Sachin Lama
Founder & Lead Expedition Leader
NIM Advanced Mountaineering (Grade A) · Wilderness First Responder · guiding since 2013
WINTER JOURNEY STANDARD
Ice Climbing in Ladakh
An 8-day technical winter ice climbing course on natural frozen waterfalls and ice crags near Leh, taught at a 1:3 instructor ratio.
Reply within 24 hoursNo payment to enquireWritten quote before you pay
Starts fromLeh
Altitude3,500 m
Duration8 Days
SeasonJanuary – February
GradeModerate to Difficult
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who the Ice Climbing in Ladakh suits
Travellers comfortable with sub-zero temperatures and slow winter road travel, who want a guided introduction to the Indian Himalaya in its quietest season.
What you need to join
- Good general fitness and comfort in very cold conditions; no prior climbing experience is needed for the ice-climbing programmes.
- Willingness to follow the leader’s decisions when snow or ice conditions change the plan.
- A signed medical fitness certificate before your booking is confirmed.
- Travel insurance that covers winter activities, high-altitude stays and emergency evacuation.
THE ROUTE
Ice Climbing in Ladakh route overview
The Ice Climbing in Ladakh is a 8-day winter Himalayan tour in Ladakh that reaches 3,500 m. Kailasa grades it Moderate to Difficult. The best time to go is January – February.
A high-grade 8-day technical mountain training programme conducted on natural frozen waterfalls and ice crags in Leh, Ladakh. It is designed to build core ice-tool mechanics, anchor construction and self-rescue skills.
The course starts with a full rest day in Leh for acclimatisation, then moves to gear fitting, a cold-safety session and five field days on the ice. Instructors are certified IFMGA or senior technical mountaineers, at a ratio of 1 instructor to 3 students.
You should be fit and comfortable in extreme cold. Conditions change from year to year, so the exact climbing crags are chosen by the instructors on the day.
| Region | Ladakh |
|---|---|
| Starts from | Leh |
| Highest point | 3,500 m |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult |
| Best season | January – February |
Course syllabus
Technical modules and learning outcomes
Four modules covering ice tools, anchors, ropework and rescue. Winter (Jan – Feb), Leh at 3,500 m, 1 instructor : 3 students.
1. Ice tool and crampon mechanics: dual-tool swing dynamics, wrist alignment, front-pointing precision, flat-footing and body triangle positioning on vertical ice.
2. Screw placement and anchoring: installing ice screws, evaluating ice density, constructing Abalakov (V-thread) anchors and building equalised multi-point belays.
3. Belaying and ropework: high-friction belay setups, top-rope rigging, lead belaying mechanics, knots, hitches and system safety checks in subzero weather.
4. Hazard assessment and rescue: reading ice quality, temperature shifts and objective dangers, self-rescue lowering systems and cold-weather emergency management.
Course schedule
Ladakh Winter Ice Climbing Course: 8-day schedule
A high-grade 8-day technical programme on natural frozen waterfalls and ice crags in Leh. Tap a day to see the plan. Crags and field-day order can change with ice and weather conditions.
Airport pickup and transfer to hotel. Mandatory full day of rest for high-altitude acclimatisation. Evening course orientation briefing and instructor team introduction. Overnight in a heated hotel in Leh.
Detailed hardware check of boots, crampons, axes, harness and helmet, with tuning and custom adjustments. Theory session on extreme cold layering, frostbite prevention and ice environment dynamics. Overnight in Leh.
Transfer to a local training ice crag (for example Ganglas or Tsogsti). Field practice on low-angled ice: crampon footing, axe placements and body weight distribution. Return to the hotel for an evening debrief.
Climbing progression on steeper ice faces. Practice top-rope climbing, belay mechanics, tool force economy and movement speed. Overnight stay in a heated hotel in Leh.
Steep and vertical ice climbing techniques. Practical drills for placing and removing ice screws while positioned on front-points. Overnight stay in a heated hotel in Leh.
Creating Abalakov (V-thread) anchors using threading hooks. Setting up abseil systems directly on ice features and executing multi-pitch descent drills. Overnight in Leh.
Comprehensive practical climbing assessment on varied ice routes. Technical debriefing, presentation of course completion certificates and a celebration dinner. Overnight in Leh.
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out, and transfer to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport for onward flights.
Quotation
Ice climbing course fees, inclusions and personal requirements
Indian citizens: ₹42,500 + 5% GST. Foreign / OCI nationals: USD $650. Maximum 9 trainees per batch, 1:3 instructor ratio.
Participant categories and batch policy: Indian citizens pay ₹42,500 + 5% GST. Foreign / OCI nationals pay USD $650. Both categories have a maximum of 9 trainees per batch with a 1:3 instructor ratio.
Included in the course: 7 nights in a heated hotel in Leh. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel plus packed field lunch and thermos tea. Airport pickups and daily private heated transport to the ice crags. Technical group gear: ropes, ice screws, belay devices and quickdraws. Certified IFMGA / senior technical mountaineer instructors at a 1:3 ratio.
Personal requirements: Flight tickets to and from Leh. Personal ice hardware: C2/C3 boots, ice axes/tools, crampons, harness and helmet (rental options available). Extreme cold winter clothing: down jacket, shell and insulated gloves. Personal high-altitude winter sports insurance (mandatory).
