Short Itinerary
For many years the natives of Zanskar Valley have walked the frozen river in the winter. It was part and parcel of their winter lives as the otherwise 400 km distant Leh comes closer, to 80 km.
And when the outer world slowly knew about it, it became a sensation – Chadar Trek!
Known to be one of most challenging, yet the most awaited treks in India, it brings to you the otherwise surreal view of streams and waterfalls standing frozen in time and walking over a translucent sheet of ice on the river that still flows underneath.
What’s holding you back?
Be mesmerized by the rock faces that look like man-made..
Explore caves that double up as shelters for Zanskaris…
Be humbled by solitary patches of green-mosses , the only vegetation at the season…
Soothe your eyes on the sight of ice being colored when sunlight plays on it…
Come across the Zanskaris who would greet you with “Jhuley!” in their woollen Gonchas , some of whom would even be monks hiking to monasteries.
Come! Join the Zanskar Trek by LetsGoForACamp in January 2022.
| Date | Altitude | Brief description |
| DAY 1 | 11,400 ft | Stay in guest house, Complete rest. Drink more water, Keep your woollen cap and gloves handy: Acclimatization Day |
| DAY 2 | 11,400 ft | Complete mandatory rest to get acclimated. Drink More Water You can explore the Leh market and nearby places by yourself. Our cordinator will help you on this |
| DAY 3 | 11400 ft | Complete mandatory rest to get acclimated and Medical Checkup (Get Medical, Insurance, Wildlife Permit and ALTOA NOC). Bag packing and Basic instructions. |
| DAY 4 | 10,390 to 10,550 ft. | Drive to Tillad Do , trek to Shingra Koma, 10 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 5 | 10,550 to 10,760 ft. | Shingra Koma to Tibb Cave, Trek 15 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 6 | 10,760 to 11,150 ft. | Tibb cave to Naerak camp, Trek 12.5 kms, Stay in tent. Attraction: Frozen waterfall. |
| DAY 7 | 11,150 to 10,760 ft. | Naerak to Tibb Cave, Trek 12.5 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 8 | 10,760 to 10,550 ft. | Tibb Cave to Shingra Koma, Trek 15 kms. Drive to Leh |
| DAY 9 | 11400 | Return from Leh. |
Detailed Itinerary
| Day 1: | Reach Leh. Altitude 11,400 ft. |
| Stay in guest house. | |
| Keep your woollen cap and gloves handy. | |
| Flying over miles and miles of heavily snowed mountains will tell you just why it?s impossible to reach Ladakh by road in the winters. The moment you land at the 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 town has just begun shedding off the thick winter slumber and is slowly coming to life. Taking a stroll through the Leh market, you will find that very few shops and eateries in the town are open for business; but if required, some last minute-shopping for the trek can be done here. The chill in the air will serve only as a preview of the temperatures during this winter Trek. |
|
| Day 2:-Acclimatization and Explore Leh | Take good rest, you can visit nearby places in Leh city, Leh market, Shanthi Stupa etc |
| Our coordinator will help you to with it. | |
| Day 3:- Acclimatization and Medical Checkup | Medical check-up and complete procedures for insurance |
| Packing for coming 4 days | |
| Prepare your mind and body for the trek | |
| Day 4:- Drive to Shingra Koma. | 10,390 to 10,550 ft. |
| Trek 10 kms. | |
| Stay in a tent. | |
| The biggest challenge of this day, and all the remaining days, is to get out of the warm toasty sleeping bags and go out into the giant freezer outside, but the steaming cups of tea being served provide ample motivation. Today is a long walking session, about 10 km, on the Chadar. The trek leaders give a briefing about the day, and give tips on how to walk on the Chadar. Depending on the weather, the Chadar can assume various forms. It can be a cold and hard surface of slippery ice, or it can have a dusting of snow over it, providing a good grip. The ice can be thick or thin, and its best to keep closely following the guide. The locals, it appears, have a sixth sense as to where exactly to step on the Chadar. At places, it might be necessary to wade through ankle deep water, or climb on the cliffs at the side of the river. Eventually you get used to walking on the Chadar, which looks like a cross between gliding and skating. Mid way to Gyalpo, the porter-cum-cooks prepare hot bowlfuls of soupy noodles for lunch. It is important to keep up a decent level of fluid intake. Nothing makes you adapt to the conditions faster than nicely circulating blood in your system. After passing Shingra koma, you reach the camp-site for the day at Gyalpo. The Gyalpo campsite is at a bend in the river, surrounded by high peaks and walls of rock-faces which almost look man-made. All that is left to do is to soak in the views, have an early dinner and call it a day. | |
| Day 5:- Shingra Koma to Tibb Cave. | 10,550 to 10,760 ft. |
| Trek 15 kms. | |
| Stay in tent. | |
