Guide for Stok Kangri

bruce

Hello All,

We are a group of 5 who are planning to climb Stok Kangri in the summer. We have prior climbing experience and own all necessary equipment. We are looking for a local guide to help us climb the stok kangri and possibly a 7 day trek prior to that. Can anyone recommend a good local guide?

Thanks in advance
Bruce

solo_trekker

Hiya...

Stok Kangri is the peak which everyone who can trek a bit, and more importantly, who is in ladakh, can definitely afford to climb. You can see the peak from Leh town and vice versa too...

Every second shop in Leh town turns into an adventure travel / guide / taxi hire / mountaineering / rafting company. You will have a choice of plenty. Do not book in advance. Rest assured, once you are here (or rather in Leh), you shall manage very well.

Most tourists in Leh are foreigners (95%), so everything in Leh caters to the tourists. It is best to check out with 3-4 shops, bargain a bit, check out the references you get from other fellow hikers while you are here, and then decide for yourself.

And, you need the snow boots et all only if you are going there in june. Prior to that is not possible and mid-july onwards you don't really need any equipment. Any case, you can get everything that you need on cheap rentals in Leh town.

Cheers...!!!

beklemmung

I "climbed" Stok Kangri last June with a Tibetan guy named Riga. I found him through another traveler at my guesthouse (Oriental), and though I would recognize the agency if I walked the road from downtown to Changspa, I don't remember the name. There's a slightly better than even chance that it has 'Yak' in the name.

If you can find him, he's a great guy. His English is very good, he's attentive, and he's not by any means a bad cook. If I happen to suddenly remember the name of the agency, I'll post it.

shahronakm

Solo Trekker's view about Stok Kangri is bang on. I recd. same feedback from 3 - 4 travel agents who has put up a stall in a travel exhibition held at Bandra Kurla Complex , Mumbai.

Ronak.

beklemmung

If you do go in June, insist on seeing the equipment before you leave. We had a silly tent, which is no big deal, but one of my crampons was useless, and I didn't find out until four hours before we were to leave "base camp" (actually camp 1). I'd asked to see it in the shop but he just kept assuring me that everything would be fine. Changing agencies wasn't much of a choice as I'd had a hard time finding a group (it was the second week of June) and was pressed for time.

bruce

Thanks for all your replies. I am trying to find someone who is well connected and has guided parties before. I am not concerned about the climb itself. It is well documented and doesn't seem to be technical at all. We want the guide to make sure we don't encounter any issues along the way, for example, camping at advanced base camp, which is what we want to do (instead of base camp).

That's why I like to get an experienced guide rather than recreational guides. I don't want to end up with issues like beklemmung at the last minute and possibly ruin our trip.

Thanks for your inputs
Bruce

AvidTrekker

They are very much available. Backpackers are usually looking for low-budget deals where such mishaps are more likely.

The good guides are expensive and very well worth their money.

Some three of my friends are healthy / alive coz their guide saved them...

All the best for your trek, its hardly technical in July to Sept.

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bruce

Thank you AvidTrekker. Can you give me an idea of what I should expect to pay a good guide per day?

Thanks
Bruce

AvidTrekker

In Leh the rates run from Rupees 600 to 2000 per day.

600 for "porter cum guides" and 1200+ for the real "guides"

Those trained at Nehru Instt of Mountaineering and with prior expedition experience will come at 1600 to 2000 per day.

bruce

Wow they gets expensive! But definitely worth it. Thanks again Avid.

solo_trekker

hi again...
well, this year has been kinda unusual and the snow should be around till end-june sure... so, u actually might need the propuh equipment...
however, rest assured, this is the easier of the peak climbs in ladakh and if u are planning for july or august, u will run into several other groups along the way...
all i'll say is this - don't pay in advance till u r in leh and then decide for yourself... u will get the choicest, the best and the dates u want... both the guides and the equipment...
cheers...!

bruce

Great! Thanks Solo

VSK Sharma

Hi,
As had been said it is best to reach Leh and tie up the things like guide and cook etc. However, if you still wish try the www.rimoexpeditions.com for obtaining the required info and the rates. I hope you will get all help.
VSK

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