TRIP FACTS
Region: Kullu | Lahaul Valley
Duration: 4Night/5 days
Season: Nov to Dec – Feb to Mar
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Group Size : 10 Persons.
Maximum Altitude: 3500m
Activities: 3 Days Ice Climbing Course.
Meals: 5 Breakfasts / 3 Pack-lunch / 4 Dinners.
Trip Begin: Manali.
Trip End: Manali.
INTRODUCTORY ICE CLIMBING COURSE - IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS
Located in North part of India, Himachal (Lahaul Valley), 1 & 30h by jeep from Manali, amazing site for the icefall climbing, offering beautiful lines of all difficulties in an environment which is easily accessible and wild.
We designed this course specifically for those who wish to discover the exhilarating and fast-growing sport of ice climbing – no previous experience is required. This course aims to teach you all the basics necessary to practice ice climbing: proper climbing technique using technical ice axes and crampons, handling rope systems, understanding ice protection, selection of clothing and preparing your pack for the day. You will climb top rope in both, single pitch and multi pitch environment under the guidance of our Himalayan Yeti Adventure Mountain Guide.
This 3 day ice climbing course is set around Lahaul, a picturesque Himalayan valley. You will stay in a homestays or Camps where you will explore and experience the Himalayan culture and authentic delicious food. Best ways to discover the diversity of the Himalayan landscape during the winters.
HOW TO REACH MANALI
The nearest airport serving this beautiful hill station is situated at Bhuntar. Known as Kullu Manali Airport, it is at a distance of approximately 60 from Manali.
The road instead since there are some spellbinding picturesque views en route to be enjoyed. The destination has a good connectivity by road with cities like Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh and Shimla serving as pivotal points. A number of bus services including private services like the very comfortable Volvo ply frequently from Delhi to Manali.
The closest railway station is Chandigarh (315 km) or Pathankot (290 km). You can make your travel bookings till either of these two cities and then take a prepaid bus or a cab till Manali.
- Introduction to crampon and ice axe techniques (how to anchor your ice axes and crampons as accurately as possible)
- Safety procedures, use of ice screws and different systems of protection (placing and retrieving ice screws, other means of climbing protection, building belays on ice)
- Abseiling & belay techniques on ice
- Heaps of fun climbing
DAY 01 - ARRIVE MANALI (2050m) REPORT AT OLD MANALI OFFICE.
You will meet your group and your mountain guide in the HYA office on the day time before your ice climbing course begins. The meeting is a great opportunity to ask any questions about the course and to check with your guide that you have the right equipment. The detailed itinerary will depend on the weather, snow and ice conditions and these can vary very much from week to week. Therefore right now we can give you only a rough outline of what will happen on your course day to day.
: Breakfast & Dinner
: Hotel Manali.
DAY 02 - DRIVE TO LAHAUL (KHOKSAR) ICE CLIMBING – ICE CLIMBING DAY 1.
We start bright and early, meeting in Manali at 6.30am and driving through The Atal tunnel to Lahaul (Khoksar), the drive is approximately an hour. We will go straight to waterfall, an excellent ice climbing area where there are more than a dozen routes to suit all capabilities. Your guide will spend today teaching you the basic techniques of ice climbing and ensuring that you know how to use the equipment. At the end of the day we will check into our Homestays.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: HomeStay.
DAY 03 - ICE CLIMBING – DAY 2.
We will continue the instruction and training at another ice climbing crag in the valley. You should be able to use your ice axes effectively to follow longer climbs, to belay your leader and abseil safely by the end of the day.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: HomeStay.
DAY 04 - TODAY CLIMB A MULTI-PITCH ROUTE. ICE CLIMBING – DAY 3.
Today we will climb a multipitch route – one of the amazing ice falls in the valley. The route will be selected according to your level and progress. We will encourage you to push your limits while keeping you happy and safe. After climbing, at the end of the afternoon we will drive back to Manali, aiming to be back by around 6:30pm.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Hotel Manali.
DAY 05 - REST DAY & DEPARTURE.
Today you are free to explore Manali, at afternoon we will drive 10minutes to Manali Volvo bus stand, your bus will around between 4:00pm to 6:30pm towards Delhi.
: Breakfast.
: N/A
What is included in the tour
- Meals: As mentioned in the itinerary
- Expert instructor of guiding and instruction by an ABVIMAS qualified mountain guide.
- Accommodation in Camp/Hotel/Homestay with APAI (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner)
- Group Medical kit with oxygen cylinder.
- Tent, Sleeping Bag & Mattress.
- Private transportation to start of trek and back to Manali.
- All park entrances and permits.
- Ice climbing Equipment, Mountaineering boots, Pair of technical ice axes, Ice climbing crampons, Climbing helmet, Ice-Screwpittons, Carabiners, Belay device, Climbing helmet, Pant, Warm gloves & Jacket.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any accidental, emergency, travel or medical insurance for the climbing party. It is strongly recommended that the participants get themselves comprehensively insured before the expedition.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Any and all evacuation charges (medical emergency or otherwise), or hospitalization or physicians consultation charges. Your own insurance policy should also ideally, cover this.
- Any air transfers or airfare between Delhi and Bhunter or vice versa.
- Any Surface Transfers between New Delhi & Manali and vice-versa.
- Beverages or drinks of any sort, including soft drinks, alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks or bottled / mineral water.
- Tipping of the drivers, camp staff or guides etc.
- Any photography charges or camera charges or batteries.
- Any shopping charges or transfers for personal visits to the market etc.
- Any other services not specifically mentioned in the service inclusions.
- Any charges for a manual or helicopter evacuation, in case of a medical emergency or the like.
- Any personal climbing gear or equipment, unless specified otherwise.
