Kang Yatse I Peak
Ladakh • 14 Days
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Brief Description
Kang Yatse 1 at 6400 M is a technical peak located in the heart of Ladakh's Markha valley. Together with its sister peak Kang Yatse 2 (6250 M), it forms the Kang Yatse summit. While Kang Yatse 2 is a favorite amongst trekkers looking for a non-technical trekking peak, the Kang Yatse 1 is meant only for experienced mountaineers looking for a challenge as it demands technical knowledge. We will trek through the exquisite Markha Valley known for its traditional villages, Ladakhi culture and stunning landscapes before starting our expedition to Kang Yatse 1. With a steep summit climb, moraines, crevasses, technical boulder sections and a steep couloir that demands extreme fitness and endurance, the summit gives you impressive views of the renowned Stok Kangri, Dzo Jongo and Karakoram range of peaks. One must be able to acclimatize to the high altitudes of Ladakh in order to successfully summit the peak of Kang Yatse 1. The best months to undertake the Kang Yatse 1 expedition is July to September. Stay on this page for more information on Kang Yatse 1 expedition.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrival at Leh
Arrive at Leh by 12 PM and check in to your hotel room. The next day will be spent acclimatising in and around Leh.
Rest and acclimatization in Leh
Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Leh while acclimatizing to the new altitude. Leh is the center point of Ladakh and also a major launch-point for expeditions and treks in the region. It is also a culturally rich place. There are dozens of monasteries and ancient temples dotting the landscape that you can pay a visit, colorful markets to explore and delicious local cuisines to taste.
Leh to Skiu (11,154 ft) via Chilling; 7 km, 3 hours
Driving to the trailhead, the path goes through a flat and desolate plain along the river Indus until reaching its confluence with the Zanskar River. At this point, we make a U-turn and enter the Zanskar Valley and drive up along the muddy Zanskar until reaching Chilling. A little ahead of Chilling lies Kaya-Do where we cross the river on a trolley and make our way to the small village of Skiu. The trek to Skiu from Chilling should take 3 hours at a moderate pace.
Skiu to Sara; 11 km, 6 hours
Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various points, passing winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open for refreshment. We reach our halt for the night at Sara.
Sara to Markha (12,139 ft); 10 km, 5 hours
Today we proceed towards Markha (3,700m) which is the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery, and a ruined fort. The trail gradually ascends 300m in around 10 km. We retire for the night.
Markha to Hangkar (13,124 ft); 10 km, 7 hours
The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched upon a cliff that looms above Markha. The path then intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of our objective, Kang Yatse. We retire for the night at the beautiful settings of Hangkar.
Hangkar to Twin Lake of Kang Yatse I Base Camp
Today we reach the base camp of Kang Yatse 1 peak and pitch our campsite here. Have dinner and overnight in tents.
Base Camp to Advanced Base Camp and back to Base Camp
Today will be used for acclimatization. We will also load ferry from Base Camp to ABC and return back to base camp where we spend the night.
Base camp to ABC
Today we will move ahead and capture the ABC. We will also prepare our equipment for tomorrow's summit push. Rest well. Spend the night in tents.
ABC to Summit and back to Base Camp
We will start the summit push by 2am. This section is quite technical with a steep couloir just before the summit. The summit gives you exceptional views of the surrounding ranges and the Saser massif along with Karakoram range. Enjoy the moment and descend to the base camp.
Base Camp to Nimaling
Today we will round up the base camp and leave for Nimaling. Overnight in tents.
Nimaling to Leh
From Nimaling, it is a gradual ascent to Kongmaru La pass at 5,200m with a stunning view waiting at the top. Prayer flags flutter, the rainbow mountains of Ladakh are viewable in a 360 degree fashion and Kang Yatse stands tall before you. We descend steeply at first before it eases into an enchanting walk through strange rock formations of Shang Gorge, carved by the river. A little ahead from there, you will find the roadhead at Chuskirmo form which point you will drive to Leh. Return to Leh by evening.
Reserve Day
Reserve a day for summit climb if the weather does not allow you to summit the day before.
Departure from Leh
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
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.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
The hotel at Leh is the pickup point. The dropping point remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Leh late in the evening where hotel arrangements would be made by us. Make sure your flight/bus bookings from this point to your respective destinations are in the morning the next day post 10:00 Hrs.
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 : 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.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During the day, the temperature will range from 10 to 15 degrees celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -5 degrees celsius. Higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets. Expect the temperatures to drop down as low as -10 to -20 deg celsius at high camps during expedition.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
Since this is a technical climb at 6400 M, you can expect snow and ice on the expedition.
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.
Accommodation type: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Leh, your stay will be made at a local guest house/hotel. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email a few days prior to the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with 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.
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.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The Kang Yatse 1 expedition 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 & Airtel mostly).
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
July to September is the best time to do the Kang Yatse 1 expedition.
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
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: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of highly experienced & skilled trekkers. At least 2-3 challenging treks along with 20 – 25 total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
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 5500 - 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.
Kang Yatse 1 Peak is made only for experienced trekkers who want to test their limits. The challenges faced in the trek should not be underestimated. You should attempt this trek only If you have already done treks that climb to 4700-5500 metres. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in high altitudes. 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
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Kang Yatse 1 Peak Expedition
Kang Yatse 1 (6400 M) is a technical peak of the Kang Yatse massif located in the Markha valley of Ladakh. This is meant for experienced trekkers and mountaineers with prior technical knowledge. The summit is infamous for crevasses and a steep couloir that will push your limits and thus requires you to have great fitness level.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
- Guest House Stays in Leh (Day 1,2 and 12)
- Trek Meals (Starting Lunch on Day 3)
- Transport from Leh to Road head and return
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges (upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- 4 season Dome Tents, Thermal rated Sleeping bags, Sleeping mats
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Expedition guide, cook, helpers, HAP and LAP for carrying common supplies
- Course certified & experienced Expedition Leader with Wilderness Emergency Responder & Rescue. course from NIM Uttarkashi
- Technical Equipment - PP Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots, Snow Stake, Dead Man/Boy
- Peak Booking Fee Charges (upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
Whats Not Included?
- Meals in Leh
- Meals during road journeys
- Portage of personal bags during the expedition
- Cost of any kind of Travel Insurance.
- IMF Peak Booking Fee for foreign national US$ 250 for a team of two members and US$ 110 for every additional participants
- Forest Permit / Camping Fee for foreign nationals (USD 880-1000 upto group of 10)
- Mandatory Liaison Officer Fee for foreign expeditions ( ~USD 500 for group of 10)
- Any kind of personal expenses
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.
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