Brief Description
Mt. Kun (7077M), the second highest peak of the Nun Kun massif is located in the upper Suru Valley. Being one of the highest peaks in the Zanskar Range and on the Indian side of the Line of Control, the twin peaks of Nun (7135M) and Kun are separated by a 4km long snow plateau. Mt. Nun and Kun along with Barmal, White Needle and Pinnacle Peak are shaped like a horseshoe over the Suru river along the Kashmir and Zanskar border. The expedition to Mt. Kun is for experienced mountaineers only aspiring for 8000M+ peaks. Prior knowledge of technical and mountaineering techniques such as the use of ice axes, roping up procedures, crampons, and jumar climbing is a must. Due to the technical ascent to the summit along with extreme and unpredictable weather conditions and rough terrain demands aspirants to be physically fit with high mental endurance. This expedition serves as a preparatory expedition for many 8000M+ peaks and helps you transition from trekking peaks to climbing summits. Mt. Kun expedition is perfect for those mountaineers who have already done 6500M+ peaks. Stay on this page for information on Mt. Kun expedition - Itinerary, Routes, FAQs, and eligibility criteria.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrive in Leh. Rest and acclimatisation at Leh
Take an early morning flight to Leh. Although the flight is short, it offers amazing birds eye views of the Himalayan range from Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day shall be spent resting and exploring the local markets.
Rest and acclimatisation at Leh
Spend the day resting and acclimatizing in Leh. Explore the bustling town at your own pace.
Leh to Chang Ma (13,090 ft) via Stok village (11,800 ft)
We will hike to Stok Kangri Base Camp before starting our Nun climb to help us acclimatise thoroughly to the high mountains of Ladakh. This is the day when we would enjoy a great drive and have an enjoyable trekking experience. If you haven’t trekked in Laddakh before this day will come as a surprise. The beautiful landscapes of region will give you an out of the world feeling. The rocky mountain peaks all around look so perfect as if they have been painted on a canvas. The day will be difficult mostly because it is your first day of walking in this region. Over the next few days as your body will get acclimatized you will feel much better while hiking. At the start of the drive from Leh, we would go through many exotic and beautiful scenes. The drive to the Stok village is an adventurous one and is full of natural beauty with sight of lush green trees. The weather is generally fine in the summer season. The Stok village lies to the south of Leh and it is well known for a royal palace. Inside the palace there is a small museum which has beautiful and religious artefacts. We will setup camp as soon as we reach Chang Ma. We will settle in camps after a small acclimatization walk.
Chang Ma to Mankorma (14,200 ft)
Today is a fairly easy trek along a river. We will cross water streams a couple of times. Real beauty of Ladakh will start showing today. Mankorma has a big Parachute café. We will pitch camps & settle in after a short acclimatization walk. Camping in Mankarmo is a lovely experience.
Mankorma to Stok BC (16,300 ft)
After a few hours trek from Mankorma, we reach the base camp. It’s a grassy patch of land with a number of water bodies in the form of lakes & streams. Utilize the day to walk upto the upper area to enjoy the surrounding views. Insight are some beautiful peaks like Gulap Kangri, Parcha Kangri, and many others. You would get sufficient time to get acclimatized to this altitude. This is very important as in the coming days, you would find a drastic increase in the altitude and experience thin air and lack of oxygen. Keep yourself warm with proper clothing as temperature can be very low here.
Stok BC to Leh via Stok Village
Today, we will retrace our steps back to Stok village. From here, we will board a vehicle to Leh. Check into your hotels and finish any last minute shopping. Tomorrow, we will leave for Kargil.
Stay in Leh
Today we will rest in Leh and prepare for the upcoming expedition to Mt. Nun
Leh to Tangol (11,975 ft)
We continue our road journey from Leh to Tangol towards the Suru valley today. We get our first view of the Nun - Kun massif. Stay overnight in camp at Tangol.
Tangol to Kun Base Camp (14,270 ft)
The route starts from the village of Tangol at what I would estimate to be around 12,000feet. The village is only inhabited in the summer, and consists of just a few houses and a police station. The hike to base camp is first through open meadows and then rough glacier moraine.
Rest and acclimatisation at Base Camp
Rest and acclimatisation at Base Camp
Base Camp - Camp 1 (17,060 ft) - Base Camp
Today, we open the route and ferry loads to Camp 1. The route to Camp 1 is across moraine at the base of the Shafat glacier. Return to Base Camp for the night.
Base Camp - Camp 1
The entire team moves to Camp 1 today.