To enrol or ask a question, email kailasatreks@gmail.com or call +91 7351523841. Office: B83, Kandal, Lane-2, Doon Public Road, Athoorwala-Doiwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248140.
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
What the price includes
Here is what the price covers and what it does not. Your written quote confirms the final amount for your dates and nationality.
Included
- Stay: 7 nights in a hotel in Leh with room heating facilities
- Meals: breakfast and dinner at the hotel, plus packed field lunch and thermos tea
- Transfers: airport pickups and daily private heated transport to the ice crags
- Group gear: technical ropes, ice screws, belay devices and quickdraws
- Instructors: certified IFMGA / senior technical mountaineers (1:3 ratio)
- First aid medical kit and oxygen cylinder
- Course completion certificate
Not included
- Flight tickets to and from Leh
- Personal ice hardware: C2/C3 boots, ice axes/tools, crampons, harness and helmet (rental options available)
- Extreme cold winter clothing (down jacket, shell, insulated gloves)
- Personal high-altitude winter sports insurance (mandatory)
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
GETTING THERE
How do you reach the start of the Ice Climbing in Ladakh?
The expedition starts in Leh. Day 1 of the itinerary: Day 01 – Arrival in Leh (3,500 m).
- Fly into Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, IXL). Direct flights run from Delhi and several other Indian cities.
- Book flights that land on Day 1 of the itinerary: the first days in Leh are kept for acclimatisation, so arriving late cuts into your safety margin.
- Leh is also reachable by road from Manali or Srinagar in season, but the drive gains height quickly; most climbers fly in.
Your exact meeting point and time are confirmed in your trip briefing.
PACKING LIST
What should you pack for the Ice Climbing in Ladakh?
Technical gear for ice climbing is provided by Kailasa; bring your own warm clothing and boots. Winter nights are well below freezing.
Clothing
- Base layers (synthetic or merino), top and bottom
- Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket and trousers
- Insulated gloves plus thin liner gloves
- Warm hat, buff or neck gaiter, sun cap
- Trekking socks and warm wool socks (3–4 pairs)
Footwear
- Insulated, waterproof winter boots
- Gaiters for snow
- Warm camp shoes
Warmth & carry
- Down jacket rated for −15 °C or colder
- Sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag for cold guesthouses
- 40–50 litre backpack with rain cover
- Trekking poles
Personal
- Sunglasses (UV400, category 3–4) and SPF 50 sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Two 1-litre water bottles or a hydration bladder
- Personal medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Quick-dry towel, toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Original photo ID and copies of permits and insurance
WHO CLIMBS WITH YOU
Led by people who live in these mountains
Every Ice Climbing in Ladakh team is led by certified Kailasa guides. You meet your assigned expedition leader at the technical briefing three weeks before departure.
Pasang Sherpa
Sherpa & fixed-rope team leader
22+ years on Himalayan expeditions · 16 Everest summits · Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri
CANCELLATION
What happens if you need to cancel?
What you get back depends on how long before the start date you cancel. You can take a refund or a credit for a future Kailasa trip, valid for one year.
| Before start | Refund | Future credit (same participant) | Future credit (another participant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 85% | 100% | Not stated |
| 60 to 30 days | 70% | 85% | 75% |
| 30 to 10 days | 40% | 70% | 65% |
| Less than 10 days | No refund | 50% | 40% |
BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE
Ice Climbing in Ladakh questions
Do I need climbing experience?
No. The course builds skills from low-angled ice up to steep ice, with one instructor for every three students. You should be fit and comfortable in cold conditions.
How cold does it get?
Daytime temperatures in Leh in January and February are often below freezing, and nights can drop to −15 °C or colder. Bring proper winter layers.
Is the technical equipment provided?
Group gear (ropes, ice screws, belay devices and quickdraws) is included. You bring personal ice hardware (C2/C3 boots, ice tools, crampons, harness and helmet) and winter clothing; rental options are available on request.
Can the plan change?
Yes. Ice conditions and weather decide where you climb, so the instructors can change crags or reorder field days to keep the group safe.
YOUR EXPEDITION STARTS HERE
Speak to the team before you decide.
Share your preferred dates, nationality and climbing history. Kailasa can assess route fit, then confirm the current itinerary, field support, permits, equipment and final amount in writing.
- STEP 1Share your plansSend your preferred dates and climbing history on WhatsApp or email.
- STEP 2Readiness call & quoteThe team checks route fit and sends the final amount in writing.
- STEP 3Confirm your seatBook once you have read the quote and the booking terms.
Reply within 24 hours · No payment to enquire · Written quote before you pay. Review the cancellation, privacy and booking terms before paying.
KEEP EXPLORING
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THE KAILASA STANDARD
A serious mountain deserves
a serious plan.
No blind checkout. No one-size-fits-all promise. Your enquiry begins with the route, your experience and the questions that matter before you commit.
Start a private planning conversationFit before booking
Your climbing history and readiness are discussed before the team recommends a route.
Safety before summit
Acclimatisation, conditions and field decisions take priority over a fixed summit promise.
Clarity before payment
Ask for the current itinerary, inclusions, equipment plan and written final quote.
Team around the objective
Confirm your expedition leader, support team and departure-specific safety arrangements.