Tso Morari and Lungser Kangri

Climb Ladakh's magical 6666m peak! ~ Views into Tibet from Lungser Kangri ~ Nomads and Wildlife of Chang Tang ~ A real trekking and climbing adventure in Ladakh

Close to Ladakh's eastern border with Tibet, the rarely visited high plains of the Chang Tang are coloured in just a few places by beautiful turquoise lakes, such as Tso Kar and Tso Morari - this trekking and climbing holiday is the perfect way to view this remote and stunning landscape. After acclimatising and sightseeing in Leh, we set off into the heart of this remote area, inhabited during the summer by nomadic herders and by rare animals such as wolf and kiang (wild ass) year-round. After a week of inspirational trekking, we reach the high passes that provide our first views of Lungser Kangri (6666m) and its near neighbour, Chamser Kangri (6611m) - the highest of a ridge of snow-capped peaks on the east side of Tso Morari. From a basecamp above the lake, the peak is climbed by way of a high camp and a long summit day. Technically undemanding, this peak presents an unavoidable challenge to fit and adventurous trekkers. A super trek and climb combination in a special part of the world.

This holiday is one of our ‘Explore More' range of outstanding adventure holidays which we are running in conjunction with our friends at Allibert and Hauser (France and Germany's leading adventure travel operators). The trips we have chosen for this range are undoubtedly some of the finest adventures on the planet. They are also ‘specialist' and will appeal to those who have ‘been there, done that' in many parts of the world and are now looking for something new. The cosmopolitan nature of the groups will be an important part of the Explore More experience!

Trip Guide:
Neither the trek to Tso Morari, nor the climb of Lungsar Kangri are technically difficult undertakings. However, the high altitudes involved during both the trek (between 4500 and 5500 metres) and the climb (to a summit of 6666 metres and including a high camp of over 6000 metres) mean that this trip will present a challenge to even very fit group members. The lower slopes of the mountain are likely to be free of snow at the time of our trips but we will likely encounter snow above our high camp and crampons and ice axes are required for this trip. It is recommended that all group members have previous experience of winter hillwalking as well as previous experience of trekking at altitude.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. Complimentary Delhi Airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with lunch, dinner and overnight at the group hotel.

Day 2: Transfer to the domestic airport. We take the 1 hour flight northwards, across the Himalaya to Leh, where we transfer to the group hotel. Afternoon free.

Day 3: A full day's sightseeing tour. We will visit one of the area's most important monasteries at Alchi.

Day 4: We further our acclimatisation with a jeep drive up to the 5380 metre (17,650 feet) high Khardung La, one of the world's highest road passes. Great views of the eastern Karakoram. Return to the hotel in Leh.

Day 5: We pay a visit to the monasteries at Thikse and Hemis before continuing our journey to Rumtse, where we set up camp across the river beyond the village.

Day 6: We will have a short first day of trekking, through riverside pasture to a camp at the base of the Kyamar La. Altitude at camp is 4600 metres (15,090 feet).

Day 7: A longer day of trekking, crossing the Kyamar La and then the Mandalchan La (5240m / 17,190ft) to the high grazing area at Tisaling, where we camp.

Day 8: Climbing up to the Thasang La, we can see the salty lake of Tso Kar and descend to the lake-shore, to camp at Phongponagu (4598m / 15,085ft) amongst nomadic herders and their animals.

Day 9: Today we follow the western shore of Tso Kar to the southern end at Jugti. A long day of approximately 6 hours but with the chances of viewing kyangs (wild asses), marrmots, blue sheep, ducks and geese.

Day 10: A gradual climb to the Changpa settlement of Nakpozing where we may meet the the nomads of the Changtang as they go about their herding way of life.

Day 11: A tougher trekking day, as we cross two high passes of approximately 5400 metres (17,700 feet). From the passes there are superb views of the mountains and the lake at Tso Morari and the Changtang plateau. We camp at the village of Chakzang, another nomadic settlement.

Day 12: A short walk and gradual descent to the lake of Kiagar Tso. We follow the lakeshore to our night's halt by small stream.

Day 13: Today we continue through the pastures of the Chang Pa to a grassy spot at Kyurchu from where we continue along the Lungser Nala to establish our basecamp for Lungser Kangri at 4915 metres (16,120 feet).

Day 14: A rest day at base camp for acclimatisation.

Day 15: Today we make our ascent to the first of our 2 high camps. We begin following the stream, climbing first steeply and then emerging on to a high plateau where we establish Camp I at 5600 metres (18,350 feet).

Day 16: From the plateau we make a long traversing ascent, with several ups and downs to our highest camp at just over 6000 metres (19,680 feet).

Day 17: We make an early start for the long walk to the summit of Lungser Kangri. The climb is steep to begin with, before we turn south on to the ridge which forms our final summit ascent route. From the summit there are fantastic views of the high plateau of Hanle and of Tso Morari, far below. We make a long descent to Camp I at 5600 metres.

Day 18: We descend from Camp I to Tso Morari where we spend the night camped by the lake shore.

Day 19: At Tso Morari, we meet with the jeeps for the drive back to Leh where we spend the night in a hotel.

Day 20: We have an early morning flight to Delhi, where we check in at the group hotel. In the afternoon there is an optional guided tour to the Red Fort and other city highlights. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 21: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast at the hotel. Complimentary airport transfers are provided on this day.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

On arrival the group will spend one night at our hotel in Delhi, before flying to the Ladakhi capital of Leh. There are a total of 2 hotel nights in Delhi and 4 nights at a lodge/ hotel in Leh.