| This day follows the same early morning routine: bed tea at 7, breakfast at 8, and quick-march at 8:30. Have a good breakfast, as today is the longest walk of the day ? almost 15 km. But that is nothing to worry about, all the walking keeps you incredibly warm. Today?s walk through the deep ravines of the Zanskar is stunning. The sublime walls of the mountains on either sides 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, some higher than the others. As the fable goes, centuries ago the local villagers faced a dearth of water and went to Tibet to plead for water. They were given a box which they were to open once they reached the village, and not any time sooner. But curiosity got the better out of them, and when they opened the box, two fishes jumped out of it, creating two huge waterfalls. One of those waterfalls, miraculously, is not iced-up even in such freezing cold. The rocks below this waterfall are covered with moss, and this is the only greenery you'll see on this trek. At Tibb, there is a big cave. This cave is the dwelling of all the porters, and they welcome you warm-heartedly in here. The highlight of the day is to share a cup of butter-tea with them! | |
| Day 6 :- Tibb cave to Naerak camp. | 10,760 to 11,150 ft. |
| Trek 12.5 kms. | |
| Stay in tent. | |
| Attraction Frozen waterfall. | |
| 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. The porters give you a twig of this tree tied with a piece of prayer flag as a badge of good-luck and good-health. A few steps away stands 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 summer-time road from Zanskar to Leh. The Naerak village lies several feet above the river, a vigorous hour-long trek can take you to the village if you want to see the life of a Zanskari. The camp is set up close to the river. | |
| Day 7 :- Naerak to Tibb Cave. | 11,150 to 10,760 ft. |
| Trek 12.5 kms. | |
| Stay in tent. Today you start the return journey and go back to the Tibb cave. And if you thought that it was just a matter of retracing your steps back to Chilling, you can think again. The Zanskar River reacts to the slightest change of temperature, and constantly keeps repackaging itself. The Chadar would have assumed a completely new form, and will it will almost be impossible to say whether you have been here before. On the way, you can meet a lot of locals wearing their traditional woolen Gonchas ? some of them monks who are hiking from the Lingshed Monastery to Leh, some of them young students accompanied by their parents returning to their schools in Leh after the winter vacation. Watching the locals negotiate the Chadar is a fascinating sight. They are suitably adept to the climate and seem very much at home in the sub-zero temperature and the biting cold winds. Nothing wipes the smiles off their faces and dampens the warmth of their spirit. | |
| Day 8 :- Tibb Cave to Shingra Koma | 10,760 to 10,550 ft. |
| Trek 15 kms. | |
| Stay in tent. | |
| Starting from Tibb, go up to Gyalpo today. The high walls of mountains rising from the sides of the river almost look like castle walls. You can see several trails of pug-marks all along the trek? footprints belonging to foxes, ibex or snow-leopards. You would be lucky to view a snow-leopard; but you can almost be sure that you are being watched by one all the time. Shingra Koma to Leh. | |
| 10,550 to 10,390 and drive to 11400 ft. | |
| Trek 10 kms. | |
| Drive 65 kms. | |
| Stay in guest house. | |
| This is the last day of treading on the Chadar ? the last chance to immerse in the pristine beauty of the frozen river. Once you reach Tilad Do, it is time to say good-bye to the Zanskar and the Zanskaries. Our team and our porters will take good care of you and make this trek one of the most memorable experiences for you. Tonight you get to sleep in a warm guest-house again. | |
| Day 9 :- Return from Leh. | As this unforgettable journey gets over, you depart from Leh having a newfound respect for the Zanskaries who brave all odds and survive with style in their beloved land. This trek also leaves behind a tremendous feeling of accomplishment ? one of having undertaken and endured an extraordinary and challenging trek. The Chadar trek will be a cherished memory for life. |
| Day 10: Buffer Day | We suggest all of you to keep a buffer day and book tickets. ( Not part of Itinerary) |
Package Inclusions
- Accommodation- Leh guest house on Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 8 (according to Itinerary). Tent stay while on the – Day 4 to Day 7 Hotel Details in Leh : Hotel Rafica, Leh Camping during the trek on two sharing bases.
- All Meals while on trek (Vegetarian+Egg).
- Trek equipment– Sleeping bag, mattress, tent, kitchen & dining, toilet tent, utensils Permits required for the trek.
- First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder.
- Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Local Guide and Support staff and logistics.
- Transportation to base camp.
- Traditional Dinner/Lunch
Package Exclusions
- Food / Meal / Beverages in Leh Guest House .
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Medical & Travel insurance. other than specified in the inclusions
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Airfare to and from Leh.
- Environmental fee, ALTOA fee, Wildlife Charges ( Around 3000-3500/- this you can pay directly to the ALTOA, 2021, the fee can slightly change)
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the section “Tour Inclusion”
Note: Any additional costs due to weather / unforeseen situations, will have to be borne by the traveller.
