Mentok Kangri Expedition

Our services start with your arrival at Leh airport. Meet & greet and transfer to the Hotel. Welcome tea on arrival. We recommend you completely relax for the rest of the day to enable yourselves to acclimatize to the rarefied air at the high altitude and a successful ltour or trek in Ladakh requires you to acclimatize well with high altitude, tourist can explore the Leh market shanti stupa in the evening only if you feel fine. O/N hotel

After breakfast take a full day excursion to renowned monasteries and palaces of Ladakh region. Founded in 1433 by Palden Sherab, Thiksey monastery is the most beautiful monastery of Ladakh .This monastery majestically overlooks the valley, a magnificent group of about 80 monks; discovery of the beautiful inner courtyard which distributes access to the various temples. The most amazing is certainly the temple of Maitreya with its gigantic interior statue which covers all floors of the building. To join the next site, we will take the path of school children.

Founded in 1632 by Lama Staktsang Raspa, visit Hemis Monastery, it is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery houses an amazing collection of the age-old relics such as the idol of Lord Buddha made up of copper gilt, gold and silver stupas It holds the distinction of being the biggest as well as the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in June .

On the way back to Leh visit Shey (Built in 17th century by king Deldan Namgyal) capital of ancient Ladakh, is an interesting complex whose importance is still measured by the quality of the paintings and the astonishing quantity of chortens or other votive monuments that surround it, especially the copper gilt statue of lord Buddha. The Rock-carved statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on the roadside, which was probably carved during the reign of Singay Namgyal.

And the Stok Palace built in 1825th by king Tsespal Tundup Namgyal, residence of the present kings of Ladakh. Transformed into a museum , the collections presented evoke a recent past where the royal family ruled over this valley. O/N hotel

After breakfast drive to Lamayuru enroute visit Likir, also known as lu-Khyil gompa, the Likir Monastery was ordered to built by the 5th king of Ladakh Lhachen Gyalpo and was thus founded by Lama Duwang Chosje in 1065. The monastery is of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, visit Alchi temple Renowned as the oldest Buddhist learning centre, the Alchi Gompa is one of the magnificently built monasteries in Ladakh. Located 70 kilometres west of Leh on the banks of the Indus River, it is also the largest and most famous of the gompas built by Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in 11th century, continue drive to visit the mesmerizing Moon landscapes and the Lamayuru monastery renowned as Tharpa Ling which means the ‘place of freedom’; Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. Arahat Nimagon blessed the site and Naropa founded the monastery in the 11th century. O/N hotel

After the Breakfast drive to Leh, visit Rizong, according to popular belief, Guru Padmasambhava along with other lamas used to meditate in the caves around Rizong in isolation, surviving on two times meal a day and avoiding any contact with the outside world. Before building the monastery in 1831, Lama Tsultim Nima started a hermitage at the site to teach monks about Buddhism, visit a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling), is under the cover of the monastery, where 20 nuns or the Chomos reside and worship at the temples of the monastery, perform chores like milking, spinning wool and getting oil for the temple lamps. Arrive at Leh by evening. O/N hotel

We spend fews days allowing our bodies to adapt to the high-altitude and soak in the local culture. Finally we leave Leh and begin our journey by hitting the road. Drive towards Tsokar, we cross the Indus then take full south by gorges, towards the Tsokar lake. Arriving in Latho, the landscape opens on the Changthang. The road climbs the Tanglang La (5300m). At the pass, at the end of the Kang Yatse range, we almost touch the snow-capped peaks. Descent to a long plain, then by a small paved road we reach the lake Tsokar , visit Thukje small monastery with a mystic cave (a lamp will be useful). The view of the lake from the terraces is exceptional, the opportunity for great photos, Our vehicles would return to Leh after dropping us off and our mules/horses for the trip would join us later in the day. We will have plenty of time to go for a long walk along the shores of Tsokar lake. O/N camp

