Majestic Ladakh

Summit Mt Nun 7135m

Main Activity : Mountaineering

Highlights

Conquer the peak of Mount Nun (7135m).
Rich Panoramic views of the Karakoram ranges throughout the trek.
Magnificent panoramic view of the Suru valley, the eastern Karakoram range, and the Nanga Parbat from the top of the peak.
Picturesque lush pasture lands of Suru Valley
Experience the wilderness of Ladakh
Rope climb on the steep ascent of Mt. Nun.

What to Expect

Mt. Kun and Mt Nun are the two peaks which dominate the Skylines in the upper Suru valley. These are amongst the highest mountains in the Zanskar ranges in Ladakh.

The Nun Expedition, also known as the Nun Kun Massif Expedition, is a mountaineering expedition to Nun Kun, a mountain massif in the western Himalayas in the Ladakh region of northern India. Nun Kun is a popular destination for mountaineers and consists of two peaks: Nun (7,135 meters) and Kun (7,077 meters). The Two Mountains are separated by a snowy plateau which is about 4 Km in Length. The expedition involves climbing both peaks, which is a physically demanding and potentially risky activity that requires a high level of physical fitness, technical mountaineering skills, and experience.

The expedition typically takes place in the summer months, when the weather is more favorable for climbing, and requires a team of skilled climbers and support staff, as well as specialized equipment and supplies.

To participate in the Nun Kun Massif Expedition, it is important to have a strong background in mountaineering and to be properly trained and equipped for the challenges of high-altitude climbing. It is also important to be aware of the inherent risks of mountaineering and to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of all team members.

You will face great physical and technical challenges due to the altitude, terrain and the cold temp during your climb to the second highest peak of the Zanskar Valley. On an Expedition of this Peak you will face a dwelling task which will test your true grit. During your journey you will have to cross Intensive glacial formations, icefall slopes, thoroughly crevassed surfaces, knife-edge cliffs, vertical ice walls, and have to face unpredictable weather conditions.

Before the expedition starts the climbers would get their permits to climb the summit of Nun along with a briefing and debriefing session of the expedition from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi.

From Delhi you will fly to Leh, you will be spending 2 days in Leh town in order to get acclimatized to the high altitude. During the acclimatization days, you can go for short walks and explore the Leh town.

Day Wise Itinerary

Included

Excluded

Activities

Essential Info

Related
Destinations

All Destinations

Changthang Valley

Ladakh

Markha Valley

Zanskar Valley

Photo Gallery

Arrive in Delhi and attend a briefing at IMF

We will greet you at Delhi international airport and drive you to your hotel. Afterwards, we will go to the IMF to get our climbing permit and meet our Liaison Officer. We can also visit the mountaineering museum in the same building.

Fly from Delhi to Leh (3,500m / 11,483ft), the capital of Ladakh

Your early morning 75-minute flight to Leh over the Himalayas will be one of the most picturesque flights you’ll ever experience. On the Northern horizon, you will see K2 (8,611m / 28,251ft), the world's second-highest peak, and other 8000m+ giants of the Karakoram Range. If you sit on the plane's left side, you will see Nun (7,135m / 23,409ft) and Kun (7,077m / 23,219ft), the two highest mountains in Ladakh.
We will greet you at Leh airport and drive you to your accommodation.

Acclimatisation and guided tour to Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery

Ladakh is the only place besides Tibet where almost all the major sects of Tibetan Buddhism still exist. You will see architecture and a lifestyle similar to Central Tibetan traditions and visit Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery.
Hemis Monastery, belonging to the Drukpa Kagyu sect, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. It was first built in the 11th century. Stories of Kalachakra and the Lords of the Four Quarters are etched on the walls of its ancient corridors. There are golden statues, precious stones and a library with Tibetan books, relics and manuscripts.
The Hemis Festival is a dazzling celebration of the birth of the Buddhist Guru Rinpoche. The Chham Dance (masked dance by the monks) should not be missed at Hemis Monastery.
Thiksey Monastery, belonging to the Gelugpa sect, is 12 stories high. It has ten temples, showcases stunning Ladakhi architecture, a 15m high statue of Maitreya (future Buddha), fierce paintings and statues of deities and other Tibetan Buddhism artefacts.

