9 Days 8 Nights

About Chadar Trek

            Walking on the frozen river is an ultimate experience for adventure lovers. The traditional name of the trek is 'Chadar Trek', the frozen sheet trek, which was the only way in and out for the people of Zanskar in winters when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes.

            This is a trek into some of the most isolated yet inhabited regions in the Zanskar Mountains. A reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed to sustain walking for nine days in order to complete this trek.

            The trek commences from the village of Chilling located not far from the confluence of Indus and the Zanskar rivers. The trek follows the river gorge through a spectacular landscape, a photographer’s paradise, offering occasional sighting of wildlife. Although pleasant on clear, sunny days, the weather conditions can change abruptly with winds and temperatures falling up to minus 20 to 30 degree Celsius.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Leh

            Our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in Leh where you will check-in. On the first day of your trekking trip in Ladakh, you will spend your entire day for acclimatization. Although there are many things to do in Leh town, it’s best that you spend your entire day at leisure allowing time for high altitude acclimatization. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Day 2: Acclimatization day in Leh

            As per the guidelines, you are required to rest/acclimatize for at least two days before starting the trek. You will spend most of the day allowing your body to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Day 3: Medical Check-up day

            After breakfast, we will visit SNM Hospital for the medical check-up. You will get your medical report on the same day. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Day 4: Leh to Chilling (drive). Trek to Tsomo Paldar via Tilat Sumdo

            After breakfast we will drive from Leh to Chilling with our support staff to begin this fascinating winter trek. Shortly after leaving Leh, we reach Nimoo, the confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers. The sight is amazing as the iced up and frozen Zanskar meets the fast flowing Indus.

We will take a halt here for around 5-10 minutes for all to have a view and a click. We then turn down from Nimoo following the track parallel to the frozen Zanskar river. Driving beside the frozen river would be an amazing experience. Travel distance between Leh and Chilling is around 64 KM. After crossing Chilling we will reach the roadhead in close vicinity of the Chadar. We will trek along the frozen river for around 2 hours and reach Tilat Sumdo. Hearing different sounds of Chadar forming and breaking, you will soon get familiar where the Chadar or the ice cover is thick and thin. With an early lunch break in between, we trek again on frozen ice towards the designated camping site for the day. Dinner and overnight at a camp in Tsomo Paldar.

Day 5: Tsomo Paldar to Nerak Pullu

            After an early breakfast, it is another day of ice expedition among some of the most fantastic landscapes and ice vistas. We might even catch sight of bharals or blue sheep as we trek along the frozen river. Though today is the longest day of the trek, we pass through some magnificent waterfalls and frozen ice cliffs on the left. We will pass through narrow gorges, where we may require a bit of climbing on the rocky river bank. We may find broken ice at some spots due to the sharp bends and the current of the river. After lunch we will pass the incense tree draped with prayer flags which marks the entrance into Zanksar region of Ladakh. We will reach Nerak campsite by late afternoon. You will also come across a dilapidated bridge over the river which is believed to be 1000 years old. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day 6: Nerak Pull to Tibb Cave

            Though technically it is the same way back, it is also quite different. The Chadar is always changing, breaking itself and forming again. As the Chadar is ever-changing, the same route and place would look and feel different. Along the way, we will pass by and meet a lot of locals wearing the traditional woolen dresses, trekking their way towards the villages of Padum, Lingshed and Nerak. We might also get to hear about the legend of Chadar from Zanskari locals. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 7: Tibb to Shingra Koma

            Starting from Tibb, we will go up to Shingra Koma today. The high walls of mountains rising form the sides of the river would almost look like castle walls. You can see several trails of pugmarks all along the trek- footprints of foxes, ibex or even snow leopards. If you are extremely lucky you might spot a snow leopard. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day 8 : Shingra Koma to Leh

            Today is the last day of the trek. We will trek till the roadhead where our vehicle would be waiting to take us back to our accommodation in Leh. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Day 9 : Departure from Leh

            You will leave for the airport with our representative with countless memories of Ladakh. Goodbye and do visit again.

What is included?

            Accommodation in Camps/Homestays during the camp
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on all days during the trek
Transportation for drop and pick up
Airport transfers, Inner Line Permits, Toll Taxes, Red Cross Society Fees.

What is NOT included?

            Entry tickets for Monasteries and Museums
Domestic/International Airfare, Medical/Travel Insurance
Personal expenses/purchases
Extra billing at the hotel, tips during meals or tips to drivers/waiters

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