SHANG SUMDO VIA MARKHA VALLEY STOK KHANG-RI

Morning after a short scenic of an hour flight to Leh from Delhi, on arrival at Leh, Ladakh Kushok Bakula Rimpoche. As you head outside the air terminal, our staff and guide receives you for short drive in the heart of Leh town to your Hotels. Afternoon free at leisure, optional walk to the center of Leh and its market.

At Leh, for acclimatization and for exciting tours at places of interest, Leh has a vast range of main bazaars on the street with colorful local fruits and vegetable vendors. The streets are busy with roadside restaurants, cafes, and craft shops.
The old Leh Palace is perched on a hilltop above the town overlooking the Leh bazaar and the town. The white Peace (Shanti) Stupa stands close by on a high hill which is worth a visit as well for views of Leh and the valley. Witness the world’s highest Polo ground located within the town’s main bus station, The rest of the day is free at leisure to browse around Leh, Ladakh’s capital.

The morning after breakfast, a full-day tour taking a drive beyond Leh visit to Thiksey Gompa built in 16th Century, situated on a hilltop. The monastery is enriched with Tibetan-style books, a huge Buddha statue, and excellent works of art.
An exciting drive to reach one of the world’s highest motorable passes at Khardung-La which is a 40 km driving distance from Leh, at an altitude of 5, 602 m / 18,379 feet.
The drive to this high pass to experience the highest altitude as well a good support for acclimatization. Enjoy grand panoramic views of the Zanskar Range beyond the Indus Valley, with Stok Khang-Ri standing out prominently as one of the higher peaks within the range. The view extends as far as Eastern Karakoram peaks, after taking a warm refreshing drink at the pass, gasping in the thin atmosphere, return drive to Leh. But before an interesting visit to ruined Shey Palace, once a summer palace of the pre-Tibetan kings. Shey and its fort also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, the massive nine-story stone structure lies at the base of the Tsemo ridge and towers over the old town. Built by King Senge Namgyal from the 15th to 17th century in a Tibetan style. The palace monastery houses a large, bronze, blue-haired Buddha statue, and then drive to Leh hotel for overnight.

Having a good breakfast at the hotel, getting ready for trek departure towards Shang Sumdo within Markha Valley, and climbing Stok Khang-Ri peak.
An interesting drive through farm country to Hemis village and its large religious complex. Hemis, is one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh with more than 150 monks; an annual Hemis festival is held. The monastery stands in a gorge surrounded by mountain scenery, built in the 18th Century.

Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drokpa Lineage, in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Situated 45 km from Leh, it was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival takes place in honor of the great Padmasambhava, a Guru of the 6th century who reformed Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Nyingma sect. After an interesting tour a short drive to Marteselang
as the ride leads close to the Hemis National Park, which is also a good habitation of endangered snow leopards and other wildlife. From Marteselang a small settlement of Yak herders, where our first-day walk starts for a few hours to Shang Sumdo, with a first overnight in a tented camp backed by camping crews and chef and pack animals to carry the camping gear and foods for the whole trek and climb.

Another short day, after a leisurely morning breakfast prepared by our camping cook and kitchen staff. After breakfast a gentle walk on a flat valley path to reach Chuskirmo, a small settlements of cattle herders and nomads.
Overnight camp is set on a grassy meadow with grand views of distant snow-capped peaks. Afternoon enjoy a short acclimatization hike around, with chances of spotting some wild-life.

From here onward into a remote and isolated country far north of Ladakh’s high valley plains, as the route leads towards desolated and scenic landscapes to reach a small place of Chogdo around a cattle herder temporary camp.
After a refreshing stop, continue the long day walk to the base of Kongmaru-La Pass, a steep climb for a few hours uphill to a ridge then on top of Kongmaru-La, the highest point of the trek. Rewards fantastic panorama of surrounding snow peaks with Kang Yatse at 6,400 m high, after a tough climb then downhill to Nimaling, a small settlement of Yak and cattle herders. Overnight camp is set on a level ground with a huge green grassy meadow.

Compared to the previous day, walking today is average hours to Hankar’s isolated settlement of cattle herders. As walk follows on wide terrain past temporary shades of Yak men and nomads with a gentle climb for some hours then reaching a small place of Tachungtse. Time permitting stop here for a dry picnic lunch, finding shade against the cool wind, afternoon a short walk of a few hours downhill to overnight at Hankar, camp is set on a wide field close to the small settlement of Hankar.

