Chadar Trek – Frozen Zanskar River

Cost

26125.0027500.00

Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Explore Tours

OVERVIEW

  • Region:- ladakh
  • Duration : 09 Days (Leh to Leh)
  • Grade: Moderate to Difficult
  • Max Altitude: 11400ft.
  • Approx. Trekking Km : 62 Kms.
  • Fixed date: 11th to 19th Jan 2025

ABOUT  Chadar Trek
Chadar Trek’ is one of the wildest trek in the world and a superb test of your mental strength. Chadar means veil of ice and this frozen sheet/river is the only road-way for the Zanskaris living in padum or lingshed to go to Leh or from Leh as other passes are closed during the winters due to heavy snowfall. Suitable for everyone without health issues.
Why Frozen river trek ..?
The Chadar trek is only accessible during winter, from January to February. During the day, the temperature ranges from -15 to -20 degrees, while at night it falls well below the freezing point from -25 to -35 degrees. Trekkers have to be well-prepared physically and mentally to cope with these conditions. And what could be more challenging than walking on a frozen river! Although the landscape in Leh is heavenly all year round, witnessing it during the winters is a completely different experience. The whole region is white with snow. The temperatures are well below the freezing point, which adds a new challenge to the entire experience of trekking.

Highlights

  • Walk on the frozen Zanskar River, which transforms into a natural ice sheet during winter, creating a unique and surreal trekking experience.
  • Witness breathtaking ice formations, including frozen waterfalls, icicles, and ice cliffs, which add to the trek’s otherworldly beauty.
  • Experience the thrill of trekking in temperatures that can drop as low as -30°C, making it one of the most challenging and exhilarating treks in the Himalayas.
  • Interact with the local Zanskari people, who have lived in this harsh environment for centuries, and learn about their unique culture and traditions.
  • Keep an eye out for Himalayan wildlife, including snow leopards, ibex, and Tibetan wolves, as you trek through this remote region.
  • Completing the Chadar Trek is a significant achievement due to its challenging conditions, making it a must-do for seasoned trekkers.

The Chadar Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that offers an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, cultural insight, and extreme winter conditions, making it one of the most sought-after treks in the world.

Important Note

  • Sequence of the day-wise itinerary may change depending upon trek departure re-schedules/restriction or road blockage, heavy snow fall and all other unforeseen natural and travel related condition.
  • All trekkers need to submit the Medical Form at Leh along with 2 recent passport size photos & Original Boarding pass Delhi–Leh. These are MUST to obtain the necessary permits.
  • Airtel, Jio & BSNL post paid networks work at Leh.
  • If the buffer day is used, you have to pay us Rs. 3250 per day (INR). The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day only.
  • Environment/wildlife fees, Insurance charges, Altoa and entry fees that has been newly introduced in 2017. The same will be payable at actual on the spot at prevalent rate.

Treks Plan

Leh can be reached only through Air during winter, There are flights that fly into Leh through Delhi and this two hour journey is where the magic begins. Try to get a window seat on the plane for the bird’s eye view of the Himalayas is absolutely mesmerizing.
Temperatures in Leh vary from -10 to -15 degrees in the winter months of January. It is important for the trekkers to plan their clothing even for the flight. As soon as you get down from the flight the cold wind will affect the people who are landing from lower altitudes. Hence you are required to plan your clothing in advance. Please ensure you wear thermals + winter jackets + woolen caps even while exiting the aircraft. Today is reserved for you to make your way to Leh and get settled into your accommodation. Since you will be coming to this altitude from sea level, the body will need time to get comfortable with the altitude and the mountain air. Stay in Hotel / Homestay.
(Food and Airport Pickup Not included)

Today is also reserved for rest and acclimatization to the altitude. This is important to allow your body to adapt to its new environment and reduce chances of adverse health conditions. Briefing and Acclimatization walk to Shanti Stupa / Leh Palace. You can go around and explore the city market, delve into the colors and culture of this high-mountain city and visit some places nearby.
While the body acclimatizes, we take this time to get together with the group for a debriefing session where we get to know each other better and delve into the happenings of the next few days - schedule, what to expect, basic do's and don'ts in the mountains, how to maintain the sanctity of the environment and other such matters of importance.
Stay in Hotel / Homestay. (Food Not included)

