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Overview

About Chadar Trek:

The Chadar Trek or Zanskar frozen river trek is a winter trek in Zanskar Valley, Ladakh. The trek starts from Leh going through Shingra Koma, Tibb Cave, Naerak Camp concluding back in Leh. The 105 Km trek provides trekkers and hikers an amazing opportunity to trek on a frozen sheet of ice in subzero temperatures. The trek is operational during the months of January and February when the Zanskar river freezes into a solid sheet of ice.

Ladakh has various treks and beautiful camping locations. What sets Ladakh apart for travelers is the Chadar Trek which is quite challenging yet mesmerizing owing to its scenic beauty. That one glimpse of the topmost sections of the Himalayas would certainly awe an individual because of its breathtaking view. 

The temperature during the trek varies from around -5 to -20 degrees celsius and the trekkers would occasionally face steep rocks along with facing treacherous sections of the Zanskar River. While this trek would offer a lot of difficult challenges, to the maximum point of questioning oneself, one would find all the answers once you observe and become a part of the Mighty Himalayas. And trust us, it would certainly be a life-changing experience.

8 Nights 9 Days Available on request Leh
Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

  • Expert mountaineering guide
  • Skilled local staff who has ample knowledge of the route.
  • Transportation from Leh to Trekking Point on Day 4 and back to Guesthouse to Leh on Day 8
  • Vegetarian meals on the trek (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) starting on Day 4 Pack Lunch to Day 8 Breakfast
  • Daily Breakfast starting from Day 2 to Day 9.
  • Common Kitchen/Dining/Toilet tents will be used during the trek
  • Cooks/Helper and other requisite staff included
  • Porters for carrying common equipments (like rations/tents/utensils/groceries)
  • Equipment – Tents on triple & quad sharing basis / Sleeping bags / Sleeping Mats
  • Basic First aid Kit with a portable oxygen cylinder.
  • Facility of keeping extra luggage at Leh when leaving for trek
  • Airport pick up and drop 
  • Accommodation on Double Sharing basis for Couples and on Triple Sharing basis for everybody else in Guest House on Day 1, 2,3 & 8. 
  • Accommodation on Double Sharing basis for Couples and on Triple Sharing basis for everybody else in Dome Tents on Day 4,5,6 & 7. 

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Personal trekking equipment – like Gum Boots, trekking poles or sleeping bag liners
  • Personal insurance or cost of emergency evacuation
  • Purchases of personal natures (like mineral water bottles/bottled or canned beverages/chocolates/dry fruits etc)
  • Personal Porters for carrying trekker’s backpacks @ INR 4,000 Per 10 KGs for 5 days from Day 4 to Day 8 subject to availability at the time of booking
  • ALTOA Permission, wildlife tax, Environment Tax, Forest Permits and camping charges
  • Room Heaters at Guest House in Leh(We suggest not to use the room heaters as the same dehydrate the body and your body won’t get acclimatize to gear up for the Chadar trek)
  • Cost of transport, meals and stay if in case you leave the trek in between and return to Leh before the schedule arrival on Day 8
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Any extra transport facility not mentioned in inclusions.
  • GST (5%) 
Highlights

List of Essential items to carry for Chadar Trek

  • Backpack (Min 60 Ltrs) with Rain Cover
  • Gum boots
  • 4 Pairs of Full sleeve shirts/T-Shirt and Track Pants (1 should be waterproof/windproof)
  • 4 Pair of cotton socks. 3 pairs of wollen socks.
  • 2 Full Sleeve Sweater 
  • One Heavy Down Jacket
  • Thermal Inners -2 Pair
  • 2 pair water proof hand gloves
  • 2 Pair woollen Gloves
  • Sun Cap
  • One Scarf
  • Light towel
  • Lip Balm
  • Cold Cream & Sun Screen (SPF 40+)
  • Water Bottle 1 Lt
  • Headlamp or torch with fresh pair of batteries
  • Personal Toilet Kit and toilet paper
  • Personal Medicine Kit
  • Dark Sunglasses (U/V protected)
  • Walking Stick (At least one)
  • People who were spectacles- Should avoid contact lenses and use use photo chromatic glasses instead.
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Leh

Situated at an altitude of above 3500 meters from sea level, Leh is the second largest district in the county offering varieties of high passes and different terrains. As most of the passes would be closed in January and February, you would be required to reach Leh airport, which again is the highest airport in the world. Sounds fun. Right?

