Chadar: A word in Hindi, which translates to bed sheet or blanket.  The trekking in Zanskar region over the frozen river is referred to as the Chadar trek or the Frozen River Trek because the ice cover over the river appears like a blanket. Chadar trek is one of the most popular treks in Ladakh region. One of the interesting trivia is that the chadar trek in Trans Zanskar range is not entirely over the frozen river! In some places, the Zanskar River does maintain its rapids but the weather below -25 degrees is bone chillingly cold. A breathtaking as well as daring undertaking, Chadar Trek across the River Zanskar offers ample opportunities to come face to face with Buddhist monasteries, remote villages unspoiled by modernity and nomadic tribes dwelling in the depths of a harsh condition of Trans Zanskar valley.

Product Details

stay

Stay

Night stay in camps or caves, which are locally known as Bawo

Stay at the highest destination of the trek in huts, Lingshed

food

Meals

Meals Full Board during trek.

silhouette

Activity

Trekking

Camping

Other Inclusions

  • (Camping) and Leh guest house (Day 1, and Day 8 according to Itinerary)
  • Trek guide charges.
  • Trek equipments
  • First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder Accommodation at the above mentioned Hotels on basis of sharing single room in Leh only.
  • Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff to help trekkers.
  • Transport from leh to Road head and return.

Things to Carry

  • A small backpack or day pack with a plastic or water-proof lining
  • Comfortable waterproof (Goretex) high-ankle trekking shoes with good grip
  • Trekking pole or stick
  • Wardrobe essentials like woolen and fleece clothes, synthetic or waterproof trekking pants with inner lining, wind-proof and rain-proof jackets, sunglasses, waterproof gloves, thermal innerwear, down jacket with min 600 fill power rating, Balaclava or woolen cap, scarf or muffler, thick woolen and regular socks, raincoat or ponchos, cap or floppy hat
  • Moisturizer, Sun Screen Lotion, Lip Balm
  • Personal Medicine Kit
  • Gaiters
  • Rain cover for bags
  • Insulated water bottle and hydration pack (optional)
  • Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
  • Extra Polythene bags

* Prices are on per person basis, for minimum 2 pax.
* GST is chargeable extra.

  1. Day 1 Delhi to Leh

    In the morning, board a flight Leh from the Delhi airport. In the winter months, the only mode to arrive in Leh is by air as a number of roads and passes are closed due to snow. As you arrive in Leh, meet our tour representative at the airport. He/She helps you with an assisted transfer to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities. As you are on high-altitudes, the day is booked for acclimatization. Save up your energy for the coming days. In the evening, you can enjoy a stroll in the local market. You can even do some last minute shopping for your trek preparations. Notice that the whole of Leh region is covered with a sheet of thick snow. Overnight stay at hotel.

  2. Day 2 Leh - Drive to Chilling - Trek to Tilat Sumdo

    On the 2nd day of your tour, before you begin driving towards Chilling, halt at the lovely confluence of Zanskar River and River Indus. This site lies in Nimu village. Later, continue to one of the most popular villages of Leh-Chilling. This place is extremely popular for its craftsmanship, mainly metal works. The road journey from Leh to Chilling (64 km) is an exciting one that is going to include a number of meandering hairpin bends. You finally arrive at the river valley where you touch the Chadar, the snow sheet for the first time. From here, you begin your trek for the day. Trek for 1-2 hours, along the frozen Zanskar River when you finally arrive at Tilat Sumdo. Your camp site might be where Zanskar meets a local tributary. Walking on the sheet of snow for the great experience. In the starting, it might appear slightly tough to walk on the slippery snow but you slowly get the hang of it. Arrive at the camp/tent site. Relax now. Stay overnight.

  3. Day 3 Trek from Tilat Sumdo to Tsomo Paldar (6 hours)

    Have breakfast at 7:30 am. After breakfast, continue walking on the Chadar. Listen to the sounds of forming and breaking up of snow. As you keep walking, you will get to know where this cover of ice is thick and where it is thin. Halt for lunch, on the way, during the trek. This stoppage might be at a place where there is abundant sunlight. Do not miss the sites where the waterfalls are completely frozen. You finally arrive at the designated campsite. Treat your eyes to the lovely views of the surroundings. At night, the sleeping bags would look alluring. Overnight at camp.

