Sunday 20th of May 2012

IMG_0324
Stok-from-summit-view
Stok-kangri-chaitanya.jpg
Stok-kangri-gaurav.jpg%20%2842%29
Stok-kangri-gaurav.jpg%2520%252849%2529
Stok-kangri-kashi.jpg%2520%25282%2529
Stok-kangri-kashi.jpg%2520%252826%2529
Stok-kangri-kashi.jpg%2520%252830%2529
Stok-kangri-kashi.jpg%2520%252839%2529
Stok-kangri-sid.jpg%2520%25283%2529
Stok-kangri-sid.jpg%2520%25286%2529
Stok-kangri-sourav.jpg%2520%252833%2529
Stok-summit
 

Stok Kangri summit trek

 

The Stok Kangri is the most glamorous trek in India. The glamour has one reason only: The trek takes you to India's highest trekable summit at 20,086 feet. Such formidable heights are the realms of mountaineering. Yet, the Stok Kangri, by no means easy, is trekable all the way to the summit. Which is why at the Stok Kangri base camp at 16,300 feet the site of a colourful ensemble of tents resembles a battlefield. Tents representing countries from across the globe are huddled in conference planning their strategies for the summit bid. Lunch is at 10.30 in the morning, dinner at 5.00 in the evening and the teams leave at midnight for the summit. The excitement at the Stok Kangri base camp is palpable and ...
 

 

 

Things to get for the Rupin Pass Trek Things to take for the Stok Kangri Trek
Backpack, shoes, equipment ...
 
How difficult is Stok Kangri

The Stok Kangri trek is difficult and not so difficult at the same time. The difficult bits are:

  1. The final stretch of the Stok Kangri summit climb is on a ridge that starts on the southern side of the mountain and extends to the summit. It is almost 1,000 feet climb starting at about 19,000 feet. The ridge climb when the oxygen is so low that sheer exhaustion makes the climb difficult. The terrain does not pose much danger though.
  2. At 18,000 feet trekkers need to traverse a series of wide snow patches to get to the ridge discussed above. Looking down the steep flank of the mountain may look unnerving. Trekkers are usually on crampons on this section and may be on ropes too. This looks like mountaineering but it generally eliminates any risk of slipping. However, for a trekker who has never experienced high altitude trekking this can seem daunting.
  3. The trek over four days touches two high passes at 17,000 feet before descending to 16.300 feet at the StokKangri base camp. The trekking days are long and dry. For those not physically prepared, this can be exhausting.

The not so difficult things are:

  1. The terrain is not difficult at any time. Reaching the Stok Kangri base camp requires physically fitness, but the terrain does not pose much challenge. The climbs are even and so are the descents. There are no sections where it requires trekkers to get on their hands on foot to cross a difficult part.
  2. The summit climb to the Stok Kangri is long (over 12 hours) but straightforward. They do not require any technical skills or special equipment. Except for the short stretch of snow patch on the southern flank, where trekkers are on crampons, there is no special equipment required. The crampons are provided by Indiahikes.
  3. Though the trek climbs to 20,085 feet, the trek is not as cold as people think it to be. In July and August when the season is at its best, the days are warm and nights warmer than most Himalayan treks in Himachal or Uttarakhand.
 

Trek Fees

Stok Kangri Trek


Rs 15,950

per person (Leh to Leh, 9 days)

 

14 - 23 July 2012 (Closing)

11 - 20 Aug 2012 (Closing)

1  - 10 Sept 2012 (Open)


Note: Service Tax of 3.09 % applicable on Trek Fees

Contact Us

Email: Info@indiahikes.in

Phone: 09343831803

09342812775

5 days Vs 9 days trek

Stok Kangri: 5 day trek Vs 9 day longer trek

Lack of information often makes trekkers opt for a short 5 days quick burst trek to the Stok Kangri summit. This is potentially hazardous and needs to be avoided. Trekkers sometimes underestimate the altitude of the summit. At 20,086 feet, the Stok Kangri summit is 70% the height of the Everest. Most mountain summits in the world are below this height. Oxygen available at this altitude is so low that most climbers return to base without bagging the summit because their bodies are not properly acclimatized.

While Stok Kangri is trekable all the way to the summit, it is critically important for a trekker to acclimatize well before attempting the summit. That’s why a longer trek to the Stok Kangri base camp is necessary. The trek route starting from Shang village crossing over two passes at 17,000 feet before getting to the Stok Kangri base camp is the best way to acclimatize for the trek. The Indiahikes Stok Kangri trek follows the longer route to the base camp.

Another advantage of the longer route, often ignored, is the chance to see the entire topography spectacle of Ladakh. Trekkers get to see barren landscape, jagged ridges, desert meadows, multiple colored layers of mountains, deep canyons and streams with red water flowing through them like blood. This is not possible on the shorter routes.

After getting to the base camp, trekkers follow the same route to the summit. The Stok Kangri base camp is at 16,250 feet.

Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Leh and rest.

Day 2: Drive to Shang 12,000 ft. Acclimatization trek near by.

Day 3: Trek from Shang 12,000 ft to Shang Phu 14,250 ft

Day 4: Shang Phu 14,250 ft to Matho Doksa 14,500 ft , via Shang Phu La 16,750 ft

Day 5: Matho Doksa 14,500 ft to Gangpoche 14,550 ft via Matho La14,850 ft

Day 6: Gangpoche 14,550 ft to Stok Kangri Base Camp 16,300 ft

Day 7: Rest day at Stok Kangri Base camp 16,300 ft

Day 8: Stok Kangri Summit climb 20,080 ft and back to Stok Kangri Base camp (16,300 ft)

Day 9: Stok Kangri Base 16,300 ft to Stok village 11,800 ft and drive back to Leh.

Day 10: Depart Leh


Other Indiahikes Treks

Rupin Pass Trek -- A high altitude trek with changes in scenery every hour. Also a thrilling pass climb. Groups starting May 19

Roopkund Trek -- A high altitude trek to the frozen Roopkund lake. The beautiful meadows Ali and Bedni and the last climb on snow make it a must do himalayan trek Groups start every saturday from May 12

Hampta Pass -- A perfect trek for beginners looking to experience high altitude adventure. One group only on May 13

Goecha La Trek -- A high altitude trek in Sikkim amidst Rhododendrons and mighty mountains (16,000 ft).Two groups starting April 28 and May 19

Stok Kangri Trek -- A trek able summit in Ladhak (20,500 ft). July 14 and Aug 11

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek -- A beautiful trek going through high altitude flowery meadows and 7 lovely lakes. June 16 and June 23



Indiahikes Fanbox