Overview
Region :- Ladakh (Leh & Kargil)
Duration :- 19 Days
Grade :- Difficult
Max Altitude :- 7,135 Mtr.
Approx Trekking Km :- N/A
Towering at an elevation of 7135 meter, this peak in Suru Valley watches over the entire Zanskar area. The higher peak in the Nun Kun massif, Mount Nun’s glittering presence could be felt from the moment you set foot in Leh with the twin peaks manifesting brilliantly along the road to Kargil. To mount this peak is a task for darers with true grit. Intensive glacial formations, icefall slopes, thoroughly crevassed surfaces, knife-edge cliffs, vertical ice walls, and unpredictable weather beset the expedition to Nun with thrills of a thousand kinds.
On your arrival in Leh, you can start exploring monasteries and remains of the ancient Himalayan culture of this place. Pay a visit to Shey Palace in Ladakh’s previous summer capital, the monasteries Sangam, Thiksey, and Hemis to expand your cultural outlook and also to gain acclimatization points. The drive to Kargil in the next phase by NH 1 or the Leh-Srinagar highway will open up a panorama of cold desert hues contrasting against the ice peaks of the Zanskar Range. The incomparable beauty of the fertile Suru Valley amidst the cold desert in passing will be a picture to remember.
In the Upper Suru Valley, the Nun-Kun massif overlooks the skyline- the highest peaks in the Zanskar range of Ladakh the Kun peak being the lesser of the two at 23, 218 ft. A trenched plateau separates the two peaks, extending to about 4 km. This is one of the key areas when climbing the Nun-Kun peaks jointly. Glittering closely high up near this great massif is the Pinnacle Peak of a height of 22, 740 ft. Stok Kangri, one of the most covered trekking peaks in the Zanskar group of mountains is where many climbers to Nun choose to stop for acclimatization, though we don’t follow that scheme.
Offering a varying degree of difficulty, this herculean expedition has all aspects of serious technical climbing thrown in—fixed roping, using ice axe in front point climb, climbing with ascender-descender, carabineers, snow stakes or anchors, snow pickets, and other things. Fitness training and psychological preparation will go a long way in this project and it is highly necessary that you have substantial experience in mountain climbing before embarking on this stupendous high altitude journey.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1:-Arrival Leh
Altitude:- 3500 m/11,500 ft
Check in Hotel
Briefing about the trek at 5 pm (mandatory)
Bring a copy of ID proof and 2 photo graphs. foreigner, a copy of passport and visa
Network is available (only post-paid)
ATM is available
Can purchase or rent trekking equipment from Leh
Visit of any very high altitude place or pass is not advisable
Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited
Stay in hotel (Twin Sharing)
Day 2:- Leh (Acclimatization day)
Acclimatization and sightseeing in Leh
Can visit to monasteries: Shey, Thiksey, Sangam, and Hemis
Avoid River Rafting, You can plan it after your trek
Visit of any very high altitude place or pass is not advisable
Stay in hotel
Note: Down hill cycling tour around Leh without straining body. for more detail “Click Here”
Day 3:- Leh to Kargil
Drive from Leh to Kargil, on National Highway 1
Distance: 220 km
Time: 7 to 8 hrs
Altitude: 2676 m
Pass by the confluence of rivers Indus and Zanskar,
Magnetic Hill, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, Lamayuru Moon Land
Guest house stay in Kargil
Network available (Only Post Paid)
Day 4:- Kargil to Tangul
Drive 75 km (5 hrs) from Kargil towards Tangul
Altitude (3700 m)
Overnight at camp near road head
Day 5-Day 6:- Tangul to Base Camp / Acclimatization
Tangul to Base Camp
Altitude: 4600 m
Trek time: 5 to 6 hrs
Day 7-Day 17:- Base Camp to summit, and back to Base Camp
Establishment of Advanced Base Camp (5400 m), Camp 1 (5800 m), and Summit Camp (6400 m)
Training of using technical mountaineering equipment
Well distributed load ferry to ABC, Camp 1, Summit Camp
Summit attempt (7135 m)
1 reserve day to be taken as per requirement
Day 18:- Base Camp to Tangul
Trek time: 4 to 5 hrs
Camping
Day 19:- Tangul to Leh
Drive from Road head to Leh
Time 11 to 12 hrs
Stay in Hotal
Who Can Go:-
None but the sturdiest of climbers are screened for this expedition. Though we have not set the benchmark for technically experienced climbers only, keeping this expedition option open for non-technical climbing enthusiasts too, here are the fitness criteria one has to match absolutely for conquering Nun with us:
Basic mountaineering course or, experience of successfully climbing at least 2 peaks of more than 6000 mt. or 19,700 ft.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 6 km of distance in 35 minutes without a stress.
