Region - Leh-Ladakh
Total Duration – 8 Nights / 9 Days (Ex Leh)
Maximum Altitude – 3500 m./ 11,400 ft.
Grade – Moderate to Challenging
Best Season – January to February
Accommodation – Hotel/Guesthouse in Leh; Organized Campsite
Food – On trek – All meals included
Distance – 55 Km.
Things to Pack:
Rucksack 60 ltr, cotton clothes, good trekking shoes and Gum Boot, a warm jacket, warmer, woolen or monkey cap covering head and ears, UV rays protected sunglasses, extra socks (2 pair, cotton or 2 pair, woolen), water bottle(Thermal Flask), torch(with extra batteries), cold cream, sunscreen, toilet soap, towel, walking Stick medicines that you usually use.
Rates are excluding GST of 5%
Note that the cost would vary for customized group according to their requirements.
The Chadar Frozen River Trek
The Chadar is a winter trail trek, in Zanskar region of Ladakh, in Jammu and Kashmir. In the local language Chadar means blanket, an ice sheet wrapping the River into solid. Temperature decrease creates a solidifying passage on the icy Zanskar river. The Chadar Trek is done on the Frozen Zanskar River which provides an access trail to the Zanskar Valley and is used by locals and tourists during the winter seasons an ideal route of transportation. The walls both side of the riversides rise vertical cliffs up to 600m. high and at some places the Zanskar river is only 5m wide. During the summer this river becomes a perfect location for river rafting expedition and during the winters it transforms into an ice sheet where the Chadar trek is performed. For many years Chadar trek attracts tourist from all over the world and it is one of the most exciting and challenging trek. The trek is approximately 105 km. on feet, an average trekker completes a distance of 15-17 km everyday. At first one have to reach Leh, then Leh to Chilling 3-4 hours drive. Chilling is the last motor able place. From Chilling to Tilat Do is an hour trek. Following day Tilat do to Gyalpo is about 9-10km. and takes 4-5 hours to reach Gyalpo.
The other day group has to walk for 5-6 hours from Gyalpo to Tibb Cave. Tibb cave to Nyerek is 9 hours walk. The trek is performed on ice sheet all the way and gives most exciting feel to someone who does the chadar trek. From nyerek we go back to tibb cave and then to Gyalpo, to Tilat do. Tilat do to chilling and take vehicle to reach leh. So one can try to do the chadar trek but have to wait till winter has come and river frozen's . The best time to do the Chadar trek is January to February, when the temperature drops down to -30 to -35 degrees which makes the Zanskar Lake look like a mesmerizing crystal lake. The zanskar locals used the frozen river as for transportation of food material and to reach the nearest town or to their villages. But later this route become an adventurous trek route to those who like to push their limits. Every year many of the people come and experience the toughest and the most adventurous Chadar trek.
CHADDAR OVER THE TURQUOISE ZANSKAR IS A FABLED DREAM – Hear Chadar trek story from one our participant.
How to Reach LEH
Flight is easiest mode of transport. Delhi is center destination. From Delhi there are flights till Leh which fly once daily. Jet Airways, Air India & Go Air offers flight services between New Delhi & Leh.
It is very much preferred to make your bookings well in advance as there are surge in pricing after a period of time. Due to snow-capped mountains it’s highly impossible to take road transport. So much preferred is flight.
Trek Preparation
Chadar Trek is one of the most thrilling & glamorous trek in the world. This trek is done in -15°C and -30°C, which is one of the most challenging aspects of the trek. You need to be prepared mentally as well as physically to survive in an adverse atmosphere.
Your fitness is important although trek is not that arduous. You need to cope up the situations, so be strong to handle such extreme weather conditions at this high altitude trek. 3-4 kms of jogging or equivalent workout to this is required. Increase your stamina by doing it every day for 1-2 months. You have to increase your daily walk distance to make sure you do not strain yourself during trek. Additionally you can train yourself by avoiding hot water, warm clothes & blankets in your own city for couple of months before the trek. Plan the trek well in advance and start building your stamina, strength and lung capacity.
Acclimatization is important for every Himalayan Trek, though you will get a day for it and the process will go on during the initial days of trek. Try and get acquainted with nature as much as you can. Avoid using heaters while halting in Leh. Drink lot of Liquids (warm water, soup, tea) during trekking days. Embrace the climate & don’t just jump inside blankets. Soon the climate will become bearable & it would be fun.
