This trip is offered by Trek The Himalayas.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport connects Leh to several cities within India. You can fly directly to Leh from Delhi, Srinagar or Mumbai. To get to the city center, take a bus or a taxi.
The nearest train stations are Chandigarh, Udhampur, Jammu, and Pathankot. From the rail stations, you’ll …
Leh has a variety of accommodations zones, which you can choose at a reasonable price. Many guesthouses are located in Karzoo, Changspa, and the neighboring areas. The accommodations in Changspa are surrounded by agricultural fields, offering a great view of the region. It takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to …
The Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar river is well known to offer one of the most jaw-dropping scenery of the Indian Himalayas. While the freezing cold will definitely make the adventure challenging, hiking while looking at the water running deep below your feet is an experience that should not be missed.
While not the most challenging physically, the Chadar Trek will test your boundaries when it comes to the cold. It is essential that you are well prepared for sub-zero temperatures and can layer clothes appropriately, especially at night. Furthermore, the local administration has recently decided to institute various rules that trekkers must follow in order to limit the negative impact on the environment. These include a mandatory three days in Leh prior to the trek as well as a medical check-up. You MUST comply with these rules if you want to be able to start your trek.
Leh emergency numbers
- Police: 100
- Fire: 101 and 132
- Ambulance: 102 and 108
- Tourist Information Center, Leh: +91 198 2252297
- Foreign Registration Office: +91 198 2252200
- SNM Hospital, Medical Superintendent: +91 198 2252014
The Chadar Trek length is approximately 105 kilometers. The Chadar Trek duration is usually ten days. But you might have to keep additional days in the itinerary in case the Chadar melts, and you have to take the high mountain passes to return to your location.
The Chadar Trek is among the most dangerous and challenging treks globally, not just in India. Hence, seasoned campaigners with tons of experience are the ideal candidates for the Chadar Trek. Having prior knowledge of high-altitude expeditions could come in handy during this immensely arduous trek.
But recently, beginners with extreme physical and medical fitness are also attempting the Chadar Trek. To do the same successfully, you need to undergo rigorous physical and mental training well in advance.
The Chadar Trek is unanimously recognized as an arduous and demanding trek. It commands a very high difficulty level. With severe climatic conditions and sub-zero temperatures throughout, you have to traverse almost 105 kilometers on foot.
The Chadar Trek is not suitable for solo traveling, primarily due to its immense difficulty level. You can set forth with a group of at least five to six members. At times, the number of members could range from 15 to 18. However, it is pointless to have a bigger group than this as it will not ensure seamless management and might negatively impact the trekking experience of some members. Usually, the group is always accompanied by a professional lead trekker who is well-versed in mountaineering and trekking.
Your Chadar Trek packing list should include all the necessary items you need to embark on this challenging journey. While your footwear should include high-ankle trekking boots, gumboots, and open-toe slippers, your headgear should comprise sunglasses, woollen caps, and hats. The clothing list should contain long-sleeve hiking shirts, fleece and down jackets, woollen thermals, appropriate inners, few pairs of underwear, sports bra (for women), quick-dry synthetic pants, woollen trousers, inner and outer socks, raincoats or poncho, etc.
Apart from the list mentioned above, you need to carry certain essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, sanitary napkins or menstrual cups (for women), medicines and first aid kit, water purification tablets, insulated water bottles and thermos flasks, a duffel bag or a daysack, sleeping bags, trail munchies, etc.
The ever-changing and dynamic forms of Chadar could increase the level of difficulty of the Chadar Trek. While you are making your way across the frozen Zanskar river, you will never know what kind of terrain lies ahead. Slight alterations in temperature have a massive impact on the Chadar, causing ice to melt, break and reform throughout the day.
You might have to make your way across blocks of ice that are porous underneath and walk cautiously across narrow and winding paths while dodging the sleds that lie ahead. When the ice starts to melt, you might have to wade your way across the slush or skip an entire stretch of the river and go over the rocks and eventually step on the icy trails yet again. Thus, walking on the frozen river is immensely demanding. However, if you are reasonably fit and full of enthusiasm, you should never shy away from such a rewarding experience!
The unique thing about the Chadar Trek is the terrain. You need to make your way across the frozen Zanskar river to reach the end of your trail. The river gets frozen during winters and is covered by thick ice sheets that resemble a ‘Chadar’ or a blanket. It is one of the unique treks that has lured international tourists and adventure seekers for a long time.
