Stok Khang-ri Peak Climb

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 tour at places of interest, Leh has a vast range of main bazaar on the street colorful local fruits and vegetables vendors. The streets are busy with roadside restaurant, cafes and craft shops. The old Leh Palace stands on the top of the high hill overlooking the Leh city and its valley. The white Peace (Shanti) Stupa stands nearby high on hill which is worth a visit for the great views of Leh. The world’s highest Polo ground located beyond the main bus station, rest of the day free at leisure to browse around Leh, Ladakh capital.

Morning after breakfast, a full day tour taking a drive to Thiksey monastery visit the Gompa built in 16th Century, situated on a hill top. The monastery enriched with Tibetan-style books, a huge Buddha statue and excellent works of arts.
Last stop on the way back to Leh, tour of 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 during 15th till 17th Centuary in a Tibetan style.
The palace monastery houses a large, bronze, blue haired Buddha statue and then drive to Leh hotel for overnight. Tour includes an interesting scenic drive to one of the world highest motorable pass of Khardung-La at 5, 600 m high.
After an exciting wonderful day drive back to Leh for overnight and getting organized for next day adventure to Stok Khang-Ri Peak trek and climb.

Having good breakfast at the hotel, getting ready for trek departure towards Shang Sumdo within Markha valley and climb of Stok Khang-Ri peak.
An interesting drive through farm country to Hemis village and its large religious complex. Hemis, 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 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 great Padmasambava, a Guru of 6th Centuary who reformed Tibetan Buddhism and founder of Nyinpa sect. After an interesting tour a short drive to Marteselang
as ride leads close to the Hemis National Park, which is also a good habitation of endangered snow leopard and other wild-life. From Marteselang a small settlement of Yak herders, where our first day walk starts for few hour to Shang Sumdo, with first overnight in tented camp backed by camping crews and chef and pack animals to carry the camping gears and foods for the whole trek and climb.

Start the scenic day walk, where our route is quite different than other main trails, as the area chosen is around isolated corners. Where walk starts heading towards Shang Phu, crossing streams and rivers depending on season wise.
Walk past Sang Sumdo village reaching a small village with a windblown fortress on top of a hill, as walk comes across smaller hamlets and village lined with prayer wheels and Chorten, within a wide field of barley and mustard.
Wading over rivers and then following a rocky bed along the river side with gradual climb to a high ridge, and then a slow descend to a wide area with few houses with tented tea-shops on reaching at Shang Phu for overnight camp.

Adventure today, leads to a long day walk on leaving Shang Phu to isolated and hidden area of Gangbuche. As walk leads on gradual path for short while with steep climb for few hours on top Shang-La Pass. Enjoy the grand vista of surrounding high peaks with Stok Khang-Ri towards North East.
After enjoying the spectacular panorama, a slow downhill to cross a stream to a grazing pasture field and then short climb to a ridge, where our overnight camp is set at Gangbuche, after a long pleasant day and crossing about five rivers which is the cause of delay, making a longer day.

From Gangpoche after a short stride leads to cross a river, and then walk gently up to a valley for another hour. Where path comes across another river to wade. As route leads to steep climb steadily across a wide valley heading towards Matho-La Pass. After skirting a hillside enjoying views of Matho Golep and Stok Kang-Ri. From the pass down to level path following the river with short steep climb to the base of Stok Kang-Ri at 4,969 m.
The walk can be quite strenuous due high altitude within arid and windswept terrain, on reaching the base, right beneath towering South Face of Stok Khang-Ri. After setting up the camp with free afternoon at leisure for short walk.

A rest day or exploration day, visit to the glacier to see the route for next day climb to Stok Khang-Ri afternoon our guide will brief with information regarding the route of the climb and other safety measures. Here take a hike in the side valleys for 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 down for the climb to the summit of Stok Khang-Ri, depending on snow condition 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 takes you over scree and boulders, heading up towards a south ridge.

Close to 460 m high ridge stretches all the way to exciting and superbly exposed summit. After a great climb without much technical but with steep and very straightforward haul. On reaching the top rewarded with superb scenery of Ladakh high valley plateau, facing views of Zanskar 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 tented camp, after a great adventurous day.

Clear the camp, and taking 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 life time experience. Completing packing, then set off heading back to Stok village continue trek down the valley towards the Stok village. On reaching at Stok village after more than five hours walks, where our transport will be at disposable for exciting and scenic drive back to Leh, for last overnight in Leh and Ladakh.

Depending upon the flight time, guide and staff transfer you for a short drive to the airport for flight to Delhi after a memorable experience on Martseling to Stok Khang-Ri Peak trek and climbing adventure.