Kang Yatse II Expedition is MountainFit’s high-altitude alpine adventure in the heart of Ladakh, designed for trekkers ready to step into mountaineering. The journey combines scenic trekking through Markha Valley, acclimatization in the high pastures of Nimaling, and a challenging summit attempt at around 6,200 m.
Kang Yatse II is one of Ladakh’s most rewarding expedition-style peaks, offering a perfect blend of remote landscapes, cultural village trails, and glacier travel. The route gradually builds from Leh’s acclimatization days into the classic Markha Valley trek before ascending to the base camp and summit. It is ideal for fit trekkers with basic mountain experience who want to take on a true Himalayan climb without extreme technical difficulty.
Route Classification
Overall Difficulty: PD+ (Peu Difficile Plus). In a good season with fixed rope support, the route generally remains PD, but it can feel closer to AD- in poor snow, strong winds, or on an icy summit ridge. It is suitable for fit trekkers with basic mountaineering skills, including the use of crampons, an ice axe, and roped travel.
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Lower glacier / approach slopes: 20°–30°.
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Upper glacier toward the summit ridge: 30°–35°.
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Final summit push: 35°–40°.
Short sections may feel steeper depending on snow and ice conditions. There is no sustained technical climbing, but the final ridge requires good balance and sure footing.
Snow and Glacier Conditions
1. Base Camp to Advanced Base / Glacier
The approach is mostly over rocky moraine with intermittent snow patches. The glacier entry is usually gentle and non-technical. Crevasses are minimal to moderate and are generally identifiable.
2. Glacier Section on Summit Day
Snow conditions vary significantly by season:
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Early season (June to early July): firm snow, better grip, and safer crevasse bridges; often the best period for summit attempts.
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Mid-season (July to August): softer snow after sunrise, with possible post-holing and more open crevasses.
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Late season (September): harder ice sections and more exposed crevasses, requiring stronger crampon technique.
3. Summit Ridge
The summit ridge is narrow in places but not highly exposed. It may include wind-packed snow, occasional icy patches, and fixed ropes used by some expeditions.
Key Challenges
The main challenge is altitude, rising from approximately 3,500 m to 6,250 m. Other major factors include the long summit day of 11–12 hours, cold and wind exposure above 5,800 m, and changing snow conditions, especially afternoon softening.
Overall Summary
This is a moderate-level mountaineering peak and an ideal entry-level expedition for trekkers moving into alpine climbing. The main risks are altitude, fatigue, and variable snow conditions. The best window is typically mid-August to early September.
Note: All the arrangements for the tour are pre-planned and prepaid. In case of not completion of the tour due to any reason whatsoever there will not be any refund for any unutilized services. Any extra expense due any alteration has to be paid extra.
Day 1: Arrival in Leh and acclimatization
Arrive in Leh, where our MountainFit representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is kept free for rest and acclimatization to Ladakh’s high altitude. In the evening, you may take a gentle walk through Leh market depending on how you feel.
Day 2: Leh sightseeing and Sham Valley drive
After breakfast, drive from Leh to the western Sham Valley for a day excursion covering Indus-Zanskar confluence, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Alchi Monastery, and Lamayuru Monastery. This day is ideal for acclimatization before the trek, and it also helps guests experience Ladakh’s cultural and geological highlights. If you want to include a walk, keep it short and easy rather than a 3-hour hike on the first sightseeing day.
Day 3: Drive Leh to Skiu
Drive from Leh to Skiu, passing through scenic valleys, river sections, and changing desert landscapes. Skiu is commonly used as the starting trekking village for the Markha Valley route, and it is a much better acclimatization camp than forcing a longer day too early. Overnight stay in tents or a fixed camp at Skiu.
Day 4: Trek Skiu to Markha
Trek from Skiu to Markha through the Markha Valley, following a mostly gradual trail with river crossings, mani walls, and traditional Ladakhi villages. Markha is one of the classic villages on the route and is commonly described as the largest settlement in the valley by trek operators. Overnight camping at Markha.
