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Flying over miles and miles of heavily snowed mountains will tell you just why it’s impossible to reach Ladakh by road in the winters. The moment you land at the Leh airport, one of the highest airports in the world, you will feel the fresh and crisp air, and a drastic drop in the temperature. The town has just begun shedding off the thick winter slumber and is slowly coming to life. Taking a stroll through the Leh market, you will find that very few shops and eateries in the town are open for business; but if required, some last minute-shopping for the trek can be done here. The chill in the air will serve only as a preview of the temperatures during this winter Trek. Check in at Hotel Grand Dragon/Abduz/Zen Ladakh/Similar (any time after 8 am) and attend Orientation & Briefing of the trek at 12:00 noon (Mandatory).
Accommodation: Hotel
Rest + Acclimatisation day. Enjoy local sightseeing to Hall of Fame, Shey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery.
Accommodation: Hotel
Get your Oxygen and BP reading (There is a long queue due to rush of tourists. It may take 3-4 hours depending on the rush). NOC to be obtained from ALTOA and after NOC take insurance and wildlife department Permit Late afternoon complete insurance formalities. Enjoy the evening in Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel
The biggest challenge of this day, and all the remaining days, is to get out of the warm toasty sleeping bags and go out into the giant freezer outside, but the steaming cups of tea being served provide ample motivation. Today is a long walking session, about 10 km, on the Chadar. The trek leaders give a briefing about the day, and give tips on how to walk on the Chadar. Depending on the weather, the Chadar can assume various forms. It can be a cold and hard surface of slippery ice, or it can have a dusting of snow over it, providing a good grip. The ice can be thick or thin, and its best to keep closely following the guide. The locals, it appears, have a sixth sense as to where exactly to step on the Chadar. At places, it might be necessary to wade through ankle deep water, or climb on the cliffs at the side of the river. Eventually you get used to walking on the Chadar, which looks like a cross between gliding and skating. Mid way to Gyalpo, the porter-cum-cooks prepare hot bowlfuls of soupy noodles for lunch. It is important to keep up a decent level of fluid intake. Nothing makes you adapt to the conditions faster than nicely circulating blood in your system. After passing Shingra koma, you reach the camp-site for the day at Gyalpo. The Gyalpo campsite is at a bend in the river, surrounded by high peaks and walls of rock-faces which almost look man-made. All that is left to do is to soak in the views, have an early dinner and call it a day.
Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Camp
This day follows the same early morning routine: bed tea at 7, breakfast at 8, and quick-march at 8:30. Have a good breakfast, as today is the longest walk of the day – almost 15 km. But that is nothing to worry about, all the walking keeps you incredibly warm. Today’s walk through the deep ravines of the Zanskar is stunning. The sublime walls of the mountains on either sides of the river keep the sunlight away from the Chadar for most part of the day. There are numerous caves in these mountains, big and small. Today is the day when you can see frozen waterfalls, some higher than the others. As the fable goes, centuries ago the local villagers faced a dearth of water and went to Tibet to plead for water. They were given a box which they were to open once they reached the village, and not any time sooner. But curiosity got the better out of them, and when they opened the box, two fishes jumped out of it, creating two huge waterfalls. One of those waterfalls, miraculously, is not iced-up even in such freezing cold. The rocks below this waterfall are covered with moss, and this is the only greenery you’ll see on this trek. At Tibb, there is a big cave. This cave is the dwelling of all the porters, and they welcome you warm-heartedly in here. The highlight of the day is to share a cup of butter-tea with them!
