Siachen The Highest Battlefield in the World

Siachen is known for the glacier and for being the highest battlefield in the world. In fact Ladakh, where Siachen is located, has many 'highests' in the world to its credit. Few of these are listed below:

World's Highest Battlefield

Highest ATC (Air Traffic Control)

Highest cell phone tower

Highest Golf Course

Highest Motorable Raod in the world and so on!

In this picture story we take you to Siachen Glacier, Base Camp, War Memorial and the Nubra Valley.

Drive to Siachen Glacier

Meandering along Nubra River which originates from Siachen Glacier, the road goes through wide valley and number of villages. The mountain ranges are barren having straight slopes of thousands of feet. The rocks are fragile with shooting stones at many places. There are patches of sandy slopes which give rise to dust storms at 12,000 feet above the MSL. Very challenging terrain indeed. See the maps, pictures and videos below.

Here is a short video capturing the panorama of Nubra valley in Ladakh. You can feel the vastness of the valley and the rugged terrain.

The video below takes you through Remo, one of the villages enroute to Siachen Glacier. I had been to the glacier 25 years ago. The green transformation in the villages since then  has been remarkable.

Siachen Glacier - The first glance from miles away!

As we approached the Siachen base camp, the terrain became even more rugged and tougher. See the video clip below.

 

You can get a feel of crossing the turbulent Nubra river as we enter the Base Camp. Visitors are allowed with proof of identity. See the short video below:

Siachen War Memorial

A plaque at the Siachen War Memorial: Base Camp, reads that the Memorial was erected to commemorate the 'Siachen Warriors' who sacrificed their lives guarding the 'Frozen Frontiers of Siachen Area'. The memorial honours those involved in Op 'Meghdoot' which commenced on April 13, 1984.

Initially built at Base Camp I, East of River Nubra, it was relocated to Base Camp II in December 2006. When Ghumakkad had visited the Base Camp in the year 2000, the memorial existed in a smaller version. 

The memorial walls bear the names of martyrs and the battalions that have served in the Siachen Brigade since 1984. A 120 ft high National flag mast was gifted by the Jindal Group in December 2016. Significant renovation was undertaken in 2018-19 by 7 Mahar and other units of Siachen Brigade.

See the pictures and a video below.

We share below a short video showing the Siachen War Memorial in all its glory.

For Ghumakkad, a former Naval officer, sighting the Naval Ensign at Siachen was a matter of pride. See the picture below.

The ice wall of Siachen Glacier is not white any more. It has become grey over the years and remains so. See the picture below.

The two adventurers- Ansh and grandpa Harsh. With Siachen Glacier in the background.

World's Highest ATC

World's highest ATC is located at Siachen! See the picture below.

Our previous story on Ladakh highlighting the blue skies is listed below. Click to browse the picture story.

Blue Skies Lift Your Spirit contains pictures shot from our flight to Leh. Picture below shows snowy peaks looming large at you!

More stories of our Ladakh exploration are coming! Stay connected and do leave a comment. It motivates us to keep going.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ansh Bhargava/ Ladakh and Secunderabad/ 4th July 2025

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