LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

16 days from GBP1,999 to GBP2,049 including flights
Tripcode: TGP

Countries Visited: India

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 15 reviews.

John Lynas

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written September 2011
Overall it was a great trip. It was certainly more of a life experience than a true holiday as you will see India in the raw at times.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Summiting Stok Kangri in snowy conditions and seeing the Taj Mahal on the Golden Triangle trip extension.
What did you think of your group leader?
Soham was a great guide and showed very good judgement when making decisions on the Stok Kangri climb. He always set a good pace and made sure that we were properly acclimatised at all times.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Maximise your physical fitness before you go on the trip , you will enjoy it more if you do.
Bring walking poles with you. You may not need them below 5000m , but when you get over 5000m using them really helps.
The food on the trip is mainly vegetarian. If you are more of a carnivore then bring along some of those dehydrated mountain meals where you just add hot water for the times you feel like something other than vegetarian food.
Bring a flask with you so you can carry a hot drink with you on Stok Kangri summit day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I could not recommend the trip enough, particularly as a stepping stone if you are planning to try bigger mountains in the future.
Jon May

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written August 2011
A fantastic place and all the better for having Exodus behind us all the way. The organisation was faultless and the support given by the trek leaders was invaluable. Don't believe the temperature graph in the brochure when it says the average temperature in Leh in July is less than 20C, I'm not sure it fell below 30C! Otherwise a great trip and thoroughly recommended. Didn't need to buy all that winter clothing though!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The breathtaking views above 5000m
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Valerie and Chospel were fantastic! I couldn't fault the organisation, experience or willing support provided by the group leaders.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
See above - re weather chart! You need to take the winter clothing just in case, but in July it really wasn't needed! The crampons and ice axes weren't used. It good to plan to leave some kit in Leh which can be given to you in base camp. Hence bring another bag if you can.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It would have got 5 stars if I hadn't got sick! I'm not holding exodus responsible but classic is probably not the words to describe my holiday!
Kristina Bickerton

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written August 2011
A fantastic intorduction to the Indian Himalayas with a chance to climb a 6000m peak at the end.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of Palam Peak and having a 360 degree view of the mountains was amazing. Obviously the summit of Stok Kangri was amazing as well but the 360 degree view was totally unexpected and absolutely beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ngima was fantastic. He really knew his stuff about avoiding headaches and acclimatising well as well as inspiring total confidence about his climbing abilities and skills in helping the group to stay safe and successful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't underestimate the Stok Kangri climb - this is not for everyone and is incredibly hard work. It's definitely for experienced mountaineers and for people who have high altitude experience. That said, the surrounding countryside is beautiful so if you choose to not do the climb there is still plenty to do on the day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You need to ensure that you know how to fit your own crampons and that you have appropriate mountaineering boots and not just walking boots. Walking for 12 hours in the snow will not go well in normal walking boots and expecting guides to fit your crampons is not really appropriate when the rest of the group is waiting in the cold!

Be aware that there are lots of visits to monasteries during the acclimatisation days in Leh but that this does not continue throughout the trek. It's worth noting that this is not for you if culture and a gentle walk are all you are interested in. If you're after amazing mountain views and a good challenging peak then this is perfect.
Ciaran McDonnell

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written August 2011
Good introduction to Leh area of LadakhGolden triangle extension is a good introduction to Agra and Jaipur (n.b. in itself there is no extra Delhi signhtseeing - that if you do it must come off the main trip)
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Discovering Mughal dynasty and architecture - learned a lot about the history
Trekking down the gorges above Stok village
Leh
Panneer Tikka Marsalla and Kingfisher Beer
What did you think of your group leader?
Great guy - very hardworking
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Golden triangle extension is expensive and hard work if like me you are on your own - you alone have to fend off the plans of the guides to distract you to their chosen shops. In particular watch out for the votive offering scam at Fatehpur Sikri - my guide (a sub-sub contractor) I am convinced was part of the scam.
Hemis Gompa - THE gompa in the Leh valley by repute and according to the trip notes - so why was our trek guide allowed to NOT take us to it? (some story about it being too busy commercial) - Exodus needs to sort this out one way or another.
If like me you are not a good acclimatiser but are keen on SK summit beware. The trip notes are WRONG. There is cozy stuff about "setting up base camp at 5200 metres" (the old ABC/advanced base camp). This is NOT TRUE - it's not allowed on the SK permit. So be aware you must add an extra 300 metres to your climb - i.e. its not as easy as you might think. There really is NO excuse for this sort of mistake in the trip notes. The fact that the trip will use the normal lower base camp at about 4900 m is very well known.
Fancy a beer with your hotel meal on return from Delhi? Oops - Hotel Clarke Heights can't serve it there - while other Indian hotels can (solution - get licence or another hotel !)
Oh and don't expect to see K2 - its too far away!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is still a good first trip to Ladakh and the golden triangle extension covers the required bases so do NOT be put off by my observations. There was a lot that was very good on this trip including an excellent trek crew. But remember the trip notes are not accurate - and remeber you are climbing from 4900 metres not 5200.
Lucy Wright

