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Overview

Kang Yatse 2 Climb – Overview

Kang Yatse sits like a throne for the Gods in the middle of one of the most popular trekking routes of Ladakh – The Markha Valley! Rising above the grazing grounds of Nimaling and covering the sky, it is the most prominent snow peak on the Markha trail. Magnificent in appearance it rises a good 1700m above the camping site of Nimaling and beckons any trekker passing by to think of climbing it some day. It has 2 summits. The higher one Kang Yatse 1 at 6400m+ is a technically difficult climb and requires considerable mountaineering skills. The lower peak termed Kang Yatse 2 at 6250m is a comparatively easier ascent, with many teams launching summit attempt from the base camp itself.

Due to its altitude, climbers attempting this peak need to be well acclimatized. Hence our appoach starts from a little ahead of Chilling where we cross the Zanskar river to enter Markha Valley and trek over many days ascending gradually to reach Nimaling and then onto Kang Yatse 2 base camp at 5000m. The trip is spread across 14 days with a few buffer days built in to counter bad weather days and other exigencies. It is important to stay well hydrated, well fed and well rested on this entire route to help speeden acclimatization. For a hiker acclimatizing well the only tedious day on this whole route would be the summit night which is about a 10-12 hr round trip depending on the conditions. Post the scree section, the climb is over a steep slope where it is important to be roped up. Deep snow conditions could hamper walking speeds considerably.

On a clear day, the views as you climb and from the summit is simply breathtaking. From the summit, you will be able to see the Eastern Karakoram range and might be able to spot K2 as well. The entire Markha Valley and Stok Range are also seen.

Compared to the popular Stok Kangri Climb, Kang Yatse 2 Climb is quieter and more scenic ascent. And probably more rewarding!

 

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Climbing a 6250m peak in the Ladakh Range
  • Rich Panoramic views through trek and climb
  • Tacha gompa situated on a cliff in Markha Valley
  • Trekking the most popular valley in Ladakh
  • Grazing grounds of Nimaling at 4700m

 

ITINERARY – 14 days

Day 01: Arrive Leh(3500m). Rest and Acclimatization
Day 02: Sightseeing – Monasteries and Palaces
Day 03: Drive to Chilling bridge(3150m). Trek to Skui(3350m)
Day 04: Trek to Markha(3800m)
Day 05: Trek to Thachungtse(4200m)
Day 06: Trek to Nimaling(4700m)
Day 07: Trek to KY2 Base Camp(5000m)
Day 08: Rest and Acclimatization
Day 09: Night Summit Attempt
Day 10: Descend to Base Camp. Rest
Day 11: Trek to Chu Skyurmo
Day 12: Trek to roadhead. Drive to Leh
Day 13: Buffer Day
Day 14: Depart

Cost Inclusions

Kang Yatse 2 Climb – Cost Inclusions

 

COST PER GUEST:

INR 94500 – Domestic Guest

USD 1400  – Foreign Guest

Additional 5% GST to above costs

COST INCLUDES
  • Accommodation: Entire accommodation during the trip
    • 4 nights hotel in Leh
    • 9 nights camping on trail
  • All transport as mentioned in the itinerary with experienced drive
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. Only breakfasts in Leh. All meals on trek
  • Experienced Trek Leader, lead climber and support crew for the entire trek and climb
  • Camping Gear, Kitchen Equipment, Ration and Fuel for the trek
  • Horses or Mules for transporting client baggage and camping gear
  • Porterage for max 20 Kgs per guest
  • All Climbing Permits and Monastery Entrances

 

COST EXCLUDES
  • Airfares
  • Personal equipment and sleeping bags
  • Any additional transport or activities apart from the trip itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Expenses rising through unforeseen conditions like bad weather, natural calamities, flight cancellations, etc
  • Rescue and evacuation services
  • Expenses of any personal nature like phone calls, drinks, cigarettes, souvenirs, laundry, etc
  • Tips
  • Anything not explicitly mentioned in Cost includes
  • 5% GST

 

Itinerary

Kang Yatse 2 Climb – Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Leh(3500m). Rest and Acclimatization
Fly into one of the world’s highest airports in the World – Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport. Our representative will receive you at the airport and will escort you to our hotel in Leh. Since Leh is very high, it is paramount to let your body get used to the high altitude and the rarefied oxygen levels. It takes about 2 days to acclimatize to this altitude and only then would we be properly ready for our action.The trip leader will meet you at the hotel and give a comprehensive briefing at noon. A short market walk in the evening.
Meals: B, Overnight Leh Guest House.

