Arrive & Acclimatize in Leh
- Arrival and Hotel Transfer: Pick-up from Leh Airport and transfer to your hotel.
- Acclimatization Day: Rest is essential to adjust to Leh's high altitude (3,500m above sea level). Spend the day relaxing and hydrating to ensure a smooth start to your adventure.
- Overnight Stay: Enjoy the serene atmosphere of your hotel in Leh.
Introduction to Ice Climbing & Ganglas Ice Wall Exploration
- Ice Climbing Gear Introduction: Begin the day with an orientation session at your hotel, familiarizing yourself with ice climbing equipment.
- Afternoon at Ganglas Ice Wall: After lunch, head to the Ganglas ice wall for your first experience.
- Learn Key Techniques:
- Basic climbing knots, hitches, and rope management.
- Climbing techniques: Body positioning, tool placement, and footwork.
- Practice top-rope climbing under expert guidance.
- Overnight Stay: Return to your hotel in Leh for a comfortable night.
Advanced Techniques at Ganglas Ice Wall
- Anchor Building & Belaying: Learn how to set up anchors on ice and master ice screw placement techniques.
- Belay Practice: Understand the art of safe belaying during climbs.
- Top Rope Climbing: Gain more confidence as you continue practicing top-rope climbing.
- Overnight Stay: Relax at your hotel in Leh.
V-Thread Anchors and Full-Day Climbing at Ganglas Ice Wall
- V-Thread Anchor Setup: Learn how to create strong and reliable V-thread anchors on ice.
- Full-Day Climbing: Spend the entire day perfecting your climbing skills, making the most of the stunning Ganglas ice wall.
- Overnight Stay: Return to your Leh hotel to rest and recharge.
Leh to Tsogsti Ice Fall and Umblung Village
- Travel to Tsogsti Ice Fall: Drive along the picturesque Zanskar River and cross the famous frozen "Chadar" to reach Tsogsti's breathtaking natural ice fall.
- Full-Day Climbing at Tsogsti: Explore and climb this magnificent ice fall nestled within a narrow gorge.
- Drive to Umblung Village: After the climb, drive 2 hours to the charming Umblung village for your next adventure.
- Overnight Stay: Experience warm Ladakhi hospitality at a homestay in Umblung.
Full-Day Climbing at Umblung Ice Fall
- Explore Umblung Ice Fall: Discover another stunning ice fall near Umblung village.
- Diverse Ice Climbing Experience: Experience the differences in ice textures and formations as you climb.
- Skill Refinement: Apply all the techniques, knots, and climbing methods you've learned so far under expert supervision.
- Overnight Stay: Relax at your Umblung homestay.
Umblung to Zarthang Ice Fall and Khaltse
- Morning Drive to Zarthang Ice Fall: A scenic 1-hour drive followed by a 25-minute hike to reach this captivating natural ice fall along the Indus River.
- Full-Day Climbing: Explore Zarthang's unique 30-meter ice formations and hone your skills further.
- Overnight Stay: Enjoy a cozy stay at a homestay in Khaltse.
Climbing at Zarthang Ice Fall and Return to Leh
- Morning Climbing Session: Half-day climbing at Zarthang to push your limits and appreciate the beauty of this natural wonder.
- Drive Back to Leh: Relish the scenic drive back to Leh.
- Overnight Stay: Rest at your hotel in Leh.
Farewell Climbing at Ganglas Ice Wall
- Final Climbing Session: A full day dedicated to practicing all you've learned.
- Clear Your Doubts: Address any remaining questions or challenges with expert guides.
- Skill Enhancement: Focus on refining your techniques and enjoy your final climb.
- Overnight Stay: Celebrate your accomplishments back at your Leh hotel.
Departure from Leh
- Airport Transfer: Bid farewell to the magical land of Ladakh. We’ll arrange your transfer to Leh Airport for your onward journey.
Guidelines Do’s & Don'ts
- Give your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude/acclimation.
- Avoid sleeping during the day & get enough sleep at night.
- Avoid frequent smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Respect and greet the locals with Jullay (pronounced joo-lay which means Hello).
- Wear respectable outfits during your visit to sacred sites/ Monasteries.
- Kindly read the Monastery guidelines before entering a monastery.
- Ladakhi people will always be ready to help you. So, it's advisable to travel with a smile and greet Jullay.
Save the Himalayas: Follow the leave no trace policy
Majestic Ladakh proudly supports the ‘Leave no trace policy’ for our majestic Himalayas. We request you to follow the below guidelines and help us in preserving the splendid natural beauty of our country:
- Carry personal water bottles throughout the tour as locals will be always happy to provide water to refill & basically free of cost at restaurants and hotels.
