INDIA, STOK KANGRI CLIMB A very achieveable 6000m trekking peak tucked into some stunning mountain terrain that is lightly trekked. Trek the wonderful Markha Valley Few people trek this route; peace and tranquility All meals in Ladakh Our small group sizes achieve greater success Access through Delhi offers huge potential for extensions to the Taj Mahal and more FAST FACTS Destination India, Ladakh Difficulty Tough Altitude 6153m Trip Duration 20 days UK ~ UK Nights on Trek 12 nights Nights in Hotels 5 nights Meals All meals in Ladakh, B&B in Delhi [email protected] +44 1529 488 159 +44 7725 943 108 page 2 INDIA STOK KANGRI CLIMB Introduction A very achieveable 6000m trekking peak tucked in amongst some of the most stunning mountain terrain in India. This a real traveller’s trip, accessing India’s least populated region (Ladakh) from Delhi (a 90 min domestic flight). Leh is one of the highest commercial airports in the world (3500m) and we take time to acclimatise here on arrival. We drive out to Chilling and camp besides the Zanskar river before beginning the trek up the Markha Valley. For many days we follow the glacial Markha river towards its source, steadily acclimatising as we go and admiring the sheer scale and variety of geology (as well as colours). The snow leopard genuinely still roams these parts and their tracks can often be seen. The iconic makeshift white parachute cafes are a welcomed sight along this route. Having acclimatised and cleared to 5100m Kongmaru La, there are still a few spectacular high passes to cross before reaching Stok Kangri’s base camp. You should make the summit within the 2 days we allow for the attempts and to admire the miles of himalayan peaks that stretch out before you. A wonderful achievement and equally the view. There’s a rest day in Leh before flying back to Delhi, which opens up a huge array of opportunities whether its an overnight trip to see the iconic Taj Mahal, more time to explore Delhi, Rajasthan or indeed other parts of India. Might as well make use of that visa! Why travel with us? Exemplary Acclimatisation - medical research has proven that a well All Meals Included in Ladakh - convenient and encouraging you to thought out acclimatisation programme is hugely beneficial to maintain the energy levels required. your chances of being unaffected by the effects of high altitude. Comfortable journey through Delhi This trip ensures that you are not extended beyond internationally - our itinerary provides a single night recognised guidelines for safe ascent. You’re only here once; get it in Delhi on arrival to smooth the journey to Leh. right. Qualified English Speaking Local Guides - our guides are experienced Highly Flexible and Resilient Itinerary - we want you to complete this and have a wealth of knowledge of the area. They know what trip, safely. Our itinerary has been carefully thought out to provide they’re doing and they love their jobs…. and it shows! maximum flexibility and resilience. It can withstand a number of lost Experienced with extensions - whether it’s a day trip to the Taj Mahal, days to problems that may occur on adventures of this nature such some additional time in Delhi, a few days around the Golden as injuries, illnesses and domestic flight delays. This is provided Triangle, an extended trip into Rajasthan or further afield into Nepal without any compromise to your acclimatisation. and/or Bhutan, we can help you plan your trip. Low Minimum Numbers Your protection.....peace of mind! Our trips are perfect for solo travellers wishing to book on their All our trips provide complete protection with ATOL or International own to join a trip which is guaranteed at an early stage. Passenger Protection. See last page for full details. Low Minimum numbers enables small pre-formed groups to tailor their trek to suit particular dates as opposed to joining a fixed group, and without incurring high additional charges. Low Guaranteed Status Peace of mind from the outset enabling you to make your travel plans immediately as opposed to waiting for a future ‘guaranteed status’ and the uncertainty of cancellation due to lack of minimum numbers. [email protected] +44 1529 488 159 +44 7725 943 108 page 3 INDIA STOK KANGRI CLIMB Itinerary Day 1/2 - Depart UK, Arrive Delhi Day 13 - Trek to Gangpoche (4435m) Fly from London, bound for New Dehli. Today we cross the Shang La, descend to the Tokpo River and continue On arrival you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your trekking generally downhill to our camp at Gangpoche. Another 1000m hotel. You are then free to explore Delhi itself or rest in preparation for ascent with an equal descent. 