Stok Kangri Trek

You are already prone to acute mountain sickness once you land in Leh. The elevation of Leh from the mean sea level is around 11,430 feet. Generally, above a height of 8,000 feet, you are prone to altitude sickness. So we would suggest you to spend the rest of the day resting and getting better acclimatized to the high altitude of Leh. You can spend this day exploring in and around Leh. Since the Stok Kangri trek climbs up to a maximum altitude of 20,180 ft., acclimatization is not something to be taken lightly. So, we will spend the day 2 getting acclimatized and at the same time exploring the beautiful town of Leh. Leh is not only a natural wonder but also a cultural one. Explore some of the countless ancient monasteries and temples that Leh is applauded for. You’re free to choose the places you wish to visit. the best places that you can choose to visit include the Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Khardung La, Magnetic Hill, Spituk Monastery, Chemrey Monastery, Hall of Fame, Pangong Lake and many more. Khardung la is known to be one of the highest motorable passes in the world providing a gateway to Nubra Valley. You can ride a Yak as well as drench yourself in the snow. Magnetic hill is the only hill in India which has an anti-gravitational effect. You can even fulfil your shopping appetite as Leh offers a diverse variety of Tibetian jewellery, carpets and woollen clothes. You can even visit the Hemis High Altitude Wildlife Sanctuary which the highest sanctuary in the world. This sanctuary is home to the mighty and rare Snow Leopards. If your soul demands thrill and adventure, you can opt for Mountain biking In Ladakh which promised to provide your adrenaline rush through the gusty terrains. Make the most of this day, and retire to your accommodation. The following day will embark the start of your trek to the majestic Stok Kangri Peak. So, it is advised to have a good sleep so that you will be devoid of fatigue the next morning.

A half an hour drive from Leh takes you the beautiful village of Stok. Stok Village is located at an elevation of 11,470 feet from the mean sea level. You will be surprised to see the greenery amidst numerous rocky mountains. The exotic landscapes covered with lush green trees promise to give you a blissful experience of life at such high altitudes. The drive to Stok village is a scenic one. If it is your first time trekking in Ladakh, the landscape will come as a pleasant surprise. Lined with verdant trees and lofty peaks, the one-hour long drive to Stok is an adventurous one, especially during the summer. Lying roughly in the south of Leh, Stok is distinguished for a beautiful royal palace that it guards. The porters are the lifeline here. They supply the necessary things to all the camps.

With the panoramic canvas of the Rocky Mountains throughout, you begin trekking to Chang Ma from Stok village which is located at an elevation of 13,120 feet. This might be a difficult trek. The trek will be a tad bit challenging, considering it is the very first day of trekking in the terrain of Ladakh. Over the course of the next few days, as your body begins to better acclimatize to the altitude and the terrain, trekking will seem much more manageable. You are certainly going to be introduced to the snow at this phase of trek. The total trekking distance from Stok village to Chang Ma Base Camp is 6 kilometres. This will be the first camp on your voyage to the Stok Kangri peak. Chang is also one of the best campsites of the trek. We will have a short acclimatization walk in the vicinity of the Chang Ma Base camp. After the walk, we will return to the campsite and have our dinner. The inception of a tight sleep in order to have a fresh start on the next day will mark the end of day 3 on this trek.

From Changma, we have to move forward to Mankorma which is located at an altitude of 14,200 feet. The total trekking distance from Chang Ma to Mankorma is around 4 kilometers and it takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete this trail. This is going to be our second camp which will take us a little closer to the summit. You might have heard about Ladakh being called as the cold desert, isn’t it? This trek will answer why it is known as the cold desert as you will be exposed to the barren grey landscape of Ladakh with the snow-sprinkled all over it. You get to really admire the cold desert landscape of Ladakh, in the truest sense. The trek to Mankorma is quite easy and snakes through a couple of streams. You trek along a flowing river, while lofty peaks don’t fail to accompany you. The serenity of the river will certainly make you wonder about the beauty that nature offers to mankind. The gushing of the serene river water provides a musical taste to your heart. Words fall short to describe the exquisite landscapes and scenery of this place. After reaching the Mankorma Base camp, we will fulfill our appetite. We will Camp overnight at Mankorma, right in the laps of the mountains of Ladakh. The night view is stellar and millions of stars can be witnessed over the campsite which certainly makes it a magical stay.

