Stok Kangri Trek - MoustachEscapes

Stok Kangri Trek – Ladakh is the land of high passes and is the most picturesque and unexplored region of India, many travellers and trekkers from around the globe visit this place to wander around. Out of many famous spots of Ladakh such as Nubra Valley, Khardung La, and the Chadar Trek, the Stok Kangri trek is slowly and gradually picking up the likes of the travellers.

The trek of Stok Kangri starts from the city of Leh which is situated at an altitude of 11,500 ft and goes upto an altitude of 20,180 ft, sounds adventurous right! It is a 9 days trek which has 2 acclimatisation days and 1 leisure day. The unique trek of Ladakh region is not very much explored or you can say not much trekked by the trekkers, due to the altitude gain it offers and lack of Knowledge also.

The Trek of Stok Kangri starts from the Ladakhi city of Leh and after a drive to the Stok Village you start your hike todarward the other spots, you cross various small villages and many water streams, also you pass through the glacier, it gets a bit cold in the evenings. The summit point of the trek offers a wide view of many ranges such as Zanskar ranges to the south and Karakoram range to the right.

Also See: Popular Kashmir & Ladakh Treks

We at Moustache are offering our trekkers an exciting itinerary of the trek with everything included. The trek of Stok Kangri is an experience in its own, you slowly and gradually ascend to different heights, we keep in mind the body functioning at such places that’s why we are offering acclimatization days included in the package.

A journey across unexplored villages, dancing water streams, and a mighty glacier, the Stok Kangri trek is an adventurer’s aspiration. Captured in its pristine stillness, this trek offers many untouched views. Every foot that falls on this journey touches the highest trekkable peak of India. The trek will show you many breathtaking scenes, but the summit offers the best of them all.

Standing at an eagle’s viewpoint of the Leh city, you have magnificent ranges like Karakoram and Zanskar standing before your eyes like long-lost friends at a reunion. All these marvels greet you while you stand tall at the summit, proud of your brand new achievement. Now that’s a feeling to take home. Stok Kangri peak stands at quite a height. Stok Kangri height is 20,189 feet and requires a period of 8 nights and 9 days to cover. Out of which, 2 days are required to acclimatize your body to the height and weather.

After a detailed instructional session with the trek guides, you have time to explore the wondrous city of Leh. Utilize your acclimatization day to visit the nearby monasteries such as Shey, Thiksey, and the Sangam, etc. Try out the local cuisine and markets before returning to our comfortable guest houses. A hot meal will be waiting for you post which you retire to a restful sleep. Touching the summit will instill a feeling of tremendous gratification in you.

You have now walked over the highest trekkable point in India, what a day! Look around at the result of the past week of effort as you scan the entire Leh city with just a left to right movement of your eyes. Trace the magnitude of ranges like Karakoram and Zanskar standing in front of you, a great honor indeed to meet these ranges face to face. Reach back base by the evening with the shadow of nature’s most glorious monuments in your eyes. Take a restful sleep, you deserve it! Begin your relaxed and speedy descend to Stok Village the next day, where you’ll be seated in cabs and escorted down to Leh. Meet the city you stood in over 2 days ago, pay your respects, and depart for Leh Airport.

Come join us on Stok Kangri trekking!!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Leh

Altitude: 11,500 ft

Stay Included: Stay at Guest House/Hotel on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Dinner

Report at hotel at Leh and meet our representative, who will guide you to the accommodation.
Check in to your accommodation and relax as it is important for acclimatization.
A small briefing session will be conducted by the guide in the evening.

Day 2: Acclimatisation Day

Stay Included: Stay at Guest House/Hotel on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Wake up to a fresh morning, and get ready to go out for a walk around the city.
Explore the nearby market, try the local cuisines.
Visit the nearby monasteries such as Shey, Thiksey and the Sangam etc.
Enjoy the hot meals and after a small get together retire for the day.

Day 3: Leh to Chang Ma, via Stok village

Altitude: 12,950 ft

Drive: 15 km

Trek: 5.5 km(4-5 hours)

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Included: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
Wake up to a chilly morning, have your breakfast and get ready for a drive to Stok Village.
Post reaching the Stok Village, you will start your trek to Chang Ma.
The trek trail is of moderate and will take around 4 hours to complete.
You can fill your bottles from the running river and enjoy the freshness of the valley.
Have your meals at the campsite and retire for the day in tents

Day 4: Chang Ma to Mankorma

Altitude: 14,300 ft

Trek: 3.5 km (3 hours)

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Included: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
Wake up with a fresh morning breakfast and prepare to trek to Mankorma, today you trek to an altitude above 14000 ft.
You pass through the grey landscapes of Ladakh and experience the sheer beauty of Ladakh.
Today you pass through 2- 3 small water streams, today’s trail is of moderate level and in no time you reach the next campsite.
Post reaching Mankorma, pitch the tents and with hot meals enjoy the rest of the evening.

Day 5: Mankorma to Base Camp

Altitude: 16,300 ft

Trek: 4 km (4-5 hours)

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

Stay Included: Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

Get up to an exciting morning as today you trek to an altitude of above 16000 ft.
Post the meal session, start your moderate to difficult trail to the Base Camp.
In the first half you can spot some streams, which you can use to fill up the water bottles.
The base camp offers a great view of the beautiful peaks like Gulap Kangri, Parcha Kangri, etc.
Post reaching the base camp, take rest in the allocated tents and enjoy the scenery around.

Day 6: Acclimatisation Day

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

Stay Included: Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

Wake up to a lazy morning and get ready for small training sessions at the campsite.
The session will ensure the way to trek over the snow.
Today you mostly rest at the campsite and prepare your body to tackle the thin air during the excursion.
Enjoy the hot meals at the campsite and retire for the day.

Day 7: Base Camp to Stok Kangri, back to Base Camp

Altitude: 20,187 ft

Trek: 14 km (14 -18 hours)

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

Stay Included: Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

Today the trek starts on the late night of Day 6 at around 11 pm, totally depends on the weather. You must leave your unesary luggage at the campsite.
The trail goes through the glaciers and then jumps to the steep slopes on the summit ridges.
You should me mentally prepared to take this long day of hiking. The summit ridge gives a wide view of the area and a great feeling too.
The Summit offers a view to Karakoram range to the right and the Zanskar ranges to the south.
After spending enough time at the summit, retrace your way back to the base camp campsite.
You will be reaching the campsite at around the evening time, post reaching rest and with hot meals retire for the day.

Day 8: Base camp to Leh

Altitude: 11,500 ft

Trek: 7.5 km(5-6 hours)

Drive: 15 km

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

Stay Included: Stay in guest house / hotel on a sharing basis

After an adventurous and tiring day, prepare to get back to the Leh city from where you started the trek.
As the route is mostly downhill and well known, it won’t take you much time to head back to Stok Village.
Post reaching the Stok village, board your shared cab back to Leh city.
Check in to the allotted Guest House / Hotel and with hot meals retire for the day.

Day 9: Departure from Leh

Meal Included: Breakfast

Post breakfast checkout of the accommodation and move back to the Leh airport.

The trek ends here!!

Things To Carry

1. Shirts / T-shirts –2/3, Jeans / Trekking Pants -2
2. Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower), Scarf/muffler (optional)
5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
6. Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small light weight towel
9. Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
11. Sun glasses, Walking stick / Trekking pole
12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
14. Personal toiletries
15. Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
16. Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)