After being around the wild country of northern Ladakh, a morning walk on the flat level path with short ups and downs to Umlung by mid-day. A summer pasture and grazing ground of Nomads and local Yak herders of Stok and Nimaling villagers.
Enjoy rest at Umlung a steep climb for a short hour and then on a winding path as the walk follows downhill to a desolate and remote Markha village for overnight camp, on the wide grassy field.

From this pleasant campsite, the adventure leads towards the inner valley of Markha towards the Northern areas of Skiu and Stok. Walk on a gradual path on a high ridge with short ups and downs to a small area at Sara, after a refreshing rest. The trail follows for another 3-4 hours to Skiu, at first on a gentle wide path to a high ridge facing grand views of surrounding white peaks with Stok Khang-Ri in the south. From this high point descend to a gorge, and then climb for an hour or more to Skiu, a remote windswept settlement directly north from our next day route to Stok Khang-Ri areas. Overnight camp on a wide-open field facing grand views of rolling high hills with snow peaks.

After enjoying a wonderful and exciting adventure around pure wilderness and off the beaten tracks, from here walk leads to other hidden trails of Markha Valley to join the main trail at Stok Khang-Ri area. Route follows the southeast direction to Shingo from Skiu on a hidden trail, walk on the high ridges enclosed within high snow-capped peaks, all the way to Shingo a nomad’s temporary summer camps where our overnight camp is set.

An adventure on forgotten trails, hardly a few adventurers use this hidden route which is quite an interesting walk crossing Ganda-La Pass. Facing the grand views of
Stok Khang-RI rare East Face. As most trekkers and climb see the peaks from the southern direction, this will be a special view. Follow the faint path on a high ridge till the walk ends on a small plateau where our camps are pitched for overnight halt.

The morning trek leads due south and then crosses a scenic Stok-La Pass where the rail leads to a junction of Spituk, Stok, and Mankarmo. An enjoyable trek on least trekked area before our walk leads on the main path of Spituk and Stok valleys.
Walk on gradually up then traverse Stok-La Pass towards Chortenchan, then end the long of the day, within a nice meadow for overnight camp around pure wilderness.

After enjoying the adventure around the hidden areas of Markha, the morning walk continues up the valley making a steep climb to the base of Stok Kangri at 4,969 m. The walking is shorter compared to previous days, as the route leads within windswept terrain and then reaches the base of Stok Khang-Ri, enjoy the free afternoon at leisure for a short walk, after getting organized in the campsite.

A rest day or exploration day, visit the glacier to see the route for the next day’s climb to Stok Khang-Ri afternoon our guide will brief us with information regarding the route of the climb and other safety measures. Here take a hike in the side valleys for a few hours for acclimatization and return to camp for lunch. Rest of the day at leisure preparation for the climb to Stok Khang-Ri Peak summit.

Starting early at the break of dawn for the climb to the summit of Stok Khang-Ri, depending on snow conditions heeding slowly with care following our lead expert guide. When the path is clear with rocks and dirt trail then most likely no need for crampons as climbs take you over scree and boulders, heading up towards a south ridge.

Close to 460 m high ridge stretches to an exciting and superbly exposed summit. After a great climb without much technical but with a steep and very straightforward haul. Reaching the top is rewarded with superb scenery of the Ladakh high valley plateau, facing views of the Zaskar and Karakoram Himalaya range. Includes distant view of Leh, after a pleasant photo session and perhaps a bite with pack lunch, and then descend towards all the way to base camp for last overnight in a tented camp, after a great adventurous day.

Clear the camp, and take care of garbage leaving the camp site as pristine as it were. After a marvelous time in complete wilderness and achieving our goal and highlight of the adventure of a lifetime experience. Completing packing, then set off heading back to Stok village to continue trek down the valley towards the Stok village. On reaching Stok village after more than five hours walks, our transport will be at disposable for a scenic drive to Leh, for last overnight at Ladakh.

Depending upon the flight time, the guide and staff transfer you for a short drive to the airport for a flight to Delhi after a memorable experience on Shang Sumdo to Stok Khang-Ri Peak via Markha Valley adventure.