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

Meet your host at the airport in Delhi, and settle in for the transfer across town to your hotel in the centre. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to head out and explore some of Delhi's sights before getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner.

Jump on a morning flight from Delhi to Leh – eyes peeled for your first glimpse of the snow-capped Himalayas from above, as you travel to the far north of India. Accompanied by your guide you'll arrive in the historic capital of Ladakh to start your adventure. With centuries of rich heritage and cross-cultural exchange, Leh is a traveller's delight, bursting with ancient Tibetan monasteries, bustling bazaars, enchanting alleyways adorned with colourful prayer flags, quaint guesthouses and small cafes. You'll be taken to your hotel where you'll meet your local trek crew and have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore the town as your body slowly adapts to Leh's high altitude.

Having flown into Leh at 3500m, today is an important day for acclimatisation. You'll begin the day with a briefing on high-altitude trekking from your mountain guides; they'll give you an idea of what to expect and how best to approach the upcoming trek. Then take a look around Leh with your guides before a two-hour acclimatisation walk up to the hilltop Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh's most iconic building. Explore the temples and meet the red-robed monks who live in the monastery, before returning to your hotel in Leh.

Time to head for the mountains! Jump in the van for a drive up to the village of Sara at the head of the Markha Valley. Tuck into lunch under the shade of the 'tea tent' before beginning your trek along the valley, through the settlement of Chalak, and on to camp at the small hamlet of Thinles Pa (3700m). It's an easy first day on a good trail, giving you plenty of opportunities to take in the magnificent Himalayan scenery. As the trek unfolds, you'll find yourself sleeping in progressively more remote camps, allowing you to disconnect from modern comforts and digital connections and immerse yourself in the epic natural surroundings. Tranquil mornings and evenings will present you with the most breathtaking views of softly lit mountains towering above, endless panoramic vistas and chance encounters with the local wildlife.

Today's route crisscrosses the river at the valley floor on its way up to the remote village of Markha. Not all crossings have useable bridges, so enjoy the chance to dip your feet in the cool Himalayan waters. Continue along an impressive line of 'chortens' – these holy structures of Tibetan Buddhism stretch for miles across the Ladakh landscape. They are believed to ward off evil spirits, aided by the mounds of goat horns placed on top! Stopping in Markha, you'll witness the remote way of life and crumbling structures that hint at a time when the valley was more populated. Continue on the trail, stopping off at the precariously positioned Tache Gompa, another stunning Buddhist monastery perched on a seemingly inaccessible cliff top but reached via a short, steep climb. Admire the incredible views down the valley before continuing on, passing more small villages as you climb up a side valley to the ruins of Hankar Fort before descending into the Upper Hankar to the stream-side camp. Stunningly remote, the camp here is often shared with the resident Himalayan blue sheep.

Today you will trek a short but tough route to reach Nimaling. The trail will climb steeply to a plateau where the valley opens out. Witness the spectacular views of Kang Yatse (6400m), the highest peak in the valley. People do not live permanently in this region, however during the summer months the shepherds bring their flocks of goats, sheep and dzos (a hybrid of cow and yak) to graze on the pastures. In summer, the shepherds stay in stone shelters – you can often buy yogurt or local cheese from them. Reach Nimaling by lunchtime and your trek crew will set up the camp. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the Kang Yatse region behind the campsite as further acclimatisation.

Begin today with a tough climb over the high pass of Lalung La (5300m), with jaw-dropping views of the snow-topped peaks of two six-thousanders, Dzo Jongo and Kang Yatse, as your reward. Look out for the high-altitude glaciers that are the main water source for the people of the Markha Valley. Descending the other side of the pass you'll cross grazing land for yak and other cattle dotted with abandoned nomadic huts before reaching camp at Chaktsang.

Another tough day of up and down awaits. Start with a steep descent into a beautiful valley lined with impressive rock formations, then ascend steeply over the Chaksang La Pass (5200m) before heading down towards the village of Lato and the valley from which you will approach UT Kangri. You have now left the traditional Markha Valley trail and have several days of quieter paths where you'll be joined only by nomadic herders and intrepid mountaineers. Tonight's camp is situated on the Kyamur River on the quiet outskirts of Lato village.

Having completed the trek through the Markha Valley, and now well-acclimatised to the higher altitudes, it's time to ascend the Lato Valley on the approach to UT Kangri. Your trail follows old nomadic routes between several farming villages, exploring more of the traditional Ladakhi culture on your way to Rumtse Phu. Here, the locals are known for their horse riding and traditional dance of Gya-Pa-Cho. Although still in remote, high mountain terrain, both the villages of Lato and Rumtse Phu are connected by road, so they offer easy descent and evacuation options from the base camp of UT Kangri.

Tackle the short but steep morning walk up to base camp, where you'll spend the next three nights. At over 5000m you'll need to take today slowly as your body acclimatises further. Enjoy views of surrounding unclimbed peaks and the green pasturelands below. After lunch, your mountain guide will deliver a session introducing you to the techniques you will use on the snowy slopes above, including walking when tied in to a rope and how to use crampons and ice-axes. In the evening, your group will venture on a short acclimatisation walk taking in the light of golden hour on the spectacular snowy peaks surrounding you.

Today is a chance to get to grips with the simple, but important, techniques required to reach tomorrow's summit. You will walk above base camp, up simple snow slopes and small peaks, learning how to use your mountaineering equipment and practice skills such as moving on steep terrain and self-rescue techniques. Returning to camp, you'll have an early dinner – time to get some sleep ahead of tomorrow's early start for the summit!

The day you've been waiting for! Wake before dawn to start your summit bid. A challenging climb awaits as you ascend steep scree and moraine before crossing snow fields on the way to the top. You will be roped up with a mountain guide, at a 1:2 guide-to-climber ratio, using the skills you have learned to safely navigate the terrain. Finally, reach the summit at 6070m to be rewarded with views of Kang Yatse and many other high peaks of Ladakh. Take in the achievement of summiting a huge 6000m mountain before making the descent back to basecamp where you can enjoy a well-earned rest.

Enjoy your last morning in the high mountains before hiking back down to Rumtse Phu, where you say goodbye to your trek crew and will be picked up for the return journey to Leh. There's one last stop on the way, at the Hemis Monastery, one of the largest and richest monasteries in Ladakh. The monastery dates back to the 17th century and is a colourful insight into Himalayan Buddhism. Arrive back to Leh in the afternoon, where you can check in to the hotel ahead of a farewell dinner with your fellow summiteers.

After breakfast, you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport for your morning flight back to Delhi Airport. From here, you may connect to your onward international flight or your host can arrange additional nights in Delhi.