LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Day 1
The group flight usually departs London Heathrow in the evening.

Day 2
We arrive in Delhi in the morning and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from the flight or for individual exploration of Delhi. Rooms in the hotel are usually available from noon. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day.

Day 3
In the very early morning we transfer to the domestic terminal for the highly spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (3,500m.). In the afternoon there will be a gentle orientation walk of Leh and its bazaars.

Day 4
Today there is a sightseeing tour to three of the major gompas (monasteries) in the area. We first drive to Shey, a former Royal Palace of the Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a 350 year old copper and gold statue of Buddha. From Shey we drive to Tikse, where we visit the monastery - perched on top of a hill - its red and white buildings can be seen for miles. A recently built temple contains a magnificent image of the Future Buddha. Next we drive to Hemis, which lies tucked away up a side valley. Once the largest and richest of all monasteries its huge prayer hall is of particular interest.

Day 5
Today we will have an acclimatisation walk round the Leh Valley. Set above Leh on the Namgyal Hill are the ruins of the Old Royal Palace. From here a winding path takes us to the Tsemo Monastery, from where we are rewarded for our efforts by magnificent views of the whole of Leh and its surrounding villages. Descending round the back of the palace we walk via Sankar to the recently built Japanese Peace Pagoda with good views back to the palace and across to Stok Kangri, dominating the skyline across the valley. The rest of the day is free to explore the back streets and bazaars of Leh. There is the chance today to make an optional jeep safari to the Khardung La at 5,602m, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. This can be booked and paid for locally. Your leader will have details. (If you do the jeep safari this will be in the morning and you can do the walk in the afternoon).

Day 6
We leave Leh and drive to the start point of our trek. The road follows the Indus River for a short while before turning off into a small dirt track, which winds along following the Zanskar River. The scenery is truly spectacular as the valley narrows into a gorge. At the first bridge we leave our vehicle and have a short climb to Choksi (3,210m) where we camp. This pretty village is a model of self-sufficiency. It is inhabited by one large extended family who farm this small valley. In the afternoon we can have a short acclimatisation walk in preparation for tomorrow.

Day 7
A fairly hard first days walking as we climb very steeply out of Choksi. As we ascend the valley narrows and becomes more and more spectacular. Looking back we can see the magnificent rock formations of the Ladakh mountains. The dramatic mountains in various shades of purples, greens and browns can be seen for miles in every direction. The trail ascends the valley all day and our first night's camp is a small rocky site by a shepherd hut. In the afternoon we will have an acclimatisation walk up the valley which is opposite the camp for views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 8
For acclimatisation purposes we have a very short walk today up to the base of the Kang La (4,900m). After lunch we will trek to the top of the small rocky peak behind camp, at 5,056m. We have called it 'Exodus Peak' and from the top the views are magnificent - we can see the Kang La and Palam Peak ahead and the Himalaya are spread out in front of us with the Ladakh range in front. This is one of the most spectacular wild camps with great views across to the Karakorum. Look out for marmots whistling to one another all around the campsite.

Day 9
Today is a hard day as we cross our first two passes. The climb to the first pass is a long ascent, which is gradual at first with a last steep rocky section to the top of the Kang La (5,260m). The paths are little used and can be indistinct. From the top of the pass we have the opportunity to walk up Palam Peak (5,380m) for views second only to the view from the summit of Stok Kangri. Ahead we can now see the summit of Stok Kangri and in the distance is Leh. Behind us the Ladakh Range and Himalaya can be seen for miles. From the top we descend a little and then contour round into the next valley. As the trail contours round the top of the valley we have great views across to Stok Kangri. This magnificent high trail brings us to the top of our second pass, the Ganda La (4,900m). From the pass, it is an easy descent to our camp.

Day 10
An easy day today after the exertions of yesterday. The trail winds easily down the valley and we walk through the villages of Yurutse and Rumbak before we begin our ascent to the Stok La. We camp just below the Stok La tonight. Ahead the mountains are truly amazing; fold after fold of multicoloured jagged rock tower above us and as the sun sets and the light fades the colours change dramatically. One of the beauties of this short trek is that it is a geologist's paradise; every pass we cross brings us in to another spectacular valley with amazing rock formations.

Day 11
Today is probably one of the most spectacular walks in Ladakh as we cross the Stok La (4,900m), our last pass of the trek. At first we trek on a beautiful, gently sloping trail, but then the path becomes steeper and steeper as it zigzags up to the top of the pass. Rock flutes rise all around us, home to the elusive snow leopard. From the top the views are even more spectacular; layer upon layer of multicoloured rock cathedrals are spread before us in every direction. The descent is very steep at first and then we contour round two valleys to the junction with the river coming down from Stok Kangri. We follow the river, crossing a few side streams, until we reach a shepherd settlement at Mankarmo (4,380m). Look out for the herds of Blue Sheep scrambling on the rocks around camp.

Day 12 - 13
These days are devoted to our ascent of Stok Kangri. We will first establish a base camp at 5,210m. On the afternoon of day 11 (day 12 ex London) we will prepare for the climb. The summit day (day 12; day 13 ex London) will be long and hard (at least 12 hours). After a very early start in the dark, we cross a glacier to the foot of the climb. Although not technical, the route to the summit is very steep and usually involves the use of ice axe and crampons. For our security and confidence we will also carry a rope. The summit route is steep and is along an exposed ridge for some of the time, with some scrambling on loose (sometimes icy) rock. The altitude will be the greatest difficulty, though. The climb from camp to the summit will take five to seven hours. The final hundred metres needs special care while crossing the icy slopes just below the summit. From the summit the views are amazing. Miniscule Leh can be seen in the distance, and all around us the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya, the Karakorum and the Ladakh Range reach far to the horizon. We spend a short while at the top to savour the beauty of it all and regain our breath before descending to Base Camp, where the crew will be waiting with welcome hot food. (Please note the actual climb is entirely optional. For anyone not intending to climb there are wonderful walks from the base camp itself. There will be an optional walk for those not climbing to the glacier at the foot of Stok Kangri for magnificent views).

Day 14
An easy but spectacular last day's walk down the valley to Stok. Layer upon layer of multicoloured rocks surround us as we descend. Finally the valley widens as we approach Stok village where our transport will meet us for the short drive back to Leh. We return to Leh for a welcome hot shower and a well-deserved celebration.

Day 15
An early start for the flight back to Delhi. The rest of the day is free in Delhi for individual shopping or sightseeing.

Day 16
This morning we depart Delhi for the flight to London arriving in the early evening. Those not flying with us to London will leave the hotel after breakfast.