Rest and check-up- keeping in mind the health problems that trekkers are facing (acute
mountain sickness), as per the new regulations applied by Ladakh government authorities, anyone
doing the chadar trek should be at least spending two days in leh to get your body fully
acclimatized to the weather conditions here. It is irrevocable and it is important that it is strictly
followed by every trekker. You can spend the day shopping at the leh market. It is very important
that you get used to the cold temperature in leh because the temperature will only tend to fall as
you start walking on the frozen zanskar, where the temperatures reach way below zero even in
the daytime. It is advisable that you avoid visiting places which are at a higher altitude.

Today you will be headed to the first base camp. We start early in the morning to drive along the beautiful Indus River and past the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers at Nimmu. This short 70 km drive which should take close to 3 hours to cover, offers some of the most spectacular views as the vehicle goes around some narrow hairpin bends. Pathir Sahib Gurudwara, Magnetic Hill and the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus are places where we can visit. Once out of our vehicle and on the Chadar, We will train you on how to observe, how to identify & how to walk on frozen river then start our trek towards our first base camp, yes it will be quite cold. The layer of Chadar may seem thin here, you can also see various rock formations. Walking with gumboots on will definitely be a challenge in the initial stage. Understanding the ice patterns will take time, slowly but steadily you will know which surface is fragile and which is trust worthy.
The best thing about Chadar trek is that you walk on a flat surface throughout the trek. There are no steep ascents or descents. Depending on the weather, the Chadar changes its forms. It can be hard and glass-like in some patches, or it can have a layer of powder snow on it giving you a better grip, or you could face thin ice in certain areas, so you might have to walk in slush or dodge that entire patch and go over the rocks on the side of the river. Walk together as a team and always follow the sledge route used by the porters as it is the safest route on Chadar.
Overnight stay in tent at Shingra.

Today is a long day with 14 long kilometers to our next campsite. Since walking on Chadar is not the easiest, this should take anywhere between 6-7 hours to cover. 
The hardest part from here on is getting out of the warm sleeping bag and your cozy tents to step out into the freezing cold. However, the people of Zanskar are known for their hospitality – you will always wake up to a hot cup of tea and a meal waiting for you. After Breakfast we will start our trek around 8:00am. You can enjoy trek while listening to the legends related to this place from a local guide. At Tibb, there is a big cave. This cave is the dwelling of all the porters, and they welcome you warm-heartedly in here. Lunch halt on the way. Sunshine in this bend of the land is a scarce commodity as well. You will only see the sun for an hour or two on the trail and that too, in patches since the walking trail is fenced by giant mountains on both sides. Marvel at the views as you walk in this huge valley with nothing but pure crisp air and huge rocks on both sides. The color of the Zanskar river is a vibrant deep blue that matches the blue of the sky on a clear, sunny day.
Expect to reach the campsite by late afternoon. Overnight stay in tent at Tibb Cave Campsite.

Tibb to Nerak is 12 kms walk along the Zanskar River, Frozen waterfall this is the most magnificent waterfall you can see, This will be the Star attraction of the day. Here we will be experiencing the magical nature of the zanskar valley in the winters. A rare sighting & once in a life time experience. The frozen waterfall is a nature's masterpiece that attracts trekkers around the world. Hot lunch will be served on your way to Nerak. By far, Nerak will be the coldest of all the campsites on the trek where the temperature goes down to as low as -30 degrees during the night. It will be important that you wear proper clothing in layers to stay safe from the biting cold. If you manage to reach the waterfall on time, there are chances of paying a visit to the Nerak Village as well. You will be camping at a distance of 15-20 minutes from the waterfall. 

When you turn back & look at something it is not what you have seen, as the way back not only looks but is also a lot different from what you have seen. On a logical direction if you are heading in a reverse direction Hence look for the difference, Today retrace your steps back to Tibb Cave. You get another last chance to cherish, relive and gather the memories. Wave goodbye to all the locals while you make your way back. Be careful and enjoy your last stay in tents.