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
Today is the most spectacular of all days on this trek. Walking on the river you cross deep gorges and reach a point where Juniper trees are covered with prayer flags. The porters give you a twig of this tree tied with a piece of prayer flag as a badge of good-luck and good-health. A few steps away stands the mother-of-all frozen waterfalls – a huge instance of suspended animation several feet tall and equally wide. You can see dozens of colours in this enormous ice structure as sunlight plays off its surface. Right next to the waterfall is a bridge across the river which is a part of the summer-time road from Zanskar to Leh. The Naerak village lies several feet above the river, a vigorous hour-long trek can take you to the village if you want to see the life of a Zanskari. The camp is set up close to the river.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
Today you start the return journey and go back to the Tibb cave. And if you thought that it was just a matter of retracing your steps back to Chilling, you can think again. The Zanskar River reacts to the slightest change of temperature, and constantly keeps repackaging itself. The Chadar would have assumed a completely new form, and will it will almost be impossible to say whether you have been here before. On the way, you can meet a lot of locals wearing their traditional woollen Gonchas – some of them monks who are hiking from the Lingshed Monastery to Leh, some of them young students accompanied by their parents returning to their schools in Leh after the winter vacation. Watching the locals negotiate the Chadar is a fascinating sight. They are suitably adept to the climate and seem very much at home in the sub-zero temperature and the biting cold winds. Nothing wipes the smiles off their faces and dampens the warmth of their spirit.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
This is the last day of treading on the Chadar – the last chance to immerse in the pristine beauty of the frozen river. Once you reach Shingra Koma, it is time to say good-bye to the Zanskar and the Zanskaries.Our team and our porters will take good care of you and make this trek one of the most memorable experiences for you. Tonight you get to sleep in a warm hotel again.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hotel
After having breakfast you can checkout before 9 am. As this unforgettable journey gets over, you depart from Leh having a newfound respect for the Zanskaries who brave all odds and survive with style in their beloved land. This trek also leaves behind a tremendous feeling of accomplishment – one of having undertaken and endured an extraordinary and challenging trek. The Chadar trek will be a cherished memory for life.
Geographic Tours- commenced & established in the year of 1999 by young fellows of Ladakh, with a strong vision of making Ladakh amongst the top tourist hubs in every niche and corner of the world.
We, at Geographic Tours, believe in the contentment of the travelers and take care of their traveling desires too. Along with the travelling, we tend to take precautions to keep the nature clean and green thus following the Swach Bharat Abhiyaan mission. We provide both inbound as well as outbound tourism. Our travel agency specialises in many adventuring activities. The list includes Trekking, Mountaineering Expedition, Motor bike Safaris, Special Tour packages, River Rafting, Wildlife Exploration and what not. Geographic Tours has gained experience all these 20 years in the field of tourism at different places within India and the adjoining areas too. Be it the region of Ladakh, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim, Rajashthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand , Geographic Tours has excelled in their field in all the above regions.
Geographic Tours happens to be among the well- known traveling companions within the Himalayas. We cherish the moments spend with our tourists and to make them gleeful as they leave is what we aim at. We not only make the voyagers happy and gay but also take necessary care towards the experienced youth of Ladakh thus making them a part of us.
Ladakh is known for its beauty which includes the charming valleys, the lush green meadows within the Himalayas and the generosity of the locals are what our captivating region is all about. The culture and traditions in Ladakh are distinguished from those in rest of the Indian States. The unique art and the preaching of Buddhist monks makes it a lot like the rituals in Tibet. The migration of Tibetan has made this place a whole different place to visit. The traditional dance form and music of Ladakh includes Shenai and Drums. The popular sports in which the people of Ladakh excel are Archery and Polo. Even the way of living in this landscape is quite simple yet magnificent due to the difference of culture induced from the Tibet and a little of neighboring district Kashmir.
Come and explore the Himalayas with US, as we stand beside you through thick and thin while traveling.
‘We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.’
A. Booking Terms
1. If booked more than 15 days before the trip start date, advance of 10% of the total booking value is payable at the time of booking. Balance amount shall be paid no later than 15 days before the trip start date.
2. If booked less than 15 days prior to the trip start date, the full booking value is due at the time of booking.
3. If the due amounts are not paid as per the payment schedule, bookings shall stand cancelled.
B. Cancellation Policy
1. If cancelled more than 15 days before the trip start date, the advance shall be refunded net of a 5% transaction fee.
2. If cancelled after full payment between 15 to 10 days before the trip start date, 25% cancellation fee of the total booking value.
3. If cancelled less than 10 days prior to the trip start date, the booking amount shall not be refundable.
In the event you opt for Refundable Booking, click here to read the terms and conditions for claiming a refund.
C. Changes to and / or cancellation of trips
Itineraries shown are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. The operators reserve the right to change expedition / trek / package dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which the operator or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. The operator reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
*for 15 pax
Minimum 3 pax for guaranteed trip
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.
Is something not as per your expectation after your trip has started?