Ladakh: Stok Kangri Climb, India Trekking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 19 reviews.

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.
Nicholas Pope

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written July 2008
Excellent trip, if somewhat tiring!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The mountain views and reaching the peak!
What did you think of your group leader?
Valerie Parkinson was excellent; enthusiastic and knowledgable about Ladakh.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travellers must bring a decent sleeping bag, i.e. 4 seasons. Some seemed to think that because it was a hot desert it would be warm at night!
The trip advice should be more specific about what type of torch is required. It should state a head torch for the start of the peak climb in the dark.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This review form seems very short and does not split the feedback into the different areas.
The local staff were excellent. The food was plentiful and delicious.
One comment is that the guide/leader at the front of the group does need to ensure that the group does not get too spread out and should stop and wait for all the group to gather before setting off again.
Stuart Mckie

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written July 2008
Getting to stok kangri after 7 days trekking made this trip a genuinly tough prospect. The early morning ascent was both exciting and inspirational. Strapping on crampons and traversing the ice field to the summit ridge was not for the faint hearted but what a feeling to be up there amongst jaw dropping scenery. All the effort was worth while just to see the sense of achievement on new friends faces.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Drive to the start of the trek was spectacular. The acclimitisation climbs were essential and the scenery fantastic.
Certainly ensured a 100% summit success on the final climb. To stand on a 6000metre peak , with both of us 50 years of age, was a lifetime achievement and it felt great !
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was always part of the team, he was always there for us and ensured that less experienced members of the trip always felt safe and capable of progressing. An all round good egg.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Listen to guides instructions and take it easy initially. Slowly slowly makes for a better chance of summitting at altitude.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Snacks could have been provided between breakfast and lunch, nuts fruit etc. Previous trips have provided this and have been good little morale boosters during difficult days.
iain walton

LADAKH: STOK KANGRI CLIMB

Written July 2008
Great
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What did you think of your group leader?
Piers was great.
However, how can you send us a letter in June which said that the change in leader was a last minute enforced change, when Peirs knew he was on this trip in February.