on the banks of the Indus River, between the Khardung La and the Stok Ranges at an elevation of 3250 m. There are various early morning flights to Leh from Delhi. You can come by Road to Leh from Manali or from Srinagar. After arriving check into the hotel. There will be a Introduction and a briefing session in the evening.
Day 2: Acclimatization day at Leh
The day will be spent acclimatizing around Leh and making permits. We will climb the small hills around this town. First we will go to the Leh palace, which is a little above Leh overlooking the town. Above this is the Tsemo Monastery from where we have a magnificent view of Leh. After that we will visit the Shanti Stupa. The evening will be spent in making last minute purchases and packing our backpacks for the trek.
Day 3: Leh to Changma (13078 ft)
The day of the trek is here. Make sure you have all your essentials for the climb to the top. We start our drive towards Stok village, which is across the Indus River. It’s a half an hours drive to the village. Stok village is famous for it’s Royal palace. This place has lots of greenery and wheat farming is done here.We start our trek from here. We walk along a stream for some time, and then there is a moderate climb for a hour. The landscape is pinkish and barren. Changma is a flat place ideal for camping. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 4: Changma to Mankarma (14200 ft)
Today’s trek is a trail through barren landscape and valleys. The views of the steep cliff shaped mountains are breathtaking. The topography appears pinkish. There are plenty of blue sheep in his area. They can be seen easily on steep cliffs. Today is a total ascend and we gain approx.1100 ft of altitude. There can be signs of nausea or mild headaches. You can be free to talk to our trek leaders, who are trained for these kinds of situations. Mankarma is a ideal campsite along a stream. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 5: Mankarma to Basecamp (16300 ft)
Today we will walk along the wide valley for some time then climb along a ridge. The ascend is normal to moderate. There are lots of water bodies on the way. The base camp is located at around 5000 m. It is a wonderful place to set up camp. This place is cold, but not too windy. After reaching we occupy camp, which will be in tents. After lunch we will go for a short acclimatization walk towards Gulap Kangri. Then in the evening there will be a short briefing session and a medical checkup in which some vital information about High altitude sickness will be discussed.
Day 6: Acclimatization day and rest day
Today is the day for packing, training and briefing sessions. A climb to a peak has certain level of technicalities involved which have to be adhered to with a certain level of discipline. There is a big glacier on the way, so you should have the knowledge as to how to walk on a glacier. Our trek leaders are highly qualified from prestigious institutions so you can totally rely on them. We will check all our equipment are in order. The rest of the time will be spent exploring around the place. It will be a early dinner and you should sleep soon because it’s an early departure next morning for the summit. Keep your clothes and sack ready so that you do not waste time in the morning.
Day 7: Basecamp to Stok Kangri summit and back to Basecamp (20182 ft)
We get up as early as 1. a.m. Get your backpack ready. Put on your headlamps. Be careful to fill up your water bottles,and keep them inside the backpack to stop them from freezing. We start by walking up toward the right . The trail is clearly visible from the camp. There is a steep ascent in the beginning, and then it gets moderate just before the glacier. It takes about two an half hours to reach the glacier. You have to traverse across the glacier. Take care while doing so as there are small crevasses here. As you cross the glacier the visibility also increases as the day breaks. You climb along a ridge, and then another ridge. The climb is steep. Then you come to a rocky patch. From here it is a walk along the final ridge. You may have a vertigo effect during the final push. The snow is deep here.The trail is too narrow and every step has to be taken with caution.
There is the effect of altitude also, so it’s a slow progress. It takes about 8 hours to reach the top so you should be on the summit at about 8 a.m. The top is a small flat patch with lots of prayer flags fluttering in the air. The view fro the top is awesome, Khardungla pass can be seen much lower. You can see the Karakoram Ranges as far as Mt. K2. Saser Kangri peak dominates the skyline. It is said that on a clear day, if you are lucky enough you can see Kailash Mansarovar Lake. The entire Leh town can be seen from here. To the south you can view the Zanskar ranges. After tying our prayer flags and clicking some photographs, we start our journey back. Be cautious while descending. The snow patches can get slippery. While coming back, click some photographs on the glacier. You reach back to the base camp tired and hungry, and deserve a well earned rest.
Day 8: Basecamp to Leh via Stok village
Time has come to bid farewell to these amazing mountains. After breakfast we start descending towards village Stok through the camps of Mankarma and Changma. Jeeps will be waiting for us at the road. From the village of Stok you will drive back to Leh. Check in to a hotel. Time to have a hot shower and rest.Its been a long and a wonderful journey. it’s time to bid goodbye.
Day 9: Departure from Leh
Depart by flight to Delhi or by road to Manali or Srinagar.
Expedition Cost
Rs. 25,000/- per person
Inclusions
- Accommodation (camping and stay in hotel on day 1,2, and day 8 in Leh)
- Meals on trek (veg.)
- I.M.F. Permits
- First aid & oxygen cylinder
- Trained and qualified trek leader
- Transport: Leh to Stok & back
Exclusions
- Meals in Leh
- Insurance
- Porters or mules to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the Inclusions
*You are expected to carry your personal bags yourself. If in any case you want a porter or a mule you have to pay Rs. 500 per bag per day.