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
EVENT DURATION: 9D8N
EVENT DATE: 25 Jan – 02 Feb 2025
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 inquiries and bookings, contact VIJAY on
- 📞WhatsApp at +6592700908
- 📧 Email us at contact@sgtrek.com
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Stay in Leh – (Twin sharing basis)
- Camping on Chadar – (Twin sharing basis)
Day 1: Arrive Leh and complete day rest for acclimatize and if all are good with health then in late afternoon short walk to market and around.
Day 2: Local sightseeing’s visit Stok palace / Matho and Thiksey monastery and afternoon short hike from hotel to shanti stupa and market
Day 3: Drive Leh to Rumbak 2 hrs and Trek to Yuruste – 4200m 3 hrs ( Markha valley)
Day 4: Trek to Shingo 4200m 4 hrs (Markha valley)
Day 5: Trek Shingo – Chilling 3300m 6 hrs and drive to Tila sumdo and Trek to Guru dho ( Chadar trek)
Day 6: Trek to Shingra yokma (Chadar trek)
Day 7: Trek to Tsomo paldar and waterfall (Chadar trek)
Day 8: Trek back and drive back to Leh
Day 9: Leh airport drop
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Leh
- Arrival: Fly into Leh, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
- Rest and Acclimatization: Spend the day resting to allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude (3,500m).
- Optional Activity: If everyone is feeling well, take a short walk in the late afternoon to explore the local market and get a feel for the town.
- Overnight: Stay in Leh.
Day 2: Leh Local Sightseeing and Acclimatization Hike
- Morning: Visit the iconic Stok Palace, home to the royal family of Ladakh, followed by a visit to Matho Monastery, known for its annual oracle festival. End the morning with a visit to the beautiful Thiksey Monastery, often compared to the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
- Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy a short hike from your hotel to Shanti Stupa, offering panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding mountains. Walk through the market on your way back.
- Overnight: Stay in Leh.
Day 3: Leh to Rumbak and Trek to Yuruste (Markha Valley)
- Drive: Early morning drive from Leh to Rumbak (2 hours).
- Trek: Begin your trek from Rumbak to Yuruste (4200m), a moderate trek that takes about 3 hours through the scenic Markha Valley, known for its striking landscapes and wildlife.
- Overnight: Camp at Yuruste.
Day 4: Trek to Shingo (Markha Valley)
- Trek: Continue your journey through Markha Valley with a trek from Yuruste to Shingo (4200m). The trek will take around 4 hours, passing through rugged terrain and offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
- Overnight: Camp at Shingo.
Day 5: Trek from Shingo to Chilling and Drive to Tila Sumdo
- Trek: Start early for a 6-hour trek from Shingo to Chilling (3300m), where the Zanskar River meets the Indus. The trek offers a descent into the valley, with changing landscapes.
- Drive: From Chilling, drive to Tila Sumdo, the starting point of the Chadar Trek.
- Trek: Begin the Chadar Trek with a short walk to Guru Dho, where you’ll camp for the night.
- Overnight: Camp at Guru Dho.
Day 6: Trek to Shingra Yokma (Chadar Trek)
- Trek: Continue the Chadar Trek, walking on the frozen Zanskar River from Guru Dho to Shingra Yokma. The trek takes you through narrow gorges and offers a unique experience of walking on ice.
- Overnight: Camp at Shingra Yokma.
Day 7: Trek to Tsomo Paldar and Waterfall (Chadar Trek)
- Trek: Trek from Shingra Yokma to Tsomo Paldar, passing by frozen waterfalls, a highlight of the Chadar Trek. The trek offers an incredible experience of the winter landscape.
- Overnight: Camp at Tsomo Paldar.
Day 8: Trek Back and Drive to Leh
- Trek: Begin the return journey, trekking back to the roadhead.
- Drive: From the endpoint, drive back to Leh, where you can relax and reflect on the incredible journey.
- Overnight: Stay in Leh.
Day 9: Departure
- Airport Transfer: After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Leh airport for your onward journey.
Note: The itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions and acclimatization needs. The Chadar Trek is a unique experience that requires flexibility and preparedness for extreme conditions.
Our Services Include:
Accommodation: Our hotel stay is in a comfortable hotel in Leh. (Twin sharing basis)
- Leh Hotel – The ABDUZ / Grand Dragon / The Indus valley or similar
- Yuruste – Home stay
- Shingo – Home stay
- Ghuru Dho – Camp
- Shingra Yokma – Camp
- Tsomo Paldar – Camp
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 services cost include breakfast in Leh hotel. 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. (*veg meals during trek)
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 services, we offer you a proper toilet tent over a common pit loo. The Toilet is for use only by our camp members.
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; Additional Cost
- Trek & Wildlife permission
- Insurance
- Camping Fee
- Medical checkup
- Evacuation
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
