KANG-YASTE I

Time:
Distance:
Elevation Leh : 3500m
Upon arrival in Leh, check in at your hotel and take the day to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. In the evening, head out to visit Shanti Stupa, Tsemo Monastery and Leh Market. Overnight stay at Deluxe Hotel.

Time: 3hrs Drive
Distance: 40km
Elevation Leh : 3500m
Today, visit the monasteries that offer a profound window into Ladakh’s Buddhist heritage. Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest in the region, is famed for its annual Hemis Festival and its majestic setting amid rugged hills. Thiksey Monastery, often compared to Tibet’s Potala Palace, rises dramatically on a hilltop and houses a magnificent 15-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha, offering panoramic views of the Indus Valley. Overnight stay at Deluxe Hotel.

Time: 4-5 hrs trek
Distance: 8 km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +800m/-800m
Today, we begin a 4–5 hour acclimatisation hike in the upper valley of Leh town. After a short drive to Gang Leh village, we start our gradual walk into the valley, carrying only daypacks with water and energy bars. The aim is to ascend gently to around 4,300 meters, allowing our bodies to adjust to the higher altitude in preparation for the upcoming trek. After reaching the target point, we return to our stay in Leh. In the evening, we take a relaxed stroll through the vibrant local markets, soaking in the town’s culture and mountain charm. Overnight stay at Deluxe Hotel.

Time: 3-4 hrs trek
Distance: 14km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +300m
In the morning, we drive across a wide, barren plain along the Indus River until we reach its confluence with the Zanskar. From here, the road curves sharply, leading us into the Zanskar Valley. We continue driving alongside the muddy Zanskar River until we arrive at Chilling. Along the way, we’ll stop to view ancient rock art dating back to the Iron Age and Bronze Age. After visiting these sites, we continue our journey to Hamurja. From Hamurja, we begin our trek toward Markha, taking short breaks for tea and lunch. The trail to Markha is moderately easy and involves crossing the Markha River several times; however, a footbridge now makes these crossings simpler. Markha is a sizeable village with an old fort perched on the hillside and a small monastery. We will spend the night in a campsite near the village3744m.

Time: 6-7 hrs trek
Distance: 15.5km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +486m
Markha, the largest village in the valley with more than 20 families, depends heavily on tourism. Many of the men work as horsemen, the women manage homestays for visitors, and the younger generation often serves as trekking guides. Today, we begin our journey from Markha to the Thochungste campsite, enjoying breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains over the next two days. The trail to Hankar is mostly gradual, passing through the small village of Umlung. After Hankar, the path becomes slightly steeper in a few sections before finally reaching our campsite at 4,230 meters. Overnight stay at camp.

Time: 5-6 hrs trek
Distance: 6.5km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +800m/ -m
The trek from Thachungtse to Base Camp (5040m) offers a beautiful ascent, passing several mani walls—stones engraved with prayer inscriptions—that add a spiritual touch to the journey. As you continue, you’ll come across a serene small lake, offering a breathtaking view of Kang Yatse. The mountain’s imposing bulk is perfectly reflected in the still waters, while the expansive Markha Valley lies below, offering a stunning panorama. After admiring the lake, the trail leads you upstream, steadily guiding you toward the Base Camp of both Kang Yatse I and II.

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Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 6 km!
Elevation: gain/ loss: +460m/ -m
The ascent from Base Camp to Camp 1 lasted roughly 5–6 hours, with climbers tackling a mix of terrain and constantly changing conditions. These factors heightened the overall physical and mental strain of the expedition. The team spent the night at an elevation of 5,500 meters.

Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 4 km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +500m/ -1360m
The trek from Camp 1 to Summit Camp entailed approximately 4-5 hours of climbing on snow/ ice / rock covering a distance of 4 km with an elevation gain/loss of +500m. As the participants progressed towards the Summit Camp, they were met with increasingly demanding terrain and altitude, testing their endurance and resolve.

Time: 9-10 hrs
Distance: 18km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +440m / - 1160
Climbing from Summit Camp to the summit and then descending back to Base Camp was the most demanding stage of the entire expedition. This stretch, covering roughly 18 km and taking about 9–10 hours, pushed participants to their limits. It required immense physical endurance and mental resilience as they made the final ascent to the peak and then carefully navigated their way down to Base Camp

Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 18km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +1160m/ - 1160m
After breakfast, we pack our bags and begin our journey back to Leh, crossing the Kongmaru La Pass (5,200m). The descent is steep, with several stream crossings, as we make our way down into the valley toward Chokdo village. From there, a car will pick us up for the drive back to Leh, marking the end of our Expedition to Kang Yaste II.

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