Team Leader/Guides word is the final one, all team members need to follow this..
Our team reserves the right to change the plan in case there is accidents involved for the group or whenever the trek leader deem it necessary.
Trek changes/cancellation due to bad weather or natural calamity or Political/Law and order Situations will be non- refundable.
Fees
₹22,000.00
No Seats Available
Join Waitlist
We will inform you when the seats are available. Please leave your valid email address and phone number below.
Cancellation Policy
For many years the natives of Zanskar Valley have walked the frozen river in the winter. It was part and parcel of their winter lives as the otherwise 400 km distant Leh comes closer, to 80 km.
And when the outer world slowly knew about it, it became a sensation – Chadar Trek!
Known to be one of most challenging, yet the most awaited treks in India, it brings to you the otherwise surreal view of streams and waterfalls standing frozen in time and walking over a translucent sheet of ice on the river that still flows underneath.
What’s holding you back?
Be mesmerized by the rock faces that look like man-made..
Explore caves that double up as shelters for Zanskaris…
Be humbled by solitary patches of green-mosses , the only vegetation at the season…
Soothe your eyes on the sight of ice being colored when sunlight plays on it…
Come across the Zanskaris who would greet you with “Jhuley!” in their woollen Gonchas , some of whom would even be monks hiking to monasteries.
Come! Join the Zanskar Trek by LetsGoForACamp in January 2022.
| Date | Altitude | Brief description |
| DAY 1 | 11,400 ft | Stay in guest house, Complete rest. Drink more water, Keep your woollen cap and gloves handy: Acclimatization Day |
| DAY 2 | 11,400 ft | Complete mandatory rest to get acclimated. Drink More Water You can explore the Leh market and nearby places by yourself. Our cordinator will help you on this |
| DAY 3 | 11400 ft | Complete mandatory rest to get acclimated and Medical Checkup (Get Medical, Insurance, Wildlife Permit and ALTOA NOC). Bag packing and Basic instructions. |
| DAY 4 | 10,390 to 10,550 ft. | Drive to Tillad Do , trek to Shingra Koma, 10 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 5 | 10,550 to 10,760 ft. | Shingra Koma to Tibb Cave, Trek 15 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 6 | 10,760 to 11,150 ft. | Tibb cave to Naerak camp, Trek 12.5 kms, Stay in tent. Attraction: Frozen waterfall. |
| DAY 7 | 11,150 to 10,760 ft. | Naerak to Tibb Cave, Trek 12.5 kms. Stay in tent |
| DAY 8 | 10,760 to 10,550 ft. | Tibb Cave to Shingra Koma, Trek 15 kms. Drive to Leh |
| DAY 9 | 11400 | Return from Leh. |
| Cancellation Date | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| From days for trip start to the day of trip start |
- Lesser Cost: One of the least expensive Chadar trek itineraries with all the facilities mentioned in inclusions. Feel free to compare with other similar itineraries available online.
- Celebratory Ladakhi dinner: Experience the Ladakhi traditional food, we are arranging a special Ladakhi dinner for our team.
- Best hotel to stay in Leh ( 4 days ), 2 sharing, centrally heated.
- Twin sharing tents.
- Handpicked expert guides, porters, and cooks on the trek.
- Hygenic and best in class food during the trek.
- Max team size 15.
- 24 X 7 coordinators‘ availability.
- Personalized guidance on fitness regime and packing guidance.
- Pre-camp doctor consultation sessions.
- Q & A session with trek expert and doctor
- Fee can be paid as installments.
Important Instructions
- Accommodation – Tents Camping Sharing ( Two sharing )
- Food – All meals during Trek are nutritious Veg food
- Meeting Point – Rafica Hotel, Ladakh
- The local market is available for any last-minute shopping in Leh Market, but try to get all the necessary things before only.
- ATM point – Leh Market , but we recommend to keep the required money with you.
- Mobile Signal –Only BSNL/AIRTEL postpaid. During trekking time no connectivity
- Nearest Rail Head – Railway and Bus routes not Available/ Advisable
- Nearest Airport –Leh Airport.
- Best Season – Jan-Feb
- Snow – Frozen River and Chances of snowfall also
Note: Don’t forget your ID proof in original and 2 photocopies, Passport size photos, Flight boarding Pass.Medical Certificate: One- month Validity.
Why With Us?
- Budget-Friendly.
- Pay the total camp fee in 8 installments before the trek – See Installments
- Best Food and Best Local Guide, Team Leader During Trek.
- The best food During the trek: We believe that for a trekker, food is one of the most important things during their journey. We provide the best nutritious food veg during trekking.
