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.

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.

Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.

All foreign nationalities entering India require a valid visa, which in most cases must be obtained in advance of travel (please check the regulations for your nationality). You must have a machine-readable passport, valid for at least 180 days from your arrival date in India. Persons of Indian origin must have an OCI card. Clients with a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani descent will need extra time and additional documents for visa processing.

Applicants of eligible countries can either apply online for an Indian e-Visa or apply for a Standard Visa, which involves an in-person visit to a branch of the Indian High Commission's Visa Facilitation Service (VFS). There have been delays to Standard Visa processing times so please book your appointment ASAP if using this service.

Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply online via https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Applications for 30-day e-Tourist visas can be made from 30 days before the proposed date of travel and not less than 4 days before your arrival date in India (applications for multiple entry 1-year e-Tourist visas can be made from 120 days in advance).

Applications for a Standard Visa (requiring both an online application and an in-person appointment) can be made via the VFS Global website.

You’ll also need to complete an e-arrival card online before travelling to India. This digital form replaces the paper arrival card (still accepted until March 2026) and can be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. It’s not a visa, and a valid visa or OCI card is still required. More details are available on the Indian visa website.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

In the Himalayan regions of North India, particularly in Ladakh, cuisine is shaped by the high altitude, arid climate, and strong Tibetan cultural influences. Meals are typically simple, nourishing, and energy-rich, relying on staples such as barley, wheat, lentils, root vegetables, and dairy, with meat included where available.

Food is generally warming and practical, reflecting the short growing season and limited agricultural diversity. Alongside traditional Ladakhi and Tibetan dishes, North Indian cuisine—featuring a variety of vegetable and non-vegetable curries prepared with aromatic spices—is also commonly served.

Travellers with dietary requirements can usually be accommodated, especially those following vegetarian diets, although variety may be more limited in remote areas. It is advisable to plan ahead, as guides can help coordinate meals and adapt to specific dietary needs wherever possible.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be well catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. A variety of lentils and pulses are commonly served, including yellow and black lentils (dal), kidney beans, chickpeas, and other widely available legumes. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, along with products like paneer, cheese, and yogurt are also commonplace. These ingredients are used to prepare a variety of meals, including international, Ladakhi, Tibetan, and North Indian cuisine.

Vegan Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Alongside a variety of vegetables and fruits, our host makes every effort to offer suitable vegan options, including plant-based milk and other available alternatives. Most meals served during the camping portion of the trip are primarily vegetarian, which can be easily adapted to meet vegan requirements.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare in this region and cannot be guaranteed unless specifically arranged in advance with your host. Where this is not feasible, vegetarian or vegan meals are often the most suitable and reliable alternatives, if acceptable to you. Please refer to the related sections above for more details.

Halal Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Ladakh is known for its strong cultural harmony, with a significant Muslim population in Leh and especially in the Kargil district. As a result, Halal practices are widely followed, and meat available in the region is generally Halal.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. With a variety of naturally gluten-free options such as rice, fresh vegetables, and fruits, our host is able to accommodate gluten-free requirements. A wider range of choices is typically available in Delhi and Leh, whereas options may be more limited in remote areas during the trek. That said, many standard meals already include gluten-free components without the need for special preparation. We recommend bringing your preferred snacks or supplements from home to ensure you have sufficient energy throughout the adventure.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Many of the dishes served are naturally low in lactose, and where possible, our hosts aims to provide lactose-free alternatives. A wider range of options is generally available in Delhi and Leh, whereas choices may be more limited in remote trekking areas.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

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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.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

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. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

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

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
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See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

In Ladakh, daytime temperatures in Leh can reach a high of 28°C, while UT Kangri Base Camp may see temperatures around 15°C during the day and as low as -5 to-10°C at night. Ladakh generally enjoys stable weather during the summer, but occasional rain or snowfall in the mountains is possible. The climb of UT Kangri may involve setting off before dawn in very cold conditions with the possibility of encountering snow. While departures are timed for good weather, conditions in mountain areas can be unpredictable, so it's essential to be prepared for any changes beyond the expected weather patterns.

During the summer season, Delhi experiences hot and humid conditions with temperatures around 35°C or higher.