Matho to Stok Trek, Trek to Matho and Stok
Day 01: Arrival LehUpon arrival at Leh Airport you will meet by the representative and transfer to hotel, rest of the day at leisure to acclimatize.Overnight stay at hotel (B, L, D)Leh City: The capital of Ladakh, at one time was a major stop on the Asian "Silk Route". A stroll along the main bazaar, observingThe varied crowd and peering into the curio shops, is an entrancing experience. Chang Gali, behind the main bazaar is less bustling buthas intriguing little shops selling curios and jewellery like pearls, turquoise, coral, malachite, lapis and many other kinds of semi-precious stones,As well as curiously carved Yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls etc.Day 02: LehExcursion to Shey, Thiksey, Hemis & MathoToday we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit toSheyThe ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge copper-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.Thiksey GompaAn impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famousHemis GompaFounded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyal.
Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompa 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 drive back to LehOvernight stay at hotel (B, L, D)Day 03: Drive to Matho & trek to Matho gorge (03-04 hrs treks)After breakfast drive Matho & visit Matho Gompa, around 26km. south east of Leh is the only Gompa, which belongs to the Saskya order and Lama Tungpa Dorjay founded it in the 16th century and the Gompa was named Thupstan-Sharling Choskor. In order to introduce the Monastic community, the king offered religious estate in neighbouring villages and the Nag-Rang festival was started, which is held on 14th and 15th day of the Tibetan calendar.After visiting Matho gompa start trekking towards to Matho gorgeOvernight stay at camp (B, L, D)Day 04: Matho gorge - Tsaskhangchen (05-06 hrs)After breakfast we will continue along the Matho Nallah (stream) pass through dense willow and popular grow, slowly start ascending towards Gangpochey shepherd camp, hike for another one hr to get to Tsaskhangchen, from here one could get a view of Matho la 4800, which you crossing next day.
Day 05: Tsaskhangchen - Mankarmo via Matho-la 4800m (04-05hrs)After breakfast we will start ascending towards matho la, this will take about hr and a half to get to the top from the top one could get a great view of Stok Kangri facing right in front of you. From here start descending towards Mankarmo, also known as lower base camp.Overnight stay at camp (B, L, D)Day 06: Optional day hike to advance base camp of Stok Kangri.Today we will explore the base and advance camp of Stok Kangri, those who are interested could hike upto 18000ft, and get magnificent view of Ladakh and Karakoram including saser massif 25020ft highest peak of Ladakh. Trek back to Mankarmo for overnight stay.Overnight stay at camp (B, L, D)Day 07: Trek to Stok & drive to LehAfter breakfast you will descent down to Stok village through Stok gorge where one could see colourful rock formation and pass some willow grow, also pass 350 years old fortress built on the top of a hill, end your hike in Stok village and drive back to Leh, en-route one could make a short stop at Stok Palace and visit the museum.Overnight stay at hotel (B, L, D)Day 08: Free day at LehFull day free in leh for own activitiesOvernight stay at hotel (B, L, D)Day 09: Depart LehEarly morning depart to the airport to fly back to Delhi.