Day 5: Trek Markha to Hangkar / Thachungtse
Continue from Markha toward Hangkar and then on to Thachungtse. Most operators split this section in a similar way, with Hangkar serving as the last major village before the trail becomes more alpine and open. This is one of the best days for views of Kang Yatse.
Day 6: Trek Thachungtse to Nimaling
Trek to Nimaling, the high pasture campsite below Kang Yatse. Nimaling is widely used as the highest major camp before the pass and summit approach, and it is a key acclimatization stop on the Markha Valley–Kang Yatse route. Overnight camping at Nimaling.
Day 7: Trek Nimaling to Kang Yatse Base Camp
Trek from Nimaling to Kang Yatse II Base Camp. This is a shorter but important high-altitude day, with yak pastures, alpine terrain, and increasingly technical conditions near base camp. In the evening, a short acclimatization walk near base camp is recommended.
Day 8: Acclimatization and technical briefing at Base Camp
Reserve this day for acclimatization, gear check, and summit training. The team can practice walking on snow, rope travel, use of crampons and ice axe, and basic ascent/descent movement on glaciated terrain. This is the right place for your “rest acclimatize day at BC” section, but the language should be more professionally phrased.
Day 9: Buffer day
Keep this day as a weather and acclimatization buffer. On mountain expeditions, especially at this altitude, a buffer day adds safety and flexibility for summit timing.
Day 10: Summit attempt of Kang Yatse II
Summit day for Kang Yatse II, with an early start and a long, strenuous round trip. The usual published summit height for Kang Yatse II is around 6,200 m, which matches current operator listings more consistently than 6,250 m. Return to base camp the same day and rest after the summit attempt.
Day 11: Trek to Chuskirmo / Chokdo route
From base camp or Nimaling, trek over Kongmaru La and descend toward the Shang Valley side. Most operators use Kongmaru La at around 5,260 m and end the trekking day at Chokdo or Shang Sumdo, rather than “Chuskirmo” as the final campsite name. If you want to retain Chuskirmo, it should be treated as a point on the descent, not the main overnight endpoint.
Day 12: Trek to Shang Sumdo and drive to Leh
Descend to Shang Sumdo, meet the vehicle, and drive back to Leh. Some companies split this as a trek to Shang Sumdo or Chokdo and then transfer to Leh with optional monastery visits on the way. Overnight in Leh.
Day 13: Airport drop
After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for departure.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation during the trek and in Leh -
- 08 Nights stay in High altitude trekking tents – Alpine tent
- 03 Nights stay in Leh with breakfast only – Deluxe hotel
- All meals during the trek
- Transportation by Innova / departure transfers, pick up / drop to and from the trek starting / end point.
- Peak Permits.
- All Trekking arrangement as following
- All equipment of community-use nature and nature friendly including high altitude 2 person client tents
- Dining tents, Kitchen Tents, Sleeping bags, Toilet tents, Staff tent, Mattresses,
- Camping charges
- Kitchen equipment like cooking utensils, camp crockery, tableware, lamps, bowls and cloth linens.
- Trek support team including cook& helper, with enough porters to carry the provisions and during trekking.
- Separate vehicle to carry the trekking equipment and support team to / from trek starting / ending point
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oxy meter + medical box
- 01 ice axe
- 01 rope
What is NOT included in the tour
- Airfares.
- Clothing of personal nature like trek shoes, kit bags, day packs, down jackets and other special clothing’s etc.
- Medical expenses (apart from first aid) and insurance of any kind.
- Tips, laundry, liquors, wines, mineral water, telephone charges and items of personal nature.
- Transportation is not on disposal basis. It is strictly as per the program, any extra running will be charges extra.
- All the arrangements for trekking as replanned and prepaid. In case of not completion of the trek due to any reason whatsoever there will not be any refund for any unutilized services. Any extra expense due to the same has to be paid extra.
- Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay / cancellation / hike in fare, strike or any other natural calamities like water flown up and due to heavy snow or any emergency evacuation expenses.
- Any other item not mentioned in the cost includes section.
All the arrangements for the tour are pre-planned and prepaid. In case of not completion of the tour due to any reason whatsoever there will not be any refund for any unutilized services. Any extra expense due any alteration has to be paid extra.
