Brief Description
Stok Kangri is one of the highest trekkable peaks in the world. It stands at an elevation of 20,100 ft. and is higher than the highest mountain in Europe, Mt. Elbrus at 18,510 ft and although marginally, it is even higher than the highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,340 ft. It beats two of the highest mountains across two different continents and is, without a doubt, a crowned jewel of India. The biggest and the only challenge during Stok Kangri trek is the summit day, where you have to brave sub-zero temperatures, trek on a glacier for about 6-7 hours at night, and walk on the ridgeline for about two hours to reach the summit. Although Stok Kangri does not require any technical experience, by no means it is meant for beginners. The view from the Stok Kangri summit is worth all the uphill battle. You can see even Karakoram range from the Stok Summit along with the Zanskar range. Stok Kangri expedition is once in a lifetime adventure and every avid trekker's dream. Stay on the page for more information like - Stok Kangri Trek route map, complete itinerary, temperature - weather details, photos, videos, and reviews. Scroll to the end to read Stok Kangri trek blogs.
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Itinerary
Itinerary
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Arrive in Leh
The most convenient way to reach Leh is by Air. But this has to be followed by at least 2 days of acclimatization in Leh before you head out for a trek like Stok Kangri. You can also reach Leh by road but this option requires at least 2-3 days of travel on the road. You will receive the detail of accommodation in Leh through an email from us. After reaching Leh check into the Guest House/Hotel. Have some rest and acclimatize as Leh is at the height of 11500 ft. above sea level. The evening can be utilized to explore the Leh market.
Acclimatization in Leh
Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Leh. This will make you familiar with the town and also help in acclimatize to the weather. Leh is the center point of Ladakh and also a major town from where all expeditions begin. It is also a culturally rich place. There are dozens of monasteries and ancient temples that you can go around. They are located in and around the town. Enjoy the local cuisines which are a major attraction for travellers.
Leh (11500 ft.) to Chang Ma (13087 ft.) via Stok Village (11800 ft.)
This is the day when we would enjoy a great drive and have an enjoyable trekking experience. If you haven’t trekked in Ladakh before this day will come as a surprise. The beautiful landscapes of the region will give you an out of the world feeling. The rocky mountain peaks all around look so perfect as if they have been painted on a canvas. The day will be difficult mostly because it is your first day of walking in this region. Over the next few days as your body will get acclimatized you will feel much better while hiking. At the start of the drive from Leh, we would go through many exotic and beautiful scenes. The drive to the Stok village is an adventurous one and is full of natural beauty with the sight of lush green trees. The weather is generally fine in the summer season. The Stok village lies to the south of Leh and it is well known for a royal palace. Inside the palace, there is a small museum which has beautiful and religious artifacts. We will set up camp as soon as we reach Chang Ma. We will settle in camps after a small acclimatization walk.
Chang Ma (13087 ft.) to Mankorma (14200 ft.)
Today is a fairly easy trek along a river. We will cross water streams a couple of times. The real beauty of Ladakh will start showing today. Mankarmo has a big Parachute café. We will pitch camps & settle in after a short acclimatization walk. Camping in Mankarmo is a lovely experience.
Mankorma (14200 ft.) to Base camp (16300 ft.)
After a few hours trek from Mankorma, we reach the base camp. It’s a grassy patch of land with a number of water bodies in the form of lakes & streams. Utilize the day to walk up to the upper area to enjoy the surrounding views. In sight are some beautiful peaks like Gulap Kangri, Parcha Kangri, and many others. You would get sufficient time to get acclimatized to this altitude. This is very important as in the coming days, you would find a drastic increase in the altitude and experience thin air and lack of oxygen. Keep yourself warm with proper clothing as the temperature can be very low here.
Acclimatization & Practice day
It is essentially a day to prepare you for the summit day. You will understand the possibilities and challenges involved. You will be briefed about the technical equipment. A basic training would be imparted on the usage of equipment such as Ice Axe, Crampons, Rope etc. Techniques like ascending & descending in the snow, Self-arrest using an ice axe will be covered in the training session. Today we go to bed early as we will start the summit attempt at mid of night.
Base camp (16300 ft.) to Stok Kangri (20080 ft.) back to base camp.
Wake up call would be at 12:30 AM. Get ready for the summit attempt. Technical gear will be distributed. Start walking at 2:00 AM. The route goes through glaciers and then comes to steep slopes to the summit ridge. This is a long climb. It would take somewhere between 9 to 10 hours. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the region. The wide view and open surroundings give you a royal feeling. Towards the north is Karakoram range. The Saser Kangri dominates the sky in the north along with the Karakoram, and the Zanskar ranges in the south. Descend to the base camp. Overnight stay in Camps.
