Are you looking for an adventure of a lifetime? Look no further than the Stok Kangri Trek! This thrilling travel package offers travellers the chance to ascend one of India’s highest peaks, located in the majestic Himalayan Mountains. The journey begins at base camp and continues up 6,153 metres above sea level. During your trek, you will be surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views in India – snow-capped mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see. With experienced guides leading you every step of the way, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Stok Kangri Hike time: 9 days, 8 nights
Height of Stok Kangri Trek: 20180 ft.
Trek Classification: Hard
Hiking distance in Ladakh for Mt. Stok Kangri : 40 km
Daytime highs are 18°C and lows are 10°C.
& Night: 6 to -5 °C
Mt. Stok Kangri Trekking is best done in Ladakh from mid-July to mid-September.
Leh's airport is known as Kushok Bakula Rimpochee.
ATM: Leh has ATMs available.
Start & Finish: Leh
HIGHLIGHTS:
Witness one of the most notable peaks in the world, Stok Kangri which is 20180 feet high.
Trek on the Glacier for 6-7 hours at night while surrounded by millions of sparkling stars.
Follow a line formed along a mountain ridge's highest peaks as you ascend to the summit.
Catch the mesmerising vista of the Zanskar and Karakoram ranges from the Stok Summit.
Overview
Stok Kangri trek is a persistent struggle because of the ascents. The Stok Kangri peak offers a comprehensive view of the Indus Valley and Zanskar. Because of the uninhabited surroundings and the routes' abundance of ridges, the entire area has an extraordinary appearance. You will encounter several things over the entire voyage.
There are numerous breathtaking vistas, starting in Leh where you may experience the ideal fusion of natural aesthetics and cultural beauty, and continuing all the way to Stok Village, which is covered in majesty-filled, deep-green trees. Up until you reach the summit ridge, the journey will take you through glaciers and mountainous terrain. In order to complete your dream journey to Stok Kangri peak, you will be on the trail for an average of 7–13 hours per day. One of the finest experiences of your life will be this unusual trip to Stok Kangri.
Trekking in Stok Kangri includes:
1. Skilled trek guides - All of our trek guides have completed a basic/advanced mountaineering course and a first aid course.
2. Support team for the Expert Trek - This trek's mountain staff includes trained guides, cooks, assistants, and porters.
3. Accommodations: On Days 1, 2, and 8 in Leh, stay in a hotel or guesthouse.
The remaining days are spent camping while on the journey.
4. Meals - We serve wholesome breakfast, lunch, and dinner on every day of the hike.
5. Trekking gear: Each camp has top-notch tents and sleeping bags. The kitchen, dining, and bathroom tents, utensils, and long ropes are all included. Sleeping bags can withstand temperatures as low as -10 c.
6. Emergency supplies will be available at the campsite as well as with the guide or trek leader, including a first aid kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers, and an oximeter.
7. Transfers from and to Leh to the village of Stok.
SOME INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TREK
1) What to Bring: Warm clothing, sunglasses, appropriate hiking boots, gloves, a trekking stick, woollen hats, as well as other hiking accessories like daypacks, walking sticks, headlamps, etc.
2) Get in the right frame of mind: This suggests that you should be ready for severe weather. You can choose to take a shower at the hotel; following that, you maintain your cleanliness by using baby wipes and a bowl of warm water every day. Dig and pit type toilet tents will be available because restroom conditions might occasionally be challenging.
3. Be prepared for severe weather: The Stok Kangri expedition is a full-fledged adventure with numerous snowy blizzards, lush meadows, and winding trails. The top continues to be below 0 degrees Celsius in temperature. And occasionally plummets quickly to minus 30 degrees Celsius. The Zanskar Range and Karakoram Range can be seen in all their captivating beauty during the clear months of June through September in this desert region. You can take advantage of the region's ample sunshine during this time. The temperatures rapidly decrease as the sun sets. To stay warm while sleeping, bring a Nalgene bottle of hot water inside your sleeping bag and wear a warm cap.
