MARTSELANG - STOK TREK

Season: July to September
Duration: 7 days trek
Grade: Moderate

Day 01: DRIVE MARTSELANG AND TREK SUMDO (11,200 ft/ 3,400 m) - 5/6 hrs.
Drive an hour to Martselang. From the road head at Martselang, descend to the Martselang Tokpo, keeping to its true left and enters a narrow gorge, the lower Section of which is choked with conglomerate boulders. The trail criss crosses the Stream, which must be forded several times. As the gorge widens, descending Spring. The valley bends to the southwest and one can get a view of Sumdo village- One house settlement, situated at the junction of the Martselang Tokpo and the Shang Nala. Continue up the Shang Nala to the campsite, pitched in an irrigated pasture.

Day 02: SUMDO to SHANG PHU (14,170 ft/4,360 m) - 4/5 hrs.
Walk up the Shang valley towards Shang village and monastery from where you get a Sweeping view of the valley which is characterized by stone walled fields, irrigation Canal and low stone houses. As the valley narrow, the trail steeping, bending abruptly To the northwest and then westwards, to a small Buddhist shrine situated in a willow Grove - an ideal spot for lunch. The valley broaden into alpine meadows where Shang Phu, a summer grazing settlement is situated. Continuing up the stream bed, take the Left fork through thick scrub vegetation. Camp is set at the junction of two small Valleys.

Day 03: SHANG PHU to SHANG LA BASE over SHANG LA (16,320 ft/4,945 m) - 6/7 hrs.
A gradual ascent leads to a small stream and the trail from the head of the valley down Its true left bank, through dense scrub vegetation, is one of the loveliest parts of this Trek The spring fed stream forms clear deep pools along its course and flows into the main Shang stream, a valley away to the left. A gradual ascent gets you to Shang La, which Links the Matho valley with the Shang valley. The descent is fairly steep though not Long. Camp is set on the banks of a small stream, which eventually meets the main Matho Nala.

Day 04: SHANG LA BASE to GANGPOCHE (14,820 ft/4,560 m) - 4/5 hrs.
Keeping right, ascend the left fork of the stream, walking right, ascend the left fork of Of the stream, walking past stone, ascend the left fork of the stream. Walking past Stone corrals and camping grounds and enter the upper Matho valley. Heading north-
West in a series of sharp ascents and descents. The trail clings precipitously to the Mountainside, crossing four large lateral stream feeding the Matho Tokpo. Camp Is set further up in an alpine meadow at the Gangpoche.

The pasturage of Gangpoche is a huge area bisected by streams, dotted with Doksas, many hidden amongst the dips and rises of the sharply uneven plain. To The south it climbs to the foot of the ice-clad bastion formed by Matho Kangri Peak and its consorts. Thrilling sharp ling in alarm as they catch sight of a Golden Eagle circling On a dihedral wings or the menacing bulk of a Bearded vulture held aloft on its nine- Foot spread. The lucky may catch a glimpse of a wolf or the track of a Snow Leopard Imprinted in wet ground, providing evidence of the presence of this most elusive of Cats. Over night camping.

Day 05: GANGPOCHE to STOK KANGRI BASE CAMP (14,950 ft/4,600 m) - 6 hrs.
The climb up to Matho La is extremely strenuous and at the top, travelers are often Greeted by the high wild cry of the Snow cock, a giant partridge common in these parts But difficult to see. Spectacular view of Stok Kangri (20,200 ft/ 6,121 m) and other peaks are available From the pass. This region provides an interesting study for geologists - alternatively Deposits of limestone, shale and sandstone. Also worthy of note is the formation of Stream beds and passes in the less resistant red shale. An abrupt though not very steep Descent past a spring leads to the upper part of the main Stok Nala and follows along The true right, some 90 meters above the riverbed. The valley broadens out and a Tributary stream, originating from Stok Kangri, must be forded before reaching the Campsite at the base camp of Stok Kangri.

Day 06: EXCURSION STOK KANGRI BASE CAMP- 4/5 hrs.
Spent the day walking up a ridge, from where you get 320 views of the Karakoram And Ladakh range. You could climb up to a 19,000 ft, no technical climbing is Involved. However, it is important that you are fully acclimatized.

Day 07: STOK KANGRI BASE CAMP to STOK, DRIVE LEH (11,500 ft/3,484 m) - 5/6 hrs.
Explore the northeastern flanks of Stok Kangri before retracing your steps to the main Stok Nala. The trail moves along the boulder-strewn left bank, enters a gorge and Ascends steeply up a left bank, enters a gorge and ascends steeply up a left bank spur
Marked by Cairns and prayer flags. After crossing a stream draining the western side of Stok La, continue down the Stok valley through willow groves and alpine meadows. Past the ruins of an ancient Ladakh fortress - Styang La Khar. The gorge widens and
From here it is only a hours to Stok village and followed by 45 minutes drive to Leh. Over night at hotel.