Highlights
- No prior mountaineering experience needed.
- The approach is the trek of a lifetime.
- It's the natural successor to Stok Kangri, closed by the Ladakh administration in 2020 to protect its glacier.
Overview
Kang Yatse II is a Markha Valley expedition with a summit on top. After two nights in Leh to acclimatise, you drive to the road head and walk into the valley. Trail days carry you through Markha and Hankar villages to base camp under Kang Yatse's south face. A full rest-and-training day at base camp covers crampon fit, ice axe self-arrest, and fixed-rope ascent before summit night. The summit attempt goes via the south-west ridge — a long snow slope topped by a short, fixed-rope summit pyramid. The descent crosses Kongmaru La (5,200m) — the highest pass in the Markha Valley — and drops to Chokdo for the drive back to Leh. A buffer day is built in at the end for weather or a re-attempt.
Why this peak replaced Stok Kangri
Stok Kangri (6,153m) used to be every Indian climber's first 6,000er. In February 2020 the Ladakh administration closed the peak to commercial expeditions, citing overcrowding, glacier degradation, and waste accumulation. The closure has held — there is no commercial Stok Kangri operation in 2026. Operators redirected demand to two peaks: Kang Yatse II (6,250m, this expedition) and Yunam Peak (6,111m, in Himachal). Kang Yatse II has emerged as the consensus successor: similar accessibility, slightly higher altitude, longer and more rewarding approach, healthier glacier.
Who climbs with us
KY II batches are a mix. Some are first-time 6,000ers — software engineers, doctors, designers from Indian cities — using KY II as their introduction to high-altitude climbing. Others are climbers coming back for their second or third TVT expedition. The base-camp skills clinic bridges the gap for trek-fit climbers new to snow; what every climber shares is the willingness to follow the schedule and the guides' calls on summit night.
Itinerary
9 days, Leh to Leh.
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Day 1 Arrival at Leh
3,500mFly into Leh in the morning. Take it slow — altitude hits even seasoned trekkers. Hydrate, rest, light meals. Welcome briefing in the evening.
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Day 2 Acclimatisation at Leh
3,500mEasy acclimatisation walk in Leh. Final gear check and expedition Q&A. Early dinner, full rest.
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Day 3 Drive to road head, trek to Markha
3,800mDrive from Leh to the trek road head. Cross into the Markha Valley and walk to Markha village — the largest in the valley. First night on the trail.
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Day 4 Markha to Hankar
3,950mWalk along the Markha river through small Buddhist hamlets to Hankar — the last village before the high meadows. Watch for blue sheep and lammergeier on the cliffs above the trail.
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Day 5 Hankar to Base Camp
4,900mClimb onto the high pasture and continue to base camp under Kang Yatse's south face. Establish camp; rest the afternoon.
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Day 6 Rest and training day
4,900mSkills clinic at base camp: crampon fit, ice axe self-arrest, fixed-rope ascender technique. Short acclimatisation walk in the afternoon. Early dinner. Summit briefing in the evening, sleep early.
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Day 7 Summit attempt — Kang Yatse II (6,250m)
6,250m summit, return to base campPre-dawn start with headlamps. Cross moraine, rope up at the glacier toe. Steady snow ascent to the summit pyramid. Fix rope on the final ridge. Summit, then long descent back to base camp by mid-afternoon.
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Day 8 Base Camp to Chokdo via Kongmaru La, drive to Leh
5,200m pass, 3,800m road headClimb to Kongmaru La — the highest pass in the Markha Valley — and descend the gorge to Chokdo. Vehicle waiting; drive to Leh. Hot shower, real bed, group dinner.
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Day 9 Buffer day
3,500mContingency day held back for weather, summit re-attempts, or a delayed flight in/out of Leh. If unused, an extra day in Leh at no additional cost — bazaar, monasteries, café fix.
What's included
Included
- Transport — Leh to last road head and Chokdo to Leh
- Accommodation — stay from Day 1 to last day in Leh (sharing)
- Food — all meals from Day 3 lunch to lunch on the last day
- Permits — all trekking permits and camping charges
- Trekking and safety equipment — tents, sleeping bags, and technical equipment
- Certified trek leaders, guides, and support staff
Not included
- Backpack offloading charges
- Any kind of personal insurance and rescue expenses
- Meals during Leh stay and road journey
- Personal expenses of any kind, and anything apart from the inclusions
- Emergency evacuation and hospital charges
Dates & availability
One departure scheduled, Leh to Leh. Get in touch for private or custom dates.