  4. Day 4 Trek from Tsomo Paldar to Tibb (8 hours)

    Have your breakfast and get ready for another day of trekking that will include abundant natural scenery. As you continue, you will feel that you are walking in a huge freezer. On your left are lovely frozen waterfalls and frozen ice peaks. The trek passes through some narrow gorges. Here you might need to climb up on a Rocky River bank for a short while. At some places the ice would be broken at some place to be river’s current and you also cross steep bends. You might also come across blue sheep or Bharals in this region. Have lunch while you rest at the flat rugged hillside, along the river bank. Later, continue walking and arrive at the campsite. Stay overnight in the camp.

  5. Day 5 Trek from Tibb to Nyerak Pullu (7 hours)

    Be very careful and be sure where the river is not completely firm and where it is not. Trek past huge frozen waterfalls and ice peaks as the view of the scenery appear to be stunning. You might also get a glimpse of a mountain fox during the trek here. Halt for lunch, on the way. After continue with the trek, you walk pass a tree, known as ‘Incense tree’ by the locals. The tree would be covered with prayer flags and mark your entry into Zanskar region. The locals use the branches of the tree in the morning rituals. By late afternoon, you arrive at you’re your campsite at Nyerak Village, placed on high altitudes. A dilapidated bridge, probably around 1000 years old, connects Nyerak to Lingshed. This area is marked by small huts that summer grazing shelters for the locals. Overnight stay in the camp.

  6. Day 6 Trek back from Nyerak Pullu to Tibb

    The 6th day is a return trek to Tibb from Nyerak Pullu but things will appear to be quite different today. As you trek, you notice that the blanket of ice on the Zanskar River keeps on changing, it breaks up and then it gets formed again. For the same reason of changed dynamics of the now cover, you feel that though the route is same, it will appear to be different because of the changed textures. You trek past the locals, adorning their Gonchas, traditional woolen garment, walking towards their villages of Padum, Lingshed and Nyerak. Say your hellos to these locals. You might stop to listen to some stories about the Zanskar region and its people. Finally, you arrive at your campsite at Tibb. Stay overnight in the camp.

  7. Day 7 Trek from Tibb to Shingra Koma

    This day is going to be one of the most beautiful treks. You walk past high mountain walls that are on both sides of the river. You might feel that you are walking amidst the walls of a castle. Do notice pug marks on this trail. These marks are footprints of ibex, snow-leopards or foxes. Halt for lunch on the way. Finally, arrive at your camp site, which is an extremely huge one Relax and enjoy the scenery. Overnight camping.

  8. Day 8 Trek from Shingra Koma to Tilad and Drive to Leh

    Day 8 is the last that involves trekking, your last chance to savor the beauty of this paradise and enjoy a careful walk on this frozen Zanskar River. As you arrive in Tilad Do, say your good-bye to the Zanskar valley and the Zanskaries. From here, you drive back to Leh. Complete the check-in formalities and relax in your rooms. Overnight stay in a Guest House.

  9. Day 9 Departure to Delhi or Mumbai

    After Breakfast on the last, get on-time transfer to the Leh Airport to board your flight to Delhi or Mumbai.

image description
image description
image description

Frequently Asked Questions

QHow do I need to prepare for physical fitness? I mean what is the basic threshold? Is it like being able to run 4 kms in 30 mins or what?
A. Physically it is not very taxing as there are no steep ascents & descents. You walk on the surface of the frozen river & the walk is always quite flat unless sometimes when the Chadar is not very well formed one would need to scramble up the slopes for some time. If you follow some fitness regime, just continue doing that. If not you can do some cardio exercises (running, swimming, cycling, skipping or playing some sport) - at least 30 min 2-3 times a week should be good enough. Preparation in terms of gear & dealing with the cold is more important on this trip than physical preparation.


Enquiry









Call Now Button