You would be welcomed by none other than the Leh weather, a mix of hot and cold breezes that will certainly catch your attention. Well, it is just not about this. As soon as you start gazing all around, you will notice the peaks of the mountains covered with ice, Snow-Capped mountains all around. The view would certainly lock itself in your muscle memory. With all the formalities done and luggage picked up, hop-in in a taxi and head towards the pre-booked hotel. Get comfortable and relax overnight for the next day.

 

Day 2: Acclimatization Day

Wake up early after spending your first night in Leh and kick-start the day by acclimatizing yourself at a high altitude. You will then walk towards a sacred Buddhist Stupa, Shanti Stupa, to witness an altogether beautiful sunrise along with capturing a panoramic view of the town of Leh. Remember to keep yourself hydrated as this would get your body ready for the upcoming adventure. 

 

Day 3: Medical check-up (SNM Hospital) and Leh Market

This particular trek would need you to get a medical check-up done at Sonam Norboo Hospital as the government has made it compulsory for all trekkers to obtain a clearance certificate. We suggest you to improve your stamina and energy, for removing the thin line between your fitness level and the Great Chadar Trek. 

Once it's done, you will have sufficient time to roam around in the market and try the local cuisine. Thukpa along with Kulcha and Qahwa(can you feel the heavenly aroma?) would go hand in hand.

 

Day 4: Shingra Koma to Tsomo Paldar Campsite (3 km, 2 hrs)

After a delicious breakfast, you would head towards Shingra Koma, a drive not for the timorous heart as you will face a lot of hairpin bends with bumpy rides accompanying you and your fellow travelers. After a certain point, de-board the vehicle and start trekking towards Tsomo Paldar campsite. Your Chadar Trek expedition starts here. Also, do not forget to keep your eyes wide open because the view will get your adrenaline rush flowing. Up for the magnetic view?

 

Day 5: Trek to Tibb Cave (15 km, 6-7 hrs) 

This morning will get you going to Tibb Cave which will shelter you for the night. In this 7-8 hrs stretch, you will witness various frozen waterfalls and you will also cross gorges and ravines. Butter tea would give you relief and we recommend you to try it. Spend your night waiting to witness the most scenic view of the region.

 

Day 6: Tibb Cave to Nerak Camp (13 km, 6-7 hrs)

Today, you will be taking steps towards the most picturesque day of the entire journey that you have accomplished till now. You will be spellbound after witnessing the largest frozen waterfall and the prayer flags will get your heart humming. The bridge built next to the waterfall is used in summer to reach Zanskar from Leh. We camp at night in Naerak with locals and you would be surprised to see their way of living. Enjoy a cozy night.

 

Day 7: Naerak to Tibb Cave (13 km, 5-6 hrs)

Start walking back to Tibb Cave and once again spend your night in the raw shelter. This night would let you capture all your thoughts and memories. Maybe, penning it down would be a good option. You would find locals wearing traditional woolen Gonchas(robes). Remember, the return trail would make you witness the river in a different form as it quickly reacts to any change in the temperature. The entire frozen river might have taken an altogether varied form.

 

Day 8: Tibb to Shingra Koma and back to Leh (8.5 km, 75 km drive)

Get ready to leave Tibb Cave and proceed to Shingra Koma via Gyalpo. This trail would not fail to surprise you as you will get a chance to witness high mountains along with footprints of wild animals like Snow Leopard, Foxes, and Himalayan Ibex. And if you are really lucky, you might end up spotting them because they would surely be gazing at you. Silently.

After reaching Shingra Koma, drive back to Leh and stay overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 9: Departure from Leh

They say that we conquer the mountains but honestly, you would find enough reasons to conquer yourself. The journey would come to an end here as you once again get ready to depart and say goodbye after having your morning breakfast. You came here to cover the Chadar Trek but you will leave here with all the energy and experiences with yourself.

 

Disclaimer:
There is road construction going on near Chadar Trek. It may so happen that the itinerary may be changed due to lack of Chadar formation or last minute restrictions by local authorities. In any such case, where any sightseeing is not done such as Nerak Waterfall, we will not be held responsible or liable. The trek will be conducted in a manner where customer safety is kept as top priority.

 

More About the Chadar Trek

The Glacier carved valleys of Leh hold serene lakes, shimmering under the jagged peaks of the mighty Ladakh range, this sprawling nature reserve is known for towering mountains, vast glaciers, and wildlife also enveloping the lifeline of adventure activities in the region. One of which is none other than the venturesome Chadar Trek in the Zanskar valley, packed with doses of adrenaline and spine-chilling winds, this trek will surely give you a glimpse of living life on the edge.