A goods carrying benchmark relevant in this expedition, the climber should be able to carry a 10 to 15 kg expedition bag pack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have these conditions mentioned above.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:-(Delhi to Leh)
After your arrival in the morning, you will be escorted to our Hotal in Leh near main market area. If not reeling from jet-lag, you can keep the rest of the day for scouring the colorful bazaar full of fascinating items of cultural interests, or save it for the acclimatization day on Day 3. Network coverage is available in Leh, so it is a good day to conclude all your calls home.
The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport in Leh, named after a prominent Buddhist monk of the order of the spituk Monastery is one of the highest airports in the world situated at 10, 682 ft. You will find the approach from Leh airport fascinating with soaring mountain terrain enclosing the area most strikingly. Afternoons in this vicinity is infamous for charged high winds therefore all arrival of flights are scheduled in the morning. You are likely to find the airport packed with Indian Army patrols and security measures tight.
Day 2:- Acclimatization and Sightseeing
The second day is reserved for acclimatization and preparation in Leh. You can spend the day with your visit to different sightseeing points in and around. Leh’s Old Town is dominated by the ancient Leh Palace, a signature of the legacy of the ancient Kingdom of Ladakh, built by Dragpa Bumdey-the King. Situated on a high mountain ridge, this ancient palace overlooks the whole town. Wreathed in many an interesting curio and souvenir shops, the colorful Leh bazaar spreads out below.
Starting out early, today is good to visit the network of ancient Buddhist monasteries strewn around Leh. Providing serene getaways from the hustle bustle of the town, the monasteries of Thikse, Namgyal Tsemo, Sangam and Hemis can be the perfect place to find some inner peace and fortitude needed for the hard days of climb coming up ahead.
Day 3:- Leh to Kargil
Our road trip starts early this morning after breakfast at the guest house and packed meal for lunch on the way. Meandering through a spectacular expanse of cold desert highlands, we will take the highway connecting Kashmir to Ladakh- National Highway 1, passing a number of notable sites as we go. The Great Himalayan rises and falls starkly on both sides of the road dramatically, a view from which it is hard to take your eyes off.
After crossing Dras, we will pass by the Kargil War Memorial, remindful of the plight of the nation’s soldiers in the harshest of conditions, dead of the night and early morn, often in subzero temperatures and hostile foes firing from hidden corners with nowhere to run for cover.
A little way further, we run into a beautiful blend of aquamarine colors at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers. This point is about 6km from the village of Nimo, where we can stop for having our packed lunch and little something more on the sides.
At 30 km off Leh, we will follow through the “magnetic hill” road towards Kargil This is actually a gravity hill that creates a fascinating illusion of an uphill road while the road is actually downhill. As a result, you will find locomotives moving ahead of you here appearing to roll in an ascending line uphill, challenging gravity to the core! In the vicinity of the magnetic hill region you will find the beautiful Gurduwara Pathar Sahib, found after a legend of the devil defying guru Nanak the father of Sikhism by throwing a pathar or rock.
At about 100 km off Leh, right after Fotu La- the highest pass on this highway, we will enter the “moonland” of Lamayuru. Carved into the dry hills like moon terrains is the sandy mountainscape of Lamayuru. With a little time in your hands you can visit the Lamayuru gompa here.
As a cautionary measure, come equipped with medicine for motion sickness as the snaky turns of this long journey can make any unaccustomed traveler oozy in the stomach. To beat the threats altitude sickness, make sure to stay thoroughly hydrated. After nightfall we will reach our guest house in Kargil.
