STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Catch an early flight from New Delhi to Leh. Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is spent in acclimatization walks in the markets of Leh. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Spend the morning relaxing. Post lunch we step out for an orientation and acclimatization excursion around Leh. We then visit the Leh Palace, Hall of Fame and head to the Shanti Stupa which is a Buddhist white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Changspa. We enjoy the panoramic view of the city at sunset.

This day is for taking in the sights of Leh and to acclimatize further. We visit the Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery and Stok Palace. Hemis stands on the western bank of the Indus River. The monastery also boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics. The Hemis Monastery also serves as the venue of the annual Hemis Festival. Thiksey houses one of the largest Buddhist statues, the 15-metre- tall Champa, the Buddha of Future. Thiksey is one of the most frequently visited and most photogenic monasteries in Ladakh.

A two-hour drive from Leh takes you to Martselang, which is at an altitude of 11,200 ft. Trek starts from this point. The trail criss-crosses the Matselang river through narrow gorges. The trail climbs steadily as the valley turns southwest towards the confluence of Martselang with the Shang River.

The trail becomes steeper as you make your way to the shepherd’s camp of Shang Pu situated at an altitude of 13 900 feet. Campsite at the monastery, which is at the junction of two valleys. This is a typical Ladakhi pastoral setting encompassing small stone huts called phu-lus that serve as summer dwellings. Camp overnight.

We take the valley on the right from the junction. Climb up passing shrubs and wild rose bushes to the top of Shang La located at an altitude of 16,300 feet. The ascent takes around three and half hours. After reaching the pass enjoy the views of Stok and Matho Kangri peaks. A short, steep descent into the upper Matho basin takes us to Gyang Poche. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

The trail stays high on the hillside. A three-hour walk on an incline, crossing side streams, leads to the base of Matho La. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

A steep climb to the pass begins from Matho La Base. On the pass Stok Kangri looms up. Then we descend from the pass to the pastures of Myungkirmo next to a stream. Leaving the main valley we climb up westward to the left of the valley reaching the base of Stok Kangri. Stok Kangri is hidden behind a ridge. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

Rest day at the base of Stok Kangri for acclimatization. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

A long arduous walk awaits you. We start before the sun is up. Climb up back to the ridge. A tough descent on the mountainside for an hour takes us to a moraine. We climb up over the moraine for an hour and then cross a glacier to reach a basin for another hour. In order to reach another ridge we walk towards the east for another five hours. And the final grueling ninety-minute walk to the summit. From here we get a magical panoramic view of the whole of Ladakh. Descend all the way back to base camp. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

In case we need it to summit.

Walk to the Mungirmo pastures to follow the Mankyarmo river to its confluence with Stok Kangri. We follow the Stok river down to the Stok village. Drive back to Leh. Overnight at the hotel in Leh.

We drive to Leh airport and board our flight back to Delhi.