Trek Name: Chadar Trek

Trail Difficulty: Extreme

Season: January to February

Length: Approx. 65 miles (105 km) One way

Altitude: 11,000 ft

Number of Days and Nights: 9 Days and 8 Nights

The Chadar trek is one of the most unique treks that take the traveler over the stretch of 105 km long frozen river Zanskar at an altitude of 11000 ft.

Location

It connects the villages in the Zanskar valley and then goes all the way along the frozen Zanskar river till it finally reaches the Chilling on the road to Leh. The hike to the Zanskar valley will take more than a week and at night porters often take shelter in caves of the canyons.

Type of Trek

The Chadar trek is also one of the most difficult treks challenging the traveler through steep mountains, snow clogged passes and rocky boulders.  One might feel intimidated by the idea of walking on frozen river but it is critical to have a good guide when you are going on the Chadar trek expedition.

It is often difficult to assess the thickness of the ice and there may be times when climbers will have to walk along a narrow strip of ice, with deep rushing water on one side and the constraining canyon walls on the other side. The water is deep and fast and anyone accidently slipping into it would likely be swept away in seconds.

Nevertheless, it is the only means of transport for the Ladhakhis during the Winter when the caravan routes and the roads are blocked because of heavy snowfall.

Trekking through the Chadar trail offers you the experience of how the local inhabitants there walk on the frozen river to commute daily. It sets forth a perfect example of the indomitable spirit of the Ladhakhis in the face of all daunting odds. The Chadar trek is considered as an endangered activity that will cease to exist within five years.

The journey to the Chadar trek might not be that smooth. However, its magnanimous and magnificent journey is what makes the trek a lifetime experience.

Chadar Trek Highlights

1. Crossing the frozen Zanskar river

2. Frozen waterfalls with dangling icicles

3. Camping inside the Tibb Cave

4. Star gazing night stay

5. Cracking sound of ice formation

Chadar Trek Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrival in Ladakh

You will have to reach Leh, which is the capital city of Ladakh. This is where begins your acclimatization.

Acclimatization in Leh is important for travelers in order to be accustomed with the low oxygen level and high altitude condition. This is all the more important for beginners who are not much physically active. Travellers whose bodies are physically active will eventually get acclimatized within a day.

Day 2: Leh – Chilling – Tilat Do

Your Day 2 starts with journey to the Chadar Trek. You will have to drive via Nimoo to reach Tilat Do. This is the confluence of the Zanskar and the Indus river and from where you begin your trail to Zanskar.

After you reach the Tilat Do, you will have to cross the Zanskar and then reach the other side. This will be your first camping site.

Day 3: Tilat Do – Shingra Koma Trek

From Tilat Do, you set your foot on the icy sheet of the frozen Zanskar river. You will need to cover a length of 10 -12 km. It can be less than that depending on your fitness level.

The primary objective would be to reach Shingra Koma by the end of the day.

Day 4: Shingra Koma – Tibb Cave Trek

Travellers will begin their journey through the deep gorges of the Zanskar Canyon. This portion of the Chadar trek will be covered with thick ice because of the rising cliff that will block the sun rays.

The Tibb Cave provides a natural shelter to the local people. Travellers will also need to camp here tonight.

Day 5: Tibb Cave – Nyerak Trek

The next destination will be to the Nyerak village. It is here that you will get the chance to witness the famous frozen waterfall that you often get to see whenever you search Chadar Trek on Google. During the summer, this same waterfall turns into a gushing and irresistible water flow. Travellers will have to pass this immovable and frozen mass of water to reach the Nyrek village.

Day 6: Nyerak – Tibb Cave

The journey from Nyerak will be now backwards. You will notice that a lot of trail would have changed. This depends on the temperature and sunlight. After you come back to the Tibb Cave, travelers will need to camp for the night. This will be your landmark completion of the Chadar trek.

Day 7: Tibb Cave – Shingra Koma

On the penultimate day of the trek, travelers will be journeying back to Gyalpo. Here, travelers will be camping for the night.

Day 8: Shingra Koma – Tilat Do – Leh

This will be your last stop, where you will have to cross the frozen Zanskar river once again before driving back to Leh.