STOK KHANG-RI PEAK CLIMBING Overview
Stok Khang-Ri Peak Climb, an adventurous and fascinating high peak of Ladakh and Zaskar Himal range. Provides excellent climb of less technical skill that reaches you on top at 6,153 m / 20, 187 feet high.
One of the most prominent within Ladakh Himal range, which is clearly seen from a high view-point from the capital Leh.
Stok Khang-Ri Peak Climb begins on arrival at Ladakh Leh airport taking a scenic flight from New Delhi. Enjoy delightful times at Leh, the capital town of Ladakh with a tour at places of great cultural and historical interest. Leh for acclimatization at 3,500 m high, our native Ladakh guide will show you the wonder of Leh’s exciting places.
Ladakh, located far northwest India between the Karakoram and Zaskar Himalaya, which is an extension of the Tibetan South West plateau.
Where language and culture are also similar to its northern neighbor Tibet of Buddhism religion. Ladakh is well known as Little Tibet due to the strong influence of Tibetan colorful culture and historical background. On tour visiting historical and religious monuments in the backdrop of high snow-capped peaks and rolling hills.
Before Stok Khang-Ri Peal Climb, the tour takes you around Leh and beyond visiting the former Royal Palace and Shanti Stupa. Drive leads to rural country farm villages and then visit of Thiksey, Hemis and Lamayuru, Alchi Gompa old monasteries. After a wonderful time at Leh, our adventure begins heading towards Stok Khang-Ri Peak for the climb.
An interesting scenic drive leads from Stok village to Stok village, a time permitting visit of Stok Palace on the route. Which is the start of our approach to Stok Khang-Ri Peak on arrival at Stok after a few hour ride.
The first-day walk begins from Stok village heading towards Mankarmo at 4, 380 m high, a nice walk with a climb. Heading towards an amazing gorge then reaching a scenic valley, enclosed by multi-colored rocks facing view of Stok Khang-Ri peak.
At Mankarmo setting our first tented overnight camp, with full service from our camping staff with a separate kitchen unit.
From Mankarmo towards our main highlight, as walk lead on vast windswept terrain, reaching the base of Stok Khang-Ri Peak.
At base camp with ample time for acclimatization and practice climb,
the climbing grade as ‘F’ means “Facial Easy”. The grading we have set from the French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification System, which is popular around the world. A climb of less technical skill, however, one needs to be well-equipped for a safe and successful ascent.
Starting for the big day, early morning before the crack of dawn a slow steep climb of more than four hours. After a strenuous climb encountering snow and ice in some sections, and then reach on top of Stok Khang-Ri summit. Enjoy a magnificent panorama of Ladakh’s vast landscapes with Karakoram and Zaskar Himalayas, after a glorious moment of descent to base camp. Enjoy the last overnight in tented camping around complete mountain wilderness, as the walk takes you to back Stok village. From Stok an exciting drive to Leh for the last overnight in Ladakh and then flying to Delhi for respective destinations.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Leh / Ladakh 3, 500 m Kushok Bakula Rimpoche
airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: A day in Leh for acclimatization and a tour of Leh’s former
palace, Shanti Stupa overnight in View Point Hotel.
Day 03: At Leh tour of Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Monastery.
Day 04: Full-day drive and tour of Lamayuru, Allchi Gompa.
Day 05: Drive to Stok village, trek to Mankarmo 4,380 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Stok Base Camp 4, 969 m – 04 hrs.
Day 07: Free day at base camp for acclimatization, and practice climb.
Day 08: Climb Stok Khang-Ri 6,153 m and back to base camp.
Day 09: Trek to Stok Village and drive to Leh- 06 hrs.
Day 10: Depart for Delhi to connect respective international flights.
Best seasons for Stok Khang-Ri Climb:
The best time for this wonderful adventure is from the mid-spring and autumn seasons, late spring April and May, and autumn/fall begins from September to October months.
April & May are fine clear days most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes. Autumn / fall is another best time for the climb and tour of Ladakh with a fine clear day. But days are short with sunlight hours can be freezing cold, especially in the morning, and night times will be clear with bright starry nights. Chances of snowfall during the climb.
For interested people can visit Ladakh for a tour and climb during summer times of June to August also. As Ladakh falls within rain shadow area, where monsoon dark rain clouds blocked by the great Himalayas.
That is why Ladakh most areas are dry and arid with fewer rains.
Religion and Culture:
Ladakh and the North West Himalaya are populated by Ladakhi people descendants of a mixed tribal race of Mons of North India, and Dards of Baltistan with Mongols of Central Asia. History shows the Mons were the first immigrants, followed by Dards who founded different settlements in the Indus valley. Follows strong Buddhism religion and culture similar to Tibetan culture of ancient Buddhism heritage with many monasteries of great religious significance.
Day 1 : Arrival at Leh / Ladakh 3, 500 m Kushok Bakula Rimpoche airport and transfer to hotel.
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.
Day 2 : A day in Leh for acclimatization and tour of Leh former palace, Shanti Stupa overnight in View Point Hotel.
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.
Day 3 : At Leh tour of Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Monastery.
Morning after breakfast, a full day tour taking a drive to 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. On the way back to Leh visit Thiksey 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.
Day 4 : Full day tour and tour of Lamayuru, Allchi Gompa.
Start the day early morning for exciting drive and tour of Lamayuri and Allchi Gompa. Where drive leads along the Indus River, then crossing Indus River as journey leads past Alchi to Lamayuru, a windblown village with few willow and Populus trees and farmland.
Lamayuru area is famous for its monastery, and moonlike landscape the monastery is ancient, one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh, stands above the main road. From here drive to Alchi farm village a tour of 10th Century Alchi monastery of great religious and historical interest. After a great drive and tour of famous areas of Ladakh and its old religious and historical monasteries drive back to Leh for overnight.
Day 5 : Drive to Stok village, trek to Mankarmo 4,380 m-06 hrs.
Leaving early in the morning, drive up to Stok village, visit the Stok Palace on route, which is the start of our approach to Stok Kangri, a pleasant trek passing several homesteads and numerous ruins of old fortresses and up to the valley to reach Mankarmo and setting up the first camp after 4 hours hour walk, the camp at 4,480 m and 14,700 feet.
Day 6 : Trek to Stok Base Camp 4, 969 m – 04 hrs.
Trek continues up the valley making a steep climb to the base of Stok Kangri at 4,969 m. The walking 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.
Day 7 : Free day at base camp for acclimatization, practice climb.
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.
Day 8 : Climb Stok Khang-Ri 6,153 m and back to base camp.
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 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 tented camp, after a great adventurous day.
Day 9 : Trek to Stok Village and drive to Leh- 06 hrs.
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.
Day 10 : Depart for Delhi to connect respective international flights.
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 Stok Khang-Ri Peak climbing adventure.