Rest and acclimatisation at Camp 1
Rest and acclimatisation at Camp 1
Camp 1 - Camp 2 (19,685 ft) - Camp 1
Ferry loads to Camp 2 today.The route between Camp 1 and Camp 2 crosses the glacier, then follows slopes of around 45° - 50° on mixed rock and ice. This is the most technical part of the climb, utilising almost 1000 m of fixed rope to reach Camp 2. Return to Camp 1 for the night.
Camp 1 - Camp 2
The entire team moves to Camp 2 today.
Camp 2 - Camp 3 (Summit Camp - 20,670 ft) - Camp 2
Some members of the team open the route to summit camp today. From Camp 2 to Camp 3 we rope up and cross a huge snow plateau, which separates Nun and Kun, to set up camp at the base of the summit ridge. The plateau is around 4 km long, and the team must be roped up to avoid hidden crevasses under the snowfield. Return to Camp 2 for the night.
Camp 2 - Camp 3
The entire team moves to summit camp today.
Summit Attempt
From Camp 3 at 6300m, the route ascends steeply for 200 m on slopes put 50° onto a saddle between Kun and Pinncale peak on the East ridge at 6500 m. From here the ridge is followed on 45° hard snow and ice to a false summit. After negotiating a few cornice features, easy slopes lead to the true summit. Return to Camp 3.
Camp 3 - Camp 1
Today, we retrace our steps back to Camp 1
Camp 1 - Base Camp
Return to Base Camp
Base Camp - Shafat
Today is our last trekking day. Return to Shafat and stay in camps for the night.
Shafat - Leh
We drive back to Leh today. In the evening, we have a celebratory dinner and do any last minute shopping.
Departure from Leh
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Kun Expedition is made only for trekkers with previous mountaineering experience and want to test their limits. The challenges faced in the expedition should not be underestimated. You should attempt this trek only If you have already done a trek that climbs to 5500 - 6000 metres. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in the high altitudes of Ladakh. Besides you need to have a strong physical endurance to complete this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of people who have previously been on an expedition to a non trekking 6000 m peak. At least 4-5 challenging treks along with 30+ total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) and
Hold your breath for 40 seconds and
3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch and
Push Ups – 10 and
Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
About the Trek: Why should I go for this trek?
Kun is one of the most accessible 7000 m peaks in India. Sign up for this expedition if you have previously climbed a 6000 m peak and are looking to push your limits.
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
June - September
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The trek begins from Leh in Ladakh. The best travel option around Leh is by air.
By air: Jet Airways, GoAir, and Air India provide daily flights from New Delhi to Leh. It is recommended that you make your flight bookings well in advance not only to save on the price but also for a confirmed seat. You can also take an alternate flight route to Srinagar. Fly to Srinagar from Delhi and then drive to Leh from Srinagar. The 10 hour road journey from Srinagar to Leh can be covered by hiring a shared taxi which will cost you around INR 3000-4000. The drive route from Srinagar to Leh is scenic. For coming back, you can either take a direct flight from Leh to New Delhi. Or take the same route via Srinagar. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are cheaper than Leh-Delhi.
By road: You can take the route from Manali to Leh. Travel from Delhi to Manali by a HRTC Volvo bus. From Manali get a seat in a shared taxi (INR 2500-3500). If you are on a tight budget, There is also a bus from New Delhi to Leh (via Manali) with one side fare of INR 1365. The bus journey begins at 2:30 pm from Delhi ISBT reaching Keylong next day at 1:30 pm. After an overnight halt at Keylong, it reaches Leh the next day. The another route to Leh can be taken through Srinagar. There are shared taxis from Srinagar to Leh available at cost of INR 3000-4000. If you are an ardent biker, you wouldn’t mind taking a bike trip from Delhi to Leh and back.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region. On & Off network coverage is available throughout this trek (BSNL mostly).
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
In accordance with the rules and regulation set forth by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) for mountaineering expeditions, out of 12 seats per batch:
- 6 seats are reserved for aspirants with a certificate in Advanced Mountaineering Course (AMC)
- 4 seats are reserved for aspirants with a certificate in Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC)
- The remaining 2 seats are reserved for aspirants with previous trekking experience of expeditions above 6000 meters
Foreign Nationals - Due to a specific set of guidelines for Foreign Nationals it is recommended to call our support team to gain information on the list of documents and procedure involved in booking a mountaineering expedition with us.
