Stok Kangri Trek
A 6137 metre summit is an excellent introduction to mountaineering in the Himalaya. At 6,121m Stok Kangri is clearly visible from Leh, the ancient capital of Ladakh in Northern India.
You fly from Delhi to Leh and spend two days acclimatizing and visiting hill top monasteries. The climb is technically not difficult, and requires no special mountaineering skills. It gives you a real opportunity to climb a 6137 m mountain in less than a week, which is not possible in any other part of the world. The summit presents one of the most spectacular views of the Saser peak in the Karakoram Range, where the K2 lies. On a clear day you can see as far as the mighty Karakoram and K2, 220Km to the North West.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit to Monastery
- Stunning Landscape
- Village interaction
- Panoramic views from high passes
- Visit to Pangong Lake or Highest Motorable pass
Season: August 07 – August 16
Duration: 07 Days
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Max Altitude: 20,080 Ft.
Itinerary
Day 01: Delhi – Leh
An hour long flight from Delhi to Leh will take you over the Greater Himalaya where you will be able to see the K2 amongst many other breathtaking views. You land at one of the highest civilian airports in the world at 10300 feet. It is strongly recommended that you rest and acclimatize to the altitude and not move out of your bed except for your meals today. Overnight stay at Leh hotel.
Day 02: Leh – Acclimatisation and sightseeing
After an early breakfast at the hotel a visit to monasteries such as Shey, Thiksey and Hemis will be arranged. You will arrive back to Leh in time for lunch for which Leh offers excellent opportunities. Post lunch relax or walk into the Leh town, to its exciting Tibetan market for souvenirs. You can take in the magnificent sights of peaks across the horizon and get ready for the drive to the base camp the next day. Overnight stay at Leh hotel.
Day 03: Leh – Stok – Mancarmo (4-5 Hrs Trek)
We leave from Leh in a jeep in the morning. At Stok the pony man will load our big backpacks on the horses that are waiting for us. With our small daypacks we head off for Mancarmo through a beautiful valley, where there are unusual rock formations that point skywards in orange, purple, green colors. Mancarmo (4250 m) is the summer pasture of Stok villagers.
Day 04: Mancarmo – Base Camp (3-4 Hrs Trek)
Gradually we go higher into a desolate area, which is inhabited only by marmots and blue sheep. Surrounded by high mountains, we, at base camp (5020 m), will prepare our self mentally and physically for the big day.
Day 05: Base Camp – Summit 6150 M – Base Camp (10-11 Hrs climbing)
Depending on weather and snow conditions, we leave early around 1:00 am or 2:00 am. Usually conditions are better in the night/morning, when the sky is clearer because it is colder and the snow will be harder to walk on. We just take a cup of tea and bring our lunch bag, before walking into the night with our torches.
However, if it is a full moon night, the moon will guide us in its silvery glow. It is a strenuous walk, and in the last part we will most likely use not only ice axes, but also crampons and, maybe, even rope, depending on snow conditions. However, by the time we come close to the top, you will forget about the hardship as you are surrounded by one of the most beautiful sights in the Himalayas, lighted up by the slowly rising morning sun. In good weather conditions we can see the Saser group in the Great Karakoram Range, where K2 lies. To bring good fortune, we leave our Khatag, a religious scarf, on the mountaintop with prayer flags. Leaving the peak, we go down to Base Camp and by the time we arrive, the only thing running in our mind is diving into our sleeping bags for a rest.
Day 06: Base Camp – Stok (4 hrs trek) – Leh (17 Km / 1hr drive)
This morning we will not hurry and by the time we open our eyes, you realize that you have scaled a peak higher than any mountain in Europe or North America. After breakfast we will walk down to Stok, retracing our footsteps. Upon arrival we drive back to Leh city.
Day 07: Leh
Complete day at leisure to explore the beauty of Leh city on your own and time free for last day shopping.
Or one can take an optional excursion to KHARDUNG-LA-PASS (the highest motor able road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh.
Or
PANGONG LAKE situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometres at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Return to Leh and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh.
Day 08: Leh-Delhi
The flight back to Delhi will take you over the Great Himalayas and allow you to bid farewell to the mythical land of Ladakh, until next time! We know you’ll be back!
Includes
Accommodation, all transfers, all meals, Trekking equipment, Mountaineering guides, service tax
Does not Include
Airfare, travel insurance, miscellaneous expenses, personal beverages
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns, landslides, river crossings, the availability of horses and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader and our ground handler will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!