Markha Valley & Kang Yatse 2 (6250m)

FROM £ 1990

Tour Dates

From £ 1990

Sun 05 Jul, 26 – Sat 18 Jul, 26
Sun 26 Jul, 26 – Sat 01 Aug, 26
Sun 23 Aug, 26 – Sat 05 Sep, 26

Markha Valley offers a delightful route through constantly changing scenery offering an interesting trek as well as ideal preparation and acclimatisation for the ascent of Kang Yatse – 2 (6250m). Led by a qualified mountain guides, this Ladakh trekking experience is supplemented by the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakhh, atmospheric landscapes that characterise this unforgettable journey.

A classic and colourful trek from the High Places portfolio. We have combined this trek in the Markha Valley with an unusual finish, crossing a high and rarely used pass at 5349m.

In the warm-up to the trek, we commence from a gardened hotel in a relaxed manner. The walking starts gently from the village of Markha, passing through the small settlements and monasteries of the Markha valley. These are surrounded by scenic barley fields. The valley narrows to a rocky canyon, leading us to the high pastures of Nimaling. Sheep, goats and yaks graze here at over 4800m during the short summer.

From our elevated camp, we follow easy-angled snow slopes and a fine ridge, to reach the summit of Kang Yatse – 2 (6250m), where we are routinely rewarded with views extending as far as K2 and the Karakoram, the Pamirs and Tibet – a justifiably memorable day.

It is the client’s responsibility to obtain their visas before the intended date of departure.
View the detailed itinerary for more info on acquiring an Indian visa.

what clients say…

“Just a big thank you to everyone who made this trip such a success. The trek was fantastic.”

Ann Griffiths and Bob Lauder, Markha Valley & Dzo Jongo

Arrival in Delhi
Welcome to Delhi! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some time exploring nearby attractions, such as the vibrant Karol Bagh Market or the stunning Sikh temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Accommodation: Hotel
Fly to Leh (3,500m)
Your day starts with a spectacular early morning flight to Leh. The rest of the day is focused on acclimatizing to the altitude. In the afternoon, take a leisurely orientation walk around Leh's markets and streets.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: (B)
Excursion to Thikse Monastery and Stok Palace
Today’s sightseeing includes two major monasteries. Starting with a visit to Shey, the former royal palace with its 350-year-old Buddha statue. From Shey we walk to Thikse (1hr 30min) to explore the hilltop monastery. After lunch at Thikse, return to Leh for a trek briefing and gear check.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: (B)
Acclimatisation walk; optional jeep ride to Khardungla Pass (5602m)
Enjoy an acclimatization walk around Leh Valley, visiting Namgyal Hill, Tsemo Monastery, Sankar, and Shanti Stupa for stunning views of Leh and surrounding villages. Optionally, take a jeep ride to Khardungla Pass (5602m), one of the world’s highest motorable roads, with the trip taking about 4-5 hours.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: (B)
Drive to Markha Valley (3750m)
Time to head for the mountains! We drive to the village of Hamurja at the head of the Markha Valley. After lunch we follow the Markha River upstream through Sara and Chalak to Markha, the largest village in the Hemis National Park. We spend our first night camping and get to know our trekking crew. Mornings and evenings will present you with the most breathtaking views of softly lit mountains towering above, endless panoramic vistas and chance encounters with the local wildlife. Evening walk around the village and visit the monastery.
Driving: 4 hrs
Hiking: 2-3 hrs / 10km
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Markha - Tahungtse (4250m)
We continue following the Markha River, crossing it a couple of times – there might be bridges or we might have to paddle. Rounding a corner, we stop off at the precariously positioned Tache Gompa, another stunning Buddhist monastery perched on a seemingly inaccessible cliff top but reached via a short, steep climb. We can admire the incredible views down the valley before continuing on, to Hankar village for lunch. After lunch a side valley takes us past the ruins of Hankar Fort before descending into the Upper Hankar and further to a stream-side camp. Stunningly remote, the camp here is often shared with the resident Himalayan blue sheep.
Hiking: 6-7 hrs / 15km
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Nimaling (4854 m)
Today is a shorter half day walk as we gain altitude. The trail climbs steeply to a plateau where the valley opens out. Ahead we have spectacular views of Kang Yatse (6400m), the highest peak in the valley. People do not live permanently in this region, but during the summer months the shepherds bring their flocks of goats, sheep and dzos (a hybrid of cow and yak) to graze on the pastures. Throughout the summer, the shepherds stay in stone shelters – you can often buy local yogurt from them. We will reach Nimaling by lunchtime and your trek crew will set up the camp. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the Kang Yatse region behind the campsite as further.
Hiking: 4 -5 hours / 8km
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Day at Nimaling
Today we hike around and allow your body to adjust to the altitude. Use the time to hydrate, relax, and prepare both physically and mentally for the upcoming summit days.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Kang Yatse - 2 Base Camp (5100m)
We climb up to Kang Yatse base camp approx. 3 hrs, and we use rest of the time to distribute equipment and gears required for the climb and also to practice basic techniques we will require on our summit push tonight. We go to a nearby slope for training and to get comfortable with our equipment - snow boots, ice axes and crampons. We will learn techniques and calls of roping up and ascending and descending on a snowy terrain. We end the day early so that we can get optimum rest before our climb tonight rest and prepare for the summit bid.
Hiking: 3 hrs approx.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Climb Kang Yatse-2 (6250m)
Kang Yatse-2 (6250m), we start between around 2 AM climbing the slope to the right of Base Camp until we reach the top of the ridge. Although the trail is well marked, the terrain changes here to loose scree and moraine which gets slippery and needs to be traversed with caution. We keep climbing the ridge until reaching the ablation zone of the glacier from the north face of Kang Yatse II. After a short 100m climb up the moraine ridge, we rope up and enter the glacier. We will traverse the north face toward the northwest ridge while steadily climbing upwards. Once we climb around the northwest ridge, we climb straight above a rocky outcropping and follow the ridge to the summit. After spend some time at summit we return to base camp where hot meals will be ready for us.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Descend via Kongmaru La (5286m)
Well acclimatised now, we descend a little towards Nimaling then a rising traverse leads across to the Kongmaru La (5286m) for the final prayer flag strewn pass with great views back towards Dzo Jongo East and West and Regani Malo. The descent is initially steep as we enter a gorge and zigzag down, crossing the river a several times until the angle eases off. We will either camp at Chukdo or continue on to the village of Shang Sumdo. Approx 8 hours to Shang Sumdo.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: (B,L,D)
Leh via Hemis
We meet our transport for the short drive to Hemis, one of the most important Gompas in the region. If the road is closed we will need to walk on the jeep track as far as Hemis. There will be time for a look around Hemis Gompa before continuing on to Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh.
Meals (B)
Flight to Delhi
A memorable flight across the Himalayas and a dramatic end to our adventures in Ladakh.
Accommodation. Hotel.
Meals (B)
Depart Delhi
Depart Delhi or extend your trip. Optional extensions include visiting the Taj Mahal or exploring more of Delhi. International flights should ideally depart after 14:00 for possible flight delays from Leh.
Meals (B)