Location:
Ladakh (Leh)
Duration:
10
Days
Difficulty:
Difficult
Highest Altitude:
20500
ft.
Distance:
41
kms.
Markha Valley is less popular yet a gem of abundance. However, it is gaining popularity slowly. This wonderful valley is known for hosting Kang Yatse 1, 2 peaks. There is one more hidden peak right next to Kang Yatse peaks and that is DzoJongo Peak. It is of height 6240 meters, slightly taller than Stok Kangri. Its summit is not a technical climb but an enduring steep one, unlike Kang Yatse 2 summit climb which is technical. Therefore, it is a perfect alternative to StokKangri.
The peak lies at the head of the Markha Valley just next to Kang Yatse peaks. The DzoJongo has two summits, the climb to the true summit steep and challenging. There are many approaches to this peak; the most popular one is through the Markha Valley from Skui. This is the same path as of Kang Yatse expedition. But we choose the path from Lato side, a famous village lying on Manali-Leh highway.
The top of the peak offers the fantastic views of StokKangri, Kang Yatse peaks, Changtang valley mountains and distant Karakoram range. The trek literally takes to 3 high passes of Shiul, Chak and Kongmaru La passes (5100+ meters), very rarely in most of the treks. From Kongmaru La pass the greener side of Markha Valley can be witnessed.
DzoJongo peak although is not technical the steep ascend requires crampons and roping up. It is therefore recommended for those having a little experience just like for StokKangri. It is a great opportunity for those looking to try 6000 meters and not that tedious. It is also good for people trying to prepare for big mountaineering expeditions.
Day 1-2 :- Arrival Leh and Acclimatization
Arrive in Leh for the most exciting expedition. Leh is at 3500 meters altitude therefore, it is necessary that you drink a lot of water, avoid heavy activities and let your body acclimatize. Leh is a scenic town resting between barren yellow mountains. Enjoy the most of it. You can purchase or rent your trekking equipment in Leh. Moving to any high altitude locations must be avoided. Chill and rest in your Hotels. The second day is reserved for acclimatization and preparation in Leh. You can spend the day with your visit to different sightseeing points in and around. Leh’s Old Town is dominated by the ancient Leh Palace, a signature of the legacy of the ancient Kingdom of Ladakh, built by Dragpa Bumdey-the King. Situated on a high mountain ridge, this ancient palace overlooks the whole town. Wreathed in many an interesting curio and souvenir shops, the colorful Leh bazaar spreads out below. Starting out early, today is good to visit the network of ancient Buddhist monasteries strewn around Leh. Providing serene getaways from the hustle bustle of the town, the monasteries of Thikse, Namgyal Tsemo, Sangam and Hemis can be the perfect place to find some inner peace and fortitude needed for the hard days of climb coming up ahead.
Day 3:- Leh to Lato (Sightseeing Day)
One the third day of the trek time to move a little higher. The route to Lato is amazing with dark blue skies complimenting the barren landscapes. LATO is the oldest village of Leh Ladakh. It liesenroute Manali from Leh. There was a catastrophic collision in Lato 60 million years ago. There is one of the oldest monasteries of Gia village. The distance from Leh to Lato is almost 70 km, on the way there are quite a good places to roam, so will go to Lato after sightseening (Shey palace, Thiksey Monastery, Druk Padma Karpo (3 idiot, Rancho) School, Hemis monastery) which is included in the cost.
Day 4:- Lato to Shiul Sumdo
The actual trekking day begins. Today you will hike up to Shiul Sumdo. It will be a moderate ascent. The trek is mostly alongside the river. There will be 3-4 chilled river crossing. You will arrive till lunchtime at the campsite. Enjoy your first night stay of the trek in the tents.
Day 5:- ShiulSumdo to Chaksung via Shiul Pass
Today will be an astonishing day. The hike up today is to the first high pass of the trek called Shiul Pass. It will take about 2-3 hours to reach the pass. The trail is of moderate ascent. The pass is literally high point of the trek as it will show big mountains of Ladakh range, Karakoram range etc. You will reach the campsite at Chaksung at lunchtime.
Day 6:- Chaksung to DzoJongo base camp via Chak Pass
Another day filled with excitement. Today you will climb up to the highest pass of the trek Chak Pass. The trek will be shorter, in fact, the shortest day of the trek with 4 km of the trek. However, the ascend is difficult and steep. Enjoy the changing hue of the mountains. You can now see the DzoJongo peak, Kang Yatse peaks and their summits. You will get a welcome hot lunch at the base camp. The base camp of DzoJongo is little higher than the base camp of Kang yatse II. The campsite is usually covered with snow. You can also see Markha Valley from the base camp.
Day 7:- Rest day + Training day (Summit night)
And finally, the day before summit arrives. Try to preserve your energy and stay hydrated. TTH team will give away your technical equipment and give demos of how to use them. Learn and practice using technical equipment. Your Trek Leader will then brief you about the summit attempt planning. Rest and enjoy at the base camp. Mostly the summit push would start at 9-10 pm. Get all dressed with your technical equipment for the big summit climb.
