Markha Valley with Stok Khangri (6121m)

Spituk to Stok Trek

Gallery

Video

Matterhorn 1 Matterhorn 2 Matterhorn 3 Matterhorn 4 Matterhorn 5

Duration

11 Days

Best Time

June to October

Highest Point

Stok Khangri (6121m)

Focus

Monasteries, Wildlife and Villages

Highlight

Markha Valley, Villages and Stok Khangri

Physical Challenge

Moderate overall

Brief Itinerary :

Included

Montes id lectus nulla morbi
Libero fusce et eros felis
Purus per venenatis scelerisque
Pretium faucibus convallis cum
Egestas netus dui neque

Excluded

Montes id lectus nulla morbi
Libero fusce et eros felis
Purus per venenatis scelerisque
Pretium faucibus convallis cum
Egestas netus dui neque

Tour Plans

Day 1

Leh to Chilling – Sku (3500 m) in 5 hours:

After Breakfast drive to Chilling. We’ll cross the Zanskar River on a trolley bridge to join the waiting team on
the other side of the river.

Day 2

Skiu – Markha (3850 m) in 7 hours:

The trail soon joins the Markha stream and we’ll follow it for a few days. Today’s trek will be relatively easy,
but it will involve crisscrossing the stream at numerous points depending on the water level. Markha has a
monastery and a fort for local cultural sightseeing.

Day 3

Markha – Hankar (4000 m) in 4 hrs:

Many monasteries are spread along our route today. After the Umlung monastery, the valley narrows and
we’ll stop to camp at the foot of Kang Yaste (6400 m).

Day 4

Hankar – Nimaling (4650 m) in 4 hrs:

Trek in the direction of Zalung Karpo and Rupshu. We’ll pass through Thagshungtse pasture and start our
gradual ascent towards the wonderful high valleys of Ladakh.

Day 5

Nimaling – Kongmaru La (5150 m)- Chogdo (4000 m) in 7 hrs:

Climb up to the summer pastures of Nimaling, used by the shepherds of Hankar and Markha, then follow the
hedge to the top. The Kongmaru La pass commands a beautiful view of the Kang Yatze (6400 m), the
Ladakh ranges and the Indus valley.

Day 6

Chogdo – Gyuncho La (4600 m) – Camp at 4350 m in 6- 7 hrs:

From now on, we will follow a new and rarely travelled route through the valleys towards the east of our
objective. Today, we’ll turn towards the west into a tributary valley that leads after a long and gradual ascent
of the Gyuncho La. We’ll descend a few meters below to establish our campsite.

Day 7

Camp at 4350 m – Shang La (4800 m)- Matho Phu (4350 m) in 6 hrs:

Today, we will cross many spurs and minor passes with occasional views towards the Indus Valley and the
peaks beyond. We’ll climb up to the Shang La and then descend down to the Tokpo River. Afterwards we
will trek downhill to a nice camping place.

Day 8

Matho Phu – Mato La (4820 m) -Stok Kangri Base Camp (4700 m) in 5 hrs:

At the pass, colourful prayer flags flap in the wind with the Zanskar range in the background. Afterwards,
we’ll descend steadily along the Jingchan River and get great views of the Stock summit and the Stock
Kangri (6121m).

Day 9

Acclimatization day at Base Camp

Day 10

Summit day (Approx. 8-9 hours to base-camp).

Our route initially crosses boulder slopes, and then leads to easy angled snow slopes, which will require an
ice axe and crampons. The route is not difficult but at this altitude, it will be strenuous. From the summit of
Stok Kangri (6116m), we’ll be able to see as far as Karakoram, the Pamirs and Tibet. If it's warm enough
we'll rest and recover some energy on top before descending to base-camp.

Day 11

Stok Kangri Base Camp – Leh (5 h walk to Stok).

All downhill and through wild gorge scenery.
There should be time to visit Stok Palace and museum while we wait for our jeeps. Then an hour's drive
across the Indus valley to the comforts of the guesthouse in Leh.