KANG YATZE CLIMB

Ladakh

Destination

Mountaineering, Trekking

Adventure

Kang Yatze 6,400 m 21,000 ft) is a mountain located at the end of the Markha valley in the Himalayas in the Ladakh region of northwest India. The mountain has two main summits, the lower western peak (Kang Yatze II) is easier (Alpine PD) and more frequently climbed. The higher eastern peak is the true summit (Kang Yatze I), less frequently climbed as it is across a technically difficult knife-edge traverse.

Total Duration	14 Nights / 15 Days
Grade	Tough
Maximum Altitude	6,400 m / 21,120 ft
Best Season	June to September
Accommodation	Hotel – 3; Organized Campsite – 11
Food	Leh – Bed and breakfast basis; On trek– All meals included
Travel	In non-AC Innova or similar

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS ADVENTURE TRIP

DAY 1: ARRIVAL LEH (3,500 m / 11,484 ft)

Arrive in Leh. Our representative will meet you and transfer you to your guesthouse in Leh. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. Overnight at guesthouse in Leh.

DAY 2: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY IN LEH. OPTIONAL HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING SHANTI STUPA, LEH PALACE AND JOKTHANG

Morning at leisure or explore the nearby places on foot. Post lunch visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Jokhang and local Bazaar.
Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa/Japanese Peace Pagoda was built by a Japanese religious organization headed by the Head monk Nakamura, with the help of the local people also. It is situated on top of a hill in Cahngspa village, providing a bird’s eye view of Leh town and the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese touch with small, clean rooms on the side for meditators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.
The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa (Victory Peak): This was built by King Tashi Namgyal after the reunification of upper and lower Ladakh and victory over Hor. The red monastery has some frescos, Buddhist scriptures, idols and a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha).
The Leh palace: Also known as ‘Lechen Palkhar’, it was built by Singay Namgyal around in the beginning of 17th Century A.D. The nine-storied palace is now deserted, and the ASI (Archeological Survey Of India) has taken up the renovation work.
Jokhang: The Ladakh Buddhist Association in 1957 built the small Gonpa opposite to SBI and known as Jokhang in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for visitors. The Gonpa contains the statue of Joyo Rinpoche (crowned Buddha).Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

DAY 3: DRIVE LEH TO SPITUK (7 km). TREK TO ZINGCHEN (3,530 m/11,581 ft; 6 hrs)

After an early breakfast drive to Spituk. Cross the river Indus. Trek to Zinchen. Camp little above the village. Overnight at Zinchen.

DAY 4: ZINGCHEN TO YURUTSE (4,180 m/13,713 ft; 10 kms)

Today’s trek to Yurutse is easy, though it does involve 06 river crossings. Trek through a narrow valley. At Rumbak enter a small valley. Camp just below the village. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

DAY 5: YURUTSE TO SHINGO (3,850 m/12,631 ft; 12 kms)

Today’s trek starts with a gradual ascent Ganda la (4,985 m/16,354 ft; 4 hrs). There are spectacular views all around from the pass on a clear day. Descend to Shingo. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

DAY 6: SHINGO TO SKIU/PENTSE (3,400 m/11,220 ft; 10 kms)

A pleasant downhill walk through a narrow valley and dense shrubs. The valley opens out as you approach Skiu. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

DAY 7: SKIU/PENTSE TO MARKHA (3,700 m/12,210 ft; 10 kms)

Trek along the Markha river, cross the river and trek upto Markha village, the largest in the area. An easy trek with almost a flat walks on most part of the trail, with occasional short ascents and descends. Camp overnight in tents near the village.

DAY 8: MARKHA TO NIMALING (4,800 m/15,748 ft; 19 kms, 8 hrs)

Trek down to the Markha river past small settlements, wild shrubs and willow plantations till Hankar village (3,980 m / 13,134 ft). A gradual ascent and later, a steep climb brings you to Nimaling valley. Nimaling is the summer grazing ground for the livestock of the entire Markha valley. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

DAY 9: NIMALING TO BASE CAMP (6,200 m/20,341 ft)

Early in the morning we will trek to the base Mt. Kang Yatse II. At that altitude, it does take some time, but once done, enjoy up-close views of Kang Yatse. A huge massif, overwhelming us with its presence. Overnight in tents at the campsite.

DAY 10: BASE CAMP TO KANG YATSE PEAK AND BACK TO BASE CAMP (6,200 m / 20,460 ft; 10 hrs)

This is the big day! We wake up around midnight and at 2:00 am we will start moving towards the Kang Yatse II peak. Overall, it is a challenging day right from the beginning and we try to beat it. The route climbs towards your right straight up initially over a scree zone and then follows a steep climb on snow to take us to the summit. From the summit, witness all round views of peaks as far as that of East Karakoram, and the surrounding peaks of Kang Yatse. Back to Base Camp.

DAY 11: RESERVE DAY TO SUMMIT

In case if we do not climb on the first day we keep one reserve day to summit.

DAY 12: BASE CAMP TO NIMALING (4,800 m/15,748 ft)

Descend to the pastures of Nimaling. Overnight at camp in tents.

DAY 13: NIMALING TO CHUSKURMO (4,140 mt / 13,662 ft)

From Nimaling, we start climbing the switch backs to the top of Kongmaru La (5,130 m / 16,929 ft). The summit is marked with lots of prayer flags furling with the wind. After crossing the pass, it is a steep descend down the beautiful Markha gorge. The views and the trail passes down following the narrow Markha gorge are astounding! A sharp descend from the pass top gets us to Lartsa. From there, a trek of some 3 – 4 hours will bring you to the campsite of Chuskirmo. Overnight at camp in tents.

DAY 14: CHUSKURMO TO SHANG SUMDO (2-3 hrs). DRIVE BACK TO LEH (3,500 m / 11,484 ft)

Walk along the stream down to Shang Sumdo. Visit Hemis Monastery, which is one of the oldest and richest monasteries in Ladakh. Drive to Leh and enroute visit Thiksey, Shey and Stok Museum Palace. Evening at leisure. Overnight in the guesthouse in Leh.