Trekkers, Roll Up Your Sleeves to Visit Siachen Glacier in Ladakh

siachen glacier India

Here's some good news for all the trekking enthusiasts! The world's coldest and highest battlefield and the second longest glacier in non-polar areas, Siachen Glacier, is opening up for tourists from 27th Sept, World Tourism Day.

As per the news report, the Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced that tourists can now visit Siachen Glacier, which is the highest battlefield and one of the most difficult terrains.

The step has been taken to increase tourism in Ladakh, which has been recently made into a separate union territory. It is also an initiative for people to witness the difficulties that army personnel face in the such areas located at a height.

Mentioned by Rajnath Singh, the entire Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post area is now open for tourism.

Everything you must know about visiting the Glacier at this height

Siachen base camp at Partapur is at an altitude of 12,000 feet and temperatures can dip as low as -60 degrees during the winter. The highest post in Siachen is Bana Post, which is located at a height of 23,000 feet.

With the army deployed at the campsite, this is the first time that the area has been opened by the army for tourists. As mentioned by the Defence Minister that the newly constructed ‘Colonel Chewang Rinchen Bridge’ over the Shyok River in Eastern Ladakh bridge will provide all-weather connectivity in the region and act as a strategic asset in the border areas.

As per the media, this along with 36 other bridges and road construction will of great help to both military and civilians for swifter movement. This along with 36 other bridges and road construction will of great help to both military and civilians for swifter movement.

The construction of the bridge started in 2017. The bridge will be a boost to road connectivity. It is 4.5 meters wide and 1400 ft long at a height of more than 14,000 feet.

As stated by the Defence Minister, Border area development is an integral part of our government’s plan and this bridge is a part of that strategy.

Journey from Siachen Base camp to Kumar Post

The Trek Begins From Leh In Ladakh At A Height Of About 12,000 Feet. According to the website of the Indian Army, “The Indian Army organises a Siachen Glacier Trek between August and September every year for approximately thirty selected civilians recommended by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). For more details, you can contact ncmediacell@gmail.com

What are some of the challenges we are looking at?

The biggest challenge after opening the trek for civilians will be preserving the beauty of the Glacier and not let human rule over the beauty of the Glacier.

As per the news reports, almost 1,000 kg of waste is generated every day due to Army’s presence in the highest battle zone on Earth.

Adding tourism and locals to the place will add to it and Govt and the travelers have to develop a mechanism to dispose it in an eco-friendly way.

More tourists and Vehicles will increase the risk of melting the glacier. This will also put an additional logistics burden on the Army since there is hardly any civilian administration here.