Fly from Delhi to Leh (3,500m / 11,483ft), the capital of Ladakh
- The local team will meet you at the airport.
- Transfer to a pre-booked accommodation in Leh.
- Spend the rest of your day at the hotel and acclimatise to the high altitude.
- Overnight in Leh.
Drive to Shey palace, a Short walk to Thiksey monastery
- Visit the Shey Palace, a former royal palace of the Ladakh kings and witness the 350-year-old copper and gold statue of Buddha.
- Walk on fields (approx 2 hours) on a good level trail to Thiksey monastery perched on top of a hill.
- Explore the temples( one of the temples there is a 15-metre high statue of the Future Buddha), courtyards of the monastery and meet the red-robed monks who live in the monastery.
- Overnight in Leh
Drive to Skyu (3150m). Trek to Sara (3350m) & Overnight stay in Skui Campsite
- Start in the morning for Skyu village which falls after the Kaya Village.
- Cross the Zanskar river.
- Continue trekking from Skyu to reach the Sara Campsite. (Duration: 3 Hours).
- The Village of Kaya Do and Skui are two hamlets which are adjacent to each other on the right of the Markha river.
Follow the river to Markha (3750 m) & Overnight stay in Markha village
- Trek along the valley to reach the Markha village. The trail to Markha is easy and you will have plenty of opportunities to admire the magnificent scenery.
- During the trek to Markha village, follow the river and at times will have to cross it too. There are few bridges to cross the river, however, at times you will have to wet your feet in the cold waters of the Himalayas to cross the river
- Lunch will be served at Sara under the shade of a tea tent. After lunch, we will rest for a few minutes and continue trekking, and cross the settlement of Chalak
- Continue walking along an impressive line of Chortens and mounds of goat horns which are placed on the chortens to ward off any evil spirits trying to enter the valley
- The Markha village is a small close-knit community, you will have plenty of time to explore the small monastery of the village in the afternoon or just enjoy the beauty of the landscape all around you
Trek to Thachungste; visit Tache Gompa, Overnight in Thachungste
- The trail beyond the Markha village meets the Chacham valley
- Cross one or two rivers crossing during your trek to Thachungste. One way to Thachungste, visit the Tache Gompa which is perched on a cliff face. A steep 10 minutes climb will lead you to the monastery and stunning views from the monastery will make the effort worthwhile
- Continuing your trek up the valley, you will cross Umlung village to Hankar
- From Hankar the trail turns away from the main valley and climbs up a small side valley past the ruins of Hankar Fort before descending to Upper Hankar
- Follow the Nimaling stream into Thachungste, the place where you would be camping for the night
- If you are lucky you might see the Blue sheep high up in the grazing area above the campsite
Trek to Kang Yatse 1 Base Camp (5100 m)
- The Kang Yatse1 base camp is at a short distance from Nimaling and you will be covering the distance within 3 - 4 hours. As we are considerably at high altitude now, you will be spending the rest of the days getting acclimated and getting our gears ready for the summit climb up ahead.
- Trekking time: 2-3 hrs
- Overnight Camp.
Rest and Acclimatization:
- Today is a buffer day, we keep a day before the summit climb as a buffer day in order to accommodate any change in the weather conditions. We will conduct practice sessions on summit climbing in which you will be asked to wear crampons, gaiters, harnesses, and snow boots along with the safety ropes. You can spend the day resting to get yourself ready for the summit climb during the night.
Basecamp - Camp 1 (5500 m)- Base camp (Height gain/ Load ferry):
- Early morning hike towards Camp 1 and focus on increasing altitude and height gain.
- Transport and securely store essential equipment and high-altitude rations at Camp 1.
- Return to Basecamp after completing the task.
- Professional approach prioritizing safety, efficiency, and proper handling of equipment.
- Experienced guides and support staff ensure strategic placement and accessibility of supplies at Camp 1.
- Meticulous planning and organization for a streamlined and efficient ascent.
- Adherence to protocols and safety measures.
Base Camp to Camp 1 (5500 m):
- Early morning start, hiking towards Camp 1 with guide and climbing team.
- Approximate duration of 5 hours to reach Camp 1 at Kang-Yatse 1.
- Overnight stay at Camp 1.
- Professional guidance and support throughout the hike.
- Focus on efficient and safe progress towards the destination.
Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5800 m):
- Early morning start, hiking towards Camp 2 with guide and climbing team.
- Approximate duration of 4 hours to reach Camp 2 at Kang-Yatse 1.
- Overnight stay at Camp 2.
Camp 2 - Summit - Camp 1/Base camp:
- The Summit push will start by midnight the previous night. You will start climbing from the base camp on a well-marked trail until you reach the top of the ridge. During the climb, you will find the terrain changing to loose scree and moraine. From the ridge, you will climb up to the ablation Zone of the glacier on the north face of Kang Yatse 1. After a short climb of 100 M to the morian ridge, we will rope up and enter the glacier.
