SHANG SUMDO TO STOK KHANGRI VIA MARKHA VALLEY

Morning after a short scenic of an hour flight to Leh from Delhi, on arrival at Leh, Ladakh Kushok Bakula Rimpoche. As you head outside the air terminal, our staff and guide receives you for short drive in the heart of Leh town to your Hotels. Afternoon free at leisure, optional walk to the center of Leh and its market.

At Leh, for acclimatization and for exciting tour at places of interest, Leh has a vast range of main bazaar on the street colorful local fruits and vegetables vendors. The streets are busy with roadside restaurant, cafes and craft shops.
The old Leh Palace perched on hill top above the town overlooking the Leh bazaar and the town. The white Peace (Shanti) Stupa stands close by on a high hill which is worth a visit as well for views of Leh and the valley. Witness the world's highest Polo ground located within town main bus station, rest of the day free at leisure to browse around Leh, Ladakh capital.

Morning after breakfast, a full day tour taking a drive beyond Leh visit to Thiksey Gompa built in 16th Century, situated on a hill top. The monastery enriched with Tibetan-style books, a huge Buddha statue and excellent works of arts.
An exciting drive to reach one of world’s highest motorable pass at Khardung-La which is 40 km driving distance from Leh, at an altitude of 5, 602 m / 18,379 feet.
The drive to this high pass to experience the highest altitude as well a good support for acclimatization. Enjoy grand panoramic views of the Zaskar Range beyond the Indus Valley, with Stok Khang-Ri stands out prominently as one of the higher peaks within the range. The view extends as far towards Eastern Karakoram peaks, after taking a warm refreshing drink at the pass, gasping in the thin atmosphere, return drive to Leh. But before an interesting visit of ruined Shey Palace, once a summer palace of the pre-Tibetan kings. Shey and its fort also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, the massive nine-story stone structure lies at the base of the Tsemo ridge and towers over the old town. Built by King Senge Namgyal during 15th till 17th Centuary in a Tibetan style. The palace monastery houses a large, bronze, blue haired Buddha statue and then drive to Leh hotel for overnight.

Having good breakfast at the hotel, getting ready for trek departure towards Shang Sumdo within Markha valley and climb of Stok Khang-Ri peak.
An interesting drive through farm country to Hemis village and its large religious complex. Hemis, one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh with more than 150 monks; an annual Hemis festival is held. The monastery, stands in a gorge surrounded by mountain scenery, built in 18th Century.

Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drokpa Lineage, in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Situated 45 km from Leh, it was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival takes place in honor of great Padmasambava, a Guru of 6th Centuary who reformed Tibetan Buddhism and founder of Nyinpa sect. After an interesting tour a short drive to Marteselang
as ride leads close to the Hemis National Park, which is also a good habitation of endangered snow leopard and other wild-life. From Marteselang a small settlement of Yak herders, where our first day walk starts for few hour to Shang Sumdo, with first overnight in tented camp backed by camping crews and chef and pack animals to carry the camping gears and foods for the whole trek and climb.

Another short day, after a leisure morning breakfast prepared by our camping cook and kitchen staff. After breakfast a gentle walk on a flat valley path to reach at Chuskirmo, a small settlements of cattle herder and nomads.
Overnight camp is set on a grassy meadow with grand views of distant snow-capped peaks. Afternoon enjoy short acclimatization hike around, chances of spotting some wild-life.

From here onward into remote and isolate country far north of Ladakh high valley plains, as route leads towards desolated and scenic landscapes to reach a small place of Chogdo around cattle herder temporary camp.
After a refreshing stop, continue the long day walk to the base of Kongmaru-La Pass, a steep climb for few hours walk uphill to a ridge then on top of Kongmaru-La, the highest point of the trek. Rewards fantastic panorama of surrounding snow peaks with Kang Yatse at 6,400 m high, after a tough climb then downhill to Nimaling, a small settlement of Yak and cattle herders. Overnight camp is set on a level ground with a huge green grassy meadow.

Compared to previous day, walk today is of average hours to Hankar isolated settlement of cattle herder. As walk follows on wide terrain past temporary shades of Yak men and nomads with gentle climb for some hours then reaching at a small place of Tachungtse. Time permitting stopping here for a dry picnic lunch, finding a shade against the cool wind, afternoon a short walk of few hour downhill to overnight at Hankar, camp is set on a wide field close to small settlement of Hankar.