6 hrs. BLD your early morning departure. Day 14 - Trek to Stok Kangri Base Camp (4900m) Day 3 - Fly Delhi - Leh Trek to the Mato La and descend into the Stok Valley, continueing on Early morning transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight to Leh. through Smankarmo (4380m) and up to Stok Kangri’s Base Camp at On arrival in Leh, you will be collected and transferred to your hotel. Leh 4900m. 7hrs. BLD lies at an altitude of 3500m and you are therefore strongly advised to rest Day 15 and 16 - Stok Kangri ascent (2 days allowed) as much as you can to avoid the effects. BLD Two days are set aside for the summit attempt in case of delays or bad Day 4 - Free Day (acclimatisation) weather. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Leh on this combined acclimatisation and sightseeing day. BLD The ascent can either be done in a single journey from the Base Camp or to establish a High Camp (the previous night) and an early morning Day 5 - Drive to Chilling, camp overnight ascent. The options will be discussed on the trek. The ascent is demanding and obviously conducted at high altitude. It is possible that The morning is spent driving to the trek start point at Chilling. This village crampons maybe need at the higher elevations. is well known in Ladakh for its silversmiths. Spend the afternoon here alongside the Zanskar river. Camp overnight. BLD Descend back to Base Camp. BLD Day 6 - Trek To Skiu (3018m) Day 17 - Descend to Stok, transfer to Leh Begin this day by crossing the Zanskar River in a cable trolley located From the Base Camp, you descend straight to Stok village where you will upstream a short distance from Chilling. Follow the well worn path to the be picked up and transferred back to Leh. Time for a well-earned rest village of Skaya. From here it is a short walk to the lush green campsite and shower! BLD at Skiu. At dusk it is worth climbing back up the valley to where the Skiu Nala meets the Markha river. Here there is a small monastery cared for by Day 18 - Free Day in Leh an old nun who comes every evening to light the candles at the altar of ‘Chamba’, the future Buddha’s. 4 hrs, BLD This is a free day in Leh for you to enjoy post trek. BLD Day 7 - Trek To Markha Village (3793m) Day 19 - Depart This is a very pleasant walk as you go against the down flowing glacial You will be transferred back to Leh’s airport for your domestic flight back Markha river, crossing it several times. En-route you will pass several to Delhi. settlements and monasteries perched high on the hillsides above. The On arrival, there are numerous options: path is dotted with Chortens and prayer walls. 5-6 hrs, BLD 1. Transfer to the international terminal for your flight home 2. Transfer to our ‘day hotel’ facility if you have an evening flight Day 8 - Trek to Hankar (4000m) 3. Continue with the additional arrangments if you have arranged to stay From Markha the country changes and the warm, relatively heavily on. B wooded section of the lower Markha is left behind. The camp below Day 20 - Arrive UK the twin villages of Lower and Upper Hankar is distinctly cooler than at Markha Village. 2 - 4 hrs, BLD Day 9 - Trek To Nimaling (4840m) From Hankar the trail climbs steadily up the narrow valley. The Nimaling plain is a broad meadow, reaching upwards to the base of the ice-clad Kang Yatse (6553m). The Nimaling meadows provide pastures in the summer for yaks, sheep, goats and horses from villages further down the valley. It is not unusual to see the occasional wild sheep or wolf. You may also see the impressive Lammergeier’s; the largest of the Himalayan raptors. BLD Day 10 - Rest day and to explore the base camp of Kangytse A time to relax at Nimaling and enjoy the wonderful scenery. It’s possible that you’ll rest the day before at Hankar. Be aware that on each of the next 5 or 6 days, they contain a significant Important: amount of ascent and you would be well advised to use this time to rest. For the more energetic, we would recommend a walk to the base camp Whilst the above itinerary is the intended aim of this trip, a variety of Kang Yatze, the highest peak in the Zanskar range. BLD of factors may force changes. Adventure trips of this nature, which include (but not restricted to) adverse weather conditions, political Day 11 - Trek to Chogdo (4000m), via the Kongmaru La (5100m) instability and difficulties with transportation, may all cause plans to be changed and are out of our control or that of the Guide.