- We will transverse the north face toward the northwest ridge while steadily climbing upwards. Once you climb the northwest ridger we will climb straight above a rocky outcropping and then follow the ridge to the summit.
- Depending on the condition of the weather and the distance we have covered during the night of the previous day, we will reach the summit of the Kang Yatse early in the morning. It will take us about 10 - 12 hours to make a complete round trip to the summit.
- After a tedious climb to the summit and back, you will spend the rest of the day resting in the base camp.
- Trekking time: 10-12 hrs
- Overnight Camp.
Buffer Day
- A Buffer Day to counter any unpredictable weather or any such emergencies.
Cross the Kongmaru La (5286 m), Drive to Leh & spend overnight
- Cross the Kongmaru La which is the second-highest peak (5,286 m). The ascend will be long and steep with trail zigzagging to the top of the pass
- The views from the top will make the ascent worthwhile as you can see the Kang Yatse, Dzo Jongo East and West and Regoni Malari
- The path from the top of the pass is steep, after which you will enter a spectacular gorge to descend gradually to the valley at the bottom
- Pass through Chuskurmo, and cross several streams and rivers to enter the village of Chokodo
- The local team will pick you up from the Chokodo, and drive to Leh
- Overnight in Leh
Departure.
- Our Local team will drop you to the airport for your onward flight
Is this mountaineering expedition for me?
Determining whether the Kang Yatse 1 expedition is suitable for you depends on various factors, including your physical fitness, previous mountaineering experience, and personal goals. Here are some points to consider when assessing if the expedition is right for you:
Physical Fitness: The Kang Yatse 1 expedition requires a good level of physical fitness and endurance. It involves long hours of trekking, steep ascents, and challenging terrains. Prior experience with high-altitude trekking or mountaineering is beneficial. Assess your fitness level and consult with a healthcare professional if needed to ensure you are physically prepared for the demands of the expedition.
Altitude Experience: Climbing Kang Yatse 1 takes you to high altitudes, reaching 6400 meters (21,000 feet). It is crucial to have prior experience at high altitudes and understand the effects of altitude on your body. If you have not previously been to such heights, it may be advisable to gain experience at lower altitudes and gradually work your way up to higher altitudes.
Mountaineering Skills: Kang Yatse 1 involves technical climbing sections that require basic mountaineering skills. Familiarity with using ropes, crampons, and ice axes, as well as knowledge of self-arrest and crevasse rescue techniques, is valuable. If you lack these skills, consider undertaking training courses or guided climbs to acquire the necessary skills before attempting Kang Yatse 1.
Mental Preparedness: Mountaineering expeditions require mental strength and resilience. You should be prepared for physically challenging conditions, changing weather, potential discomfort, and the risks associated with high-altitude climbing. Evaluate your mental readiness and ensure you have the determination and mindset to tackle the challenges that may arise during the expedition.
Guidelines Do’s & Don'ts
- Give your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude/acclimation.
- Avoid sleeping during the day & get enough sleep at night.
- Avoid frequent smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Respect and greet the locals with Jullay (pronounced joo-lay which means Hello).
- Wear respectable outfits during your visit to sacred sites/ Monasteries.
- Kindly read the Monastery guidelines before entering a monastery.
- Ladakhi people will always be ready to help you. So, it's advisable to travel with a smile and greet Jullay.
Save the Himalayas: Follow the leave no trace policy
Majestic Ladakh proudly supports the ‘Leave no trace policy’ for our majestic Himalayas. We request you to follow the below guidelines and help us in preserving the splendid natural beauty of our country:
- Carry personal water bottles throughout the tour as locals will be always happy to provide water to refill & basically free of cost at restaurants and hotels.
- Advisable to carry a water bottle with a filter as you can refill it while travelling to any part of Ladakh.
- DZOMSA stalls are also available for refilling water bottles at just ₹7 per litre.
- Use reusable shopping bags in Leh market as plastics are totally banned in Ladakh as they are harmful to our environment.
- Do not litter. Bring back your own trash.
- Let nature’s sounds prevail; avoid loud voices and noises.
Safety during the Expedition:
- The Equipment used during the expedition is UIAA certified.
- Our Expedition Leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified and are trained in rescue procedures from leading mountaineering institutes and certified first-aid responders.
- Local guides who will accompany the group are certified first-aid responders and the support staff are trained in 1st Aid.
- The expedition team carries Oxygen cylinders which can be used if any medical emergency arises.
What personal equipment should I carry for climbing?
