A Guide to Different Ranges for Mountaineering in Ladakh

Ladakh, the land of perpetual snow and harsh, arid landscapes offers its special brand of charm to the mountaineers all over the world. The two of the most massive mountain ranges in the world, the Karakoram in the north and Greater Himalayas in the south surrounds this region. You can find peaks ranging from above 6000 meters to 7200 meters in this region. Any mountain climber in Ladakh will feel mesmerized by the stunning landscapes and sweeping vistas of the region.

The best climbing season starts from the month of May and continues till October before the monsoons hit the area. You will find most climbing areas are accessible enough and the journey is pleasant through the myriad of valleys and streams. While most of the distance is covered on foot, the regions are accessible through the main towns of Leh and Kargil. The three main ranges that you may encounter on your mountaineering tour in Leh Ladakh are the Karakoram Range, the Stok Kangri Massif and the Nun-Kun massif.

Stok Kangri Massif:

This location of this popular region for mountaineering in Ladakh is within the Zanskar region to the south of the city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. You will get a spectacular view of the mighty Karakoram Range from any peak top in this region. The climbing itself does not require much professional mountaineering training. You can reach a maximum height of 6,150 meters in this region. The famous peaks in the area are –
Stok Kangri (6,150 m)
Matho West (5,950 m)
Golaib Kangri (5,900 m)
Kantaka (5,275 m)

Nun-Kun Massif:

This mountain range is famous for the hard and highly technical climbs of its twin peaks. You can travel to this most-frequented spot for mountaineering in India through the Kargil-Padum road and Parkachik glacier. The destination is located at Suru Valley at a distance of 250 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. The twin peaks provide a very challenging climb for the hardcore mountaineers. The well-known peaks of this range are –
Nun (7,135 m)
Kun (7,087 m)

The Karakoram Range:

This notable region for mountaineering in Ladakh is located 150 kilometers north of Leh city. The Nubra valley is an ideal tourists’ spot nearby, with the famous Karakoram Pass of the historical Silk Route and Sasser Pass the likely attractions. The Shyok and Siachan rivers conjugate here to form this large valley with Siachen glacier to the north. The peaks in this range include –
Saser-I (7,415 m)
Saser-II (7,513 m)
Saser-III (7,495 m)