Trek India's Markha Valley to Summit UT Kangri (6070m)

Stok Kangri used to be a very popular 6000m trekking peak in Ladakh, but was closed by the Indian Government for environmental reasons. Overtourism and poor environmental management from trekking groups caused water sources to become contaminated, and the government stepped in to protect the local village below base camp. Trekking and adventure tourism is an important source of income for these rural areas and following this closure, the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association searched for a more sustainable alternative. UT Kangri was brought on as a trekking peak by the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association in 2019, allowing trekkers to continue tackling a 6000m peak without degrading the environment and ensuring an income from sustainable tourism for local communities. UT Kangri is a good introductory peak for this altitude, as it is not overly technical and has a relatively short summit day. Very few trekkers have as yet had the opportunity to summit UT Kangri, so this is a unique achievement and you’ll be in a pioneering minority.

Your host works with some of the best leaders in the industry. Every single one of them is government-licensed and very experienced. In order to ensure the guides' high standard of performance, all the host's guides and assistant guides are members of the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association, as well as being certified with basic and advanced mountaineering certification from leading mountaineering institutes such as the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering. The lead guides hold international standard Mountain Emergency First Aid and Avalanche Rescue training from Osterreichischer Bergrettungsdienst.

You will be joined by one tour leader from the trip start to end, as well as a local trekking guide and crew including a cook, helpers and muleteers when on the trek. For the skills preparation and summit days there is a customer-to-guide ratio of 2:1.

Summit day
The guide will determine group divisions based on walking pace when reaching Base Camp and will arrange the necessary connecting ropes, ensuring there is at least one assistant climbing guide for each group. If any group member becomes unable to proceed to the summit, they will receive assistance from an assistant climbing guide in the case of small groups. This arrangement will not hinder the progress of the rest of the group.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your tour leader will help with advice regarding how the tips are split between guides, cooks, muleteers and helpers, however we suggest as a guideline approximately £150 per person for the trip.

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Filtered and boiled water will be provided during the trek. You will need to bring a reusable water bottle or a water bladder to be filled.

Excess luggage which is not needed for the trek can either be left at your hotel in Delhi or Leh, then picked up on your return.

This trip operates at times of the year with high chances of favourable conditions to complete your summit climb. However, as with any high-mountain adventure, conditions can be changeable and unpredictable. Our local host holds contingency plans, including alternative routes and objectives (e.g. in the case of late-season snow blocking a pass). In the event of adverse weather conditions, your lead guide will make a decision on whether any of these plans can be implemented or to return to Leh, prioritising the safety of the group and field staff. Proceeding with any contingency plan, differing from the main route, will require mutual agreement from the group.

Your luggage will be carried by ponies, in large waterproof sacks. However, it is worthwhile securing your luggage in a waterproof bag or duffel to ensure it stays dry in transit. You should aim to keep your luggage as light as possible, not exceeding 15kg (including the 3-5kg of climbing equipment).

The luggage weight limit for your internal flight is 15kg, plus one piece of hand luggage up to 7kg. Excess luggage fees are payable locally to the airline.

This trip visits locations at or above 4500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The likelihood of more severe conditions, such as HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), increases at higher altitudes. Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.

This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep warm as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.

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Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

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Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

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