Region: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Duration: 8 Days
Grade: Difficult
Max Altitude: 20,080 feet
Approx Trekking Km: 40 kms
Best Season: June to September  

Stok Kangri trek is a great trek for adventure loving trekkers. The expedition of Stok Kangri peak is 6,153m high. Last few years this peak has gained phenomenal popularity as a lot of trekkers not wanting to do technical climbs but wanting to go high up have turned their attention to this beautiful mountain. Have no doubts, this trip is about doing 6000m! Everything else is secondary and we have planned the climb with just this and your safety in mind. The climb though non technical is still challenging and requires people to be properly acclimatized and in good physical shape. The biggest challenge on this climb is for one to get used to the rarefied air at high altitudes. The Finest ranges of high peak mountain, snowy area, narrow rivers and valleys can be viewed from Leh. This trek has everything that a trek must have – adventure, thrill, delight and scenary.

Day 1 & 2: Leh - Acclimatization days
Day 3: Leh to Chang Ma via Stok Village
Day 4: Chang Ma to Man korma
Day 5: Man korma to Base camp 
Day 6: Rest Day + Training Day
Day 7: Base camp to Stok Kangri and back to base camp
Day 8: Base camp to Leh

Day 01 & 2: Acclimatization in Leh
You will spend these 2 days in Leh to acclimitize yourselves. The trek to Stok kangri is at an altitude of above 20, 000 ft. The oxygen level there will be very limited and scarce. Hence, the acclimatization day is must for first timer trekkers. On acclimatization day you would not be starting the actual trekking. This day is used to make your mind and body comfortable and adjust to the high altitude of the mountains of Leh. This day would be most useful for people with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) otherwise called as Altitude sickness. Our body needs to adjust to lesser quantities of oxygen. It is not the actual height that causes this effect but the speed at which we travel to higher places. Therefore, on these days we would try to trek at lower mountains and walk for a good few kilometres and explore Leh. Leh by all means is a beautiful place filled with Tibetan culture. People are friendly and entertaining. Few places worth visiting here are Spituk Monastery; Stok Palace, the present residence of Ladhak's Royal Family; Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism; Thiksey Gelugpa Monastry, built in 16th century, Shey and Choglamsar. Return back to the guest house before night fall and take a good night rest.

Day 03: Leh (11,500 ft) to Chang Ma (13,087 ft) via Stok Village (11,800 ft)
Our expedition commences today from Leh to Chang ma. The trail starts from the Leh – Manali highway. The drive takes you directly into jagged mountains where you can spot the blue mountain deers, a common sight here. You would reach Chang ma via Stok village. The Stok village is one of the oldest in Leh and lies to the south of the district. It is a 30 minute drive from Leh. The weather is fantastic at this time of the year and Stok village is full of lush greens and natural fauna and flora. Stok village is also known as the Royal Palace. It is believed that the present Royal king of Ladhak lives here. Their palace also has a small museum which has beautiful artifacts. Camp at the Chang ma base camp and get ready for the trek next day.

Day 04: Chang Ma (13,087 ft) to Man korma (14,200 ft)
On day four, we would climb the mountains to reach Man korma. We will pass bleak gray landscape. The track would at times line with shrubs and trees but most of the time we would be hit directly by the sun. The climb will make you experience the real sight of Ladakh Mountains. From the top, you can also spot few tiny villages below. This day's trek is a short one and would not be more than four hours. Half way through the trek you will come across a small stream that connects to the river of Mankorma. After crossing the stream you will see a vast change in the mountain ranges, the color changes to purple and the view is heavenly. From here the trek is considerably easy enough to reach Mankorma camp site soon. Once you have reached the top of Mankorma, set your tents and enjoy the orange tinted glowing sun set. The view is magnificent. Relax your body and mind and sleep in the tent for the night.

Day 05: Man korma (14,200 ft) to Base camp (16,300 ft)
The trail of the Man korma valley to the base camp is a pleasant one. You will cross a purple stream of gushing water. The trail is not too steep but you might have a fatigue sensation due to the long day trek and because of the high altitude. You will also notice marmots scurrying around their burrows. The sight is a cute one, especially the tiny baby marmots. Within the hour, the hill side of the western side of the valley will give away a clearing and trail will start to move up on a steep slope which will take us to the Stok Kangri base camp.The first sight of the Stok Kangri Base camp is for sure going to make you feel awestruck. The base camp is huge gigantic plateau, filled with colorful tents. People from all over the world come to trek to the summit.

