India

Your trip will start in Manali, in north India. Perched at the foothills of the Himalayas, Manali is one of the most attractive towns for adventurers the world over, thanks to its streams, forests, orchards, and, of course, snow-capped mountains. It was the starting point of an ancient trade route which crossed the Rohtang and Baralacha passes, and ran via Lahul and Ladakh to Kashmir.

Enjoy the day, exploring the area at your own pace.

Accommodation: basic, 3* star resort.

After breakfast, you will have a briefing on basic mountaineering, and an introduction to the use of rock-climbing equipment, including ropes and knots. You will then head to a nearby rock-climbing area to practice and learn the basics of various rappelling techniques.

In the evening, you will return to the resort, where, after a brief rest, you will enjoy a short documentary on rock climbing.

Accommodation: basic, 3* star resort.

Today, you will drive to Dhundi (approx. a 3-hour drive), the starting point of the Beas Kund Trail. Upon your arrival, you will begin your hike towards Bakarthach (3,352 m altitude): a high-altitude meadow on the way to Beas Kund, the source of the river Beas (“Kund” in the local language means “small lake”).
Picnic lunch on the way to Bakarthach.

After reaching the camp, you will relax with some tea and snacks before going for an acclimatization walk. The day will end with a presentation of the basic mountaineering terminology and an introduction to snow-craft equipment.

Trekking Distance: 13 km.
Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
Altitude gain: 2840 m to 3270 m

Overnight in alpine tents (double occupancy).

After breakfast, you will hike to Priyadarshini Gully (approx. a 1-hour hike) for a snow-craft session. You will spend the day learning various techniques on how to walk and stop on snow.
You will return to the camp for lunch and, later, you will have a briefing on glaciers and mountain weather and an introduction to ice-climbing equipment.

Trekking Distance: 2-3 km.
Trekking Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Altitude gain: 3270 m to 3550 m

Overnight in alpine tents (double occupancy).

Highlights of the day
• Ice-climbing: lessons and practice.
• Trek to the Beas Kund Glacier.

After breakfast, you will hike to the Beas Kund Glacier (approx. a 1.5-hour hike), where you will learn and practice basic ice climbing techniques and crevasse rescue.

You will return to the camp for lunch, and later you will participate in a few fun activities like bush crafting - wilderness survival skills.

Trekking Distance: 3 km.
Trekking Duration: 1.5 hours
Altitude gain: 3270 m to 3600 m

Overnight in alpine tents (double occupancy).

After breakfast, you will trek back to Dhundi, and, from there, drive to Manali, having lunch on the way. You will reach the hotel in the evening, having enough time to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Trekking Distance: 13 km.
Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
Altitude loss: 3270 m to 2840 m

Accommodation: basic, 3* star resort.

After breakfast, you will head to the airport for your flight back home.