The next trek is from Mankorma to Stok kangri base camp. Stok kangri Base Camp is located at an elevation of around 16,300 kilometres from the mean sea level. Trek from Mankorma to Stok Kangri Base is not very long. The total trekking distance from Mankorma to Stok Kangri Base Camp is around 4 kilometres and it takes approximately 5 hours to complete this trail. This is going to be our last campsite which means that we are just one trek away from reaching the mighty Stok Kangri summit. Huddled amongst some grassy patches, the campsite is laced with a number of lakes and streams nearby. After having rested for a while, a short acclimatization walk is a must. The upper reaches of Mankorma afford grand views of the beautiful alpine neighbours like Golap Kangri, Parcha Kangri and more. Besides the spectacular views that the walk brings, it also aids you in getting more acclimatized to the altitude, which prepares you for what lies ahead. In the days that follow, these short walks will prepare your body to endure the extreme altitude, freezing weather, and thin air. Sudden temperature variation is found beyond Mankorma. The oxygen level is considered to be less than 10 percent in this region and there is a drastic change in the weather conditions in the vicinity. Most of the people develop altitude sickness at this point and hence they are not able to scale the summit of Stok Kangri. So, it is advised to layer up and keep yourself as warm as you can. The next trek will be the final step to accomplish the mission of scaling the highest trekkable summit of India. It is very important to take ample rest in order to acclimatize with the weather before your final attempt to the mighty Stok Kangri  peak. So, make sure you’re well-rested and well-fed to enjoy a good night’s sleep.

We have kept one day solely for the purpose of training and acclimatization as we will be gearing up for the summit. This day will mark another crucial day of the trek. You will learn some useful techniques and hacks to make sure that your summit climb is a smooth journey. You will be given some basic training about the technical equipment like crampons, ice axes, ropes, etc. The final attempt to the summit from the base camp is very difficult and it requires a lot of mental and psychological preparation. Generally, it takes around 10-12 hours to reach the summit from the base camp. For slow climbers, it may take additional 2-3 hours. The long trail includes meadows, mountains, glaciers, ice and snow which makes it a difficult one. It is good to have prior knowledge about the kind of terrain and challenges to be conquered the next day. You will also be informed about the terrain changes you’d experience during the climb. Beyond here, you are likely to find a heavy accumulation of snow, and the training you receive today will ensure your safety. Proper techniques of ascending and descending, along with practices like self-arrest will also be taught to you. Train well, and retire for a good night’s sleep, as you start the summit attempt in the middle of the night.

This will be the most anticipated day of the trek. You will start the big summit climb at around 2 am, equipped with your crampons and ice axes. The total trekking distance is approximately 14 kilometres. The trail is quite tricky and winds through glaciers and some very steep sections that lead to the summit ridge. At the start of the trek, you will find a steep ascent until the first rest point. After that, you will be exposed to the rocky patches with a gradual ascent. A little further, you will be introduced to the glacier where there is almost a flat walk. Crossing the glacier region, you will be able to reach the ridge of the summit. From here on, the further ascend is very tough and many of them return back to the base camp due to the development of Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS. The short trail from the shoulder to the summit is very difficult with steep fall on both sides. The temperature at the summit is around -15 degree Celsius which makes the survival even tougher. The view and the feeling of coming this far are worth the danger. It is a long and arduous climb, but the circling beauty and the thought of scaling the summit trump every other emotion. Once you’re at the summit, savour up the jaw-dropping views of the Karakoram range in the North and the Zanskar range in the south. You will be completely drenched in the beauty of this place. The chilling view from the summit remains dominated by the Saser Kangri peak, which looks as if handpainted in the canvas of the sky. All that remains in that moment is a build-up of raw emotions, adrenaline rush and nothing but alpine grandeur all around. Take a few moments to bask in the glory, and let it become scorched in your memory. The descent is also a bit tricky, given the steepness of slopes and glacial trails. Camp overnight at the Base Camp again.

After scaling the Stok Kangri summit, you can’t stop yourself from thinking about that moment again and again. The tracing of the highest trekkable peak gives you a royal feeling and you feel like you have conquered the world. It’s not the altitude, sometimes it’s the attitude that matters. It is cold, windy and at times eerie at the summit but when the sun comes up, it leaves you with a magical warmth and this warmth stays within you forever. With the high of having scaled a twenty-thousander accompanying you, you’ll be in very high spirits during the trek. The final day of the trek begins here at the Stok Kangri Base Camp. The descent to Stok village begins early in the morning and requires you to exercise caution. The beauty of snow-clad mountain ranges hangs in the skyline as you make for Stok village. Take a short halt at Stok if you wish, and then board your vehicles for the drive back to Leh. The elation of victory accompanies you throughout. Ideally, you should reach Leh by the evening, when you will check in to your accommodation again. You can depart from Leh the next morning or you can choose to go for all the sightseeing that you might have missed on the acclimatization day. Stok Kangri trek will provide an impeccable charm and charismatic ambiance that will never fail to amaze the nomads with its alluring beauty. This trek will ensure you a sharp contrast to your habits and culture. One can easily connect to himself and come back rejuvenated. You end up discovering your inner self that was long lost in the chaos of the lives in cities. The flashbacks of the trek will act as a hangover for a few days.

Stok Kangri Trek Map