Though thrill-seekers flock to Nepal and Bhutan when it comes to embarking on high-altitude expeditions and adventures in the subcontinent, India does not lag far behind! With an appreciable share of the Himalayas and the Ladakh plateau in the northern parts of the country, it is a hotspot for travelers and backpackers who wish to bask in the glory of the mountains and drown in the rush of adrenaline!
One of the most exciting adventures in India that you can perform solo, with your partner, or as part of a group is embarking on the Chadar Trek Ladakh. It is one of those high-octane activities that lure travelers from around the world to the far north of India.
Ladakh- the highest plateau in India
Undoubtedly the highest plateau in India, Ladakh, which is now a Union Territory of India, extends from the Karakoram to the Himalayan mountains and includes the Upper Indus Valley, constituting the larger Kashmir region. It also shares its borders with two Indian states: Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, Chinese provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. You can broadly divide Ladakh into five geographical regions:
This ancient, remote valley in Ladakh comprises glaciers, rare Himalayan mammals like the snow leopard and the alpine ibex, and the fabled Himalayan blue poppy. The 4009 meter high semi-arid valley has a unique feature - it does not have any entrance. A couple of rivers carve a gorge that is super-deep and long, and crossing it for entry or exit creates insurmountable odds.
Hence, the only way to enter or exit the region is by crossing the Zanskar mountain range via high passes that are inaccessible for most parts of a year. This un-trekkable gorge gets covered in ice sheets during the winter and serves as the only way out of the Zanskar valley. Though it is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous ways to hike in or out of Zanskar, the frozen river is the only way to achieve it. The Frozen River Trek or the Zanskar valley trek is also known as the Chadar Trek.
The word ‘Chadar’ can be translated to ‘blanket.’ The Zanskar river gets covered by a thick sheet of ice during the dead of winter. This sheet of ice resembles a blanket covering the river, and hence, the name.
The Chadar Trek Ladakh is not simply adventure trekking; it is an experience of a lifetime. It will stay with you no matter how many summits you conquer or how many high-altitude expeditions you undertake in the future. The frozen river trekking is an unparalleled experience because you get to encounter a new ‘Chadar’ of ice every morning. The sheet of ice covering the Zanskar river freezes at night, melts the following morning, and reforms during the night.
Though the weather during this Chadar Frozen River Trek Ladakh remains disconcertingly frigid, this route connects several villages along the Zanskar river during the winter season. In fact, the Chadar Trek has been the busiest and the most-frequented route adopted for trade and transportation since time immemorial. The locals have to rely on the Chadar Trek for all the critical purposes because the Zanskar river is unmanageable and inaccessible for the most part. It is a mighty and wild river, flowing through steep canyons between the Chilling and the Zanskar valley at a blitzkrieg pace.
The 105 kilometers long and approximately 3596 meter high Chadar Trek is only open during January and February. These months are adequately frigid to form the blanket of ice over the lively and high-speed Zanskar.
As much as the number of offerings, uniqueness, and awe that the Chadar Trek presents, the level of difficulty of the trek is also relatively high. It is, albeit one of the most dangerous and challenging high-altitude expeditions in the world. But due to the high mountain passes remaining shut down due to excessive snowfall, the Chadar Trek is the only feasible route to access the Zanskar valley. The supremely high level of difficulty of the Chadar Trek Ladakh can be attributed to several reasons.
If you want to tread one way over the frozen Zanskar river, you need to cover approximately 105 kilometers. Yes, a one-way distance that begins from a height of 3474 meters at Leh concludes at an elevation of 3596 meters! You have to cover almost the entire Chadar Trek distance on foot amidst extreme weather conditions, and it further increases the uphill challenge you face while embarking on this trek. There are instances when the trekkers need to climb icy rocks and boulders, and such treacherous terrain increases the difficulty level.
Since the Chadar Trek typically occurs during the months of January and February, you should be ready to embrace sub-zero temperatures all along. As you arrive in Leh, the starting point of the trek, you are immediately greeted by temperatures hovering just below 0 degrees. Once you start moving forward, the daytime temperatures will vary between -5 to -15 degrees, whereas the mercury drops to -25 and even down to -30 degrees at night. The harsh and unforgiving climatic conditions are suited only for those who are fit physically, psychologically, and medically.
Forget the cozy tea-house trekking in Nepal; the Chadar Trek in Ladakh presents you with some of the most challenging camping conditions. It is very different from other high-altitude trekking expeditions. While you cover the distance on foot during the daytime, you camp at night. But the nights are spent in caves near the frozen river amidst unsettling weather conditions and mind-numbingly low temperatures.
