If you are looking for a short trek in Ladakh and don't want the crowds of Markha then the four day route from Shang Sumdo to Stok village is extremely attractive. The route walks in the shadow of the Matho Kangri and Stok Kangri peaks with typical rolling grasslands, fast flowing rivers, wildlife and nomadic settlements of sheep and yak. The trek approach is close to Leh making this an ideal one week vacation.
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for regular hill walkers, moderate level of fitness required. Prior trekking experience is advisable as it is a camping trek.
1) Walking times: average 5 to 7 hours walking per day.
2) Altitude: up to 4,940 metres at the passes and around 4200-4400 metres at the campsites.
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions near the passes.
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area but not far from the roadheads at Shang Sumdo, Matho, Stok. There is no mobile phones and wifi connectivity on the trek.
Trek Leader: Sujoy Das
Day 1 Delhi to Leh and rest for the day.
Day 2 Acclimatisation rest day - visit monasteries in and around Leh.
Day 3 Leh to Shang Sumdo 3950m
We drive from Leh to Shang Sumdo and reach in about 90 minutes. We camp near the river and spend the day acclimatising in and around Shang Sumdo. This second acclimatisation day will help us in our future days.
Day 4 Shang Sumdo 3950m to Shang Phu 4250m 5 to 6 hours
We start our trek today - our ponies are waiting for us here and after breakfast we start our first days walk. Today the trail ascend gradually through green fields of wheat and barley following the Shang river, flowing from south of Matho Kangri.The valley heads up a shepherds hut the grasslands around serve as grazing grounds fro yak, sheep and goats. We camp overnight at Shang Phu. There is no pass to cross.
Day 5 Shang Phu 4250m to Gangpoche 4200m across Shang la 4940m 5 to 6 hours
The day begins with a long three to four hour climb to the Shang la through a zig zag trail. This area is home to snow leopards, bharal, marmots, golden eagle and a lot of other bird life and wildlife. The view from the top is impressive with the mountain wall of Matho Kangri 5900m just behind and above the pass. The path then descends gradually to the campsite of Gangpoche.
Day 6 Gangpoche to Mankarmo via Matho La 4930 5 to 6 hours
This trail travels across the Gangpoche meadows until it reaches the base of Matho la 4350 metres. It then climbs the gentle slopes to the top of Matho La our second pass. The trail steadily ascends to a series of grassy slopes, Yak herders from the nearby villages live in stone settlement at the foot of the pass and the view from the pass is absolute amazing , the popular Stok kangri peak right behind. From the top of Matho La is descends gradually for around 3 km to the campsite of Mankarmo 4480m.
Day 7 Mankarmo 4480m to Stok village 3900m 4 to 5 hours .
Today we walk down the valley to Stok vaillage there is no pass to cross. The distance is around 10 km and will take us 4-5 hours . We stop for a snack at a tea tent in Stok and then drive back to Leh 1.5 hour drive.
Day 8 Fly back from Leh to your home city
July 27th to August 3rd 2019
- The cost of the trek is Rs 55,000 Leh to Leh - some exclusions apply.
- The cost per person for Leh to Leh (8 days ) as per the itinerary given earlier
Costs given above are at current rates of 2019 and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the trek.
Costs include:
Transfer by vehicle from Leh to Shang Sumdo (day 3) and pickup from below Stok (day 7) at the end of the trek.
All permits as needed.
- One day monastery visits around Leh – Shey, Thikse, Hemis etc. on day 2 in a private vehicle
Three nights accommodation in Leh on twin sharing basis in a good standard hotel. - Hotel Omasila
All accommodation in tents and meals on trek for five days (day 3 to day 7) as per itinerary; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cost of guides/cook/helper/ponyman and ponies as needed for the trek.
- Costs not included
Flight Costs from home country to Leh and back.
All meals in Leh not covered.
Airport taxes if any.
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.
Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; duvet /down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Tips to guides/cook/helper/ponyman at the end of trek
- Air Tickets
Present cost of air ticket Delhi – Leh – Delhi ranges between Rs 12,000 -16,000 Early bookings will attract lower fares. Some of the airlines flying to Leh from Delhi are Vistara, Spicejet , Air India and Go Air.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation policy and refunds available are given below:
0-7 days before the start of the trek = no refund
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 75% deducted of the trek amount
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 50% deducted of the trek amount
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 25% deducted of the trek amount
46 days and above = 10% deducted of the trek amount.
Taxes paid by South Col on the amounts received will also be deducted over and above the amounts referred to above.
IN CASE OF LEAVING THE GROUP
If due to illness or any other reason a client has to leave the group and go down or wait at a campsite for the group to pick him/her up on the way back, all expenses including lodging, fooding and any porter/guide related expenses if any are to be borne by the individual client over and above the trek fees paid for the trek. There are also no refunds for leaving a trek before completion.
HIRING OF PONIES ETC
In the eventuality of a client needed the services of a pony to come down to lower altitudes, the cost of hiring the pony will be paid by the client.
CAMPSITES ON THE TREK
The choice of campsites to be used on the trek will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated campsites. Clients are not permitted to choose their own campsites on the route.
LODGES ON THE TREK
The choice of lodges to be used on the trek will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated lodges. Clients are not permitted to choose their own lodges on the route.
TREK ROUTE
The trek route and day wise schedule will be fixed by South Col and will have to be followed by the client. Clients are not permitted to choose their own routes and night stops.
EVACUATION BY HELICOPTER
In the eventuality of not being covered by emergency helicopter evacuation insurance and an evacuation is considered necessary, the cost of the evacuation will be paid by the client in advance to the helicopter company/travel agent etc as deemed necessary.
DELAYS DUE TO BANDHS, STRIKES AND OTHER FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS
In the event of a delay in starting or ending the trek due to issues beyond the control of South Col, additional costs if any arising out of the same would have to be borne by the clients.
RISKS AND LIABILITY
The trek is in a remote mountain area and has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which the client should be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected changes; remoteness from normal medical services; evacuation difficulties.
In the event of injury or illness South Col Expeditions (Sujoy Das) or its Staff can, at the clients cost arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for the health and safety of the client. Waiver of Liability and Release form to be signed by the client.
