Chadar Trek Frozen River

WHY IS IT A MUST-DO TREK?

Chadar Trek in Ladakh is like no other trek in the Himalayas. A walk on a frozen glass-like river with dramatic mountains on either side is an experience of a lifetime. Only 11,150 feet above sea level, the Chadar Trek almost feels like a trek to the North Pole, where temperatures drop to -30 degrees at night, food is transported on sleds, and survival instincts flourish, making it a do-before-you-die adventure. You can get to know the Zanskari culture, which is a blend of Tibetan and Indian cultures, in-depth as you trek and experience the hospitality of the locals. A highlight of the Zanskar frozen river trek is the Nerak waterfall, a waterfall that is completely iced over from top to bottom.

One of the most stunning and exhilarating winter treks across the blue planet, the Chadar Trek is a thrilling expedition over the frozen Zanskar River. There is also a possibility of seeing some exotic wildlife such as blue sheep, snow leopards, and ibex in the frozen surroundings. Success in this challenging trek provides trekkers with an unparalleled sense of satisfaction and exhilaration. Adventurers traverse through jaw-dropping scenery and bone-chilling climates.

Trekkers who have a passion for adventure and are prepared for harsh conditions cannot afford to miss out on the Frozen River Trek. The high spirits that can be felt by traversing through the snowy boulders are beyond words.

ABOUT THE TREK

This magnificent trek lies in the Leh region of Ladakh. The Chadar Trek, one of the popular winter treks, is also one of the longest trekking trails in the Indian Himalayan region that covers an entire stretch of 62 kilometers in 8 chilly days. The Chadar Trek swipes several trekkers rsquo dreams like a walk to paradise, making it a part of their diary. The journey leads off from Ladakh to the snowbound villages of the Zanskar Valley. This trek grades as difficult as walking on this frozen river isn rsquo t an easy task.

Apart from the apparent specialty of making the trekkers walk on a thick sheet of ice covering the Zanskar River, the Chadar Trek is also a major attraction for adventure seekers for the many fascinating and out-of-this-world sights that the trek brings you across. Starting from the Magnetic Hill and the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the trek brings you across natural wonders like frozen waterfalls, knee-deep snow, and white sand – the epitome of a cold desert-like Ladakh! The most iconic sight of the Chadar Trek is the frozen Nerak waterfall. The water, falling from a height of 56 ft, seems frozen in time itself, suspended mid-air. The curious sights will set your senses on fire and make the memories of the Chadar Trek sharp in your memory every time you envision them later! If you are looking for a splendid trekking experience in India, the Chadar Trek is the answer!

The best time for the Chadar Trek is from mid-January to mid-February, that is when the Zanskar river freezes, and you get to walk on massive slabs of ice, spreading for miles and miles. The landscapes and overall experience will leave their imprints on your hearts forever. When it comes to trekking In India, Chadar is the most glamorous trek.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE TREK

The journey starts at the mountain town of Leh. The only way to reach Leh is by flight, and it is surrounded by snow giving it a completely white look. One can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped mountains from the flight as it descends toward Leh, located at 11400 feet above sea level. Airport pick-up is arranged for you and is included in the cost. The network is available here (only post-paid). ATM is available to collect all the money required for the trip.

Things to keep in mind-

Bring a copy of your ID proof and 2 photographs. For Foreigners, a copy of their passport and visa is to be brought.

Keep the boarding pass with you it will be needed for permission on the third day.

Gumboots are mandatory.

Carry two thermos flasks of 1 liter each.

Visit any very high altitude place or pass is not advisable.

Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited.

Walking in gumboots will take a while, so be prepared for some slips and falls! It rsquo s advisable to carry a small backpack which will protect your back at the time of falls.

If the medical tests declare that you are not fit to go for the Chadar trek, you will not be allowed. For refund policies, please contact your Trek Coordinator.

Across the Ice

The ice can be as dangerous at times as it can be safe during others. One needs to figure out the safe paths over the precarious sheet and always be aware of the ice conditions below the feet. The trekkers can camp in the caves along the banks like the locals or set up tents where the ice is the most stable. The setting is close to twenty degrees below freezing point and decreases further after sundown as well. Warm and layered clothes are recommended, as is being on the move as much as possible. This helps invariably keep the body warm, prevent cold sores, and keep the blood from freezing.

Walking with gumboots on will be a challenge in the initial stage. Understanding the ice patterns will take time slowly but steadily, you will know which surface is fragile and trustworthy. There are multiple ice surfaces that you would come across while walking on the mighty Zanskar, and as you start walking, you will know more about it. Planting your foot will be important in most cases you can check for the ice for its steadiness with your walking stick before stepping on it completely. A small and light backpack will help you to manage your body weight effectively.

Nerak will be the coldest of all the campsites on the trek where the temperature goes down to as low as -30 degrees during the night. It will be vital that you wear proper clothing in layers to stay safe from the biting cold. If you manage to reach the waterfall on time, there are chances of paying a visit to Nerak Village. You will be camping at a distance of 15-20 minutes from the waterfall.

Better Safe than Sorry

It is always recommended to be aware of the ice conditions at all times. There are several factors to consider for ensuring a safe journey. Most of these factors involve the conditions of the ice and the footing choices of the trekker. The precautions include:

The trekker must be aware of the ice sheet conditions.

There may be cracks in the ice this should be avoided.

Finding spots with a coating of snow is the best place to walk normally.

