After Breakfast drive to Chilling.
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.
The trail joins the Markha stream. 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.
Many monasteries would come across our route. After the Umlung monastery, the valley narrows and we stop to camp at the foot of Kang Yaste (6400 m).
Trek into the valley in direction of Zalung Karpo and Rupshu. We pass through Thagshungtse pasture and start our gradual ascent towards the Nimaling.
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.
We would follow a new and rarely travelled route through the valleys to the east of Stok Kangri. We descent a few meters below Gyuncho La to establish our campsite.
We would climb up to the Shang La and then descend to the Tokpo River. A downhill trek would lead us to a nice camping place.
At the pass, colourful prayer flags flap in the wind, with the Zanskar range in the background. Afterwards, we descend steadily along the Jingchan River. We come across great views towards the Stok summit (6121m).
This day would be acclimatizing day to get use to high altitude.
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 would be able to see as far as the Karakoram, the Pamirs and Tibet. If weather permitted we'll rest and recover some energy on top before descending to base-camp.
While going downhill we would encounter wild gorge scenery. There should be time to visit Stok Palace and museum while we wait for our conveyance. After an hour's drive we would reach Leh.
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