CHADAR TREK – Located at an altitude of around 12,000 to 13,000 feet in Leh Ladakh region, the beauty of Zanskar is like no place in India. It remains cut off from the rest of the world from the beginning of November till around April (around 4-6 months in a year).
The Zanskar river which takes its form onwards from Padum, after merging with its different tributaries, flows in a north-easterly direction through the dramatic Zanskar gorge and merges with the Indus river; the confluence being at Nimmu, just on the outskirts of Leh on the Leh-Kargil road.
As the bitter winter arrives in the valley, temperatures plummet drastically. With the river mostly flowing through deep gorges and with very little direct sunlight, the surface of the water freezes over during the coldest months of mid-January to mid-February. Zanskaris for generations, having been cut off during the winter months, trek on this ice surface to reach Leh for their emergency supplies, education and also for the different winter religious festivals that take place in Leh.
“CHADAR” refers to this blanket or ice sheet as the Zanskar River transforms itself from raging river into a white blanket of ice during winter, providing an incredible frozen spectacle for trekkers to experience.
The Coldest Trek in India
The Chadar Trek is the coldest trek in India, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -30C. During the day, the temperatures reach a cosy -10C and at night you can expect a chilly -30C. We provide you with Thick Alpine Tents, dual-layered sleeping bags (similar to the ones the army uses at their high-altitude posts) and plenty of hot water. This will ensure that at night, you can sleep comfortably. During the day, layering is the best way to keep warm.
The hardest aspect of the Chadar Trek is the cold and it requires some mental strength to bear. Although physically, the Chadar trek is less demanding than other high-altitude treks, it makes up for it with the sustained sub-zero temperatures.
Who do we recommend the Chadar Trek to?
The Chadar Trek is an easy trek with regards to the distance covered. It is the cold that is the major hurdle. We recommend this trek for individuals looking for a truly unique experience and who are looking to challenge themselves mentally and physically; this includes beginners and seasoned trekkers.
- Region: – Leh, Ladakh
- Duration: – 9 Days
- Grade: – Difficult
- Altitude: – 11,500 ft.
- Approx trekking: – 55km.
- Best time: – January to February
THIS TREK IS UPGRADED TO PREMIUM SERVICES TO SEVER YOU WITH COMFORT
EVENT DURATION: 9D8N
EVENT DATE: 17 Jan – 25 Jan 2024
EVENT COSTING: Signup in group of 2pax or above and get $100/Pax discount
- 4-6Pax: SGD1750/Pax
- 6Pax above: SGD1600/Pax
- Single supplement applicable
FOR BOOKING CONTACT US:
Do contact VIJAY +6592700908(WHATSAPP) or Email: contact@sgtrek.com
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Stay in Leh – 4 nights (Twin sharing basis)
- Camping on Chadar – 4 nights (Twin sharing basis)
Day 1 – Fly to Leh, transfer to Hotel (Rest and Acclimatize): – Hotel Lakrook or equivalent. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2 – Rest and Acclimatization Day on Leh overnight at hotel with a day spent on local sightseeing.
Day 3 – Mandatory Medical checkup appointment in the hospital by the Govt administration. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 4 – Drive to Shingra Koma 3100m and trek to Shingra Yokma 3170m (9 Km, 6 hrs trek)
Day 5 – Shingra Yokma camp to Dib Cave 3225m (14 km, 6 hrs trek)
Day 6 – Dib cave to Naerak camp 3390m (10.5 km, 6-7 hrs trek)
Day 7 – Naerak to Interim Camp (little ahead of Dibb)
Day 8 – Trek down to Shingra Koma and that same evening drive to Leh. (Overnight in Hotel)
Day 9 – Fly from Leh to Delhi.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Fly to Leh, Transfer to Hotel; Rest and Acclimatize.
The moment you land at Leh airport, one of the highest airports in the world, you will feel the fresh and crisp air, and a drastic drop in the temperature. The chill in the air will serve only as a preview of the temperatures during this winter trek. The average day temperatures we are expecting is about -15 & and average night temperature’s is -20 to -25. However, the night is spent in a cozy hotel resting and acclimatization.
Day 2: Rest and Acclimatization day in Leh. (Option of half day sightseeing to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monastery)
We spend the day allowing our bodies to adapt to the high-altitude and soak in the local culture. One can visit some of the monasteries in and around Leh such as the Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. There is also the option of visiting the old Leh Palace and the Khardung La Pass (world’s highest Motorable road at 5,600m/18,400ft). Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Acclimatization day in Leh. Medical checkup at Leh Hospital.
Our staff would help organize a medical checkup for you at the Leh district hospital during the day. This is now a mandatory requirement from the Leh district administration that every trekker going for the chaddar trek needs to undergo a compulsory medical checkup before embarking on the trek. If the parameters are found normal, you are given a go ahead for the trek and also need to purchase a compulsory medical insurance package from a private company listed by the administration.
Day 4: Drive to Shingra Koma (3100m) and trek to Sumo.
We leave our hotel early morning at about 8 am and drive to the starting point which is a 2-hour drive. Today is a long trek on the Chaddar. The trek leaders will give a briefing about the day and give tips on how to walk on the Chaddar. It could be a cold and hard surface of slippery ice, or it can have snow over it. Eventually you get used to walking on the Chaddar, which looks like a cross between gliding and skating. After passing Shingra Koma, you reach the campsite for the day at Sumo. The Sumo campsite is at a bend in the river, surrounded by high peaks and walls of rock-faces which almost look man-made.
