Markha Valley with Stok Khangri

Day 1 Leh to Chilling – Sku (3500 m) in 5 hours

After Breakfast drive to Chilling. We cross the Zanskar River with a trolley bridge turn wise to join the waiting team on the other side of the river.

Day 2 Skiu – Markha (3850 m) in 7 hours

The trail joins the Markha stream and will follow it for a few days. The day’s trek is relatively easy, but it involves crisscrossing the stream at numerous points depending on the water level. Markha has a monastery and a fort for a local cultural sightseeing. 

Day 3 Markha – Hankar (4000 m) in 4 hrs

Many monasteries are spread along our route today. After the Umlung monastery, the valley narrows and we stop to camp at the foot of Kang Yaste (6400 m). 

Day 4 Hankar – Nimaling (4650 m) in 4 hrs

Trek in the valley in direction of Zalung Karpo and Rupshu. We pass through Thagshungtse pasture and start our gradual ascent towards the wonderful high valleys of Ladakh.

Day 5 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 north face (6400 m), the Ladakh ranges and the Indus valley.

Day 6 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 to the east of our objective. Today, we turn towards the west into a tributary valley that leads after a long and gradual ascent to the Gyuncho La. We descent a few meters bellow to establish our campsite. 

Day 7 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 northwards towards the Indus Valley and the peaks beyond. We climb up to the Shang La and then descend to the Tokpo River. Afterwards we will trek downhill to a nice camping place. 

Day 8 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 Zanskari range in the background. Afterwards, we descend steadily along the Jingchan River. We get great views towards the Stock summit and the Stock Kangri (6121m).

Day 9 Acclimatization day at Base Camp

Acclimatization day at Base Camp 

Day 10 Summit day (Approx. 8-9 hours to base-camp)

Our route initially crosses scree and boulder slopes, and then leads to easy angled snow slopes, which require 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 should see as far as the 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)