- Advisable to carry a water bottle with a filter as you can refill it while travelling to any part of Ladakh.
- DZOMSA stalls are also available for refilling water bottles at just ₹7 per litre.
- Use reusable shopping bags in Leh market as plastics are totally banned in Ladakh as they are harmful to our environment.
- Do not litter. Bring back your own trash.
- Let nature’s sounds prevail; avoid loud voices and noises.
Is the Ice Climbing tour the right adventure for me?
Scaling frozen mountainside water features, such waterfalls, is known as ice climbing. On steep, jagged, and brittle ice formations, climbers use ice axes and crampons, footwear with metal spikes attached to the soles, to gently cut the ice and hoist themselves up.
Any alpine climber's skill set must now include ice climbing, which is also a very gratifying activity.
When deciding whether to proceed up a dangerous, frozen mass of water, a climber must rely on instinct and training. There's always a chance of being hit by an avalanche, and weather conditions can change quickly.
Who is an Ice climbing coach?
Ice Climbing coach in Ladakh are guides of All Ladakh Mountain guide association. Our course is led by Mr Dorjee locally known as TOBO. He has been guidng various tourists from numerous of countries in and on the mountains of Ladakh for more than decades. He is professionally qualified mountaineer with certiffication of both Basic and Advance Mountaineering from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and completed Intermediate Mountaineering Course (IMC), component One in order to accomplish IFMGA certification.
Since, the introduction of Ice climbing in Ladakh, Dorjee has been active in exploring valleys of Ladakh and encountered various natural ice climbing walls with thunder of adventures.
What equipment(s) should I carry for an Ice Climbing tour?
We provide a limited number of equipments which are defined under Inclusions, moreover there are numerus of personal equipments which can be brought along or rented in Leh.
The equipements include:
- Crampon
- Climbing Shoes
- Harness
- Carabiner
- Ice Axe
- Gaitors
What is AMS?
Acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
How to avoid AMS?
- Give your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude/acclimation
- Get enough sleep and eat healthy food
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol
If you suffer from any respiratory or health-related issues, please let the tour guide know before the start of the tour.
How is the weather in Ladakh during winter?
Ladakh experiences an extremely cold and challenging winter season. Winter in Ladakh typically spans from late November to early March. During this period, the region encounters frigid temperatures, making it one of the coldest places in India.
Daytime temperatures can vary between -20°C to 0°C (-4°F to 32°F), while nighttime temperatures plummet even further, reaching well below freezing. Ladakh becomes a winter wonderland, draped in a pristine blanket of snow, offering a unique and starkly beautiful landscape.
Always remember that in any mountain area, the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
How is the mobile connectivity in Ladakh?
Only Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh registered pre-paid sims are serviceable in Ladakh. The following services providers/services are active in Ladakh:
- Airtel: Postpaid service
- Jio: Postpaid & pre on post-service
- BSNL: Postpaid service
You can buy and activate a new sim in Leh.
What things should I carry for the trip?
Following are the list of essentials that you should carry:
- Medicines such as: Diamox, Aspirin/Disprin
- Base Layers: Moisture-wicking thermal or merino wool tops and bottoms to keep you dry and insulated.
- Insulating Layers: A warm and breathable fleece or down jacket for added insulation.
- Hardshell Jacket and Pants: Waterproof and windproof outer layers to protect against snow and ice.
- Climbing Pants: Durable and stretchy pants designed for climbing with reinforced knees.
- Gloves: Insulated and waterproof gloves or mittens to protect your hands from the cold and moisture.
- Socks: Thick, moisture-wicking, and insulated socks to keep your feet warm and dry.
- Balaclava or Neck Gaiter: To protect your face and neck from cold winds.
- Goggles or Sunglasses: Eye protection from snow, glare, and UV rays.
- Beanie or Hat: A warm hat to cover your head when not wearing the helmet.
- Backpack: A small, lightweight backpack to carry essentials and extra layers.
- Thermal Underwear: Extra thermal layers for added warmth, especially for longer climbs.
- Extra Clothing: Pack additional clothing layers in your backpack for quick changes if needed.
How are the restaurants in Leh?
You can find plenty of restaurants in Leh serving Ladakhi, Indian, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Korean, Italian and continental food. There are always plenty of choices for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Please keep about £70-100 (US $110-160) for food.
Do try the Ladakhi cuisine like vegetable momos or thukpa during your time in Leh!
Booking and Cancellation Policy
- Booking can be done as pre-booking only.
- Possible of both group and solo bookings.
- Pre-booking can be cancelled with a 40% refund only prior to 30 days of departure to the expedition.’
- Once the trip is started, there is no refund/cancellation possible
- No refund will be given for uncertainty caused by Natural Calamities