Day 5: Trek from Sumo to Yokma Do.
Today’s walk through the deep ravines of the Zanskar was stunning. The sublime walls of the mountains on either side of the river keep the sunlight away from the Chadar for most part of the day. There are numerous caves in these mountains, big and small. Today is the day when you can see frozen waterfalls. The rocks below this waterfall are covered with moss, and this is the only greenery you’ll see on this trek.
Day 6: Yokma Do to Naerak camp (3390m)
Today is the most spectacular of all days on this trek. Walking on the river you cross deep gorges and reach a point where Juniper trees are covered with prayer flags. A few steps away lies the mother-of- all frozen waterfalls – a huge instance of suspended animation several feet tall and equally wide. You can see dozens of colors in this enormous ice structure as sunlight plays off its surface Right next to the waterfall is a bridge across the river which is a part of the summertime road from Zanskar to Leh. The Naerak village lies several feet above the river.
Day 7: Naerak to Sumo/Bakula.
After breakfast we begin our journey back to Sumo/Bakula and set up camp. Sighting wildlife here is also a possibility – from the elusive snow-leopard to foxes and ibex — keep a watch for the footprints of these creatures. Dinner and Overnight Stay at Campsite.
Day 8: Trek down from Sumo/Bakula to Road head, same evening drive to Leh. Overnight in a Hotel.
We start early in the morning and descend to the road head. We say goodbye to the chaddar, take stock of our bags and get into the vehicle waiting to take us back to Leh. Upon reaching Leh, we complete the check-in formalities and relax in your rooms.
Day 9: Fly out from Leh.
As this unforgettable journey is over, you depart from Leh. This trek also leaves behind a tremendous feeling of accomplishment – one of having undertaken and endured an extraordinary and challenging trek. The Chaddar trek will be a cherished memory for life.
Our Premium Services Include:
Accommodation: Our hotel stay is in a comfortable 4-star hotel in Leh with heated rooms on double sharing basis. The hotel would be the same standard as Hotel Lakrook (www.lakrookboutiquestay.com) or equivalent.
Sight Seeing: Even if you have visited Leh before, our day sightseeing program exposes you to some of the Unique aspects of Ladakh found specifically in the Winter Season. Our day trip, introduces you to the unique sport of Ice Skating & Ice Hockey, played only in Ladakh out of our entire country. In addition, we plan a visit to the famous Ice Stupa’s conceptualized by Mr. Sonam Wangchuk.
Meals: While in Leh the premium services cost include breakfast & dinner in Leh in the hotel. Since its winter most of the market is closed and it’s very cold to go out to the market in the mornings or evenings to get a meal. While on the trek we include all meals – Breakfast, Lunch, evening tea & Snacks and dinner. This is also supplemented with rounds of tea, coffee and hot chocolate. All the meals are served in the dinning tent with proper camping stools.
Tents: The accommodation during the trek is in comfortable weatherproof tents on double sharing basis. (The average on the Chadar trek is 3 people in a tent), however we ensure only two people in a tent with good comfortable mattress with a good quality sleeping bag in the night. In addition, in the night, we provide each person with a Hot Water bag to further ensure their comfort while sleeping.
Toilet Facilities: As part of our premium services, we offer you a proper toilet tent over a common pit loo. The Toilet is for use only by our camp members and no one else.
Porterage and personal Bags: We expect you to carry only a day pack during the trek and your main bags are carried on the sledge by the porters. This service is already included in the trek.
Guide’s & Staff – Our guide’s and staff are all local to promote the local economy. At any given point there will always be a lead guide and rear guide, so you can walk at your own comfortable pace. Apart from the Guide’s, there will also be a cook and two kitchen boys to help set up the campsite.
Permits & Paperwork: The Leh District administration has made come paperwork compulsory; we include all these in our costs:
- Trek & Wildlife permission
- Insurance
- Camping Fee
- Medical checkup
** The above is included in the package.
Exclusions: –
- International/Domestic Flights
- Visa to India
- Any kind of personal expense.
- Personal Insurance.
- Any extra food, snacks or beverages ordered in Leh.
- Tips for the staff. (About Rs3000-Rs5000 per client).
- Extra Hotel Nights in case the Trek is cut short because of bad weather.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head price Includes.
By Joining this trip, YOU:
- Acknowledge all the TERMS & CONDITIONS: https://sgtrek.com/terms-conditions/
- Acknowledge that YOU have read and agreed to RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT FORM of (SGTREK) : https://sgtrek.com/sgtrek-indemnity-form/
- YOU have read all the above paragraphs and YOU know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks that are inherent in The Activity. YOU hereby assert that your participation is voluntary and that YOU knowingly assume all such risks.
- YOU acknowledge the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by completing this form and unconditional release of all liability to SGTREK PTE. LTD.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: https://sgtrek.com/terms-conditions/
For any queries related to the event do contact below person:
Phone: +65 92700908 (WhatsApp)
Email : contact@sgtrek.com
This trip is organized by:
SGTREK PTE. LTD.
Reg. No. 201816267K
STB License No. 03160
Address: 28A, Kandahar Street
Singapore 198889
Email: contact@sgtrek.com
WhatsApp: +6592700908
Website: https://sgtrek.com