 

Assumption Of Risk

You understand and accept that your proposed tour may expose you to inherent dangers including but not limited to Covid, physical exertion, equipment failure, or the activity itself. You acknowledge that alterations to the schedule itinerary or activity may be made as necessitated by weather, group size, road transport, road closures, illness, lockdowns, or other factors, you agree to accept the decisions of the tour leader or representative, and you accept that neither we nor the providers of services can be held responsible for expenses or inconvenience incurred as a consequence. You acknowledge that the enjoyment of your tour or holiday is derived in part from travel beyond the safety risks of life at work or home, and you accept and assume all the risks involved.

 

Take a sneak peek down the gorges of the Ladakh valley by knowing these 12 interesting facts about the Thrilling Chadar Trek:

 

1. Walk on water because swimming is too old-school

If you thought walking on water was just a myth be prepared to be proven wrong as the whole trek requires you to be walking on large ice sheets of the frozen Zanskar lake, you can literally see the water below your feet and feel your heart pumping in your chest. Tread carefully as this trek is the perfect concoction of adventure, thrill, and danger and you really don’t want the last one to be tipping more than the former two.

 

2. Your Perfect winter vacation:

Usually when you hear about the perfect trip to Ladakh, automatically you start planning your summer vacation while simultaneously appeasing your HR for that auspicious leave, but the chadar trek is from mid-January to mid-February, that is when the Zanskar river freezes and you get to walk on massive slabs of ice.

 

3. 105 km of exhilarating trekking

This exhilarating trek consists of walking over the blanket of the frozen Zanskar River for a whopping 105 km. Accompanied by the scenic view around this is going to be the most adventurous trip of your life which will not just give you an experience of living life on the edge but also make you appreciate life a little more and make every moment count

 

4. 11,500 ft above sea level, one of the highest trekking on earth

Imagine adding Six Burj Khalifas on top of each other. Then go to the tip of the skyscraper which is at the minute trying to have the troposphere within its reach now look down from over the top, at this moment you can already feel your blood-curdle and your bones chilling, if that wasn’t enough you now need to walk over a frozen lake topping all of this and taking it to the extreme level of adventure, this nerve-racking experience is enough to water down any trek you want to compare it with.

 

5. Experience the Caves and waterfalls

Just at the moment of the trek when you’ll be running out of breath be prepared for the scenic and pristine waterfalls frozen into dangling icicles

This view is going to be your encounter with paradise. The cave you are going to witness during the trek is going to be an experience at a level of its own. Every cave has a story to narrate and a place to share.

 

6. Mind-boggling Rocks resembling human faces

No, this is not an optical illusion you would encounter rocks that erringly resemble human faces. Shocking but true, isn’t it?

 

7. Witness the Oldest Monasteries in the world

This is the trip you don’t want to start with a bad omen, with one of the oldest monasteries in the world you need to visit them and be in awe of the local community’s devotion and dedication towards their belief, you will even see prayer flags on the trees around the trek marking this place under the benign presence of Lord Buddha.

 

8. Two rivers unite 

The union of the Zanskar River with the Indus River is like experiencing the introduction of yin to yang.

 

9. Follow their advice to save your life

The locals know the place at the back of their hands, and their instincts have intertwined with nature’s effects and responses, they are very well versed and know exactly what to do, following their decisions or not, can mean life and death to you

 

10. Witness nature up close and wild:

This would be the only time in your life when you would be able to witness the Ladakh wildlife within its proximity. Snow leopards, Bears, wolves, and alpine ibex are commonly seen in the region, and don’t be daunted by seeing Vultures circling over you, it’s just what they do before having lunch. This is not a trip for tourists but a journey for travelers.

 

11. Did anyone say campfire?

With temperatures possibly dropping to -25 or even lower, only a campfire at night can help you escape the Cold nights and quivering winds. A campfire is a time when everybody unwinds from a hard day of trekking and shares their experiences. Ghost stories are a must for campfires so be prepared to pack one with you.

 

12. Sledge your way forward:

Santa Claus is not the only one who uses sleds at the North Pole. Most of your things would be taken along on sleds, easing the weight off of your shoulders and helping you sail through. Since this trek is during the winter, don’t be surprised if you encounter Santa Claus while you tread through the frozen lake. Legend says even he needs to ask for directions from the locals, so be generous and help the old man as well.