Kun Expedition is made only for trekkers with previous mountaineering experience and wants to test their limits. The challenges faced in the expedition should not be underestimated. You should attempt this expedition only If you have already done climbs over 6000 m and have completed a Mountaineering Course. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in the high altitudes of Ladakh. The climb required expeditionary tactics which is a strenuous endeavor. Besides you need to have a strong physical endurance to complete this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of people who have previously been on an expedition to a technical 6000 m peak. At least 4-5 challenging treks along with 30+ total trekking days in the Himalayas. Experience with high altitude mountaineering is essential for Nun. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
About the Trek: Why should I go for this trek?
Kun Peak - Ladakh
Kun is one of the most accessible 7000 m peaks in India. Kun is the second highest peak of the twin Nun Kun massif on the Indian side of the Line of Control. Conquering this peak is a supreme accomplishment. Sign up for this expedition if you have previously climbed a 6000 m peak and are looking to push your limits to train for any 8000 m mountains.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
The best climbing season is from June - September when most of the rest of the Himalayas remain under monsoon. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold in winters make this expedition impossible.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The trek begins from Leh in Ladakh. The best travel option around Leh is by air.
By air: Jet Airways, GoAir, and Air India provide daily flights from New Delhi to Leh. It is recommended that you make your flight bookings well in advance not only to save on the price but also for a confirmed seat. You can also take an alternate flight route to Srinagar. Fly to Srinagar from Delhi and then drive to Leh from Srinagar. The 10 hour road journey from Srinagar to Leh can be covered by hiring a shared taxi which will cost you around INR 3000-4000. The drive route from Srinagar to Leh is scenic. For coming back, you can either take a direct flight from Leh to New Delhi. Or take the same route via Srinagar. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are cheaper than Leh-Delhi.
By road: You can take the route from Manali to Leh. Travel from Delhi to Manali by a HRTC Volvo bus. From Manali get a seat in a shared taxi (INR 2500-3500). If you are on a tight budget, There is also a bus from New Delhi to Leh (via Manali) with one side fare of INR 1365. The bus journey begins at 2:30 pm from Delhi ISBT reaching Keylong next day at 1:30 pm. After an overnight halt at Keylong, it reaches Leh the next day. The another route to Leh can be taken through Srinagar. There are shared taxis from Srinagar to Leh available at cost of INR 3000-4000. If you are an ardent biker, you wouldn’t mind taking a bike trip from Delhi to Leh and back.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region. On & Off network coverage is available throughout this trek (BSNL mostly).
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
Accommodation type:
Guesthouse / hotel accommodations will be provided on Delhi, Kargil and Leh on Days 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 23, and 24 as per our itinerary. During the expedition, accommodation will be in 4 season tents on twin sharing basis.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accommodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees Celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
Since this is a technical climb at extremely high altitudes on snow and ice, all required technical equipment such as Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots, Jumar, Descender, Harness will be provided. You can refer to the inclusions section for more details.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread, and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on the journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent the following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 km (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 40 seconds
- 3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch
- Push Ups – 15 X 4
- Lunges & Squats – 30 X 4 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
You can expect temperatures to drop to as low as -15°C to -25°C at higher camps on the climb. The more altitude we gain the colder it gets. However, the weather is always unpredictable so be prepared with all the essential layers required to keep yourself warm and dry.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
Since this is a technical climb at 7000 m, you can expect snow and ice on the expedition.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior to the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However, offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participants will be led by an IMF certified mountaineering guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain a 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, the trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Yes, there are stores/shops in Leh from where you can buy necessary stuff. Though it is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for a solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing a tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for a solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing a tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
You will be picked from and dropped to your hotel in Delhi.
Transport: What time will we reach the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to be free by the afternoon on the last day of the expedition. So plan all your journeys post 1800 hours or from the next day.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried), Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) and Photocopy of ID Proof and passport size photos are the mandatory documents required for the trek.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 16 years. However, minors aged 16 and 17 years should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking and mountaineering.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Camping during the trek
- Guesthouse Stay in Leh
- Trek Meals
- Technical Equipment - Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots, Jumar, Descender, Harness
- Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
- Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff
- Transport from Leh to Road head and return
Whats Not Included?
- Meals in Leh
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of Insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
- Any extra flight booking amount should be paid on actuals by the participant (over the amount mentioned in the Inclusions section)
- Only for foreign nationals US$ 1000 for a team of two members and US$ 450 for every additional participants
- Mandatory Liaison Officer Fee for foreign expeditions ( ~USD 500 for group of 10)
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
Best Treks Of Ladakh
Pranav Harish 26 August 2019
Ladakh, the land of high mountains offer a significant list of treks for all adventure enthusiasts. Avid trekkers who wish to opt for the best trekking opportunities in Ladakh must be aware of these treks to experience the best of Ladakh.