List of climbing personal equipments:
- personal Sleeping bags
- therm-a-rest / high camp mattress
- gloves
- down-jacket
- climbing shoes
- crampons
- harness
- Helmet
- 1 Jumar (ascender)
- two-locking carabiner
- 2- plain carabiner
- cordelettes 6-7 mm cord (5 m) for self anchor and ascender
Recommended stay & food options available
- During the Mount Nun expedition, you will be staying in Moving camps.
- On a full service moving camps the support staff erects and dismantles the tents at different places selected for an overnight stay. Apart from the basic facilities such as hot water to drink, the staff also carries oxygen cylinders in case of a medical emergency at high altitudes. As the camp does not carry drinking water you will be camping close to the river/ stream where fresh running water is available for cooking.
- There will be toilet, shower and dining tent
- Stay in Leh and other cities:- Twin sharing rooms are provided.
- Single rooms can be requested for a supplement and is subject to availability
In a moving camp the breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared by the cook travelling with the group. Meals options are mentioned below:
● Breakfast - porridge, cereals, eggs and toast with plenty of tea, coffee or hot chocolate
● Lunch - a picnic lunch with soup, various kinds of local breads, cheese, eggs, tinned
fish, meat and fruit as per the availability.
● Afternoon snack - tea and biscuits on arrival at camp
● Dinner - usually soup, pasta, rice or potato-based main course with fresh vegetables, followed by dessert, tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Weather in Ladakh
Generally the weather is good in Ladakh during the Summer, with warm to very hot sunny days (temperatures can reach up to 30ºC/35ºC), and cool to cold nights depending on the altitude.
- There is, however, always the possibility of rain, and snow at higher altitudes, and you should be prepared for this. Ladakh, though technically part of the Tibetan Plateau and classified as a high altitude desert, can and does occasionally experience the effects of the Indian monsoon.
What is AMS?
Acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
How to avoid AMS?
- Give your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude/acclimation
- Get enough sleep and eat healthy food
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol
If you suffer from any respiratory or health-related issues, please let the tour guide know before the start of the tour.
How is mobile connectivity in Ladakh?
Only Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh registered pre-paid sims are serviceable in Ladakh. The following services providers/services are active in Ladakh:
- Airtel: Postpaid service
- Jio: Postpaid & pre on post-service
- BSNL: Postpaid service
You can buy and activate a new sim in Leh.
What things should I carry for the trip?
Following are the list of essentials that you should carry:
- Medicines such as Diamox, Aspirin/ Disprin, Candy bars
- Warm clothes and Thermals
- Sunglasses, sunhat & sunscreen
- Torch and power banks
- Water-bottles
- Backpack for Extra Luggage
- Warmer layers for the late August/September trips
- Soft kitbag for camping - please note that this trip is camping. A large, hard, wheeled suitcase is not recommended for camping. We suggest you bring a Sift kit bag.
How are the restaurants in Leh?
You can find plenty of restaurants in Leh serving Ladakhi, Indian, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Korean, Italian and continental food. There are always plenty of choices for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Please keep about £70-100 (US $110-160) for food.
Do try the Ladakhi cuisine like vegetable momos or thukpa during your time in Leh!
"Why should a mountaineering enthusiast choose Majestic Ladakh for their next expedition, and how does Majestic Ladakh set itself apart from other adventure travel companies in the region?"
Expertise: With over a decade of guiding experience in the Ladakh mountains, Majestic Ladakh possesses the necessary expertise to lead successful mountaineering expeditions.
Safety: Your safety is our top priority. We maintain high safety standards, adhere to established mountaineering protocols, and provide trained guides who are equipped to handle emergencies in remote mountain environments.
Local Knowledge: Being based in Ladakh, we have an in-depth understanding of the local terrain, weather patterns, and cultural nuances, allowing for a more immersive and enriching experience.
Customized Itineraries: We offer tailored itineraries to suit different skill levels and preferences, ensuring that each participant's goals and abilities are taken into account.
Sustainability: Majestic Ladakh is committed to sustainable tourism practices, minimizing our carbon footprint and supporting the local community, thus contributing to the preservation of the region's natural beauty.
Quality Equipment: We provide high-quality mountaineering equipment to ensure your safety and comfort during the expedition.
Personalized Service: Our dedicated team takes the time to understand your preferences, goals, and expectations, delivering personalized service and attention to detail throughout the entire journey.
Cultural Immersion: We incorporate cultural elements and interactions with local communities, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the region while exploring the mountains.
Professional Support: Our experienced support staff assists with logistics, ensuring smooth operations and providing you with the necessary assistance throughout the expedition.
Reputation: Majestic Ladakh has built a strong reputation for professionalism, reliability, and delivering exceptional mountaineering experiences, as attested by the positive feedback from our past clients.
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