For our last day of the trek, we head back to where we started from – and we’ve come a full circle. To reach Bakula, we should take 7-8 hours. The drive back to Leh should be close to 3 hours from there on. We stay the night at a hotel.

The trek ends here but not before some celebration. If you plan to stay for a few more days to explore the wonders of Ladakh. Our leaders will guide you for further journey.

In case of bad weather or other difficulties, Day 10 is reserved for a second summit attempt. This will only get used if unexpected and unforeseeable conditions present themselves at the last minute preventing.

Included

  • Accommodation in Leh: Stay at specified hotels / homestay in Leh for 4 nights, Rooms on twin/triple sharing basis. During the trek camping stay.
  • All meals (Veg + Egg) during the trek only. Start from Day 4 lunch till lunch on Day 8.
  • Experienced & Mountaineering certified trek Leader with first aid certification.
  • Excellent Trekking Guide, who will be a local to this particular area and has profound knowledge of the trekking trails around.
  • Transportation by mini bus/Tempo Traveller for trek departure transfers. (From Leh hotel to Return Leh)
  • Camping equipment like Sleeping bag, Carry mattress, Kitchen tent, dinning tent and toilet tent as required during the trek.
  • First Aid Medical kit with oxygen cylinder.
  • Facility of keeping extra luggage at Leh when leaving for trek.
  • Helmet, Gaiters, Harness & Carabiners (If required)

Exclude

  • Airfares
  • Food during stay in Leh
  • Porter to carry personal luggage.
  • Insurance (Mandatory)
  • Pick up and drop from Leh airport.
  • Pre Medical Check-up and Rescue fee, Wildlife/environmental charges, ALTOA NOC, and entry fees up to 6k to 8k  paid to the authority on the spot. 
  • Any additional cost due to the final decision incurred by the Administrative.
  • Any kind of personal expenses.
  • Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.
  • Buffer day cost
  • Gum Boots will not be provided by us. Please carry your own Gum Boots or buy the same in Leh.
  • Monuments and museums entrance fees
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and / or any factors beyond control.
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under the inclusion.

COST

Rs.27,500/- per person + 5% GST (This cost for only Indian Citizen)
Rs.26,125/- per person
Pre Medical Check-up and Rescue fee, Wildlife/environmental charges, ALTOA NOC, and entry fees up to 6k to 8k  paid to the authority on the spot. 

Note

  • All our events are Eco-friendly; kindly take care of nature around us. Respect the Heritage and culture.
  • Do Not Litter, Participants are requested to carry the waste back to the city and dispose it off in dustbins.
  • Leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members.
  • Customization available with dates and schedule as per requirements, if minimum 6 persons.
  • All the guests are required to carry valid photo identities (Passport/Driving License/Voter ID Card). Many places do not accept the PAN Card as a valid photo ID.
  • The guests are also required to carry 4 passport size photographs along with their Photo-ID proof (Driving License/Passport/Voter-ID Card / Aadhar Card & School ID Card for children; Pan Card is not valid since it does not carry address). These are necessary to obtain permits.
  • Please note that some unforeseen situations may occur in the mountains leading to road blocks, route closure, stranded in a place etc. In such cases, we will be doing our best to change the itinerary in best possible ways so as to cover the trip duration (number of days) as per plan. There will be no refund possible in such scenarios if duration is reduced due to natural issues. In case, number of day’s increases, the cost of extra duration will be shared among all.
  • There will be no discounts or money refunded for missed or unused services, this includes voluntary or involuntary termination/departure from tour, i.e. sickness, death of a family member etc, late arrival on the tour, or premature departure either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Cancellation Policy

  • If cancellation done prior to 45 Days of outing 75% will be refunded.

  • If done prior to 30 Days of outing 50% will be refunded

  • After that no refund will be provided

Medical Disclaimer

It is mandatory that you visit your personal physician before enrolling for the trip if you suffer from any illness of any kind and disclose the same and your medical history to the organizers of the trip so that best possible arrangements can be carried out post approval. As organizers of the trip, we will be responsible for providing basic first aid throughout the trip. In case of unexpected mishaps or accidents, we will arrange for the injured patron to be taken to the nearest medical hospital wherever possible. The medical expenses will have to be borne by the patrons themselves.