4) Altitude Headaches: One of the initial indicators of altitude issues is a headache. Minor headaches are typical and shouldn't scare you or make you quit hiking. It would be wise to climb up or even trek down if it worsens or lingers.
5) Maintain Hydration: While on the hike, make sure to drink lots of water. Do always keep additional water bottles on hand.
6) Avoid the Sun: It's crucial to take good care of your skin and eyes. At high altitudes, sunburns develop considerably more quickly, so use sunscreen frequently and cover up with a hat. Sunglasses are a necessity, and if you wear glasses with prescription lenses, it's best to travel to Ladakh with a pair of those or at the very least a clip-on.
7) Wear Layers: By dressing in layers, you may easily control your body's temperature and remain at a comfortable temperature while walking. If your layers have zippers, that's even better because you'll have even more control over how warm you feel.
8) Pack additional batteries or charging packs: Your batteries will run out far more quickly in the cold than they do at home. This applies to pretty much every type of electronic device you'll be using, including phones, cameras, and Kindles. But, even when hotels offer charging, you should still bring extra batteries and a portable charger.
9) Pack a camera: One of Ladakh's most breath-taking treks is the Mt. Stok Kangri Trip. In order to capture these moments forever, one would want to pause at every opportunity.
10)Take appropriate precautions because climate in high altitudes differs from that in the plains.It's time to adjust to the high altitude.
Before starting the hike, see a doctor. While trekking, have a first aid kit and some basic drugs.
11)Do not encourage littering at nearby sites or tents as the hike passes through an environmentally friendly area. Littering travellers risk fines. Maintain the destinations' ecological balance by not utilising plastic bags.
12)Bring dried fruits, protein bars, and little snacks from home. Bring reusable water bottles with you so you can rehydrate.
13)Reduce the amount of luggage you bring; the more you carry, the more you bother.
14)Keep a current ID on you.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Leh Arrival at an altitude of 3500 metres (11,500 feet)
Register for your stay and unwind. Sip tea or coffee.
Note that the first three days will be set aside for acclimatisation because it is crucial for you to do so in order to travel healthily.
The hotel will be where you spend the night.
DAY 2: Exploration of Leh and acclimatisation
Have a hearty breakfast before rushing off on a 3- to 4-hour acclimatisation hike during the first part.
You can take pleasure in exploring the well-known monasteries near Leh, such as Shey and Thiksey, in the second half.
We'll stay for the night in the hotel.
Day 3: Hike to Chang Ma after arriving in Stok Village (11800 feet) via car (13087 ft)
If you have made the decision to hike this section of the country, it is one of the nicest sights you will have.
Some people would consider trekking in Leh to be realising their fantasies. You could occasionally feel as though you are in the centre of heaven.
This is the kind of day when you may have a wonderful drive and go hiking.
Starting the day off with a drive to Stok village. Beginning in Leh, the drive would take you through a variety of diverse and stunning landscapes.
It's a dangerous drive to the Stok settlement.
It is abundant in green, luscious trees and the splendour of nature. The current conditions are ideal for the summertime.
The Stok settlement is widely known for its royal palace and is located immediately to the south of Leh. Here resides the recently crowned king of Ladakh. A modest museum with lovely and sacred objects is also housed inside the palace.
On Day 3, though, you embark on a trip to Chang Ma. This may be a challenging hike, but you might also enjoy a snow hike.
The overnight stay would be in tents in the open plains if you wanted to spend the night here.
Day 4: Chang Ma(13087 ft.) to Mankorma (14200 ft.)
After three nice days of acclimatisation, you start your Stok Kangri trekking on days four and five.
The entire walk travels across Ladakh's desolate, gloomy scenery.
This day will show you Ladakh's true beauty and explain why it is regarded as the "cold desert" by beginning the Chang Ma climb up to Mankorma.
You will cross a few minor creeks on your walk, but it is an easy one beside the river, and you will enjoy spending the night in a tent.
Day 5: Mankorma (14200 ft) to base camp (16300 ft.)
We get back to the base camp via a hike.
