Stok Kangri Peak Trek Expedition

• Starts from Leh and proceeds to Stok Village, located in the Ladakh region near Hemis National Park.
• Reaches Stok Kangri Peak at approximately 20,187 ft (6,153 m), one of the most famous 6,000-meter trekking peaks in the Indian Himalayas.
• Includes proper acclimatization in Leh before beginning the high-altitude expedition.
• Passes through Stok Valley, high-altitude meadows, glacial streams, rocky terrain, moraines, and snow-covered slopes.
• Establishes camps at increasing altitudes, including Stok Kangri Base Camp at approximately 16,300 ft.
• The summit attempt involves a long and demanding climb with glacier crossings, steep snow slopes, rocky sections, and an exposed summit ridge.
• Offers spectacular panoramic views of the Karakoram Range, Zanskar Range, Ladakh Range, Indus Valley, and surrounding Himalayan peaks.
• The summit day can take approximately 12–15 hours, making endurance and acclimatization extremely important.
• Requires basic mountaineering equipment and skills such as crampons, ice axe, climbing harness, ropes, and glacier-travel techniques, depending on conditions.
• Considered a challenging to very difficult high-altitude expedition, despite often being classified as a non-technical trekking peak.
• Best suited for trekkers with excellent physical fitness, strong endurance, and previous high-altitude trekking experience.
• Traditionally, the best climbing season is July to September, subject to weather and permit conditions.
• Important: Stok Kangri has faced closure and access restrictions since 2020 due to environmental and glacier conservation concerns. Climbers should verify current official permits and permissions before planning an expedition.
• Stok Kangri remains one of Ladakh's most iconic mountaineering objectives, combining extreme altitude, glacier travel, Himalayan summit achievement, and spectacular panoramic views.

Stok Kangri Peak Expedition is one of the most iconic high-altitude climbing expeditions in Ladakh. Rising to approximately 6,153 metres, Stok Kangri is known for its demanding summit climb and spectacular views of the surrounding Trans-Himalayan landscape.

The expedition usually begins with acclimatization in Leh before travelling towards Stok Village. The trekking route passes through dry mountain valleys, rocky landscapes, high-altitude camps, and glacier sections.

The summit push is physically demanding and generally begins during the night. Climbers cross snowfields, glaciers, steep slopes, and narrow ridges before reaching the summit.

The summit provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the Zanskar Range, Karakoram Range, and the vast mountains of Ladakh.

Note: Access to Stok Kangri has been subject to restrictions and closures in recent years. Climbers should confirm the latest permit and expedition status with local authorities before planning.

Major Attractions

• Leh
Main acclimatization base and gateway to Ladakh expeditions.

• Stok Village
Traditional Ladakhi village and common starting point for the expedition.

• Stok Kangri Base Camp
High-altitude campsite surrounded by dramatic Ladakh mountains.

• Glacier & Snow Sections
Technical terrain involving snow and glacier travel.

• Stok Kangri Summit
The main expedition objective at approximately 20,187 ft.

• Zanskar Range Views
Spectacular panoramic views of Ladakh's rugged mountain landscapes.

• Karakoram Range Views
On clear days, distant views of the Karakoram mountains may be visible.

Day 1 — Arrival in Leh
Arrive in Leh and rest for initial acclimatization. Avoid strenuous activity due to the high altitude.

Day 2 — Acclimatization in Leh
Take a short local sightseeing tour or acclimatization walk, with a focus on hydration and rest.

Day 3 — Leh to Stok Village and Trek to Base Camp
Drive to Stok Village and begin the trek towards Base Camp through scenic Ladakhi landscapes.
6–7 km trek | 4–5 hours

Day 4 — Acclimatization at Base Camp
Take a short acclimatization hike and complete basic technical training and gear preparation for the climb ahead.

Day 5 — Base Camp to Advanced Base Camp
Ascend into higher-altitude terrain towards Advanced Base Camp.
4–5 km trek | 4–5 hours

Day 6 — Acclimatization and Technical Training
Practice essential mountaineering skills, including crampon and ice axe techniques, rope handling, and glacier safety.

Day 7 — Stok Kangri Peak Summit Attempt
Begin the summit push during the night or around midnight, aiming for the approximately 20,187 ft summit before descending back to Base Camp.
10–14 hours round trip

Day 8 — Reserve Day
Reserved for unfavorable weather, contingency, or an additional summit attempt if required.

Day 9 — Base Camp to Stok Village and Drive to Leh
Descend from Base Camp to Stok Village and drive back to Leh, marking the completion of the expedition.

Day 10 — Departure from Leh
Departure from Leh and conclusion of the Stok Kangri Peak Expedition.

Participants should:

• Have excellent cardiovascular endurance
• Be comfortable trekking and climbing for long hours
• Have previous high-altitude trekking experience
• Be properly acclimatized before the summit attempt
• Be comfortable using crampons and an ice axe
• Maintain healthy blood pressure and pulse rate
• Avoid participation with serious heart, kidney, liver, or respiratory conditions
• Meet expedition medical and fitness requirements

Starting Point

Leh, Ladakh

Nearest Airport

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

Nearest Railway Station

Jammu Tawi Railway Station

Most expedition members fly directly to Leh for acclimatization before travelling by road to Stok Village and beginning the approach towards Stok Kangri Base Camp.

Clothing

• 1 full-sleeve synthetic quick-dry T-shirt

• 1 fleece T-shirt

• 1 wind stopper/fleece jacket

• 1 windproof jacket

• 1 down feather/hollow jacket

• 1 pair thermal innerwear (upper & lower)

• 2 synthetic quick-dry trekking pants

• 1 wind stopper/fleece pant

• 1 pair waterproof gloves

• 1 pair fleece/woollen gloves

• 1 poncho/waterproof jacket and pants

Head Gear

• 1 head torch

• 1 sun cap

• 1 woollen cap

• 1 balaclava

• 1 synthetic and 1 woollen buff/neck gaiter

• Sunglasses with UV protection and side cover
  (Contact lenses are preferable; photochromatic glasses can also be used.)

Footwear

• 1 pair water-resistant trekking shoes with good ankle support and grip

• 1 pair floaters/flip-flops

• 7 pairs cotton socks

• 2 pairs woollen socks

• 1 pair gaiters (provided when required)

• 1 pair micro spikes (provided when required)

Backpack & Basic Gear

• 50–60 L backpack with rain cover and comfortable shoulder straps

• 20–30 L daypack if your main luggage is being offloaded

• At least 1 walking stick

• 2 one-litre water bottles or hydration pack

• Small tiffin/lunch box

• Energy bars, dry fruits and electrolytes/ORS

• Personal medical kit as advised by your doctor

Personal Essentials

• Sunscreen

• Moisturizer

• Chapstick/lip balm

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Toilet paper and wipes

• Soap/hand sanitizer

• Antibacterial powder

• Quick-dry towel

Tip: For trekking peaks, proper layering, warm clothing, good-quality trekking shoes, sufficient hydration, and protection from cold and changing weather are essential.

Refund percentages vary depending on cancellation timing:

• Earlier cancellations receive higher refunds/vouchers.
• Emergency situations may qualify for special refund consideration.