- JUL 18–26 2026Open₹54,000 per climber
Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Mid-Jul – Mid-Sep with a minimum of 4 climbers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your guides
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Expedition Guide · 8+ years
Long-distance hiker, trail runner, and occasional poet — at home in the Himalaya.
Frequently asked
What is the Kang Yatse II expedition?
Kang Yatse II is a 6,250m guided summit climb in Ladakh's Markha Valley, run by The Vertical Tribe as a 9-day Leh-to-Leh expedition. It includes two acclimatisation nights in Leh, a Markha Valley approach via Markha and Hankar to base camp, a rest-and-training day, a glaciated summit attempt, and a Kongmaru La pass crossing on the way out.
How difficult is Kang Yatse 2?
Alpine PD+ grade — semi-technical. You'll walk on snow with crampons, use an ice axe for self-arrest, and clip into a fixed rope for the final 200m of the summit ridge. No prior mountaineering experience is required, but you should have completed at least one Himalayan trek above 4,500m and be able to run 5 km in under 35 minutes.
What is the difference between Kang Yatse 1 and 2?
Kang Yatse I (6,400m) is technical Alpine AD — mixed rock and ice with a fixed-rope crux. Kang Yatse II (6,250m) is Alpine PD+ — a snow walk-up with one short technical section. Both share a base camp under the same massif. Climb KY II first, KY I second.
What is the difference between Kang Yatse 2 and Dzo Jongo East?
Same difficulty grade and same region, similar altitude (6,250m vs 6,217m). Kang Yatse II has a more dramatic summit ridge and a busier base camp; Dzo Jongo East has a quieter approach and slightly easier glacier travel. Both are great first 6,000ers — KY II is the iconic name, Dzo Jongo East the quieter pick.
What's the best time to climb Kang Yatse II?
Mid-July to mid-September. Peak conditions are late July to late August: stable weather, hard névé snow on the summit slope, and dry approach trails. Early July can have soft snow; mid-September gets cold but offers the clearest skies of the season.
How much does the Kang Yatse 2 expedition cost?
TVT's 2026 expedition is ₹54,000 per climber, Leh-to-Leh, covering transport, accommodation, all meals from Day 3 lunch to the last day, all trekking permits and camping charges, technical and safety equipment, and certified guides. Personal insurance, rescue expenses, meals during Leh stay, and personal expenses are not included.
Do I need a permit for Kang Yatse II?
All trekking permits and camping charges are included in your expedition fee and handled by TVT. No Inner Line Permit is required for Indian nationals on this route. Foreign nationals require an additional IMF surcharge and a liaison officer — please reach out 90 days before departure so we can file the paperwork.
Is Kang Yatse II open to foreign nationals?
Yes, with prior arrangement. Foreign climbers need an additional IMF royalty and a mandatory liaison officer. Reach out 90 days before departure.
What's the temperature at Kang Yatse II base camp?
Daytime at base camp (4,900m) ranges 8°–15°C in July–August; nights drop to −2° to 4°C. Summit-day temperatures range −10° to −5°C with windchill on the upper slope. We share a precise gear list with thermal grading on confirmation.
What gear do I need to bring?
Personal: B2-rated mountaineering boots (broken in), down jacket, base + mid-layers, gloves (light + heavy), headlamp, glacier sunglasses. Technical climbing gear, tents, and sleeping bags are provided. Full personal-gear checklist shared after enquiry.
How fit do I need to be?
Run 5 km in under 35 minutes, walk 10 km with an 8 kg pack without strain, and complete a focused 8–12 weeks of cardio and leg-strength work before departure. We share a prep plan on confirmation.
What happens if weather turns on summit day?
A buffer day is built into the itinerary. The lead guide makes the final call — we'll turn around if conditions don't support a safe attempt, and re-attempt with the buffer day. If the buffer day is also weathered out, we descend without a summit. Mountains decide; we don't fabricate success rates.
What's the cancellation policy?
More than 60 days before departure: 80% refund. 60 to 30 days before departure: 50% refund. Less than 30 days before departure: no refund.