After being around the wild country of northern Ladakh, morning walk on flat level path with short ups and down to Umlung by mid-day. A summer pasture and grazing ground of Nomads and local Yak herders of Stok and Nimaling villagers.
Enjoy rest at Umlung a steep climb for short hour and the on winding path as walk follows downhill to a desolate and remote Markha village for overnight camp, on the wide grassy field.

From this pleasant campsite, adventure leads towards inner valley of Markha towards Northern areas of Skiu and Stok. Walk on gradual path on high ridge with short ups and down to a small area at Sara, after a refreshing rest. Trail follows for another 3-4 hours to Skiu, at first on gentle wide path to a high ridge facing grand views of surrounding white peaks with Stok Khang-Ri in the south. From this high point descend to a gorge, and then climb for an hour or more to Skiu, a remote windswept settlement direct north from our next day route to Stok Khang-Ri areas. Overnight camp on a wide open field facing grand views of rolling high hills with snow peaks.

After enjoying wonderful and exciting adventure around pure wilderness and off the beaten tracks, from here walk leads to another hidden trails of Markha valley to join the main trail at Stok Khang-Ri area. Route follows the south east direction to Shingo from Skiu on a hidden trail, walk on the high ridges enclosed within high snow-capped peaks, all the way to Shingo a nomads temporary summer camps where our overnight camp is set.

An adventure on forgotten trails, hardly few adventurers use this hidden routes which is quite interesting walk crossing Ganda-La Pass. Facing grand views of
Stok Khang-RI rare East Face. As most trekkers and climb sees the peaks from southern direction, so this will be a special view. Follow the fain path on a high ridge till walk ends on a small plateau where our camps is pitched for overnight halt.

Morning trek leads due south and then to cross a scenic Stok-La Pass where trail leads to a junction of Spituk, Stok and Mankarmo. An enjoyable trek on least trekked area before our walk leads on the main path of Spituk and Stok valleys.
Walk on gradual up than traverse Stok-La Pass towards Chortenchan, then end the long of the day, within a nice meadow for overnight camp around pure wilderness.

After enjoying the adventure around the hidden areas of Markha, morning walk continues up the valley making a steep climb to the base of Stok Kangri at 4,969 m. The walking is shorter compared to previous days, as route leads within windswept terrain and then reaching at the base of Stok Khang-Ri, enjoy the free afternoon at leisure for short walk, after getting organized in the campsite.

A rest day or exploration day, visit to the glacier to see the route for next day climb to Stok Khang-Ri afternoon our guide will brief with information regarding the route of the climb and other safety measures. Here take a hike in the side valleys for few hours for acclimatization and return to camp for lunch. Rest of the day at leisure preparation for the climb to Stok Khang-Ri Peak summit.

Starting early at the break of down for the climb to the summit of Stok Khang-Ri, depending on snow condition heeding slowly with care following our lead expert guide. When the path is clear with rocks and dirt trail then most likely no need for crampons as climbs takes you over scree and boulders, heading up towards a south ridge.

Close to 460 m high ridge stretches all the way to exciting and superbly exposed summit. After a great climb without much technical but with steep and very straightforward haul. On reaching the top rewarded with superb scenery of Ladakh high valley plateau, facing views of Zaskar and Karakoram Himalaya range. Includes distant view of Leh, after a pleasant photo session and perhaps a bite with pack lunch, and then descend towards all the way to base camp for last overnight in tented camp, after a great adventurous day.

Clear the camp, and taking care of garbage leaving the camp site as pristine as it were. After a marvelous time in complete wilderness and achieving our goal and highlight of the adventure of life time experience. Completing packing, then set off heading back to Stok village continue trek down the valley towards the Stok village. On reaching Stok village after more than five hours walks, our transport will be at disposable for scenic drive to Leh, for last overnight at Ladakh.

Depending upon the flight time, guide and staff transfer you for a short drive to the airport for flight to Delhi after a memorable experience on Shang Sumdo to Stok Khang-Ri Peak via Markha Valley adventure.