Mountain Climbing

The area most frequented by professional climbers in Ladakh region is the Nun-Kun massif in the Great Himalayan Range. Its easy accessibility from the Kargil-Zanskar road and the shortest possible approach march to the base camps makes this massif an attractive site. Among the six known peaks of the massif which are accessible from the Suru Valley, Nun (7,135 m) and Kun (7,087 m) are the highest summits.

The climbing site nearest to Leh is the Stok-Khangri massif in the Zanskar Mountains, south of Leh. The base camp for this massif is about two days trek from the village of Stok. Among its known peaks, Stok- Khangri (6,150 m) is the highest. It offers a spectacular perspective to the central expanse of the Indus Valley, over which it dominates. Other peaks in the area include Gulap Khangri (5,900 m), Matho West (5,950 m) and Kantaka (5,275 m). The much higher Konglacha Peak (6,700 m) lies southwest of Leh and is approached via Rumbak, on the first leg of the Markha Valley trek from the Stok side. Many unnamed peaks in the altitude range of 5,500 m to 6,400 m abound in this region.

The Karakoram Range surrounding Nubra valley from the North of Leh rises to a number of well known peaks which are, however, within the restricted area and so not freely accessible to foreign climbers except with special permission from the Government of India. The most prominent summits in this range, which are accessible from various parts of the Nubra Valley include, Saser-I (7,415 m), Saser-II (7,513 m) and Saser-III (7,495 m).

The ideal climbing period is between June through September, because during this time only Ladakh remains unaffected by the monsoon, while elsewhere the Himalayas are in the grip of the rains. Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for climbing all listed peaks. A booking fee, based on the height and popularity of the allotted peak, is charged and a Liaison Officer is assigned to every climbing team.