Day 4:-Kargil to Tangul
This morning by 7, we will off on our way through Suru Valley to the little hamlet of Tangul.
Kargil has less to offer in terms of mountain peace and scenic beauty. It is a noisy and crowded little town lying between the high passes of Zozi La and Fotu La. Remember, this will be your last contact with amenities and civilization before taking off into the wilds. Utilize the available things in the local market and stock up on your supplies for the expedition.
On a parallel with the Indus-tributary of Suru River we will inch closer to our mighty destination. The Nun-Kun massif by now will be eclipsing the sky along with the other presences of Zanskar range. A few other prominent villages that lines this way are- Sankhoo, Panikhar, and after Tangul, village Parkachik. Life in the Suru Valley with its little primary schools, farmlands, and houses with views to die for is endearing. As we move along towards Tangul, the vision of Nun-Kun magnifies, the details of them revealing.
In Tangul, by the end of the roadhead, we will pitch our first tent in the expedition.
Day 5-Day 6:- Tangul to Base Camp / Acclimatization
The first day of trek is scheduled for 5-6 hour from Tangul to the base of the Nun-Kun massif at 4600 m. The path is free of snow but the experience of the weather will be biting cold. The challenge of today will be our first tryst with heavy load carriage and setting up facility at the base.
We will be done with the set up by late evening and make sure to remain well rested through the night to start off next day’s challenging expedition.
Day 7-Day 17:- Base Camp to Summit and Back to Base Camp
From Day 6 to Day 15, a routine of three camps will follow, namely- Advanced Base Camp (5400 m), Camp 1 (5800 m), and Summit Camp (6400 m).
The route opens to a moraine and scree ridge sloping steeply up. Where the ridge slope ends, we will run into a glacier, initiating gearing with our technical climbing equipment. Depending on the group and according to the discretion of our advanced mountaineering lead, we can take acclimatization break of a day at around Day 8 at Camp 1 and on the same day an elaborate and practical tutorial on equipment usage will follow.
Our advances hereon will be on fixed line, and the major challenge in this area will be to tackle an icefall of 200 meters on harnessed walk. Post the precarious icefall region, we will fall into a glacial plateau from where Nun will overshadow. Our advanced camp will be set here in this plane.
From advanced base camp, we will negotiate descending to base camp and coming back up again, thus ferrying goods in two phases.
Advanced base camp will make way for a traversing along the base line of the Nun mountain, continuing to 600 vertical meters on fixed rope harness. The time calculate for covering this area is approximately 6 hour. At a 5800 m, we will establish camp 1, followed by a descent to advanced base camp for night stay.
Further ahead Camp1, a fully equipped technical climb continues to the rocky summit of a subsidiary peak. The highlights of challenge in this stretch will be steep snow slopes and a downward jaunt from a crevassed col. Camp 2 is to be set on a plateau of ice at 6400 meters, in an open area just below the summit climbing stretch of Nun. Ice slope ascent on fixed rope is the most difficult aspect of reaching in high plateau.
The final summit climb will be reserved over two days, taking into consideration unsuccessful first attempts and resting gaps. The closing 2300 feet of summit landing is characterized by steep and narrow snow arête which is to be tackled on a fixed rope climbing.
Nearly equal days of coming down to base camp will follow through a routine of load carrying, concluding the affair by day 16.
Day 18:- Base Camp to Tangul
From base camp, we will descend to Tangul roadhead and set up camp there.
Day 19:- Tangul to Leh
Starting early in the morning, we will drive from Tangul roadhead to Leh, a journey full of reminiscing to span over 11 to 12 hours, concluding with a well rested night stay in 3-star establishment.
