Mountaineering:

Ladakh is a mountaineer's delight with several mountain ranges all across the region. The most famous and easily accessible is the Stok Khangri massif - a part of the Zanskar Mountains to the south of Leh. The base camp for the various peaks of this massif is about 4 days trek from the villages of Stok or Spituk. Among its known peaks, Stok Khangri (6,150m) is the most famous among the tourist. It offers a spectacular view of Indus valley and Karakoram Range. Other peaks in the area include Golaib Khangri (5,900m) adjacent to Stok Khangri, Matho West (5,950m) and many unnamed peaks in the same range.

The Kang-yatsey peak (6,400m) lies in the southeast of Leh and it is reached by the famous nine-day Markha valley trek. There are many other peaks around Kang-yatse at the altitude ranging between 5,500 and 6400m.

The Nun Kun massif in the great Himalayan ranges is easily accessible from Kargil-Padum road. Approach to the base camp is relatively easy. It is considered one of the most attractive climbing destinations in the great Himalayas. Among its six known peaks accessible from Suru valley Nun (7,135m) and Kun (6963m) are the highest summits.

Stok Peak Climbing  < Book this Tour >

• Day 01 Leh to Stok to Mankarmo;
  Morning drives to Stok village that takes around 15 kms from Leh, Start walking from the trekking point through the valley from left bank of the river. It's an easy but very long walk through the valley to Mankarmo. There are many shepherd camps in the different entrance of the sub valleys. The Mankarmo Camp is at the point from where the valley turns southward. It is possible to trek up to the first base camp but to get acclimatize, it is recommended to make it in two days. There won't be any problem in going all the way to base camp if you are fully acclimatized. The Camp at Mankarmo is on the riverbed without any toilet facilities.
   

• Day 02 Mankarmo to Base Camp;
  Keep walking in the same direction for around 30 minutes and then head towards south. Scramble along the tributaries passing through a few shepherd camps on the other side of the river. The base camp is reached after vertical ascend but there is no toilet facilities. Take care of your food and cloths from animal around. Evening, you can walk up to the advance base camp for acclimatization. The trail leads you towards west and then southward from the top of the hill. You will be passing through a few glaciers before you reach advance base camp from where you start crossing the glacier.
   

• Day 03 Base Camp to summit to Base Camp;
  Keep your torch and other climbing gears ready for early morning start. You should start at least by 4 am but it will be dark when you start in the morning. It will be light by the time you reach advance base camp. It will be ideal to wait till there is a light enough to see the craves clearly. Start crossing the glacier towards southeast and then climb the peak to the western side. There are two ways to go up, one from the left side of the glacier which is more technical and the right side trail is easier with steps of rocks. You can scramble back to the base camp from the same way you had climbed.
   

• Day 04 Base Camp to Stok to Leh
  An early start is recommended as it is long descent to Stok village and drive back from Stok to Leh.
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Permit

The best climbing season extends from mid May to mid October. Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, which ensures safe mountaineering by allowing limited numbers at one time. You should give at least six months notice before leaving for an expedition.