Viral Video Of Ice Caves And Frozen Rivers In Ladakh Looks Straight From 'Game Of Thrones'

It looks like Iceland. It feels like the Arctic. A place that has glass-blue ice, sculpted caverns, and frozen rivers stretching into the horizon. Icebergs, ice caves, and endless white snow. This frozen dreamscape isn't in Europe or the polar north. It's in India, hidden deep in the heart of Ladakh. Travel vlogger Marco Miglionico shared glimpses of the glacier tucked away in Ladakh, between the Suru Valley and Zanskar, a region so wintry that it challenges everything we think we know about Indian landscapes. Welcome to one of India's most surreal winter experiences.

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Where Is This Frozen Wonderland?

Hidden in the high Himalayas of Ladakh, this “ice cave” lies along the route connecting Suru Valley with Zanskar. In peak winter, temperatures plunge low enough to freeze rivers solid, creating rare walkable ice corridors and naturally formed ice caves.

Why This Place Feels Unreal

Most travellers associate ice caves with Iceland, Alaska, or Patagonia. Very few realise that India has them too and that they are accessible without mountaineering expeditions or helicopter drops.

What makes this spot extraordinary, according to the vlogger - 

• It has natural ice caves carved by frozen rivers.
• A fully icy landscape, stretching as far as the eye can see.
• A 30-minute walk from the road, entirely on ice.
• This is also possibly the only easily accessible ice caves in India.

When Can You Visit?

This experience is only possible during peak winter, when rivers and glacier surfaces are completely frozen. Outside this narrow window, the ice becomes unstable and dangerous.

• Best season: Deep winter (exact months vary by year and weather).
• Off-season warning: Do not attempt this once thawing begins.

Ice caves are temporary by nature. They collapse, reform, and reshape constantly, which means no two visits are ever the same. What exists today may vanish tomorrow.

What You Will Need To Go To The Ice Cave In Ladakh

To enter safely, you will need:

• Crampons or ice spikes (mandatory).
• Proper winter boots and layers.
• Local guidance or strong experience on ice.
• Respect for the terrain.

There is no safe way to walk on frozen rivers without traction.

Walking through a natural ice cave in the Indian Himalayas feels surreal in the purest sense.

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How To Get To The Ice Cave In Ladakh

1. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, with flights from Delhi, Jammu, and Srinagar.
2. From Leh, take a road trip through Kargil and Rangdum to reach Suru Valley. It is approximately 200 km, taking 6-8 hours depending on conditions.
3. Winter travel can be unpredictable, so flexible flight bookings are recommended.
4. The final approach to the ice caves is a 30-minute walk entirely on ice.

Crampons or ice spikes are essential to safely walk on frozen rivers. Wear warm layered clothing, gloves, and goggles due to extreme winter temperatures. Attempting this without proper gear or guidance is dangerous; the ice can be unstable. Hiring a local guide is strongly recommended. They know safe routes, can provide gear, and ensure a secure experience.