Stok kangri expedition is to approach yet renders challenging beautiful peak in Ladakh. Climbing on to the stok kangri is not difficult in technical sense as it is easiest however you climb at 6150 m. This is the mountain, which you cover in less than a week days time.
Delhi - Leh - Lamayuru - Kangri - Leh - Delhi
We will leave Leh by taxi in the morning for Lamayuru following the Indus River through Sham Valley. After visiting Lamayuru monastery we will pack our backpacks and set off for our first day's adventure. We will follow a stream for a time, and gradually climb up to the pass of Prinkti La (3750m).
We will later pass through the small village of Shilla (3700 m) before reaching our campsite at Wanla (3250m),where we will spend the afternoon either relaxing in the sun or visiting the monastery.
Following a dusty road we will reach the small village of Phenjilla (3410 m) and the scattered village of Uri .We will then walk through a narrow gorge until we reach a traditional Rangthak (flour mill) at the far end of the village. The trail will then cut through the village of Hinju (3720 m) roughly 2 km below our campsite in a yak herder 's encampment.
From the encampment we will continue along the trail and ascend the ridge below Kongskil La (4950m). If lucky we will get glimpses of some wild life. We will then climb gradually until we reach Kongskil La where we will be surrounded by dizzying views of the Karakoram and Stok ranges.
The descent down the trail is quite steep with loose moraine causing the difficulty--so be careful! The trail then follows the left side of valley floor, passing a yak herders ' hut (4500m), before we reach our campsite. This valley is occupied mainly by the villagers of Sumda Chenmo.
After a short walk and a few river crossings, we will reach the village of Sumda Chenmo. From there we head towards the true left side of the valley, which provides a beautiful view of the village with its lush greenery.
Further on the trail cuts through the valley 's wild rose bushes and leads us to another river crossing (this stream originates from the high snow- capped peaks of Photoksar (5685m).Before making a steep challenging ascent over Lanak, we will see Edelweiss and some of the other rare wild flowers of Ladakh. From the campsite, there is a splendid view of Konskila.
We will begin the day with a straightforward climb to Dungdung Chan La (4820m), which offers views of the beautiful vistas of the Stok Range in the east and the Zanskar Range in the south. From the pass the trail gradually descends down a ridge toward the valley continually tapering before reaching the village of Chilling.
Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided metalworks such as copper, bronze, tin, silver and iron to the Leh market through the centuries. From Chilling we will drive for about 3 hours along the Zanskar River .We will eventually reach its confluence with the Indus and the easy road back to Leh
After crossing the Zanskar River on a box and cable bridge (see photo) we follow the Zanskar river upstream to the village of Skiu.
Overnight: Tent
Today we walk up a beautiful gorge to the village of Shingo and then set up a camp a little further up the valley at the Base Camp of Ganda La pass. Along the way you will see beautiful Ladakki scenery with splashes of green near the streams or irrigated farmland and elsewhere the landscape is dry and arid with a variety of colours.
Overnight: Tent
From Camp we follow a long gradual ascent to the Ganda La at 4,850m then descending to Yurutse and onto our camp near the village of Rumbak.
Overnight: Tent
From Rumbak we start the the steep climb to the Stok La at 4,900m where we have views of the Stok Kangri range. The camp is at Khilchay a short descent from the pass.
Overnight: Tent
Today we walk to the lower Stok Kangi Base Camp and in the afternoon we go for an exploration walk (“climb high, sleep low”) to help the acclimatisation process.
Overnight: Tent
Today we continue up the valley ascending to a pass where we get views of Base Camp and also the route to the summit of Stok Kangri. We spend two nights at Base Camp to help our acclimatisation to the high altitude.
Overnight: Tent
Our summit day begins before dawn, the route climbs over scree and boulders to reach the south ridge which continues to the summit. The ridge is quite exciting with a certain degree of exposure although it is never too steep there is some scrambling in places. The biggest challenge is the altitude making the climb feel very strenuous.
The summit views are superb in every direction with Leh visible way down in the valley below and the Karakoram mountain range to the north. After the summit celebrations and maybe a bite to eat we retrace our steps back to lower Base Camp.
Overnight: Tent
We descend to the village of Stok where we meet the jeeps for transport back to Leh.
Overnight: Tent
Fullday at rest.
Early morning fight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Later visit the Delhi.
Overnight: Tent
Transfer to Delhi airport for the flight back home
