Nun Kun Climb Expedition
Destination
Ladakh
Trip Type
Expedition
Duration (in Days)
27
Altitude
7,135 m
Difficulty
Hard
Accommodation
Camping, Lodges
Details
Towering at an elevation of 7135 meters, 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 icy 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.
Nun Kun Massif dominates the skyline in the upper Suru valley and the twin peaks of Nun (7135m) and Kun (7077m) are the highest in the Zanskar range in Ladakh. The two peaks are separated by a snowy plateau of about 4km in length. Pinnacle Peak (6930m) is the third highest mountain in this group. We aim to climb Mt.Nun which was first climbed in 1953 by French-Swiss expedition along with Indian sherpas. We acclimatize near Stok Kangri and then head to this classic 7000er for the climb.
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi, A mandatory expedition briefing at IMF
Day 2
Fly Delhi – Leh (3500m). Rest and Acclimatize
Day 3
Explore around Leh
Day 4
Drive Leh to Matho village & trek to Matho chu (3800m) 2 to 3 hrs
Day 5
Trek over a small pass to below Gangpoche (4400m) 5 to 6 hrs
Day 6
Trek over the Matho La to Mankarmo (4350m) 4 to 5 hrs
Day 7
Trek to Stok Kangri Base Camp (4975m) 3–4 hrs
Day 8
Trek to Stok village and drive to Leh. 6 – 7 hrs trek, 1 hr drive.
Day 9
Drive Leh to Kargil (2800m) 6-7hrs
Day 10
Drive Kargil-Tangol (3-4hrs)
Day 11
Sort out equipment and trek to Nun Base camp
Day 12
Rest day at Base Camp
Day 13
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 14
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 15
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 16
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 17
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 18
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 19
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 20
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 21
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 22
Climbing Period – We set up 3 camps (C1-5500m, C2-6100m & C3-6400m)
Day 23
Trek Base Camp to Tangol
Day 24
Drive Tangol to Leh
Day 25
Free day in Leh
Day 26
Fly Delhi-Leh (3500m)
Day 27
Fly back home. Trip Ends!
- English speaking guide
- Transport to and from Yuksom
- All meals on the trek, including boiled water
- Tents and mats
- Cook and porters
- Yaks/ponies for carrying tents and cooking equipment
- All trekking permits, national park fees and camera fees
- Our guide will carry a comprehensive medical kit including high altitude sickness tablets
- Flights
- Medical examination (if required) and vaccination costs
- Visa costs
- Personal expenditure i.e. soft drinks/beer on trek, extra snacks for the trek etc
- Meals in Darjeeling before or after the trek
- Travel insurance