Cost Terms
COST INCLUDES:
1- Accommodation:-
a) Leh – 3 Nights Stay with Breakfast and Dinner as per the itinerary (twin share basis)
b) Kargil:- Stay in hotel/home stay- As per the itinerary (twin share basis)
c) Rest all day in mountain in Tents – As per the itinerary – (twin share basis till advance base camp)
2- Transport :-
a) Pick and drop from Leh airport as per the itinerary
b) Leh to Kargil and Tangol and return back to Leh as per the itinerary
3- Other Ground Arrangements
a) 1 Cook
b) 2 Kitchen Helper
c) 1 Expedition Leader
c) Mountain Sherpa
i. For 4 Pax- 01 Mountain Sherpa
ii. For 5 to 7 Pax- 02 Mountain Sherpa
iii. For 8 to 10 Pax- 03 Mountain Sherpa
d) 2 High Altitude Porter
e) Porterage of all the equipment / supplies/ & personal baggage of max 15 kgs per member to & from Base Camp.
f) All food up to Base Camp and High Camps
g) High Altitude meal: We will use tin packed food in high altitude
h) TTH Staff Insurance
4- Mess Equipments
a) 1 Kitchen Tent (Till Base camp)
b) 1 Mess Tent (Till Base camp)
c) 2 Toilet tent (Till Base camp)
d) Camp stools (Till Base camp)
e) Camp Tables (Till Base camp)
f) Kitchen Utensils
g) Dome tent (3- 4 season tents) (twin sharing basis till advance base camp and twin/triple sharing for camp 1 and summit camp)
5- Fees :-
a) IMF Peak Booking charges
c) Camping Fees
6- Fuel
a) Kerosine (Till Advance Base Camp)
b) Butane Cylinder and Stove (for camp1 and summit camp)
7- Climbing Equipment
a) Fix Rope – As per requirement
b) Climbing Rope- As per requirement (UIAA certified)
c) Anchors, Shovels, Carabineer as per requirement
8- First aid kit with Oxygen Cylinder
COST DOES NOT INCLUDES:-
1. Expenses of personal nature such as tips, alcohol, laundry etc.
2. Medical / accident insurance / expenses for the trip group.
3. Personal equipments for the members i.e., trekking gear, clothes, Sleeping bag, climbing gear, climbing shoes, personal medical kit etc.
4. Camera / Video Camera fee etc. if any during the trip (Group can pay directly on the spot)
5. Any tax/entry fee imposed by the Govt. budget or new policy.
6. Liability for or insurance against injury, loss of life, accidents or loss of goods.
7. Charges for extra services, if any.
8. Company will not be responsible for any sort of unforeseen expenses incurred due unavoidable circumstances i.e. flight delay, road block, strike, mechanical fault, technical fault in the mode of transport, natural calamities, etc.
9. Anything not specifically mentioned under the above.
Extra cost for non Indians
1. Only for foreign nationals US$ 1000 for a team of two members and US$ 450 for every additional participants
2. Mandatory Liaison Officer Fee for foreign expeditions ( USD 500 )
Note:-
The above-mentioned package cost has been calculated considering normal weather conditions. If any extra expenses are incurred due to snowfall, heavy rainfall etc. or due to any unavoidable circumstances then the same has to be paid by the expedition team.
Please ensure your insurance covers you for the heights you are likely to attain, and for helicopter rescue and when you have chosen and booked your insurance, please provide TREK THE HIMALAYAS with your Insurers name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your Policy number with them. Remember, your insurance is not worth the paper it’s written on if we don’t know the details and you need their assistance.
A foreign expedition team desirous of climbing a peak shall apply to the Indian Mountaineering foundation (IMF). It is an apex body of Indian government.
PAYMENT
• All trips should be confirmed well advance with minimum deposit of 25% of total invoice amount.
• Balance and final payment should be made at least two month before the group arrival India.
• Any difference on account of imposition of additional tax by Government, hike in fuel cost and difference of foreign exchange rate etc in due course to be settled accordingly.
• Other terms quoted while furnishing the offer / trip itinerary will remain as part of the general terms.
CANCELLATION
• 25% of the total amount will be charged if trip is cancelled before 45 days.
• 50% of the total amount will be charged of trip is cancelled before 30 days.
• 90% of the total amount will be charged if trip is cancelled before 15 days.
• No refund will be given if the trip is cancelled before 14 days of arrival of group.