Calendar & Price

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Related Treks

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How to register an account with XPLOINDIA?

To register with XPLOINDIA, visit our website – www.xploindia.com and create your account. To create your account you will need to use your email address and fill in all the details, set your unique password and your account is ready to use.

What documents need to carry on treks / tours?

Mandatory documents: 2 xerox of ID having address (addhar card/driving license), 2 Passport size photographs, hard copy Medical form signed & sealed by doctor, disclaimer form sign by trekker and high altitude insurance.

what kind of shoes we should by for treks?

You should buy shoes which has these three features –Good grip, Ankle Support and additional water resistant layers. Generally, we advise Quechua Trek 100, MH 500 and MH 100. If you don’t want buy expensive shoes then you can take on rent from Rock and Pebbles. They are providing all trekking gears on rent.

How does my family get update about my trek / tour ?

Before you start the trek / tour.  it is recommended that you make all the necessary phone calls as during the trek you may or may not receive network coverage, once you come back to the Base Camp, you can reconnect with your family via phone once again. You can share your trek coordinator contact detail with your family members to get the latest updates about your trek batch.

Is it safe for solo women?

  • It absolutely is. We recognize, value and embody the ideology that the world of outdoor adventure can benefit from diversity. We make it our mission to create outdoor spaces as equally accessible and safe for all genders as possible.
  •  We have women trek leader also in our team.  You might just have a woman trek leader
  • Our accommodation is separate for men and women. You will be sharing your tent / staying space with other women.
  • We ensure you e-meet your trekkers much before meeting them, in a pre-trek briefing as well as on a Whatsapp group. So you’re not meeting strangers on the trek. You already know them.
  • Our male trek leaders are also trained and sensitized to handle any situations sensitively, including your periods. You’re free to approach them for anything.

How to choose, which trek is best for me?

Our experts will contact you with the best possible trek options based on your preferences and experience level. Alternatively, you can reach out to us via email at info@xploindia.com or give us a call using the numbers provided on our website.

How to Book Trek / Tour?

First You need to register with us and create an account and Fill Up enquiry form so our team will contact you for further process.

what food can I get on trek?

We provide wholesome and nutritious meals during the trek. The food is vegetarian and includes a variety of dishes such as rice, dal, vegetables, chapati, paratha, pasta, noodles, and soup. We also offer snacks such as biscuits, and salty, and dry fruits during the trek. Special dietary requirements such as vegan, gluten-free, or Jain food can also be arranged if informed in advance.

Can I get Jain food during trek / tour?

Yes, Jain food can also be arranged but you have to inform in advance.

What is the qualification of the trek leader provided to us?

A Basic Mountaineering Course certification from one of the five recognized mountaineering institutes in India is a minimum requirement to join our team. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. We also conduct on-ground training for our staff once a year as a refresher for old skills and to learn some new ones.

What do you do in case of emergency?

In addition to their qualification, our trek leaders are trained to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on ground. During our recce stage, we study the trail in great detail and map out rescue routes before opening it up for our trekkers. We also have local support staff stationed in each area to arrange for emergency services at the place of need as quickly as possible.

Can I offload my bag??

Although not recommended, you can off load your bag at an additional cost. Add a request while making your booking for the trek and it can be arranged

What are the washroom / toilet facilities during trek?

On campsites, our team will dig dry pits and assemble a toilet tent to provide for safe and secure quarters. A shovel will be provided within the toilet tent as well. Using water in the toilet tent is restricted; you will need to carry your own toilet paper. On the more difficult expeditions, toilet tents are not carried to the higher camps (above base camp) due to restriction of space (to pitch the tent).

What should I do if I get my period on trek?

In case you get your period on the trail and don’t have sanitary napkins, our trek leaders can provide them to you. If you need any other kind of assistance, you can let our trek leaders know. Irrespective of gender, our leaders are gender sensitized and equipped to assist you in any way you need them to.

What are the medical facilities provide on trek / tour?

Our team carries a first aid kit and all the basic medicines required during the trek. They are equipped to be the first responders in case of any injury or health-related issues. For higher expeditions, we also carry a HAPO Bag and oxygen cylinders to tend to any altitude-related health conditions.

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