Day 06: Rest Day + Training day
Day 6 you would acclimatize your body according to the climate and temperature. You will find a gradual decrease in the oxygen quantity. This day is dedicated to gear up your system for the ultimate climb of the trek to the Stok Kangri summit (20,080 ft). You can take a walk along the camp site and enjoy the surroundings. You can also visit the nearby peaks such as Gulap kangri and Parcha Kangri or choose to stimulate your body for the trek. Make sure your crampons are in order and fitting properly. Crampons are basically an instrument attached to your shoes to have a better grip while climbing mountains covered with snow. You can bring in ice axes as well. Ice axes are used to prevent a fall while climbing. There would be times when you will be sinking in the snow; the snow would be covered till your knees. These equipments would be handy when such situations arise. You have to sleep-in early today to wake up early for the Stok Kangri climb.

Day 07: Base camp (16,300 ft) to Stok Kangri (20,080 ft) and back to base camp
The biggest day of the trek is the day 7th. The trek usually starts way early in the morning, probably around midnight, since it will take almost 14 to 16 hours to go up to the summit and come down. Hence, we would start early with our trek equipments including a head light for better navigation. The trail to Stok Kangri can be divided into four stages. The first phase of the trek would be getting to a pass that is at an altitude of 17,000 ft. It will give a direct view of the Summit. The night view of Leh below is spectacular. We would reach the pass in half an hour to forty five minutes of time. The second phase of the trek is an easy walk towards a large glacier descending from the ridge. It would take another hour to reach the Glacier. The crossing of Glacier is followed by steep mounting on the southern edge of Stok Kangri. To reach here will consume another couple of hours. The third phase includes a further steep climb on the mountain. The last phase of the trek is a long push to the summit. You would have to cross another large glacier to get on the other side of the ridge which will further take you to Stok Kangri summit. In another hour of steady, steep climb on the western side, facing the Markha valley, you will reach the summit finally. And indeed the trek would be worth the view ahead. You can witness the entire Ladakh below, Leh on one side and glorious sun directly on our face. View of 4,000 ft drop on each side of the Stok Kangri summit will definitely give you a shiver. You would spend around 45 minutes on the Summit and then the descending journey would start. The descent will be faster and you would reach the base camp in an hour or two. Tiredness and exhaustion will take over you, once you reach the base camp. But the wonderful experience of mounting the highest altitude would give you sheer joy and a sense of great achievement.

Day 08: Base camp to Leh
This day would give you a feeling of nostalgia. The five long days of trek and the final view of the entire Ladakh range is something which you would cherish and revisit all your life. You will start your trek back to Leh. The descent might be difficult if proper precautions are not taken. You would have to trek back to the Stok village, the starting point of the trek. Stok village is also the final place of the trekking expedition. From Stok village to Leh, you would be taken in a vehicle. Spend the night and have a good night sleep in the guest house.

You have accomplished what most would not even dream of!

In day time weather is clear, the temperature is around 11 °C, but at night it gets cold and temperature drops up to 0 to -6 °C. This is one of the toughest treks, temperature wise also.

1 Full sleeves (Shirts / T-shirts)
2. Track Pants (Synthetic, quick dries) & Cotton pants
3. Windproof jacket
4. Fleece / Full-sleeve Woolen sweater
5. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
6. Woolen cap
7. Woolen gloves + synthetic glove (water proof).
8. Scarf
9. 02 layers of Woolen socks (extra pairs to be carried)
10. Trekking/Hiking shoes
11. Raincoat / Poncho
12. 1 pair of thermal inners
13. Hot Water bottle/bag
14. Cap / Hat
15. Walking stick / Trekking pole
16. Sunscreen Lotion
17. Lip Balm
18. Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
19. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
20. Camera
21. Sunglasses (No blue coloured sunglass — they don’t block UV)
22. Personal toiletries
23. While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry few extra plastic bags for wet clothes

1. Accommodation. (Guest house, Home stay, Camping)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.) (Egg)
3. Trek equipments.
4. Permits
5. First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder.
6. Qualified & experienced Professional trek Leader, Guide and Support staff
7. Transport from Leh and return.

In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: -

• Up to 25 Days:  90% of Trek/adventure program cost will be refunded. 
• Between 10-25 Days:  60% of Trek/adventure program cost will be refund. 
• Less than 10 Days:  No refund