Stok Kangri Trek

Leh is accessible by air and road. Reach Leh City on Day 1 and indulge in hot garlic soup to begin the acclimatisation. Take a stroll in Leh market if you land in the city early. Avoid exerting before the trek or indulging in junk food. 

Trekkers are recommended to get acquainted with the weather and altitude in Leh for a minimum of two days after arriving. Head out to explore Leh City and the monasteries nearby. It is strictly prohibited to consume alcohol or smoke. Remember to indulge in hot soups and keep yourself warm. 

• Trek Distance – 6 km
• Time Taken – 4 to 5 hrs

After acclimatising in Leh for two days, trekkers head to Chang Ma via Stok Village. A picturesque drive from Leh leads to Stok village, a postcard-perfect settlement with the royal Stok Palace. Drive from Leh to Stok village passes through picturesque sceneries with rocky mountains and charming landscapes all around. 

Once the team reaches Stok village, the ascent to Chang Ma begins. The distance of 6 km traverses undulated terrain in 4 to 5 hours to reach the first campsite in Chang Ma. 

• Trek Distance – 5 km
• Time Taken – 3 to 4 hrs

The trail from Chang Ma to Mankorma takes you on a comfortable hike along a river bed. As the trek progresses, you will witness the raw beauty of Ladakh. From the jagged mountains to the cold desert, it all appears surreal. The day also involves crossing icy cold streams. 

Trek Distance – 6 km

Time Taken – 4 to 6 hrs

The journey is challenging but rewarding. You will gain a substantial amount of altitude as the team heads to the base camp at 16,000ft. The drill is to go slow and let your body get comfortable with the cold. 

It takes a few hours to reach the base camp from Mankorma. The basecamp offers pretty vistas with snow-studded peaks including Gulap Kangri. While it is extremely cold outside and the oxygen level is low, the basecamp makes a picturesque location with many lakes and water streams all around. Prepare yourself mentally for the big day, the summit climb. 

It is suggested to acclimate at the base camp for two days to adjust your body to thin air and lack of oxygen. There will be a drastic change in altitude on the summit day. It is crucial to learn about the challenges and technical knowledge required to summit Stok Kangri. 

This day is also utilized to train the trekkers in using the technical equipment needed on the summit day. The team will be briefed on the use of an ice axe, crampons, and ropes. After the training, give your body a proper rest before the final push begins. 

• Trek Distance: 12 km 
• Time Taken: 10 to 14 hrs

The day is long and exhausting. It’s a steep climb to Stok Kangri and the journey begins as early as 1 in the morning. The team examines the weather conditions and prepares for the summit push. 

A steep climb takes you to the top of Stok Kangri, standing tall and glorious at a staggering 20,080 ft. 

Once at the summit, 360-degree views of the majestic mountains and the feeling of standing at 20000 ft above sea level is a glorious moment, that you will reminisce about for years to come. 

From the summit, the Zanskar Ranges majestically glisten in the south, while the Karakoram and Saser Kangri appear serene and magical in the north. After admiring the beauty of these peaks, the team descends to the base camp and rest for the night. 

• Trek Duration: 12 km
• Time Taken: 6 to 7 hrs

After creating memories of a lifetime and achieving a great feat, it’s time to head back to civilization. It’s a long day of trekking on a downslope trail to Stok village. It takes roughly 7 hours to reach Stok village.  The drive to Leh city will be fulfilling as you have just summited your 6000mt peak. 

It’s time to head back home. Trekkers also opt to stay in Leh for a few more days and explore the beautiful destinations the city has to offer. 

Stok Kangri is the highest mountain peak of the Zanskar Range. The mighty Stok Kangri Peak is situated in the Hemis National Park in Ladakh. 

Leh is the starting point of Stok Kangri trek. The trek to Stok Kangri begins in Stok Village, approximately 15 km from Leh city. Once you reach Stok, the 6 km trek to Changma begins.  It takes 4 hrs to reach Chang Ma. 

The total distance of the Stok Kangri trek is 40 km. You walk an average of 5 to 7 hours daily.

Stok Kangri takes you to one of the most trekkable summits in India, situated at an altitude of 20,187 ft. The trek is not suitable for beginners. Consider this trek if you are an experienced trekker with prior exposure to high-altitude trek. 

It is a difficult trek traversing high-altitude regions and challenging terrain. Stok Kangri has extremely strenuous trails, thin air and a lack of oxygen, making it one of the most difficult treks to attempt. 

Stok Kangri’s temperature ranges between 7°C to 10°C during the day. Come prepared to brave the freezing night temperatures, dropping to -5°C to -10°C in Stok Kangri. 

The best time to visit the Stok Kangri trek is July to September. The weather remains manageable on the trail between July and September.

Yes. You will find snow along the trail and at the summit. 

Stok Kangri  Trek is a 9-day long, including travel to and from the base camp.

Stok Kangri trek takes you to a staggering altitude of 20,187 ft. Working on your physical stamina is of utmost importance for those planning to attempt the trek. 

It is a challenging trek. It is essential to conduct thorough research before finalising your guides if you are planning to go solo. Hiring a local guide well acquainted with the trail is suggested to avoid unforeseen situations. 