After spending the past five days vacationing, today we get down to business and begin the trek. Today is a short day, and we walk for about four to five hours to reach Nurchan. Our campsite is set next to a beautiful stream and we can see the very picturesque, saddle-shaped pass that we would be crossing the following day. O/N camp

The day starts with us having to cross the narrow stream, and then we are on the trail to cross over the first of four passes during the next three days. Today we just have to negotiate one pass, Horlam Kongka La (4840m). Its a very gradual ascent to the top, which is marked by the typical Buddhist prayer flags. One can even see Tsokar Lake from the here. From here it’s an hour and a half’s descent to the campsite. O/N camp

Today is a long day, but one that would prepare you well for the summit day. The agenda is to cross over two passes, both of which are more than 5000m. First up is Kyamayuri La (5400m), which is visible from Rajungkaru, and is another perfect saddle. The views from the top of the pass are breathtaking and looking back we can see the entire valley spread out below us. A long and a gradual descent is followed by a to climb to the next pass, the Gyama Barma La (5210m). Once we reach the top, we have a pain-staking one and half hour descent to the campsite at Gyama Burma, which is just about visible as tiny speck from the pass. O/N camp

Compared to the previous day its a short day of about five hours. We cross over the final pass of the trip the Yalegon La (5241m). Just as we begin the descent, the Tsomoriri lake comes into sight and its a brilliant sight, barren mountains, snow-clad peaks and the lake, all in a single frame. Its a long and hard two hour descent, as we descend about 800 metres all the way to our campsite at Karzok Phu. Mentok Kangri is now visible to us, standing tall and proud, in all its glory. O/N camp

Today we make our way up to the base camp for Mentok Kangri. Although its just another six-hour day, it feels like a long day as its uphill all the way, with some moraine walking as well and we try and camp as close to the mountain as possible, as that would reduce the time taken by us on summit day. O/N camp

Finally, a rest day. After all the hard work over the past five days, we decide to take a breather to let our bodies recuperate. Post-lunch, You can also consider this as a training day. Our team will be granting training on usage of technical equipment. You will be taught how to walk in the snow, using crampons, handling of ice axe, and other techniques that are a must for the summit attempt.

Try to grasp as much as you can. In doing so try not to exhaust yourself, as next will be the summit day. Additionally, you can also go nearby for height gain trek. Make sure you give enough rest to your body for the summit attempt. Pack your backpack for the summit day, keep it light and easy. You will have dinner early to wake up midnight for the last climb. Hence, try to sleep early to get enough sleep. O/N camp

The day starts very early today, as we’ll give you a wake-up call at around midnight. We start at around 1 and make our way through big boulders for the first hour or two. In some sections, the rocks are really loose and we have to scramble for about 15-20 minutes. It’s a very steep climb to the ridge and once there the summit is only about an hour and half away. The view from the summit is unparalleled. For the first time in days, we will be able to see Tsomoriri lake, end-to-end. O/N camp

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Very short day today, as we descend for about two-three hours, all the way to Korzok village. Visit Korzok monastery (found in 1861 by Lama Kunga Lodos Nyingbo) village with its houses and its gompa appearing like a “Mirage”. The few barley fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world and today you will visit the Korzok monastery and this is village where nomad people has concrete house, explore the village and walk around the lake. O/N camp

The road goes to Kyagar Pass before driving into the Indus Gorge. From Mahe , multicolored rocks over hang us over 1000 meters, also on the way visit Chumathang Hot sulphur springs We find the plain of Leh at the level of Upshi. O/N hotel

Free day for personal activities. O/N hotel

Early morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight back to destination. Journey Ends with sweets memories.

For the more adventurous a drive to either Manali or Srinagar can also be arranged on request. The road journey is covered in two or more days with an overnight halt at either Serchu or Jispa, which lies on the Leh-Manali highway, or Kargil, which lies on the Leh-Srinagar highway.