- Not just the trek, many more things to learn and experience: We are not just providing sightseeing or trekking experience. Know more about the life of people in the Himalayas, Winter Life in Ladakh and Zanskar region, Specialty of Ladakhi food and Culture.
- Well Experienced Local Guide and Support Staffs
- Plan beyond the Itinerary- In case if you want to extend the trip, we are there to help you by providing Stays contact and transportation, Talk to the coordinator of LetsGoForACamp.
- Why no pick up from Kerala or any other South Indian Cities ? : Flight is available from all major cities to Delhi and From Delhi to Leh Since the flight charge is flexible in Nature, those who book early need to spend only less from their pocket.
Direct flight to Leh is available only From Delhi airport, so most of the participants will meet at Delhi airport.
How To Reach?
By Air:–
During peak winter season, the only way to reach Leh is via Flight.
Direct flight is available only from Delhi airport. So all other cities there will be connected flight to Leh, eg: From Bangalore to Delhi and Delhi to Leh.
Try to book the same carrier for your connecting flight, as in winter there are always delays and sometimes even cancellations of flights. Booking for the same carrier would help to get you an alternate flight without much trouble
Contact:
In case of any clarification required write to us at letsgoforacamp@gmail.com or call : 8088120956 , 8050725190
Cancellation Policy
| Cancellation upto August'21 | Free Cancellation (ie deduction of only payment gateway charges) |
| Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the trek | Get 60% refund |
| Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek | Get a 50% refund |
| Cancellation between 14 days and 15 days to the start of the trek | Get a 30% refund. |
| Cancellation less than 15 days to the start of the trek | Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund. |
FAQs
Chadar trek is conducted during peak winter season. The two roads connected to Leh will be covered with snow and it will be closed.
Leh would not be accessible by road at all. You will have to fly in & out.
NB: Transportation charges from your location to Leh is not included in the fee.
Leh would not be accessible by road at all. You will have to fly in & out.
NB: Transportation charges from your location to Leh is not included in the fee.
Try to book flights as early as possible. This will reduce the flight charges. Remember, Leh flights are a bit expensive.
If you have connected flight, try to book same carrier, in case of any delay in one flight the operator will help you with alternate flights.
Try to book with carriers who have multiple flights in a day to Leh. This would be very helpful if your connected flight gets delayed. Indigo, GoAir, Air India, etc are some of such operators.
Keep at least 3 hours delay between 2 connected flight.
Expect cancellations, delays or rescheduling of flights during winter seasons.
If you have connected flight, try to book same carrier, in case of any delay in one flight the operator will help you with alternate flights.
Try to book with carriers who have multiple flights in a day to Leh. This would be very helpful if your connected flight gets delayed. Indigo, GoAir, Air India, etc are some of such operators.
Keep at least 3 hours delay between 2 connected flight.
Expect cancellations, delays or rescheduling of flights during winter seasons.
Chadar trek participants would be coming from different parts of the country and may even travel on different dates.Flight charges would be different for different locations.
The toughest part about this trek is to deal with the extremely low temperatures.
Some days the min temperatures can drop down to -30°C.
Day time temperature -5°C to -15°C.
Nighttime -15°C to -30°C
Some days the min temperatures can drop down to -30°C.
Day time temperature -5°C to -15°C.
Nighttime -15°C to -30°C
Yes, but you need to train your body and mind.
Apart from the extreme cold and the glassy terrain, Chadar is not a difficult trek.
Not much of difficult climbs.
Altitude between 3400m to 3700m.
Once you have acclimatized, you should not have any high-altitude related problems on this trek.
Apart from the extreme cold and the glassy terrain, Chadar is not a difficult trek.
Not much of difficult climbs.
Altitude between 3400m to 3700m.
Once you have acclimatized, you should not have any high-altitude related problems on this trek.
Yes, you will get 3 sharing room. You need to inform us beforehand. There will not be any change in the trek fee, even if you choose three sharing room.Any internal inconveniences including space constrains happening between the three, need to be handled by themselves. Team LGFC will not take any responsibility of such cases.Last minute request to make room 2 sharing will not entertained.
Compared to summer, only a few hotels will be operated during winter. Temperature during winter will be always below -5°C. Running water availability is the most difficult problem faced during this season. All water pipes will be frozen. Staff will be less. By considering the operating cost most of the hotels will be closed during winter.
Never expect same facility as you get it during summer in winter season from any of the hotel.
Accommodation in Leh: Hotel Rafica or similar
Facilities Available:
Never expect same facility as you get it during summer in winter season from any of the hotel.
Accommodation in Leh: Hotel Rafica or similar
Facilities Available:
Centralized heating (Heating won’t be available all the time. Staying in cosy temperature is not recommended for Chadar trekkers)
Hot water availability ( Specified time )
Restaurant facility
2 Sharing rooms
