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Stok Kangri 20,130ft or 6000m trekking peak.......

Stok Kangri Peak:

It's a very challenging trek traverses the Ladakh mountains on a little-used route high above the Indus Valley,

and offers a chance to ascend Stok Kangri, a 20,130ft/6114m peak. 

The track approach from the west of Leh, climbing steeply from the Zanskar River towards the rugged Ladakh 

and Zanskar Range. 

This stark region of high passes and wild mountains is softened by the immense charm of the Ladakhi villages and their inhabitants. Trackkers cross one high pass after another, including the seldom-used Kang La where they have chance to ascend Palam Peak, a warm up for Stok Kangri. 

They can continue towards the spectacular scenery of the Stok Range, where we begin our ascent. The tough, but optional and non-technical climb provides stunning views extending across Ladakh to the Karakorams, the Himalaya and into Tibet.

How Reach Stok Kangri:

1.) Fly to Leh from Delhi or By Bus or Taxi.

2.) Drive to Choksi. Steep ascent to Kang La (5260m) and optional climb of Palam Peak (5360m) for superb views of the mountains.

3.) Cross Ganda La and Stok La to Stok Kangri Base Camp (5100m)

4.) Optional ascent of Stok Kangri (6114m) The route is non technical, but there is a short, exposed section near the summit. Those not attempting the peak can trek up to the glacier for stunning views.

Markha Valley...........

Markha Valley :

The Markha Valley is between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, behind the Himalaya. The wild and barren, yet hauntingly beautiful landscapes of this hidden land are often likened to Tibet - Ladhakh used to be known as 'Little Tibet'. 

Several monasteries and ruins are scattered along the trail to Markha. After Umlung the valley narrows and becomes a gorge just before Markha. This large village has a fort and a monastery perched on the northern hill. The gompa is reputed to be one of the oldest in Ladakh.

Skiu - Markha (13,078 FT/4,878M) : A very pleasant walk up one of the loveliest sections of the markha valley. Markha is one of the biggest in this valley. The way through woody bushes thickly along the river which is a spanned by several small bridges over which the trail marches to thinlespa. 

Zanskar Valley............

Zanskar Valley:

The western parts of Ladakh comprising the river valleys, which are drained and formed by the Himalayan tributaries of the high Indus, constitute Kargil district. Zanskar is a subdistrict or tehsil of the Kargil district, which lies in the eastern half of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The administrative centre is Padum. Zanskar, together with the neighbouring region of Ladakh, formerly belonged to Guge or Western Tibet.

Prominent among these are the spectacular valleys of Suru and Zanskar, which lie nestled along the northern flank of the Great Himalayan wall. The smaller lateral valleys of Drass, Wakha-Mulbek and Chiktan constitute important subsidiaries. 

Thus, while the Mons are believed to have introduced north-Indian Buddhism to these valleys, the Dard and Balti immigrants are credited with introducing farming and the Tibetan nomads with the tradition of herding and animal husbandry.

Geography:

Zanskar is a tri-armed valley system situated between the Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountains, the three arms radiating star-like towards the west, north and south from a wide central expanse. Here the Zanskar River comes into being by the confluence of its two Himalayan tributaries, the Stod/Doda and the Lingti-Tsarap rivers. It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region's approximately 14,000 strong, mainly Buddhist population, live.

Spread over an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq kms of mountainous territory, Zanskar is surrounded by high-rise mountains and deep gorges. 

It remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy winter snowfall resulting in closure of all access passes, including the Penzi-la. This geographical isolation and the esoteric nature of Buddhism practised here have enabled its inhabitants to preserve their identity, so that to-day Zanskar is the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh. Closer observation of the lifestyle evokes admiration for a people who have learnt to live in perfect harmony with the unique environment.

Flora and fauna:

Much of Zanskar's vegetation is found in the lower reaches of the valleys, and consists of alpine and tundra species. Most impressive are the meadows covered with thousands of edelweiss. At the foot of the Gumburanjon mountain blue poppies can be found. Domesticated animals such as the yak, dzo, sheep, horse, and dog are found in the region.

Zangla:

Lying deep in the northern arm of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km long road from Padum, Zangla was being ruled by a titular king till his death a few years back. The old castle now in ruins except for a small chappel, occupies a hill, overlooking the desertic valley below.