It's fun to be in this unusual base camp. It is situated on some grass. Many lakes and streams make up the water bodies in this area.
You can go through the top portions of the campsite during the day and take in the surroundings. There are several stunning mountains, including Gulap Kangri, Parcha Kangri, and others.
To ensure that the party is prepared for the trek and sightseeing the following day, you can also take a nap in the base camp.
You would have enough time to adjust to the climate. This is really vital because the climate is going to shift drastically in the next several days, and might encounter low oxygen levels and thin air.
Again, the overnight stay would be planned in tents, so be sure to pack plenty of warm clothing in case the temperature drops.
Day 6: Training day and acclimatisation
Trekkers will have an easy day today. You would greatly enjoy the time spent exploring and getting to know the area.
In essence, the day is used to prepare for the impending expedition and learn about the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead. Your hike leader and guide would inform you of all the various terrain variations.
For you to navigate the mountains, you need the necessary expertise and experience. There may be times when you must go through snow that is sinking. You must therefore be familiar with the weather and the environment.
Get some sleep so you can be ready for the upcoming adventure.
Tents would once more be used for the night-time stay. You should be familiar with the daytime and night-time circumstances by this point.
Day 7: Base camp (16300 ft.) to Stok Kangri(20180 ft.) then back to base camp
You should be well-prepared for the significant ascent now that you have had a day of recuperation, i.e., the Stok Kangri trip.
You should get up early in order to begin the ascent. The path crosses glaciers before ascending steep slopes to the summit ridge.
You should be mentally tough and psychologically ready for this long climb.. The average climber would need nine to ten hours to complete the route. Slow climbers might need an additional two to three hours.
After a few hours at the beginning of the walk, you ought to arrive at the ridge's crest.
You may get fantastic views of the area from the summit. The open spaces around you make you feel regal.
You could see the Karakoram mountain range to the north. Together with the Karakoram and the Zansker ranges in the south, the Saser Kangri rules the sky in the north.
As per customary, tents would be used for the night.
Day 8: Drive from base camp to Stok Village and Leh
The final day of your great trekking journey would be Day 8 to Leh. After this day, the adventure, which included high-altitude trekking, mountaineering, and other activities, will finally come to a close.
Yet, there would be plenty of snow-covered beauty and a stunning panorama of mountain ranges before the day came to a conclusion.
The excitement of trekking in Ladakh can be revived from this location. You would have to begin returning from Base Camp to Leh as the day grew lighter.
The journey back could be challenging, so proceed with caution.
After you arrive in Leh on the same day, you will also need to walk all the way to Stok Village.
The trek's final rest stop is Stok settlement.You will need to drive from Stok village to Leh.
You can get homesick on the drive for all the joy you had hiking through the mountains the previous eight days.
Day 9 :Leave from Leh
Bring memories of your mountain trek with you as you return to your home.
What to Bring on the Stok Kangri Trek
layered clothing
a headlamp
a scarf, stockings, mittens, and a woollen cap
Caps
Paper towels & wipes
Walking cane
carry-on bag (50-60l)
a daypack (20-30l)
bottle of water
Backpack lined with waterproof material
coats made of fleece and thermals
Walking boots
insect and mosquito repellant
Thermal lining
Shoes for walking
windcheater that is waterproof
How to ACCESS
By Air:
There is daily (once daily) air service between New Delhi and Leh provided by Jet Airways, Go Air, and Air India. The services might potentially be offered twice a day during the summer. When you soar over numerous uninhabited regions and even some mountain ranges, you will love the flight. The overhead perspective is quite fascinating and puts your journey off to a wonderful start.
By Road:
Only during the summer months is the Manali to Leh road accessible. You might spend two hours driving. Days, although it could sometimes take up to three or four days depending on the weather. Also, make sure you have at least two spare tyres with you. It is suggested to bring a sleeping bag with you because the bus may halt for the night in a remote area.
It also takes about two days to get from Srinagar to Leh. You would pass through various isolated yet well-known communities along this route, including Kargil and Khalsi.