Day 8:- Summit and back to Base camp
The summit push is long and tiring. It is 6 km distance each way. We start by a flat walk for 20-30min. After this comes a rest point. From here the Advanced Base Camp is 40 min far. You can see the route getting a little steeper. For about an hour the climb remains moderate. The climb is not technical but is steep and filled with snow. Hence, it requires using crampons and gaiters. Your team will break the route if needed. You may see crevasses next to the route. Keep moving up slowly. The climb to the summit is very difficult and steep. DzoJongo peak has 2 summits. The path to the true summit is challenging. You are expected to reach the summit at 5-6 am. The summit is a high point that shows StokKangri, Kang Yatse 1,2 peaks, Changthang valley mountains, Karakoram range etc. After rest, we descend back to the base camp.
Day 9:- Base Camp to Chokdo via Kongmaru La & drive to Leh
If you think that long endured part is done. Then the path back to home is also long. The trek to Chokdo requires crossing the last pass of the trek Kongmaru La Pass (5130m). It will take 3-4 hours to reach the pass. The pass shows clear sights of the Kang Yatse peaks, DzoJongo, Markha valley, Indus valley and Ladakh range. After the pass, it is all descend and extremely long. Observe the reddish copper and basalt trails falling on the mountains. The valley is totally different from the views we had seen earlier. It is flat to steep climb down on rocky terrain. From Chokdo it is 60 km drive to Leh.
Day 10:- Buffer day
Every expedition plan has buffer days for flexible planning. This day is used in case of unfavourable conditions when the summit attempt gets halted. So to increase the chances of the summit, 1 day is included in the itinerary. If due to any situation summit is not possible then the team will wait at base camp and try attempting summit again. Using the buffer the day will be a team decision. Please note that the cost of the buffer day is not included in the trek cost. In case the team decides to use the buffer day the Rs.3000 per person per day must be paid. Make sure to already discuss the buffer costs with your team. If everything goes well and buffer day is not used in the Expedition then it can be used to explore Leh through following activities, Rafting in Zanskar Mountain Biking Motorcycle Tour Khardung La visit One day trip to Pangong lake full day sightseeing Zip line
How to reach?
By Air :-
Jet Airways, Go Air and Air India provide daily (once every day) flight service between New Delhi and Leh. In the summer season, the services may even be provided twice a day. However if you plan a trip to this area of the country, you must try to book your tickets well in advance. This might even cut down the prices which may be levied on booking at the last time. You would enjoy the flight as you would fly over many untouched areas and even some mountain ranges. The aerial view is just fascinating and gives a great start to your tour.
By Road :-
The road from Manali to Leh is only open in the summers. The road trip may take you 2 days, but depending upon the weather conditions, the travel may also extend to 3 or even 4 days. You should also make sure that you carry at least two spare tires. A good advice would be to carry a sleeping bag with you well, as the bus may stop in the middle of nowhere for the overnight stay.
Another route to Leh via Srinagar, also takes around two days. On this route, you would pass through some lonely yet famous villages like Kargil and Khalsi.
What is included?
1. Accommodation:
• Guest house in Leh on Day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 9 as per the itinerary.
• Camping during the trek.
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
• Day 3 dinner to Day 9 Lunch.
3. Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required).
4. First aid medical kits, stretcher & oxygen cylinder.
5. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide, cook and Support staff.
6. Transport from Leh guest house to Stok village and return as per the itinerary.
7. Mules to carry the central luggage.
What is excluded?
1. Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Airfare and pickup and drop from airport..
3. Food in Leh.
4. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
5. Necessary permits, entry fees and Foreigner peak booking charges.
6. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
7. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
Note :
Normally TTH expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 3000/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 3300/- if you inform us after reaching Leh
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
Booking and cancellation policy
Paying the Trek /Tour fee:
The fee can be paid by online transfer/Check deposit/Cash deposit/Demand draft. Instruction for
payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. When your transfer is done, please
e-mail us a confirmation mail with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation efficiently.
Cancellation terms:
For the cancellation of services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, Trek The Himalayas must
be notified of the same in writing at info@trekthehimalayas.com. At the time we receive your
written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Get 95% cash refund
•100% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Get 70% cash refund
•100% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•85% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch
•Get 50% cash refund
•80% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•70% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek:
Refund options
•Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend
•No cash refund
•20% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•10% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Note: 1. Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch
2. In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by TTH
3. TTH holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice
4. Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
Cash Voucher Terms:
• This is a non transferable voucher
• The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas
• The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India
• To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id
• All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher
• Trek The Himalayas holds rights to add/remove any of the Terms and Conditions without prior notice
Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Trek The Himalayas" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which TTH or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. TTH reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
Essentials for the trek
Who Can Participate
Here are the fitness criteria one has to match absolutely for conquering Stok Kangri Peak with us:
• Experience of high altitude trek at least 2 treks of more than 4500 mt. or 14,700 ft.
• The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 6 km of distance in 35 minutes without a stress.
• A goods carrying benchmark relevant in this expedition, the climber should be able to carry a 10 to 15 kg expedition bag pack.
• Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have these conditions mentioned above.
Fitness requirements
Fitness regime recommendation
Maps
FAQs