Base camp to Leh
With a 6000M peak up your sleeves today's trek will be a joyous experience. We start early for Stok Village. Return trek can be a little difficult & be extra careful on downhill slopes. From Stok village we start the road drive for Leh. The drive back can be a nostalgic experience as you recount the precious experiences from your days on the expedition. We will reach Leh by evening. Check into the Guest House/Hotel.
Departure From Leh
You will be required to check out from the Hotel at 10:00 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Experience required
Before attempting Stok Peak you should have an experience of at least 10 – 15 trek days in the Himalayas, at least one Moderate Plus category trek, the experience of trekking at altitudes higher than 4700 - 5000 mts, medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 40 seconds
- 3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch, Push Ups – 10, Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
Stok Kangri trek begins from Leh in Ladakh. The best travel option around Leh is by air.
By air: Jet Airways, GoAir, and Air India provide daily flights from New Delhi to Leh. It is recommended that you make your flight bookings well in advance not only to save on the price but also for a confirmed seat. You can also take an alternate flight route to Srinagar. Fly to Srinagar from Delhi and then drive to Leh from Srinagar. The 10-hour road journey from Srinagar to Leh can be covered by hiring a shared taxi which will cost you around INR 3000-4000. The drive route from Srinagar to Leh is scenic. For coming back, you can either take a direct flight from Leh to New Delhi. Or take the same route via Srinagar. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are cheaper than Leh-Delhi.
By road: You can take the route from Manali to Leh. Travel from Delhi to Manali by a HRTC Volvo bus. From Manali get a seat in a shared taxi (INR 2500-3500). If you are on a tight budget, There is also a bus from New Delhi to Leh (via Manali) with one side fare of INR 1365. The bus journey begins at 2:30 pm from Delhi ISBT reaching Keylong next day at 1:30 pm. After an overnight halt at Keylong, it reaches Leh the next day. The another route to Leh can be taken through Srinagar. There are shared taxis from Srinagar to Leh available at cost of INR 3000-4000. If you are an ardent biker, you wouldn’t mind taking a bike trip from Delhi to Leh and back.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace. To know more read Places that you must visit in Leh Ladakh
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region. On & Off network coverage is available throughout this trek (BSNL mostly) and sometimes (if you are lucky) you can even get network from the summit of Stok Kangri! Yes! Believe it or not.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Stok Kangri Trek - Ladakh
Trekking to one of the highest trekkable peaks in the country is every adventure lovers dream. Stok Kangri trek should be on your bucket list if you are also an adventure junkie. Attaining a maximum altitude of 20,100ft this trek is not for the faint-hearted. Only experienced trekkers should attempt the Stok Kangri expedition.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Best time to summit Stok Kangri peak is June-September.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit to summit Stok Kangri peak is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Leh, your stay will be made at local guest house/hotel. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email few days prior the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will be also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accommodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees Celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During the day, the temperature will range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -9 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets. For more details follow Stok Kangri temperature chart
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
You can expect snow on Stok Kangri Trek throughout the year. June to October is likely to receive good amount of snowfall. During the other months, the snow accumulation is high and therefore the trek is not feasible.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with the good quality of gaiters, crampons, and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice ax.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on the journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Yes, there are stores/shops in Leh from where you can buy necessary stuff. Though it is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
The hotel at Leh is the pick up point from which we drive to Stok village. The dropping point remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Leh late in the evening where hotel arrangements would be made by us. Make sure your flight/bus bookings from this point to your respective destinations are in the morning the next day post 10:00 Hrs.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried), Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) and Photocopy of ID Proof are the mandatory documents required for the trek.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Camping during the trek and Guest House/Hotel Stay on twin / triple sharing basis in Leh (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 & Day 8)
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification & customized rescue course from NIM
- Trek Meals (Starting Lunch on Day 3). 4 meals during Trek
- Technical equipment - as required, depending upon snow conditions
- Trek Permit Fee / ALTOA Fee (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
- Qualified & experienced Guide and Support staff
- Transport from Leh to Road head and return
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during Hotel Stay in Leh
- IMF Permit Fee for Foreign Nationals (approximately USD 75 per person)
- Environmental Fee & Wildlife Permit Fee
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of Insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
Trailcraft Basics : Ascending and Descending on Trail and Snow
Sarthak Madan 22 November 2018
Ascending and Descending on Trails
It is critical to understand the concepts of ascending and descending on varied terrain. This lowers the risks of falls, stumbles, strain, and sprains along with conservi
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