Stongdey:

The monastery of Stongdey lies 18 km to the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla. An old foundation associated with the Tibetan yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident community of about 60 Gelukpa monks. The sprawling white-washed complex has a number of temples, each a repository of the region's rich monastic legacy. 

Panikhar:

Panikhar is an important place in the Zanskar Valley that is the border of the Suru Valley. At Panikhar the fort of Zorawar Singh is a major tourist attraction 

Penzella Pass:

Penzella Pass that divides the Zanskar valley with the Suru Valley. Besides being the excellent camping site the Penzella Pass is a vintage point offering excellent views of the majestic mountains and the captivating countryside.

Kargil........

Kargil : 

Kargil district is in the Himalayas, giving it a cool, temperate climate. Summers are warm with cool nights, while winters are long and cold with temperatures often dropping to −40 °C with recorded temperatures of −60°C in Drass, especially in the tiny town of Drass which is situated 56 km from the Kargil town. The Zanskar plateau is even colder, thus making it a near-uninhabitable place for humans to stay, except for the hardy Khampas. The entire Kargil district is spread over 14,086 km². The Suru River flows through the district.

National Highway 1D connecting Srinagar to Leh that also passes through Zoji La, cuts through Kargil. This highway is open for traffic only from June to mid November every year due to heavy snowfall at the Zoji La (but in recent years it has been opened much before june, april ending.). Kargil is located 120 miles (204 km) from the capital city of Srinagar. There is a partially paved road ( the first 40 km or so) leading from Kargil south to Zanskar which is a distance of nearly 220 km, which is only open from June to September each year. 

The name Kargil is said to be derived from the words Khar and rKil. Khar means castle and rKil means center thus a place between castles as the place lay between many kingdoms. The competing theory is that Kargil has been derived from the words "Gar" and "Khil". Gar in local language mean ‘Any where’ and Khil means a central place where people could stay.

A popular attraction of Kargil is the archery contest held in the month of May every year. Kargil is quite well known for its delicious dry apricots and the apricot jam. For the shoppers, the town offers Pashmina shawls, local carpets and woolen handicrafts. The Buddhist monastery of Mulbek Gompa, situated 45 km from Kargil. It is an architectural beauty with magnificent murals and amazing statues. 

Zanskar (Penzila to Padum Karsha and Zangla)

Two small, turquoise, high altitude lakes with camping sites, and views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass, which is 160 Km from Kargil and at an altitude of 4,401 to 4,450 meters, the highest point on the Kargil – Zanskar road. This pass is more of a table land and, unlike the Zojila, has plenty of flat spaces and things to see, the Drang-Drung, for instance. Kishtwar is behind the mountains of the right.

Sani :

Emperor Kanishka (Aka Kanika) had got 108 chortens constructed in the first century AD. One of them is in Sani. The holy site at Sani is called Turtot Gyat and is one of the 8 holiest Buddhist sites in the world. That is why most of the Luminaries of Himalayan Buddhism including Padma Sambhava, Naropa and Marpa have visited Sani. This venerable monastery had ancient and medieval frescoes.

Rangdum Monastery : 

Rangdum: (3,657 meters, 130 km from Kargil town, 65 Km from Panikhar). The Rangdum monastery has tiny “museum” with interesting Tibetan and other artifacts. Around forty monks live in the gompa. It is difficult to agree with accounts that date the Gompa to the 8th century. 18th century is more likely. The villagers who live near the Gompa are basically the agriculture shrifts of the monastery, a guidebook informs us.
  
Zongkhul :

This monastery is built in a spectacular cave, lies on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking route, just before the ascent to the Omasi-La Pass begins. Situated like a swallow's nest on the rock face of the Ating Gorge, the monastery is associated with Naropa, a famous India Yogi. The two caves around which the present monastery has developed are said to have been used by Naropa for solitary mediation. The frescos on the cave walls are very old and reflect a high degree of artistic achievement.

BY ROAD - Regular buses of the state road transport of Jammu and Kashmir ply between Srinagar and Kargil. You may even hire cars or jeeps for road transportation. Local buses like the mini coaches make the other options for travel. It is the capital city of Srinagar that connects the major cities of India with Kargil through air.