Stok Kangri Trek

Know the trail before you step on it - difficulty, permits, weather, guide need and route clarity in one place.

Challenging Monsoon
Explore Summit & Peak

Trek safety, weather & access status

High caution advised Open to trek Jul–Sep

Advisory

Access restricted. Ladakh authorities have repeatedly closed Stok Kangri to climbers for ecological recovery, and permission is not guaranteed in any season. Confirm the current status with the Ladakh wildlife / mountaineering authorities and a registered agency (ALTOA) before planning - and never attempt it solo.

Live weather

-12°C Partly cloudy
  • Feels -16°C
  • 6 km/h wind
  • 69% humidity

Mountain weather changes quickly. Treat this as a planning signal, not a final safety clearance - confirm locally before you set out.

Emergency & official

112 National emergency 1363 Tourist helpline
Difficulty Challenging
Max altitude 6,153 m
Distance 46 km
Duration 8 days
Best time July to September
Fitness High - strenuous, very high altitude
Start point Stok village
End point Stok Kangri summit
Permit required

DIY Trek Readiness: can you go self-planned?

Beginners Some experience helps
Guide Recommended
Permit Required
Fitness High - strenuous, very high altitude
Trail clarity Faint
Network on trail None
Max altitude 6,153 m
Best season Jul to Sep
Languages Ladakhi, Hindi, English
How is this score calculated?

This is a DIY-readiness gauge - how do-able it is to plan and travel yourself. Destinations show it as a 0-5 DIY Score; treks & routes as a 0-10 Score (a wider scale for the extra variables they carry). Both are built from these factors:

  • SafetyLocal safety, terrain and current advisory conditions along the route.
  • Transport accessHow easily you can reach the place and move around without your own vehicle.
  • NetworkMobile signal and data coverage you can expect on the way.
  • Season reliabilityHow dependable the weather and season window is for travel.
  • Budget clarityHow predictable day-to-day costs are, with few surprises.
  • Trail / route clarityHow well-marked and easy to follow the route or trail is.
  • Stay availabilityThe choice and reliability of places to stay along the way.
  • First-timer friendlinessHow forgiving it is for a first-time independent traveller.
  • Solo / women comfortHow comfortable and safe it is for solo and women travellers.
  • Local supportAvailability of guides, hosts and on-the-ground help if you need it.
Read the full method →

Readiness verdict

  • Best forExperienced, fit trekkers comfortable at altitude
  • Not ideal forFirst-time trekkers going without any support
  • Go DIY only ifYou can manage long walking days, permits, low or no network, basic navigation and changing mountain weather.
Guide: Recommended Permit: Required Network: None on trail
Plan it yourself

The DIY deep-dive

Stok Kangri Trek is at its best in July to September. It covers about 46 km, runs over 8 days, tops out near 6,153 m.

DIY route options

The classic route Start from Stok village and follow the standard 6-day line - the most reliable, well-trodden way to do it.
Time it by season Plan around July to September for the best weather, views and open access.

What most travellers miss

  • Arrange your permit before you arrive - it gets checked on the way in, and last-minute permits are a hassle.
  • Download offline maps and share your plan first - the mobile network here is patchy to none.
  • Do not rush past Mankarmo - most people treat it as a quick stop, but it is worth a slower evening.
  • Time it for July to September. Outside that window, snow, weather or road closures can cut access.

Where to base yourself

Leh Trailhead base - last shops, network and gear before you set off.
Mankarmo A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.
Base Camp A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.

DIY is the main way - this is the upgrade

Need expert help planning this trek?

Prefer not to manage permits, guide coordination, stays and route pacing yourself? We can help you turn this trek into a private, supported experience for your dates, group size and comfort level.

  • Permit and guide coordination
  • Private group support
  • Route pacing and halt planning
  • Stay, meals and local logistics
Enquire for pricing Enquire on WhatsApp

About this trek

Stok Kangri, at 6,153 m, was long the most popular “trekkable” 6,000 m peak in India, towering over Leh and the Stok range. The non-technical summit climb made it a bucket-list objective for fit trekkers acclimatising in Ladakh.

Note: Stok Kangri has been closed to trekking since 2020 to let the fragile ecosystem recover – check the current status with local authorities before planning. Alternatives like Kang Yatse II offer a similar experience.

Essential packing list

  • Trekking shoes with grip
  • Warm base layer + fleece
  • Down jacket / warm jacket
  • Rain shell / poncho
  • Headlamp + extra batteries
  • Water bottle / hydration bladder
  • Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen
  • Personal medicines
  • Power bank
  • Offline maps
  • Cash and ID copies
  • Permit documents, if applicable

Map

Nearby route landmarks & places to know

Tap “Get directions” to open any spot straight in Google Maps.

Stok Kangri

0 km from Stok village, Ladakh centre

Stok Kangri is the highest mountain in the Stok Range of the Zazkar Mountains a Trans-Himalayan mountain in the Ladakh region of north India. The peak is located in Hemis National Park, 12 km southwest of the trailhea…

Get directions Learn more

Hemis National Park

0.9 km from Stok village, Ladakh centre

Hemis National Park, a high-elevation national park near Hemis in the Leh district of Ladakh in India, is located 50 km (31 mi) from Leh town, the capitals of Ladakh. Globally famous for its endangered snow leopards, …

Get directions Learn more

Stay & food planning around the trailhead

Base and stock up at the trailhead before you start; on the trail expect basic halts and simple meals - tea stops and packed snacks, with no cafe-style reliability once you set off.

Stay

Yurutsepa Home Stay

Yurutsepa Home Stay, Trail to Ganda La, Shingo 4100m -, Ladakh, India

7.4 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Guesthouse

Guesthouse, Trail to Stok La, Leh - 194101, Ladakh, India

7.6 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Lagangpa Home Stay

Lagangpa Home Stay, Trail to Stok La, Leh - 194101, Ladakh, India

7.6 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Tarchok Homestay

Tarchok Homestay, Trail to Stok La, Leh - 194101, Ladakh, India

7.7 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Tsok Kor Khang Bu Homestay

Tsok Kor Khang Bu Homestay, Trail to Stok La, Leh - 194101, Ladakh, India

7.7 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Sara-Pa Homestay

Sara-Pa Homestay, Sara, Leh district, India

10.4 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Dolma Homestay

Dolma Homestay, Sara, Leh district, India

10.4 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Home Stay

Home Stay, low water shortcut, Markha -, Ladakh, India

10.8 km away Open in Maps

Frequently asked questions about Stok Kangri Trek

What is the best time to do the Stok Kangri Trek?

The best time for the Stok Kangri Trek is July to September.

How difficult is the Stok Kangri Trek?

The Stok Kangri Trek tops out near 6,153 m.

How long is the Stok Kangri Trek?

It covers about 46 km and takes around 8 days.

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