Why Kanamo Peak Is the Ultimate Himalayan Summit Adventure
Why Kanamo Peak Is the Ultimate Himalayan Summit Adventure
Category Trek Insights & Experience
By Naman Rakheja
2025-08-06
When we think of summit climbs in India, very few come close to what Kanamo Peak has to offer. And we are saying this with complete conviction. Because the Kanamo Peak trek is not just about reaching a high point — it’s an experience that changes something in you.
Let us walk you through it.
A Summit That Puts You Above Europe. Literally.
Kanamo stands tall at 19,553 feet. That’s not just high by Indian trekking standards. It’s higher than any summit in Europe. Yes — there is no mountain in all of Europe that comes close to what you’ll stand on top of here.
And here’s where it gets exciting. You don’t just walk up to a summit like this casually. The final push begins in the middle of the night. You step out of your tents at Kanamo Base Camp, headlamps on, the air biting cold, and you start the climb.
You’re inching upwards, every 30 feet demanding a gasp for breath. The oxygen is thin, your legs are tired, but your eyes are locked on the goal.
And suddenly you find yourself walking between steep cornices, with patches of ice to your left and right, and a narrow trail that leads to that glorious summit.
It’s one of those summit climbs that gives you goosebumps even when you think about it years later.
The famous hump of Kanamo Peak. Photo by Ravindra Joisa.
The Adventure Begins at Base Camp Itself
Most treks ease you into the adventure. Not this one.
The moment you reach Kanamo Base Camp, you know you’re on sacred ground. It’s remote, it’s barren, and it’s beautiful in that stark Spitian way. From here, the summit day takes you on an intense, exhilarating journey that’s not for the faint-hearted.
And that’s what makes this one of the most special adventures you’ll ever do in the Himalayas. It’s tough, it demands solid fitness, and it rewards you with an unforgettable sense of accomplishment.
But It’s Not Just About the Summit
There’s another side to this trek that we love — Spiti.
Spiti isn’t like any other place in our country. It’s a cold desert with a character of its own — the earthy colours, the silence, the Buddhist culture, the monasteries perched on cliffs, and the sheer remoteness of the place. You rarely see crowds here. Very few trekkers have actually set foot in this region.
Kanamo gives you the chance to soak in all of this. The landscape, the people, the food, the simplicity. It’s not just a trek. It’s a cultural experience set in a high-altitude desert.
A black yak walks across the open horizon. Photo by Sudhir Hegde.
Who Should Do This Trek?
This is important — don’t take this trek lightly.
You need to be in rock-solid fitness to do Kanamo Peak. This is a high-altitude trek with a tough summit push. If you haven’t trained for it, it’s not for you. But if you have — this is a life-changing summit.
It’s one of those rare treks that combines altitude, adventure, solitude, and culture — all in one.
Trekkers negotiate a steep scree slope through frost and snow. Photo by Mark Rodrigues.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
In all honesty, Kanamo Peak is the highest trekkable summit you can realistically do in India without technical mountaineering. And it’s not just about the bragging rights.
It’s about how you feel standing at 19,600 ft, above Europe, above the clouds, having earned every step of the way.
Just make sure you train hard before you attempt it.
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