Slippery ice can be found on several sections as well and should be walked on with utmost care.

Cracks may suddenly appear under one rsquo s feet, and it is required to move to more solid footing immediately.

The ice is not always in the trekker rsquo s favor, and one should always respect it and be aware of the conditions at all times, especially while choosing the camping spot.

Gear and Trekking Info

Trekking gear should be brought from home as there are not many places available at Leh during the winter where supplies can be bought. Food that can be preserved and made quickly, such as instant noodles, is an excellent addition. One should always have enough before starting as it is recommended to be moving for the better part of the day to keep warm and keep the journey in momentum. Ice picks, trekking boots, and several layers of extra warm clothing are a compulsion in such conditions. Tents are recommended but optional as one can easily camp in caves like the locals who journey across the river. However, being a non-local, that idea may not be advisable, and carrying tents is always commendable.

The best time for the Chadar Trek is from January to the end of February. The river freezes into a mesmerizing sheet of ice during this time, perfect for taking up this adventurous trek. Nerak will be the coldest of all the campsites on the trek where the temperature goes down to as low as -30 degrees during the night. It will be important that you wear proper clothing in layers to stay safe from the biting cold. If you manage to reach the waterfall on time, there are chances of paying a visit to Nerak Village. You will be camping at a distance of 15-20 minutes from the waterfall.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Nerak village-

Nerak serves as a base camp for the trek and the first village of the Zanskar region. The view of the sunset from Nerak is so gripping that an avid adventurer cannot afford to miss it. This region is sheer bliss in a nature lover rsquo s eyes. The inhabitants of Nerak village have to trek the mountains for one and a half days to reach Leh town during summer, and during winter, they use the frozen Zanskar River for their journey to the district headquarters. The village is comprised of a rudimentary health dispensary and a solar plant. The children study at the residential school in Lingshed and shift to Ladakh for further studies. In the winter they come to the village for holidays. The children trek to Lingshed village, crossing Zingla pass at the height of 5200 mts.

Nerak Waterfall-

As you move on to Nerak, the 13km long trail will take you to the most iconic landmark of the Chadar Trek. i.e. The frozen waterfall. The frozen waterfall is a natural masterpiece that attracts trekkers from around the world. Nerak Waterfall is 56 feet high. The blue colour visible gives a hint of the running flow of water behind this frozen form. Due to the climate, very few trekkers can reach here. The challenges that are met on this route are many. Sometimes the ice sheet hasn rsquo t formed, or the waterfall isn rsquo t frozen. In such cases, trekkers have to trek up the mountain.

Tilat Sumdo ndash Tilat Sumdo acts as a campsite for Chadar Trek. lsquo Sumdo rsquo literally means lsquo the confluence rsquo . There is a small stream meeting the Zanskar at this point. Tilat Sumdo offers splendid vistas of the Himalayan Range.

Shingra Koma ndash Positioned about 10 kilometers away from Tilat Sumdo, Shingra Koma is a scenic spot showcasing rustic beauty that simply spellbinds travelers. Shingra Koma is a place with unsurpassed tranquillity and a mesmerizing panorama.

Tibb ndash Tibb is a picturesque place offering a fascinating waterfall and cave. This Tibb cave is also used for overnight stays by trekkers. The vistas of sun-kissed mountains from Tibb are an enchanting sight to witness

Nerak ndash Nerak serves as a base camp for the trek. The sunset view from Nerak is so gripping that an avid adventurer cannot afford to miss it. This region is sheer bliss in a nature lover rsquo s eyes.

Dibyokma ndash Dibyokma is a campsite that offers dream-like panoramas, including breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The serene and intact environment of Dibyokma makes tourists fall in love with this place.

Lingshed ndash One of the oldest villages in Ladakh, Lingshed boasts the awe-inspiring exquisiteness of nature. This region is prominently famous for the Lingshed Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh.

HISTORY

When trekking from Shingra Koma to Tibb, Midway through the day, youll come across a giant waterfall that is not entirely frozen, and small prayer flags on the trees mark this place.

It is said that Nerak once ran out of water and a holy man went to Kailash to pray for water for his people. On his way back, he was carrying a pot of water with two fish with instructions not to keep it down anywhere along the way. But he happened to put it at this spot, and two fishes jumped right out to create this giant waterfall. Legend has it that this waterfall traces its origin back to Kailash.

Chadar Trek that we all know as one of the most adventurous treks in India, was never supposed to be a trekking or any adventurous hiking route.

With a population of about 14,000 people, Zanskar Valley connects its administrative capital Padum to the mainland of Leh via Pensi La, about 250 km from Kargil.

Now, every winter, when the temperature goes down from -10 C to -15 C, this Pensi La pass gets heavy snowfall making it completely inaccessible by the locals, making Zaskar completely cut off from the rest of the Jammu amp Kashmir for the next 3-4 months.

Now, this is when the Zanskar River freezes to create a highway of ice known as chadar, and locals call it ldquo Khado Sanglam rdquo , and let people walk on it.

Local people of Zanskar decided to use this not-so-easy 100km route to reach Chilling, from where they can take the all-weather road to Leh. Every year, people wait for the winter so that when the river can freeze, they can make a walkable path of ice and reach back home.

Even school kids studying in Leh use this frozen route to go back home during the winter holidays.

All this looks like a very local affair until some adventure-seeking travelers came to know about his route. They found that these massive mountains walking on a frozen river can be a great adventure and a profitable business. And now we all know this as Chadar Trek.