Now that you are aware of the threats that lie before you on the trails of the Chadar Trek Ladakh, you should prepare yourself accordingly to brave these hostile conditions.
If one of the most challenging treks in the world excites you, you should collect every relevant information regarding the Chadar trek best time to visit. The best time for Chadar Trek spans from January to February. To be more specific, the ideal time is January 15 to the end of February. Not only does the Zanskar river get covered in a thick blanket of ice, but the surroundings are also snow-clad, presenting an ivory, pristine panorama.
Though the Chadar Frozen River Trek Ladakh tests both your mental and physical strengths, the natural beauty trumps these drawbacks by miles. The beauty of the landscape is unimaginable. When you are hiking over the frozen Zanskar during the daytime, you can watch the mesmerizing beauty of the sun doing peek-a-boo from behind the snow-clad mountain peaks. The experience cannot be expressed in words.
Since the Chadar Trek is exceptionally challenging, your gears should include everything that prepares you against all eventualities. Let’s do a breakdown of the gears and discuss the importance of each of them.
The best time for Chadar Trek is between January to February, and that means highly frigid climatic conditions will greet you. Your clothes should be warm enough to cover you during such times. A pair of thermal inners, long sleeve hiking shirts, tops and trousers that trap heat, quick-dry hiking pants, a couple of pairs of inner and outer socks, fleece jackets, heavy rainproof jackets, and insulating gloves or mittens are essential.
Carrying your sunglasses will protect you against the glare of the sun during the daytime. You can also take a hat with a retention cord for windy days on the trek and woollen caps to protect yourself from the cold.
A pair of tough, well-made trekking boots and a pair of sandals for crossing streams will be ideal for the Chadar Frozen River Trek. But you also need to ensure that your fingers and toes are always protected from frostbite. During the trek, you may have to wade through knee-deep cold water and snow. Thus, an extra pair of socks and gumboots might save the day for you.
You can carry a duffel bag for all your spare clothes, inner and outer socks, used underwear, tent, and other camping materials, etc. Alternatively, you can carry a spacious rucksack that caters to all these requirements.
Sleeping bags and insulated mats will protect you from the freezing cold at night. These are must-haves for your next Chadar Trek.
An emergency first aid kit and personal medications should always be on your checklist whenever you are doing any high-altitude expedition. Cuts, bruises, injuries, and certain unprecedented health issues like Acute Mountain Sickness could bother you during the trek, and hence you should stay well prepared.
Apart from the items mentioned above, you should always carry sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizers, toilet paper, mouth wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable soap, towel, etc. Getting access to palatable drinking water could be a concern at various points of the trek, and hence you should essentially carry water purification tablets and water bottles.
Emergency food items like chocolate bars could also come in handy when you are pretty exhausted and want to limit your rations.
The Chadar Trek is among the most arduous treks across India and the world, and thus you should always inform your family or a close person about the trek itinerary. If any mishap happens during the course of the trek, they could come to your rescue. The Chadar Trek duration is typically ten days.
Let’s get down to the Chadar Trek itinerary.
The Chadar Trek Ladakh is a highly demanding and arduous trek that requires you to be at the top of your physical prowess. Having excellent stamina is essential. But you also need to be medically fit. Before embarking on the Chadar Trek, get yourself trained by a qualified trainer to ensure the best of health and fitness.
Since the climatic conditions that you are likely to encounter on this trek are immensely harsh, you should be prepared well in advance. Understand the challenges that lie ahead and ensure that you are in the best physical and medical health.
To ensure impeccable physical fitness, you should start training at least six months before participating in the Chadar Trek. Apart from spending hours at the gym and training your core, back muscles, shoulders and feet well, you should participate in rigorous cardiovascular activities like running, cycling, swimming, etc. A day hike across an undulating road carrying heavy backpacks could also come in handy, especially if you do it a few times each week. You can try participating in hikes that occur at a higher elevation than usual. Prior experience of high-altitude expeditions will be a bonus.
Walking across a frozen river could be a fascinating experience. At the same time, it could be daunting to those who are not mentally prepared for the trek. The extreme climatic conditions increase the level of mental exhaustion. Apart from the Chadar melting on warm nights, there could be a flurry of unprecedented events that might spring up and cause a roadblock. Getting affected by the Acute Mountain Sickness could also hinder your trek progress and compel you to abandon the trek midway.
Thus, having a steely resolve is of utmost essence. You should prepare yourself in advance for all the adversities that could be waiting for you during the Chadar Trek. Looking forward to the accomplishments that lie ahead could motivate you even if you encounter problems during the trek.
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