Drive to Rumtse (2-3 hrs) (4240m), trek to Rumtse Phu (2-3 hrs) (4750m):

Start in the morning for Rumtse Phu, which is driven by the banks of the Kyamar river.
Cross some of the ancient monasteries like Thiksey and Stakna which is built aside of the Indus river
Enjoy the less-explored pastureland of Rumtse Phu.
Get the chance to meet some of the wild animals like Yak and Shepherds who takes their animals for grazing.
Enjoy the trek to Rumtse Phu with a mesmerising landscape view throughout the trek.
Overnight stay at camp in Rumtse Phu

Rumtse Phu to Base camp (5300m):

Trek to base camp which is an ascent trek
Enjoy the views of unclimbed peaks and green pastureland
Post Lunch, practise types of rope knots, rope packing and warm-ups
Base camp acclimatisation walk in the evening
Overnight stay at camp in Base camp

Introduction to mountaineering types of equipment and practice:

You will be introduced to mountaineering equipment and its applications.
Climb ascent to low height mountains with certified expedition leader
Practise various climbing techniques Rappelling and Jumaring, self-rescue techniques, etc
Overnight stay at camp in Base camp

Summit push to UT Kangri (6100m):

Early morning summit push towards UT Kangri
During the climb, you will find the terrain changing to loose scree and moraine.
Depending on the condition of the weather and the distance we have covered during the early morning trek, we will reach the summit of the U.T Kangri post morning. It will take us about 8-9 hours to make a complete round trip to the summit.
After a tedious climb to the summit and back, you will spend the rest of the day resting in the base camp.
Overnight stay at camp in Base camp

Base camp to Rumtse Phu and back to Leh:

The local team will pick you up from the Rumtse Phu, and drive to Hemis Monastery
At times the road to Hemis gets blocked, in these situations, you will take a short hike to Hemis on the jeep track. The Hemis monastery is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh.
The Monastery was built in the 17th century and is located in the Indus Valley
It boasts of a spectacular copper statue of Buddha and beautiful paintings, Stupas, articles, and amazing Thangkas depicting various aspects of Buddhist culture
In the month of June - July you can experience the Hemis festival, a riot of colors and fiesta. During the festival, you can enjoy the Chham Dance or the Mask Dance of Ladakh
After spending some time in Hemis Monastery, start your return journey to Leh which will take about an hour.
Overnight at a hotel in Leh.

Drive from Leh to Alchi Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery and Kargil (2,676m/8,780ft)

Much of our time will be spent driving to Kargil. At Lamayuru, there is a spectacular landscape that has been compared to our moon’s surface. We may visit Alchi Monastery and Lamayuru Monastery on the way to Kargil.
Located on the South bank of the Indus River, Alchi Monastery is said to be built between 958 AD and 1055 AD. Alchi Monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect and contains some of the oldest surviving paintings of Buddhism and Hindu Kings. It also contains huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and artwork.
Lamayuru Monastery, belonging to the Drikung Kagyu sect, is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh, dating back to the 10th century. The monastery houses a rich collection of artefacts, wall paintings, statues and carpets.

Drive from Kargil to Tangol (3,700m / 12,139ft, 3-4 hours)

From Kargil, we will drive alongside the Suru River to reach Tangol. Today, we will see Kun and Nun for the first time. Sort and distribute equipment in the evening.

Trek to base camp (4,500m/14,764ft, 6 hours)

After a good early morning breakfast, we hike to Nun Base Camp.

Rest and sort gear at Base Camp

Today we will prepare the equipment, gear and food for the climb.

Day 13 – 22: climbing days (including rest days and days for contingencies)

Base camp (4,500m / 14,763ft) to Camp 1 (5,500m / 18,045ft, 5-6 hours)
The route involves climbing scree slopes and rocky moraines before reaching a glacier. Afterwards, we will use 250m of fixed lines to climb and negotiate crevasses. We will establish Camp 1 on a vast snow plateau.
Camp 1 (5,500m / 18,045ft) to Camp 2 (6,100m / 20,013ft, 6+ hours)
The route involves mixed climbing on snow, ice and rock. You will use fixed lines to reach Camp 2 on a crevassed col.
Camp 2 (6,100m / 20,013ft) to Camp 3 (6,400m / 20,997ft, 4+ hours)
The route involves roping up or using fixed lines to negotiate crevasses. We will climb ice slopes to reach the small plateau of Camp 1.
Summit day (7,135m / 23,409ft, 10+ hours).
The route involves climbing a steep slope of snow and ice and tricky rock sections below a snow arete. Again, we will be using fixed lines. The summit view is spectacular.
After summiting, we will descend as far as possible to the lower camps – e.g. Camp 3. The next day, we will further descend to Nun Base Camp.