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written July 2011
This trip far exceeded my expectations, an absolutely brilliant 16days! It was a challenge, but more than the physical aspect it was the mental challenge that suprised me... camping for this number of nights consecutively at such altitude was tough and when you feel tired sometimes it's difficult to get motivated for another 7 hours trekking. However, these moments were short-lived and faaaaaar outweighed by the positives.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The obvious moment would be reaching the summit... The last 50m of the climb were difficult, after having found the physical exertion fine until this point I started to really notice the altitude and my chest felt tight, but popping over the top of the ridge and seeing the prayer flags on the summit made this feeling go away and it was replaced with complete disbelief that I'd made it to the top. It was too much to take in at the time and it was only later in the day that the achievement sank in.
Something equally inspiring though was when we were served roast potatoes and pizza followed by apple crumble and custard mid-way through the trek. AND these were brilliant roast potatoes, you'd be proud if you made them at home!!! The food throughout the trek was great but this was a real treat and really lifted our spirits.

What did you think of your group leader?
Valerie was a fantastic Leader. She always knew what was going on, was ready with constant reminders when we asked the same questions over and over again, could tell us about ANY aspect of life in Ladakh - actually, not just Ladakh, make that Asia! - and always had an amusing story about previous trips and travels.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Work on your fitness beforehand - you don't need to be a ridiculously fit (I'm certainly not) but some of the paths to the Passes are steep and the fitter that you are, the more you can enjoy it. Also, prior use of an ice axe and crampons is essential as there really is no time to learn these skills during the trip. Finally, a couple of people in our group brought solar chargers with them, which were great in order to give a boost to iPods etc - I'd definately recommend bringing one of these as there's no where to charge anything once you're on trek!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This really is a fantastic trip. The acclimatisation has been planned incredibly well with lots of "climbing high, sleeping low", if you can call 4,900m low! This means that when it comes to summit day, you'll be well prepared for the attempt. The pacing throughout the trip is spot-on, so although you may be used to walking at a faster speed, this pace means that you are giving your body the best chance to get used to the altitude and climate without completely exerting yourself.
If you want a challenge that's surrounded by stunning scenery, in an extremely interesting region then this is it!!!
robert rankin

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written August 2009
Good high level camping in a spectactular high desert region surrounded by mountains. Good logistics and very good food and support on the trek.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of high level passes with mountains all around.
And small things like: a visit to a Ladakhi house and being caught in a downpour in Delhi
What did you think of your group leader?
Helpful and able, good sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In August the area was hotter than expected. A bandana helps to keep dust out of face.
Discovered Delhi shut on independence day and security is tight
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Though the hotel at Pitampura was very good, it is too far from Delhi city centre; travelling in an out, even by metro is a bit of a pain.
Daniel Allen

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written July 2008
A well thought out trip to a relatively unvisited area of the Himalayas. I enjoyed all aspects of the holiday, from the temple and monastery visits to the acclimitisation and eventually the Stok Kangri climb itself.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching the cloud clear revealing a brand new mountain view after a heavy snow shower while crossing the Stok La.
Getting to the summit on a clear windless morning. Beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Valerie is a very competent leader who knows a lot about Ladakh, its history and its people. It was very interesting to get the low down on the recent history of the area from her. To make Valerie's knowledge of Ladakh more complete would be difficult, but I feel more knowledge of the local geology and also more animal and bird life knowledge would make a good addition to her already encyclopedic mind.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take factor 50 (at least) sun cream. Decent fabric boots are fine for the walk up to base camp. Take lip cream which includes a strong anti UV agent. Take plenty of paracetamol which seems to get rid of the altitude headache quickly, and you may also find yourself doling a few out to your trekking partners.
There is scope for your kit bag to get wet, so make sure everything is in plastic bags in your kit bag and rucksack, and pack a few extra bin liners as they may be very useful.
A washing line and pegs is also a handy little thing to take - there are a couple of days on the trek where there is plenty of time for washing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Stok Kangri is described in various places as 'the easiest 20,000ft mountain', but please be aware that there is NO SUCH THING AS AN EASY 20,000ft MOUNTAIN. In my opinion, the summit ridge of Stok Kangri was more taxing that the ascent of Kilimanjaro and certainly more technical that Mera Peak.
Do not go on this trip expecting to be handed a 20,000ft summit on a plate, and please be equipped for extremes of both hot and cold.