{"id":796,"date":"2024-02-26T09:02:33","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T09:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.himalayadestination.com\/blog\/?p=796"},"modified":"2025-01-25T15:26:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T15:26:16","slug":"why-should-you-do-chadar-trek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.himalayadestination.com\/blog\/why-should-you-do-chadar-trek\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Chadar Trek in Your Bucket List?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Chadar Trek : A Dream of many, reality only for few!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFew trails leave an impression for a lifetime.\u201d Chadar trek is one amongst it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Chadar:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Chadar Trek or the Zanskar Gorge is a winter trail in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, lying in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.  Since the Zanskar river freezes and forms the blanket of Ice so is the name \u201cChadar trek<\/a>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most of\nus Chadar might be”Once-in-a-lifetime experience\u201d but it is lot more than\na trek to the local people of Ladakh region. The route that was discovered as a\ntrade route between Zanskar and Ladakh by local people which is more than 1,000\nyears old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter, the 230 km-long road that passes through a 5,000 m-high pass called Penzi La is blocked due to the heavy snowfall, making it unusable for vehicles. Zanskar river<\/em>, drops as low as -40 C in winter, freezing its upper layers and form a chadar.  So the locals use this chadar to commute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should you do the Chadar trek?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chadar is\nto be experienced and savored for it beauty. It\u2019s a chance to see a completely\ndifferent world, tucked away deep within the valleys of the Zanskar region\nunder a blanket of ice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The raw,\nuntouched and unscathed beauty you see on the trek is the primary reason why\npeople all over the world fall in love with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mighty mountains on both sides of the Zanskar river<\/em> form an awe-inspiring gorge. The sheer size of the rocks makes you feel insignificant. The time comes to a standstill here as you breathe in the life and silence around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In here,\nthe world above you is as beautiful as the world beneath you. Walking on an ice\nsheet with water flowing just a few feet below you makes your heart race out of disbelief\nand fear all at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several caves along the river, that have been traditionally used by the villagers as shelters to survive the nights on their journey to and from Leh. Your team will cook a hot lunch for you in the caves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing the Mighty Chadar!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chadar trek<\/em> is about experiencing the serene beauty of frozen waterfalls on the frozen trail of Zanskar, thrill of sleeping in caves and at the same time surviving the harsh terrains at subzero temperatures in one of the most inhabitable regions of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chadar Trek<\/a><\/em> is considered to be extremely difficult because you have to trek on frozen river in winter when the temperature ranges between -15\u00b0C and -30\u00b0C. Also the frozen ice breaks at anytime during which we also have to take an alternate route through the snow-covered steep rocks. Walking on this precariously dangerous terrain, brings in its own share of surprises and adventures.Ice forms, breaks, and melts throughout the day. You may feel like a walking Igloo on the trek. Waking up in the morning, you’ll find frost on your hair, sleeping bag and every other thing that you can possibly imagine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Broken Chadar<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From my personal experience I feel you need only 2 things to survive the trek- \u2018Layers and layers of warm clothes\u2019 and most importantly,\u2018Mental strength\u2019 to fight against all odds and challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important tips for the Trek:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n