Region :- Ladakh
Duration :- 9 Days
Grade :- Difficult
Max Altitude :- 11,400 Ft.
Approx Trekking Kms :- 60 Kms Approx
Your trek journey starts from the beautiful mountain town of Leh. All our trekkers reach Leh by flight which is the best option to reach Leh. Zanskar River is completely frozen during the months of December to February. So, the best time to do Chadar Trek is from January to February because the ice remains harsh and stable. Trek starts from the freezing point of Zanskar River and that is Chilling.
Therefore, the “Chadar trek” is also known as “The Frozen River Trek”. This Trek is over a frozen river in the Zanskar region of Ladakh and it is totally different from all other treks in the Himalayas.
It is one of the trickiest treks in the world which is done in peak winter months only. On this trek, you can explore the Zankari culture and get to know about it and the main highlight of this Frozen River Trek is a completely frozen waterfall “Nerak”.
#January 2022
Batch 1 :9-Jan,
Batch 2 :10-Jan,
Batch 3 :16-Jan,
Batch 4 :17-Jan,
Batch 5 : 23-Jan,
Batch 6 : 24-Jan,
Batch 7 : 30-Jan
#February 2022
Batch 8 : 3-Feb,
Batch 9 6-Feb
Leh To Leh
11,400FT / 3475 Meters Approx
60 Kms Approx
Note : Normally Trekkers are expected to carry their personal luggage on their own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Porter/Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 6000/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 7000/- if you inform us after reaching Leh
The backpack cannot weigh more than 9 KGS. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/duffel bags will not be allowed.
The Chadar Trek is over the frozen Zanskar river and the ice can turn dangerous sometimes so it is important to find a safe path over the perilous sheet of ice.
During the trek, you do not camp here at the meadows or the forest clearings but inside the caves which are present along the banks or in the tents pitched at the stable ice.
The temperature remains chilly and freezing (-2 to 5 degrees during day time and -10 to -25 degrees during night), so keep warm layers to protect your body against chilly cold and prevent the freezing of blood.
Day 1: Arrival at Leh (By Air)
Day 2: Acclimatization Day
Day 3: Medical Checkup Day and Acclimatization
Day 4: Drive from Leh to Shingra Koma then Trek to Tsomo Paldar
Day 5: Tsomo Paldar to Tibb Cave
Day 6: Tibb Cave to Nerak
Day 7: Nerak – Tibb Cave/ Tsomo
Day 8: Tibb Cave/ Tsomo to Shingra Koma and Drive back to Leh
Day 9: Checkout from Leh Hotel
Arrive Leh, a great tourist attraction. The only way you can arrive Leh in winters is by flight, catch the glimpse of snow-capped Himalayas while flying high.
Reach Leh and experience the drastic change in temperature with a touch of cold breeze on your face. Acclimatize and have enough rest today, spend your night comfortably in a hotel/home stay.
Most trekkers go through Altitude Sickness and because of this health issue, the government of Ladakh has made a rule i.e. anyone who is going for Chadar Trek will spend two days in Leh for proper Acclimatization.
This rule is strictly followed by everyone visiting this place.
Today you can go to the nearby areas, there is a market you can go there. The temperature further will fall when you start trekking over frozen Zanksar, make your body used to the cold temperature.
Stay in the hotel and check all the important things required for your trek.
As the rule of Ladakh Government medical check- up of the trekkers in “Tourist Information Center” is mandatory. After the approval, you can go for the Chadar Trek next day. The trekkers will get their permits and important documents from ALTOA and Wildlife Department.
Starting point of this trek is Shingra Koma, drive through some picturesque places of Ladakh and en route see some places i.e. Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Indus and Zanskar’s confluence.
Drive is along the Zanskar River and after one and a half hour reach Chilling, the freezing point of Zanskar.
Start your trek over frozen Zanskar, it will be challenging in the starting of the trek to walk with heavy gumboots. Walk carefully and check with the help of your trekking pole if the ice is stable before stepping on it.
Tsomo Paldar is your campsite for today which lies at the river bend surrounded by gigantic peaks and rock faces. Tents will be setup after analyzing the place and stability of ice properly.
You will gain altitude steadily on this trek. Wake up in chilly cold and have hot cup of tea and salubrious breakfast then head towards your campsite for today i.e. Tibb Cave.
On the way, you can have a glimpse of frozen awe spell binding waterfalls and their origin is not known. Trek next to Zanskar river which has bluish green water and in middle of the day have your lunch.
Further you will see rock patterns on the way to the “Tibb Cave” campsite which is surrounded by sand. Overnight stay in camp.
Nerak camp is a frozen waterfall and the most beautiful point of Chadar Trek which lies 13 km away from Tibba Cave and it is your campsite for the day. People from different areas desire to come here to catch a glance of this frozen waterfall.
You will get packed lunch which you can have in middle of the journey. This campsite is going to be the most freezing one because the temperature can drop down to -30°C. Wear enough warm layers and stay protected from the chilly cold temperature.
Reach this totally frozen waterfall then go to visit Nerak village. The campsite can be reached in 20 minutes after you’ve reached the frozen waterfall. Retire for the night in tents.
Post breakfast, start the journey back to Tibb Cave. Getting back isn’t easy because the change in temperature changes the Zanksar River and it gets totally different.
While getting back to Tibb Camp, you can see the locals wearing their traditional dresses (Woolen Gotchas). The monks can also be seen returning from Lingshed and coming back to Leh. You will be surprised by the way they work in the freezing cold and still have mesmerizing smiles on their faces.
Reach Tibb Cave and sleep overnight in tents.
From Tibb, you will be returning to Leh via Gyalpo and Shingra Koma. On side of the river you can see big and high mountain walls and also the footprints of animals like Fox and Snow Leopards will be visible on the trail.
You can spot Snow Leopards if you’re lucky. Trek over the white sheet “Chadar” this is the last day you will be walking over it. Completing this tricky frozen River trek will be a totally different experience.
From Shingra Yokma, leave for Leh and you can reach in the evening there around 6:30 pm. Stay at hotel/guest house in Leh.
