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Rs.24,999/
Per PersonThe Chadar Trek in Ladakh, India, is a legendary and exclusive adventure. It is a thrilling journey reserved for the brave and adventurous during the icy winter months. It offers natural scenery, cultural immersion, and physical challenges. Trekkers navigate the frozen Zanskar River, encountering extraordinary views of Ladakh’s remote and striking landscapes, impressive ice formations, and a rich cultural experience.
The trek begins in Chilling village, following the icy Zanskar River, and is best undertaken in February when the ice stabilizes. The frozen river trek presents a unique and demanding adventure, with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C (-22°F) at night. It’s a challenge that demands caution and thorough preparation for the extreme cold and challenging terrain.
The journey begins at Leh, a mountain town. The only way to get to Leh is via flight, which is surrounded by snow, giving it a completely white appearance. You can see the Himalayan mountain covered in snow during the flight as it lowers towards Leh, which is 11400 feet higher than sea level. Once you reach Leh, you can acclimatize to the high altitude for a day or two before starting the trek. This is important to prevent altitude sickness, a common issue for trekkers in Ladakh. The hike is along the Zanskar River, which freezes during winter. The best time to walk across the ice would be during February. At this time, the ice is likely to be in its most stable condition.
The Frozen River Trek begins in Chilling, a small town, from where the Zanskar River starts to freeze. The ice can be equally dangerous and safe at different times. It’s essential to understand how to navigate safely through the unstable sheet and be aware of the conditions beneath your feet. The ice is typically safe when it’s thick and solid, but can be treacherous when it’s thin or has cracks. Trekkers may choose to stay in caves along the banks as locals do or build tents in the most solid areas. The temperature is around 30 degrees below freezing, decreasing even more after sunset. Warm and layered clothing is highly recommended for those constantly moving as often as possible. They help keep the body warm, prevent sores from cold, and keep cold blood cells from freezing.
Icy Terrain: Participants will traverse a unique frozen landscape while walking on the Chadar or frozen river surface.
Nerak Waterfall: This stunning location along the Chadar Trek features an ice cascade created by the cold weather in the Zanskar area.
Tibb Cave: Located along the Chadar Trek, this natural overhang offers shelter from harsh weather conditions, allowing trekkers to take a break, get cosy, and cook meals.
Included and Excluded
- Stay: Accommodation in Leh using Guest houses on triple sharing i.e. on Day 01, 02, 03 & 08.
- Meals: Meals (Vegetarian) Day 04 Lunch to Day 08 lunch
- Trek Insurance (Optional): Xplorethedreams recommends that all trekkers consider getting trek insurance. This is optional, but highly recommended. Trek insurance covers unexpected events that may occur during your trek. The cost of the insurance starts from INR 210.
- Trek Equipment: Sleeping bag, Sleeping tents, Kitchen tent, Dining tent, Toilet Tent.
- Amenities: All utensils, sleeping mattresses (Black foam mats), Crampons, and Gaiters for snow.
- Health & Safety: First Aid Box, Oxygen Cylinders, Stretchers, Oxi meters, BP Machines, health.
- Permits: Forest Permits and Camping Permission Fee
- Trek Crew: High Altitude Chef, Helpers, Trek Leader & Guides, and other support teams.
- Potters & Mules: Potters and Mules are to carry all trekking equipment, ration, and vegetables.
- GST 5% (it is Mandatory)
- Any Meals/accommodation beside the itinerary or not mentioned in the program.
- Any Bus / Airfare to/from trek start/end point
- Personal Medical expenses do carry your medication.
- Any personal services such as Laundry, phone calls, liquors, mineral water, etc.
- Any still / video camera fee
- Any Entrance fee Monuments, Monasteries, Museums, Temples – Pay directly on the spot.
- Mules or porter charges to carry private baggage (Offload Charges for bag 365 per day, per bag if paid online (at base camp 2,550). Note: Bag weight should not be more than 10 kg.
- Any emergency evacuation charges
- Any services that are not mentioned in the cost inclusion section.
Highlights of the Tour
- Walking on a Frozen River: The main highlight of the Chadar Trek is trekking on the frozen Zanskar River. The ice cover forms a natural path, and walking on this frozen surface is an unforgettable experience.
- Stunning Scenery: The trek offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, deep gorges, and snow-covered landscapes. The stark beauty of the region is mesmerizing and feels otherworldly.
- Unique Adventure: Chadar Trek is an adventurous challenge, involving extreme cold and icy conditions. It's perfect for those looking for a thrilling experience in a remote and wild environment.
- Cultural Encounters: Along the trek, you'll have the chance to meet local communities, including the Zanskari people. You can learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life in this harsh environment.
- Frozen Waterfalls: The trek features stunning frozen waterfalls and ice formations along the riverbanks, adding to the beauty of the landscape and making for great photo opportunities.
- Chadar Experience: The term "Chadar" means blanket in Hindi, referring to the blanket of ice covering the river. The experience of walking on this ice blanket while surrounded by towering cliffs is truly unique.
- Challenging Conditions: The trek usually takes place in January and February when temperatures can drop as low as -20°C (-4°F). The cold adds to the challenge but also makes the experience exhilarating.
- Peaceful Environment: The remoteness of the Zanskar Valley provides a peaceful and tranquil environment. The quietness of the snowy landscapes enhances the trekking experience.
