- About
- Itinerary
- Price
- Photos
- Register Now
Chadar - Frozen River Trek
About
The Chadar Trek or the Zanskar Gorge is a winter-trail in Zanskar region of Ladakh. Its walls are near vertical cliffs up to 600 m high and the Zanskar River (a tributary of the Indus) is only 5 m wide in places. The Chadar Trek is on the frozen Zanskar River which provides an access route to the Zanskar Valley and is used as a trail by locals and tourists during the winters. It takes place on the trade route that has been used by the indigenous people for centuries and is a fairly well established trek. Chadar trek is a thrilling and adventurous trek. In the local language “chadar” means layer- indicating the layer of ice that covers the river. The chadar trek is basically performed on the frozen Zanskar River. During the summer this river doesn’t disappoint its enthusiastic tourists as it becomes a perfect location for river rafting expedition and during the winters it transforms into an ice sheet where the famous Chadar trek is performed. The frozen Zanskar river served and still serves as the traditional and only way of connect between Leh and Zanskar for the locals in the harsh winters of Ladakh. It’s being used by the locals for centuries. The documentary of National Geographic Channel first brought this journey of the locals to the outside world and since then Chadar – The Frozen River Trek has hit the popularity burst. It’s rated as one of the best treks existing on the planet by many.
Read the blog by our team member to know more about the trek.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Leh
Arrive at Leh and transfer to hotel and rest. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Leh
Acclimatisation day. Go for optional local sightseeing – Hemis and Thiksey Monasteries and Hall of Fame Museum. (approximate cost is Rs. 6000-7000 per vehicle. Capacity is 5-6 persons)
Day 3: Leh
Acclimatisation/ medical check-up day.
Day 4: Leh- Chilling to Shingra
Post breakfast drive until Guru Dho along with the porters (2.5 hrs). Start walking from the bridge point beyond Guru dho on the ice of frozen Zanskar river. After an hour stop for hot lunch at Takmar Yogma. Enjoy beautiful view from the junction where Zanskar river meets with the Zara Chu. Post lunch leave for Shingra (1.5 to 2 hrs). Reach Shingra and set the camp for overnight stay.
Day 5: Shingra- Tib bao (15km, 7-8 hours)
Morning pack up the camp and start trek on ice of the frozen Zanskar River – Chadar. The Zanskar Valley is the most isolated of the Trans-Himalayan valleys and that true sense of remoteness will become all the more evident as we approach our camp. Lunch halt after walking for 3 hrs. This day there is more of zig- zag crossing and the valley gets narrower. Arrive at Tib Yogma and set the camp for overnight stay. Witness sky full of stars at night. One never forgets nights in Tib Bao for 2 things. Firstly the immense beauty of the night sky and secondly the spine chilling cold because of windy atmosphere.
Day 6: Tib bao – Nerak (12km, 7 hours)
Post breakfast pack up the camp and start walking on the plain ice chadar. The whole view doesn’t change a lot today. We encounter some spots of hot springs and waterfalls in Zanskar due to which the ice becomes less strong and needs to be frequently checked by the guide. In case the ice is broken or thin we may have to climb a small peak to avoid river crossing. This day we walk almost 5 – 6 hrs. Nerak village is situated just above the cave where we plan to setup the camp. This is where we get a chance to see the mighty frozen Nerak waterfall. The 50ft waterfall will leave you in disbelief. After a photography session which is a must we arrive at Nryakpullu and set the camp for overnight stay.
Day 7: Nerak- Tib Bao (12km, 7 hours)
Start trek post breakfast. We again pass the Nerak waterfall where you get a chance again to try those weird posed photographs. After walking for an hour we reach a place called Omma which is considered the worst part in case of bad weather. Here, in case of broken/thin ice we have to take a longer route.
Day 8: Tib bao – Shingra – Leh (15km, 7-8 hours) (Drive – 2.5 hours)
Trek back to Shingra and drive back to Leh.
Day 9: Fly out
Transfer to Airport- Post early breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight to onward destination.
Price
₹ 29,000/- + 5% GST
Price Includes
- Pick-up, drop to Leh airport.
- Accommodation in Leh in a decent hotel on twin sharing (breakfast and dinner)
- Accommodation in tents during trekking days.
- All meals (B/L/D) during trekking days
- Supporting staff (guide, cooks, helpers).
- Basic medical and first aid kit.
- Safety equipment including oxygen cylinder, ice axe, rope, etc
- Expedition equipment.
- Wildlife fee.
- Mid Earth Escort services
- Porter charges
Price Excludes
- Airfare.
- Personal expenses like mineral water.
- Medical check-up charges and ALTOA insurance fee (Rs. 3000-5000).
- Travel insurance.
- Any run-time expenses due to natural calamities, accidents, bad weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.
- Evacuation or any other expenses on medical emergency.
- Tips.
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
Disclaimer
- Mid Earth reserves the right to change/ cancel the schedule, fully or partly in case of any unforeseen situation.
- Cost does not include any expenses caused due to natural calamity, road block, accident or any other unforeseen situation.
- Dates and cost subject to COVID-19 status (may be changed, if required)
- Bookings might entail COVID test or any other formalities (if any) as per government guidelines.
Register Now
Fill the following form to register for “Chadar – Frozen River Trek”. Once you fill the form, someone from our team will contact you at the earliest.
Photos
Why Choose Us
- Quality-checked tents, sleeping bags and other equipment.
- Basic and Advanced Mountaineering Qualified local guides.
- Sufficient local staff to cater to all needs.
- Sumptuous meals throughout the trek.
- Wilderness first aid trained escorts.
- Complete support for medical evacuation / emergencies.
Facebook Feed
Instagram Feed
