Markha Valley with Stok Khangri (6121m)

Itinerary

Tour Details
Duration of Trek:	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

Day 01 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 02 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 03 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 04 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 05 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 06 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 07 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 08 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 09 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.