Spituk Stok Exploring Flamboyant India

If you are looking for a relatively short, accessible trek with beautiful view and moderate difficulty, this trek is definitely the one for you to explore.

Tour Information
Season	: May to October
Total Duration	: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Trekking days	: 04 Days
Total trekking hours	: 20 hrs
Special Features	: Beautiful Valley's
Trek Grade	: Moderate
Max Alt.	: 4900 m

The Journey begins Now!!!

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

You arrive in Delhi by International flight. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport and to our hotel for check-in. After some rest, breakfast at coffee shop in the Hotel. After breakfast we will go on a guided tour of Delhi at 1100 hrs., beginning with a morning sightseeing trip to Old Delhi and followed by visits to the 1648 Red Fort, India's largest mosque - Jama Masjid and Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat. Afternoon tour includes visits to India Gate & President's House. Later on time we drive back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Leh ( BY 9W-609) Dep: 0645hrs / Arr: 0800hrs

Early morning transfer to Domestic Airport to connect the flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport our representative would assist you at the Airport and transfer to Hotel. Check in to the hotel. Post breakfast rest of the day for rest for acclimatization. Later in the afternoon a walk around Leh town (3500mtr) includes a visit to Leh Market, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Gompa - This walk shall help us in a getting acclimatized at this height. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 : Spituk to Zingchen 3700 m (4-5 hours)

Our walk begins along an old jeep road on very dry and exposed land, so water and protection against the sun are important! After 3 hours the landscape becomes greener as we go into the Zingchen Valley, where the Rumbak river flows into the Indus. Our camp is in the small village of Zingchen, which means 'big field', where there are just two houses. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the view and maybe even a dip in the river.

Day 04 : Zingchen to Rumbak 3900 m (3-4 hours)

Today we enter Hemis National Park, home to the famous Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), great Tibetan sheep (Arghali), red fox, Tibetan wolf, wild dog (dhole), Lynx, marmot and mountain hare. We start to climb gradually up to village of Rumbak, through a beautiful gorge from which the Stok peaks come into view from time to time. Rumbak is known as a place to see and research on the magnificent Himalayan snow leopard.

Day 05 : Rumbak to Mancarmo 4200 m via Stok la 4900 m(5 -6 hrs)

The trail up to the base of Stok la (4900 m) starts fairly gradual but becomes steeper as we approach the pass. Views of the Indus valley and remarkable colorful rock formations of Stok la will diminish the hardship of the our climb. We descend along the mountainside up and down until we reach some stone houses, use by the Stok villagers for summer pasture. Our campsite at Mancarmo is also a first camp for the Stok Kangri approach.

Day 06 : Mancarmo to Stok (3-4 hrs)

After breakfast, we start descending to Stok village through a narrow valley of beautiful rock patterns. It is possible to visit the Stok palace; which is currently a museum was built in 1840 to house the Ladakhi royal family after the Dogra army had exiled them. The drive to Leh is about 30 minutes.

Day 07: Leh Sightseeing

Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection of Ancient Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armoury, the Queen's necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 08: Leh - Delhi (By 9W610) Dep: 0840hrs / Arr: 0955hrs

Transfer to the Airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi we assist you to check in at our Hotel. Later in the afternoon we depart for Delhi sightseeing that includes Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar. Later we drive back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9: Delhi - Agra - Delhi (220 Kms. - 04hrs - One way) - Optional Tour

After an early breakfast, we drive at 0730 hrs to Agra, the erstwhile capital of India under the great Mughals and known for The Taj Mahal It has always fascinated Indians and foreigners alike. On the way we visit Sikandra (Tomb of Emperor Akbar). At Agra after lunch (own lunch) We visit the incredible architectural excellence of Taj Mahal, built by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort - Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort. After visiting the fort we drive back to Delhi at 1700 hrs. Upon arrival in Delhi. Finally we will have farewell dinner and later we transfer you to the International airport.

Day 10: Depart Delhi

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to the International airport for your onward travel to your next destination.