Max. Elevation
Basic ice climbing in Manang
Overview
Frozen Waterfalls of Manang: Beginner Ice Climbing Course in Nepal
The journey begins long before you touch the ice. As you travel deeper into Manang, the road slowly gives way to mountain trails, traditional villages, cold clear air, and the dramatic landscapes of the Annapurna region. The gradual approach gives your body time to acclimatize, but it also gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the mountains.
Then you reach the frozen waterfalls.
For many participants, this is the first time standing below a wall of natural ice with crampons on their boots and ice tools in their hands. At first, everything feels unfamiliar. That is exactly where the learning begins.
Our Ice Climbing Course in Manang is designed for beginners and climbers who want to build their skills step by step. Under the guidance of experienced Alpinist Club mountain guides, including an IFMGA-certified guide, you first learn how to use your equipment correctly. Crampons, ice axes, harnesses, ropes, helmets, ice screws, and climbing systems are introduced carefully before moving onto the ice.
The first climbing sessions focus on simple movement—where to place your feet, how to swing an ice tool, how to maintain balance, and how to move without wasting energy. As your confidence grows, the terrain gradually becomes more challenging.
You begin working with ropes, learning belaying, rappelling, knot tying, anchor building, V-threads, ice screw placement, and fixed-rope techniques. Later in the course, you may also experience multi-pitch ice climbing, learning how climbers move safely together over longer sections of frozen terrain.
Every day brings something new. Some lessons are technical, while others come simply from spending time in a cold mountain environment—managing your equipment, communicating with your climbing partner, understanding changing conditions, and learning when to move and when to slow down.
The goal is not to rush you to the top of a frozen waterfall. It is to help you become comfortable on the ice, understand the systems you are using, and develop good habits from the beginning.
No previous ice-climbing experience is required. Good fitness, a willingness to learn, and some trekking or climbing experience are helpful. By the end of the course, you will leave Manang with more than photographs of frozen waterfalls—you will leave with new skills, greater confidence, and a much better understanding of what it means to climb safely on ice in the Himalayas.
Itinerary
Expand AllUpon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel in Thamel, which takes approximately 25–30 minutes depending on traffic. After settling in, you will attend a short course briefing to review the schedule, safety protocols, and program expectations. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
- Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, meet your instructors for a full-day orientation. The morning session focuses on equipment familiarization and preparation, including a thorough check of crampons, ice tools, harnesses, helmets, ropes, and clothing layers. Instructors will provide detailed instruction on safety procedures, essential knots, belaying techniques, and an overview of the course structure.
Before lunch, there is time to finalize personal equipment, rent any missing gear, and make final preparations for the journey ahead.
You then begin a scenic full-day drive along the Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers toward Besisahar. The drive to Besisahar takes approximately 6 hours, passing through rural villages and river valleys. Dinner is served upon arrival at the lodge.
- Altitude: 1,860 m
- Drive Time: 5-6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Dinner Overnight: Lodge
After breakfast, begin the drive from Besisahar to Chame, following the Marsyangdi River deep into the Manang Valley. The road winds through dramatic gorges, terraced farmland, and traditional Gurung villages, with changing landscapes as you gain altitude. Along the way, you pass waterfalls, suspension bridges, and views of snow-capped peaks as the valley narrows.
Although the distance is not long, the drive takes most of the day due to rough mountain roads and frequent scenic stops. By late afternoon, arrive in Chame, the administrative center of Manang, surrounded by pine forests and impressive Himalayan scenery. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
- Altitude: 2,500 m
- Drive Time: 4-5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge
After breakfast, begin your trek from Chame, following the Marsyangdi River through pine and fir forests. The trail offers impressive views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and surrounding Himalayan peaks as you gradually gain altitude. This trek is planned specifically for acclimatization, allowing your body to adapt safely to the increasing elevation.
Passing through traditional villages and open alpine terrain, the landscape becomes more rugged and remote as you approach Humde. By afternoon, arrive in Humde, home to a small airstrip and expansive mountain views. Overnight at a lodge
- Altitude: 3300 m
- Drive Time: 5-6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge
All modules covered progressively over 6 training days:
- Activity time: 5-6 hours daily
- Meals: Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge
1. Gear Familiarization
- Ice tools, crampons, ropes, harness, helmet
- Gear fitting and safety protocols
2. Climbing and Belaying Technique
- Movement on ice
- Proper belay technique for top rope and lead
3. Ice Anchor and Ice Parkour (Technical Ice Walking)
- Ice screw placement
- V-thread anchor building
- Front-point, flat-foot, and hybrid footwork
4. Top Rope Climbing
- Practice routes on beginner and moderate ice walls
- Balance and tool placements
5. Mock Lead Climbing
- Lead movements with top rope backup
- Gear clipping and rope management
6. Lead Climbing – Single Pitch
- Actual lead climbs under instructor supervision
- Cleaning routes and anchor transitions
7. Rappelling – Single Pitch
- Setting up rappel systems
- Safe descent techniques
8. Climbing Progression
- Applying all learned skills on varied ice terrain
- Final assessment
After breakfast, you will start the descent from Humde, retracing the scenic route through Dharapani and down to Besisahar. The drive takes around 6–7 hours, with a stop for lunch in Besisahar,
After, you will continue the drive back to Kathmandu, which takes approximately 5-6 hours. Once in Kathmandu, you will check into the hotel and enjoy a final celebration dinner with the group to commemorate the completion of the course.
- Altitude: 760 m
- Drive Time: 8-10 hrs Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
After completing the course, enjoy a well-deserved rest day in Kathmandu. This day is set aside for recovery, relaxation, and personal time. You may explore the city’s cultural highlights, visit cafés and shops, or simply rest at your hotel. It is also a good opportunity for gear return, trip debriefing, and preparation for departure.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule, marking the conclusion of the course.
- Meals: Breakfast.
Note:
If you have a private group and prefer a personalized experience, we can organize a custom trip tailored to your requirements and group size, running it any day you choose.
Plan a Private TripIncluded & Excluded
Included Points
PICK UP AND DROP UP : Hotel / Airport pick up and drop off by private tourist vehicle
ACCOMMODATION IN KATHMANDU : 3 Night hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast in twin Sharing Basis
Certified IFMGA MOUNTAIN GUIDE : Certified IFMGA mountain guide with his daily wages and full insurance etc.
ASSISTANT GUIDE : Assistant guide support with his wages, full insurance (in group 3 or more )
PERMITS : Annapurna conservation area permit and Tims entry fees
EQUIPMENTS : Necessary Group equipment
TRANSPORTATION : Private Jeep from Kathmandu to Besisahar to Manang Humde, and returning to Kathmandu
DUFFLE BAG : Alpinist Club duffle bag
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION : All lodge / Guest and full board during the trip (Breakfast – Lunch- Dinner)
TAXES : All our government taxes, VAT, and service charges
Excluded Points
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKETS : International flight airfare (from and to Kathmandu).
NEPAL ENTRY VISA FEES : Nepal Visa fee is US$ 40 per person for 30 days (to be applied for 60 days (USD$ 100).
MEALS IN KATHMANDU : Lunch and dinner during the stay in Kathmandu
CLOTHING AND CLIMBING EQUIPMENT : Personal clothing and climbing equipment
INSURANCE : Insurance Personal travel insurance and medical / rescue insurance
TIPS : Tips for Guide, porters, and staff.
Trip Gallery