Itinerary
Overnight stay in Guest House No Mealsoday morning on your own board the flight to Leh, enjoying the magnificent Himalayan view from the aircraft (probably you should book your seat on left of aircraft for best views). On arrival at Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh; meet and received by our company representative and drive you to the booked guest house in Leh. On reaching the guest house check into the Guest House for freshens up. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatizing your body to the altitude.
Overnight stay in Guest House No Meals Wake to fresh new morning, today the full day will be for acclimatization as per the guidelines and regulations applied by Ladakh Government Authorities, this acclimatization is mandatory for all the trekkers going for Chadar. The trekker should at least spend one day in Leh to get their body used to of the weather conditions and every trekker is requested to strictly follow the same. In the afternoon or evening hours one can choose to stroll around in the local Leh market and spend some time in shopping and preparing for your Expedition. It’s important that your body gets used to the cold temperature of the region, this will help your physical to be stronger as the next coming days will be much colder and temperature will keep Deeping.
Overnight stay in Guest House No Meals Today is preparation day; basically, it’s a day we introduce you to our expertise guide along with locals to give you a brief about the trek. So that you are mentally as well physically prepare for every situation; along with it we provide medical check-up to make sure whether you are fit for the trek or not. For this you should start exercising at least a month prior your trek, daily walking / running of 8-10 Kms will build your stamina and make you fitter for the expedition. After the briefing and medical checkup, go for self-exploration and local sightseeing this would be better idea to get habitual with temperature but only in the daytime, you need to come back to Guest house before sunset. Please make sure to keep away from Alcohol and smoking in order to pass your physical fitness and to complete the trek (Trek up India recommends all to quit smoking and Alcohol)
Overnight stay in Trekking Tents Meals: Lunch & Dinner Finally the day has come, need to steps out of your comfortable and cozy shelter and proceed towards Cristal white Chadar will be waiting for you to take away on it. The drive will be most scenic as your drive through Gurudwara Pathar Shaib, Magetic Hill, Hall of Fame etc. confluence of Zanskar and Indus river is mind blowing, this are some of the place where you might halt for some time and take some great memories in form of pictures. Shingra Koma is the place until where our vehicle will drop you till the end of the road, from where your Chadar Trek starts, initially you will see thin layer of Chadar hence mind your steps, walking with gumboots on Chadar may be challenging in the beginning, understanding the ice pattern might be difficult, however soon you will learn all from our guide and locals, you will start leaning about the walking pattern, realize where the ice is fragile and where trustworthy, so be careful. The nature is treating you to it’s best, rest of the time letting your body relax and be prepared for another adventure day.
Overnight stay in Trekking Tents Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Appreciate yourself for making it day 02 of trek with much needed hot bed tea in the early morning, later on after breakfast at the camps we will proceed towards Tibb cave. Here we suggest all Trekup India trekkers to eat well to keep yourself energetic as the day will be the harder than the previous one and here you walk approx 14-15 kms. The good things about the Chadar trek are that it does not quickly increase the altitude, slowly but gradually. Through gulches of Zanskar will seem more beautiful and adventurous. While heading towards our camp site there are some good eyes catching waterfalls, as per the locals there are lots of myths of the same, as these water falls are sources still unknown and it certainly reminds you about Disney cartoons from childhood. Crossing up the frozen waterfall, you cannot miss the chance to show your photography talent here and it will compliment your talent perfectly. Butter tea, also known as Po cha will surprise you with the texture of teapot; we will camp around the Tibb cave.
Overnight stay in TrekkingTents Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Hello Trekkers, the most awaited day has come, from previous days trek seeing the smaller frozen water falls, certainly the curiosity will be there about nature masterpiece and the big frozen waterfall, It’s a perfect example of witchcraft of nature where several colors are spreading all around; it’s more like a piece of glass made by nature I would rather say. The 12-13 Kms trek you walked today all struggle that you had is going to vanish in few second in this magical land. Narek will be the coldest of all the campsite the temperature during the night time might deep to -30 Degrees, so be prepared with your warm clothing’s. Rest of the day free for our own activities if you are well in time you might have a chance to make an excursion to Nerak village.
Overnight stay in TrekkingTents Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner WOW! Narrating this itinerary was like being there on it; imagine when you will be there what a life moment it would be. Today we return from Nerak towards Tibb Cave, we are sure on your way back you might be laughing as you gets the glimpses of nostalgic memory where you had struggle to reach there and some clicks on your mind, you get lots of surprises on your way back you might not see the formation of Chadar through which you walked but the new one has formed, you will be amazed to see how different they appear while returning back. Chadar trek my personal favorite and all adventure lover should witness it once in a lifetime. We are sure you will feel these 8 days the best days of your life you have lived. Evening back to our camps celebrate and enjoy with safety. As it is going to be last day of the camping.
Overnight stay in Guest House Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Today it’s going to be a longer day, hence we start early definitely it is not going to be as the first day, you are an Experienced trekker now, so you move with a pace, enjoy the sites enroute all have changed, the Chadar has been melted to thinner layer, the beautiful rocks are now visible, soon we reach the road head get into our cars and drive back to Leh. Evening at leisure free for your own activities and celebration.
No Accommodation Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Today morning well in time transferred to Leh airport to board your onwards flight back to home.
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