The Chadar Trek, also known as the Zanskar Gorge trek, is a challenging winter trek in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, India. The trek involves walking on a frozen river, known as the Chadar, surrounded by towering cliffs and snow-capped mountains. Deyor offers a range of Chadar Trek packages, including accommodations, meals, and experienced guides. Here are 10 reasons to go on the Chadar Trek with Deyor:

  1. The stunning scenery. The Chadar Trek takes place in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, known for its rugged beauty and snow-capped mountains. The trek offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including towering cliffs, frozen waterfalls, and frozen lakes.

  2. The unique experience. The Chadar Trek is a unique and challenging experience. It involves walking on a frozen river, surrounded by snow and ice, and camping in remote locations. It's a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that is not to be missed.

  3. The local culture. The Chadar Trek takes place in the Zanskar region, home to the Zanskari people. Deyor offers the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their culture, history, and way of life.

  4. The experienced guides. Deyor offers experienced and knowledgeable guides for the Chadar Trek. They are trained in mountaineering, first aid, and rescue, and will provide support and guidance throughout the trek.

  5. The safety measures. Deyor takes safety seriously and has implemented a range of measures for the Chadar Trek, including daily safety briefings, emergency kit, and evacuation plan.

  6. The comfortable accommodations. Deyor offers comfortable accommodations for the Chadar Trek, including camps and guest houses. The accommodations are well-equipped, with basic amenities and warm bedding, to help you stay comfortable during the trek.

  7. The delicious meals. Deyor offers delicious and nutritious meals during the Chadar Trek, including local Ladakhi dishes and hot beverages. The meals are prepared by experienced cooks and will provide the energy and nourishment needed for the trek.

  8. The convenient transportation. Deyor offers convenient transportation for the Chadar Trek, including pick-up and drop-off from Leh Airport and transportation to and from the trek starting point.

  9. The customizable itinerary. Deyor offers a customizable itinerary for the Chadar Trek, allowing travelers to choose the duration and difficulty of the trek, as well as the activities and experiences they want to include.

  10. The affordable prices. Deyor offers affordable prices for the Chadar Trek, with different packages and options to suit different budgets and preferences.

Overall, the Chadar Trek is a challenging and rewarding adventure that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. With Deyor, travelers can go on the Chadar Trek with confidence and comfort, and make the most of this amazing opportunity.

 

Here are 10 things to do on the Chadar Trek:

  1. Walk on the frozen river. The Chadar Trek is named after the Chadar, or the frozen river, on which the trek takes place. It involves walking on the frozen river, surrounded by towering cliffs and snow-capped mountains. It's a unique and unforgettable experience.

  2. Climb to the summit of Tibb Cave. The Chadar Trek involves climbing to the summit of Tibb Cave, located at an altitude of 13,500 feet. It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the frozen river below.

  3. Visit the local villages. The Chadar Trek takes place in the Zanskar region, home to the Zanskari people. Deyor offers the opportunity to visit local villages and interact with the locals, learning about their culture, history, and way of life.

  4. Explore the frozen waterfalls and lakes. The Chadar Trek takes place in a region with a range of frozen waterfalls and lakes. Deyor offers experienced guides and equipment for exploring these natural wonders, allowing trekkers to discover the beauty of the frozen landscape.

  5. Enjoy bonfires and hot beverages. The Chadar Trek takes place in the winter, and it can get cold at night. Deyor offers bonfires and hot beverages, such as tea and soup, to help trekkers stay warm and comfortable.

  6. Spot rare flora and fauna. The Chadar Trek takes place in a region rich in flora and fauna. Trekkers can spot rare species, such as the Snow Leopard and the Himalayan Musk Deer, and learn about the local ecology.

  7. Take stunning photos. The Chadar Trek offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including snow-capped peaks and frozen rivers. Deyor offers experienced guides and tips for photography, to help trekkers capture the beauty of the trek.

  8. Learn about the local culture and history. The Chadar Trek takes place in the Zanskar region, with a rich culture and history. Deyor offers experienced guides who can provide information and insights about the local culture and history.

  9. Bond with fellow trekkers. The Chadar Trek is a challenging and rewarding adventure that offers a great opportunity to bond with fellow trekkers and make new friends. Deyor offers a range of activities and experiences, such as bonfires and meals, to help trekkers connect and have a great time.

  10. Relax and unwind. The Chadar Trek offers a chance to disconnect from the world and relax in the beautiful natural surroundings

 

The chadar trek is something that simply can’t be put into words, experience this adventure of a lifetime with Deyor, and witness the pristine nature yourself.

 

Pickup point
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh View on Map