Standing tall at 20,000 feet, the Stok Kangri peak is clearly visible from the Leh town and is one of those rare very high altitude peaks that do not require a lot of technical expertise to trek up to the summit. At the summit, not only will you feel a great sense of accomplishment but also will be blown away by the stupendous views of the surrounding mountainscape. The trail traverses varied landscapes of Ladakh from the jagged barren mountains, the green grazing grounds of the Ladakhi livestock to the red sandstone formations of the Stok region.
At an altitude of 20,000 feet, the Stok Kangri is one of the highest summits that one can trek to. There are important concerns of acute mountain sickness (AMS), acclimatization, sudden changes in weather and long distances to be considered. It goes without saying that the trekker has to be physically and mentally fit, and also be able to make some judgments on the trek based on their previous experience.
Trek Months– Mid June to October
Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Assemble at Leh (3524m)
- Arrive in Leh. Leh is situated at a whopping 3524m, has decreased oxygen levels and is a high starting point for a trek. Given that most of you will be flying into Leh, The Western Mountains strongly recommends a rest day at Leh for altitude acclimatization. It is our strong recommendation that you did not head out to do any sightseeing on the day that you land in Leh.
- Altitude acclimatization is the body’s way of adjusting to the decreased oxygen levels at the higher elevation and preventing acute mountain sickness.
- Overnight stay in hotel/homestay.
- Meals: Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 2: Drive from Leh to Shang Sumdo (3800m).Trek from Shang Sumdo to Shang Phu(4365m, 11km).
- Post breakfast, drive past jagged barren mountains typical of the Leh landscape, and the Shey and Thicksey monasteries to get to Shang Sumdo village.
- From Shang Sumdo, head straight up the valley to the open plateaus of Shang Phu at an altitude of 4365m to complete a total of 6-8 hours of trekking. Enjoy the beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains all around the plateau.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 3: Trek from Shang Phu to Gangpoche(4435m) via Matha Doksa and Shangphu La (4960m), 13km.
- Today is a tough climb as you ascent almost 900m to a high point on the Shangphu La (pass), leaving behind the Shang Phu valley, the Matho grasslands and vast Ladakhi meadows.
- From the top of the pass, you can see the Gangpoche campsite and the Tokpo river. To get to the wide green plateau of Gangpoche, traverse down from the pass for approx. an hour crossing spurs and meandering streams.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 4: Trek from Gangpoche to Monikarmo(4380m) via Mato La(4526m), 7km.
- Today you climb up the second high altitude pass of the trek – Mato La at 4526m. Just before we climb the pass, you will be able to see your target – the Stok Kangri peak. From the pass, you can also head southwest on the top to see the Saltoro Kangri.
- Descend steadily for approx. 2km into the Monikarmo village inhabited by local shepherds in quaint stone houses.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 5: Trek from Monikarmo village to the Stok Kangri base camp (4980m, 4km).
- A two-hour trek upwards from the Monikarmo village takes you to the Stok base camp.
- The Stok base camp is a large plateau with meltwater streams flowing through it.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 6: Rest day at Stok Kangri base camp (4980m).
- Western Mountains has planned for a rest day at Stok Kangri base camp for altitude acclimatization.
- Rest your tired muscles today, explore the surrounding areas, catch glimpses of the magnificent peaks around the campsite, share travel stories and rejuvenate.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 7: Trek from Stok Kangri base camp to the Stok Kangri summit (6300m) and back.
- Start before dawn towards the Stok Kangri summit in a boulder and scree ridden trail leading to the south ridge. Depending on the amount of snow, you may need to use crampons to help you in your ascent.
- The lack of oxygen at that altitude can make every step feel like walking in concrete blocks, even for the fittest of climbers.
- At the summit, you are rewarded with splendid views of the mountainscape in every direction. Take a break, rejoice your achievement at the summit, soak in the views and head back to the Stok Kangri base camp.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 8: Trek from Stok Kangri base camp to Stok village. Drive back to Leh.
- On the final leg of the trek, descend directly into the valley below towards the village of Stok.
- You will be amazed by the dramatic red sandstone formations on your way to the village.
- Transportation will be waiting at Stok village to take us back to Leh.
- Overnight stay at hotel/homestay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 9: Depart from Leh.
- Check out of the hotel/homestay at 9 am in the morning and depart from Leh.
Trek Facts
Grade: Difficult.
Altitude: 6300m.
Temperature: During the day, you can expect temperatures hovering around 15-25 degree Celsius. In the night, temperatures drop down to 5-10 degree Celsius in the lower altitude campsites. As one moves upward and to the Stok Kangri base camp, the temperatures can drop below zero degree Celsius.
Trek Duration: 9 days.
Trek Season: Mid July – mid-September.
Starting Base Camp: Leh
How to reach Basecamp:
By Road: You can reach Leh from Manali or Srinagar by road either by a shared taxi or bus in a 2-3 day journey.
By Air: This is the most popular route to Leh – take a flight to Leh from Delhi or Srinagar.
Submit inquiry for cost
Cost Inclusions:
- Accommodation in dome tents (2/3 per tent).
- Accommodation in Leh on Day 1 and Day 8.
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/ buffet basis.
- Transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats, gaiters.
- All charges for guides and permits.
Cost Exclusions:
- Travel to and fro Leh.
- Backpack offloading: Trekkers are expected to carry their own backpacks. If the trekker cannot carry his/her backpack due to physical inability and chooses to offload on mules/ porters, this will be on additional cost.
- Airfares, airport taxes and anything not mentioned in the inclusions and itinerary.
- Meals, tea, coffee, mineral water, tips, transfers not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Doctor, telephone, laundry and other personal expenses.
- Cost of personal emergency exit or expenses due to external factors such as climatic conditions.
Health & Fitness Requirements:
This trek does require you to have previous trekking or mountaineering experience. We do also highly recommend having an adventurous spirit and willingness to undergo the joys & hardships of outdoor camping, in addition to good physical and mental fitness, to completely enjoy the trek. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest, heart or bronchial ailments, we advise you against participating since most treks happen in remote areas with limited access to medical services & hospital facilities.
Our Trek Leaders are experienced mountaineers and we trust their judgments. If during the trek, the Trek Leader advises you against continuing on the trek, we request you to respect his/her judgment and follow his/her instructions.