Here is a sample fitness routine you can follow to prepare for Stok Kangrii trek 

Preparation is the key to enjoying a trekking experience wholeheartedly. Before embarking on any difficult treks in India, your primary focus should be working on your endurance and strength. The treks traverse demanding terrain accompanied by harsh weather conditions and freezing temperatures. Add the treacherous mountain trails, technically challenging ascents and navigating on boulder sections or icy slopes. Tackling such strenuous walks at higher altitudes demands impeccable endurance. 

We suggest our trekkers begin their preparation at least 3 to 4 months before the trek date. 

Here is a quick workout sample to prepare for the toughest and most challenging treks. 

Sample workout for difficult treks

For difficult treks like Stok Kangri,  Pin Bhaba Pass and Bali Pass, you will traverse challenging terrains for 7 to 12 days. The difficult treks take you to an altitude above 15,000 ft. 

Note – The time duration of each workout is 60 minutes with high intensity. Along with strength-building exercises, improve cardiovascular endurance and time to complete 5 km in 35 to 32 minutes. 

Read more about getting fit for different Himalayan treks here. 

What you pack for difficult Himalayan treks decides the experience you will have on the trek. Adhering to a perfect packing guide will help you enjoy the trek to the fullest without any inconvenience due to a lack of gear or trekking clothes. 

Here is a list of trekking essentials you need for any difficult trek.

The Must-Haves

• Trekking Backpack( 60 to 70 ltrs) – 1
• Expedition Boots – 01

Trekking Clothes

• Down Jacket – 01
• Raincoat/Poncho – 01
• Thermals – 01
• Woolen Sweater – 01
• Fleece – 02
• Woolen Gloves – 02
• Waterproof gloves – 01
• Dry Fit Full Sleeve Tshirts -02
• Trekking pants/Trousers -02 
• Woollen socks -03
• Dry Fit socks – 03
• Woollen cap -01
• Sun hat -01
• Spare undergarments – As per the requirement

Trek accessories 

• Trekking poles – 02
• Headtorch
• Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Water bottles (1 litre each)
• Lunch box, spoon, mug
• First aid kit or personal medication
• Small biodegradable bags to take the waste/ used clothes 
• Toilet paper/tissues
• Toiletries – Lip balm, Mouisteriser, Lightweight towel, toothbrush, toothpaste

Read more about trek essentials for Himalayan treks here. 

The most important thing to do on a trek to avoid AMS is to drink water, more than your daily intake. Water is an excellent way to avoid AMS. Along with this, you should also have all the nutritious meals we provide on the trek. If you still are sceptical about getting AMS, we would advise you to carry Diamox tablets with you. However, according to the situation your Outdoor leader will advise whether or not you should take it.

We encourage everyone to trek, even if or not they have a medical condition. We have an in-house doctor at OWLS with whom you can discuss your medical condition and accordingly, we can help you better prepare you for the trek.

Please keep the following documents ready before filling out this form

1. ID proof
2. Health form (for all participants of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh treks) and (for all participants <15 and > 60 years of age)
3. RTPCR for children <15 years/Vaccination certificate for adults (for Nepal treks)

Although we provide filling breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with morning tea and evening snacks, you can carry some light snacks for munching on the trail. You can carry protein bars, dry fruits, and homemade snacks like Shakkarpara to help you give that extra energy on the trek. 

All our Outdoor Leaders are trained and experienced leaders. They have completed basic Mountaineering Course, and are equipped with basic first-aid knowledge. Our leaders are certified Wilderness First Responder course

You don’t need to carry your medical kit. If you have your prescribed medications, you need to carry them on the trek

The accommodation will be on twin sharing basis. One tent will be shared by two trekkers. 

Yes. Communicate your requirement to the trek leaders beforehand, as it will be difficult to arrange to offload at the last minute. The offloading charges will be Rs 350 per bag, and your bag should not weigh more than 9 kg. 

Note: At OWLs, we suggest our participants carry their backpacks and avoid offloading. However, in case of pressing circumstances, you can opt for offloading.

Yes, you can leave the extra luggage at the base camp. However, do not leave valuables like laptops, jewellery, or any other expensive items in the base camp. 

The OWLS team will set up a toilet tent near the campsites. The toilets will be dry toilets and you will have to use toilet paper. There will be a pit dug by the team and you will have to cover your nature’s call with dry soil. Avoid using wet wipes, as they are not biodegradable. At OWLS, we thrive to leave no trace in the mountains. 

At the base camp, you will have regular concrete toilets.

The food offered will be as per the nutritional requirements. As you will be walking every day for 4-6 hours, you will be burning a good amount of calories. The team makes sure that the food you will be offered is healthy and helps you sustain through the day. The regular meal comprises eggs, locally grown vegetables, rice, roti, and pulses. The menu changes from day to day. 

Surprisingly, you will have access to the network on some patches of the trail. Airtel surprises you at the summit with a fluctuating network

The last ATM will be in Leh.  

Carry a sufficient amount of cash with them. Since the base camp is situated away from the cities and lacks basic facilities like ATMs and digital payment options, it is always better to be prepared. 

You can carry the cash for cab fare and food to and from the base camp. We suggest carrying a minimum of 5-6k to ensure you have enough funds for your journey.