Day 02: Sightseeing – Monasteries and Palaces
After breakfast, we go for our half day sightseeing tour of monasteries and palaces. We visit Shey, the erstwhile capital of Ladakh which has a palace. Shey also is a famous picnic spot for the locals because of the grassy fields with water bodies in front of the palace. We then move to Thiksey monastery which resembles the Potala Palace of Tibet. The main attraction inside, is the 2 -storeyed statue of Maitreya Buddha which was the poster picture for incredible India campaigns. The view from atop Thiksey monastery is simply stunning. We return to Leh for lunch. Post-lunch we can walk around the charming markets of Leh.
Driving Time: 3-4 hrs
Meals: B, Overnight Leh Guest House.

Day 03: Drive to Chilling bridge(3150m). Trek to Skui(3350m)
Starting by about 8am, we drive for about 2 hrs to Kaya Do beyond Chilling village, the start point of the trek. We cross the Zanskar river via a newly constructed bridge. The walk to Skui campsite takes about 3 hours past Kaya village. Kaya and Skui are twin hamlets adjacent to each other on the true right of the Markha river.
Trekking time: 3 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 04: Trek to Markha(3800m)
The walk to Markha is a pretty long day. We are well rested and acclimatized for 3 nights before taking on the walk to Markha. The valley opens up with arid scenery and sediment rich Markha river. The little green on the trail which is mostly along the river is provided by willow trees and wild rose plants called Sia. Almost midpoint of the trail is Sara village, beyond which we pass a few shepherd settlements. We walk through multiple high platforms on the trail, which are great view points to sit and admire the Valley.There are multiple short river crossings as we reach Markha and small wooden bridges pass over a few of them. Markha village is spread across 2 parts with the Markha Khar and monastery in between. Most of the beautiful campsites and homestays are as we approach Markha village. It also has a school and a health centre.
Trekking time: 8 – 9 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 05: Trek to Thachungtse(4200m)
We cross over the little hump over Markha to get onto the other side and walk a little further and get to a river crossing. A little past that, the famed Markha spires come into view. The valley just next to the spire leads to another trek. Tacha Gompa, an old monastery in built on a sheer cliff is the next attraction. We stop by to visit this ancient monastery and continue our trail to Umlung village. We get our first views of snowbound Mt. Kang Yatse(6200m) just after Umlung. A little beyond that is Hankar, with massive farming fields. Hankar is the last village, after which there are only campsites. We walk further to our campsite at Thachungtse situated at 4200m.
Trekking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 06: Trek to Nimaling(4700m)
A short walk takes us to the grazing grounds of Markha Valley – Nimaling. Along the way there is a small lake, with Kang Yatse towering on the right. The valley is the widest at this place. All the cattle, sheep, goat, horses, mules and donkeys of Markha Valley, are bundled off to this location for the entire summer. It is almost a mini zoo of domesticated animals. A great place to go find some fresh milk and cheese among the shepherd settlements. In the evening it is a sight to watch when all the returning flocks of sheep and goat invade our campsites with non-stop bleating, with the little ones even peeping inside our tents. Magnificent views of Kang Yatse from Camp.
Trekking time: 3 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 07: Trek to KY2 Base Camp(5000m)
From Nimaling we trek a short distance to the base camp of Kang Yatse. It is a leisurely walk and a gradual climb. We are considetrably high now.We spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the altitude and exploring the campsite. Get ready with all the gear required for the summit push.
Trekking time: 2-3 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 08: Rest and Acclimatization
A whole day of rest and acclimatization again.
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 09: Night Summit Attempt
We rest the whole day and launch our summit attempt in the night. A long and relatively tough day in the cold.
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 10: Climb Kang Yatse 2 and Descend to Base Camp. Rest
Depending on the weather conditions and effort of the night, we should have reached the summit early morning and descend safely back to base camp by noon.Complete rest and recuperation after the marathon summit push.
Trekking time: 10-12 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 11: Trek to Chu Skyurmo
Another long day as we ascend to the high pass Kongmaru La(5267m) and descend forever through a narrow gorge to our little campsite at Chu Skyurmo. Amazing all round views from Kongmaru La … esp of Kang Yatse and Dzo Jongo peaks. Great chances of spotting blue sheep during the descent.
Trekking time: 6 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 12: Trek to roadhead. Drive to Leh
We trek the last mile to the roadhead beyond Chokdo village to reach our waiting cars. We load the equipment and drive to Leh(1.5 hrs). A most inviting hot shower awaits us at Leh to wash of the dust and tiredness from the Climb. Evening free for souvenir shopping and checking out some world cuisine in some of the vibrant restaurants in Leh.
Trekking time: 2-3 hrs
Meals: BL, Overnight Leh Hotel.

Day 13: Buffer Day
A Buffer Day to counter any unpredictable weather or any such exigencies.

Meals: BL, Overnight Leh Hotel.

Day 14: Depart
Transfer to the Leh airport early in the morning after breakfast for departure. Trip Ends.
Meals: B

 

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