Can tourists visit the Siachen Glacier now?

Yes, Indian citizens can now visit designated areas of the Siachen Glacier Base Camp with the necessary permits and acclimatization.

What are the conditions like at Siachen Glacier?

Siachen Glacier experiences extreme cold, with temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, high winds, and very thin air.

What permits are needed to visit Siachen Glacier?

Indian tourists need an Inner Line Permit for travel through restricted areas like Nubra Valley to reach Siachen.

Home / Environment / India Opens World's Highest Glacier

India Opens World's Highest Glacier

7 Jan

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Summary

Siachen Glacier, world's highest, now open to Indian tourists.
Permits and acclimatization are mandatory for visitors.
Extreme cold, thin air define this unique destination.

India has recently opened designated areas of the Siachen Glacier, situated in the eastern Karakoram range, to domestic tourists. This significant development allows Indian citizens to visit the world's highest inhabited glacier, previously accessible primarily to military personnel. Access is contingent upon obtaining necessary permits and undergoing mandatory acclimatization periods in Leh and Nubra Valley. The travel window is limited to the summer months, from June to September, with weather conditions remaining extremely challenging.

The Siachen Glacier, earning its moniker 'Crown of the Himalayas,' is characterized by its immense scale, stretching approximately 75 kilometers, and extreme environmental conditions. Temperatures regularly plunge to minus 50 degrees Celsius in winter and remain well below freezing even in summer. Wind speeds can exceed 100 kilometers per hour, and oxygen levels are critically low. These factors necessitate rigorous preparation and respect for the unforgiving terrain.