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Chadar Trek
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Bikat Adventures Private Limited
9 Days · 8 Nights
₹ 24,250
/ person
Location
Jammu and Kashmir+ 1 More
Highlights
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Overview

Chadar Trek in Ladakh is like no other trek in the Himalayas. Walking on a frozen thick glass like a river, with dramatic mountains on both sides, is an experience of a lifetime. The Chadar trek allows you to get to know the Zankari culture up close through the locals you meet on the trek and experience their hospitality. One of the highlights of the Zanskar frozen river trek is the most magnificent waterfall frozen completely from top to bottom called Nerak waterfall. The best time for Chadar trek is from mid-January to mid-February. The landscapes and overall experience will leave their imprints on your hearts forever. We would provide more information closer to the departure date on this aspect.

Hotel Details
  • Camp stay during the trek
  • Hotel stay in Leh
Itinerary
  • Arrive in Leh by 12:00 pm
  • Today’s day is extremely important for acclimatisation, so try to stay outdoors as much as possible but try not to exert yourself
  • You can buy dry fruits from some of the shops at a very reasonable price and some woollen clothes too if you like
  • Take a stroll through the colourful Leh market during the day, and if possible, try to walk till Leh Palace and Namgyal Monastery
  • The colourful flags fluttering in the air and the view of the entire city from Namgyal Monastery is not to be missed
  • Drink plenty of fluids during the day to help you with acclimatisation and prepare yourself to start the trek tomorrow
  • The day is reserved for acclimatisation
  • Your leader may take you for a light acclimatisation walk during the day
  • As per the new regulations by the local administration of Leh, you will have to get medically examined at SNM Hospital in Leh and today the checkup would be organised
  • Today, you will have to get the mandatory medical checkup at the Tourist Information Center
  • Obtain your NOC from ALTOA and Wildlife Department permit
  • Overnight stay in a hotel in Leh
  • Today, we will start on our Zanskar frozen river adventure
  • You drive along the beautiful Indus river and get a chance to see the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar river at Nimmu
  • We are going to cover a total distance of 70 km by road and you will experience a few jaw-dropping moments as the vehicle makes its way around the narrow hairpin bends
  • Your leaders will soon give you tips on how to walk on Chadar. It takes a while to get the hang of it. We call it the ‘Penguin Walk’
  • Walk around as much as possible, it will help you get comfortable walking on a glassy ice sheet. You will fall a few times, and that is part of the overall experience
  • You will also be taught how to get inside your double layered sleeping bags before sundown
  • The best thing about Chadar trek is that you walk on a flat surface throughout the trek. There are no steep ascents or descents and very little chance of catching AMS since you don’t gain any altitude throughout the trek
  • If you are comfortable today, you are already acclimatised and you should be able to finish the entire trek without any major issues
  • Depending on the weather, the Chadar changes its forms. It can be hard and glass like in some patches, or it can have a layer of powder snow on it giving you a better grip, or you could face thin ice in certain areas, so you might have to walk in slush or dodge that entire patch and go over the rocks on the side of the river
  • Walk together as a team and follow the sledge route. Always follow the sledge route used by the porters as it is the safest route on Chadar
  • You will get to your next campsite within 3-4 hours, depending on your speed. Your leaders will take you through a few learning modules about being in the mountains
  • You will have the campsite to yourself to explore and take pictures for the rest of the day
  • Camp overnight at Shingra Koma.
  • The biggest challenge from here on will be getting out of your warm sleeping bags and stepping outside your tent in freezing cold weather
  • Today is going to be a long walking session, you will cover a total 14 km on Chadar and it should take you about 6 to 7 hours to reach your next campsite
  • Make sure you fill your thermos with warm water before you leave, all liquids tend to freeze in this region given the extreme temperatures, so a thermos is extremely important
  • You will only get sunshine around 9-10 am, that too in patches as the giant rocky mountains on both sides of the Zanskar river tend to hide the sun
  • Marvel at the views as you walk in this huge valley with nothing but pure crisp air and huge rocks on both sides of you
  • You will see a few frozen waterfalls along the way. Your staff will cook you a warm meal mid-way, so fill your bellies and enjoy a hot cup of tea
  • By 3 pm, you’ll be at Tibb, and the last 200-meter walk is extremely gorgeous
  • Camp overnight at Tibb
  • Today is the most important day on the Chadar trek because you will get a chance to see the-mother-of-all-waterfalls ‘Nerak waterfalls’ after reaching your campsite
  • It is going to be another long day, so you will start early. Aim to reach Nerak campsite before 3 pm, so you get plenty of time at Nerak waterfall
  • The ice in various patches is broken in the middle of the frozen river, forming geometrical structures of various shapes and sizes, which are fascinating to see
  • You will have lunch inside a cosy cave mid-way, a cave huge enough to fit 12-15 people comfortably. Reach Nerak campsite, have some snacks and make your way to the gigantic Nerak waterfall
  • It should take you about 30 minutes to get there, and you might see a few domestic Yaks grazing the higher grounds along the way
  • Right next to the waterfalls is a bridge across the river, which takes you up to Nerak village
  • It’s fascinating to see the old wooden bridge under the new concrete/steel bridge, giving you a chance to see the age-old constructions
  • Spend some time marvelling at the sight of Nerak waterfall, before heading back to the campsite for your dinner
  • Camp overnight at Nerak
  • Today, trace your steps back to Tibb campsite. And if you think you are going to see the same frozen ice sheet again, think again
  • The frozen Zanskar river reacts to the slightest change in the temperatures, and constantly keeps changing its form
  • You will not be able to recognize the sights, it all seems so different on the way back. You might walk on a glass-like surface or patches and patches of slush, depending on the weather
  • Throughout the way, you will see the local porters wearing the traditional woollen robes called ‘Gonchas’, with colourful beads around their neck and their traditional hats
  • It’s fascinating to see the locals negotiating on the frozen river, as they seem to walk like the wind, absolutely comfortable with the slippery uneven icy surface
  • They will greet you using the local phrase ‘Julley’ which is the Ladakhi term for hello/welcome
  • You might also catch a few locals singing traditional Ladakhi songs while pulling their sledges and enjoying the journey. Penguin walk your way to Tibb and enjoy the rest of the day
  • Camp overnight at Tibb
  • Today is the last day of the Chadar trek, and we will hike to Bakula. It will take you about 7 to 8 hours to reach Bakula
  • From Bakula, we will drive back to Leh and that marks the end of the Chadar - The frozen river trek
  • Head back to the hotels, do a bit of last minute shopping before the market closes, and prepare to catch your flight as per your schedule
  • Stay at hotels in Leh
  • We take our respective flights back home today
  • You will forever cherish the memories of one of the best treks in India
Inclusions
  • Accommodation
  • Meals during the trek starting lunch on day 4 till lunch on day 8
  • Trek equipment includes dome tents (twin sharing), Siachen sleeping bags, mattress
  • Helmet, gaiters, harness and carabiners as required
  • Experienced and mountaineering certified trek leader with first aid certification
  • Services of guide, cook and support team
  • Transport from Leh to the road head and return
Exclusions
  • Meals during hotel stay in Leh
  • Any expenses incurred on medical examination in Leh
  • Any kind of personal expenses
  • Any kind of outdoor insurance
  • Portage of personal luggage
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under the head price includes
  • Altoa and environmental/wildlife permit fee

For terms and conditions please refer to our company's website

Cash Refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date - 5% deduction

Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure - 50% deduction

Less than 15 days of departure - No Cash Refund

Voucher Refund

Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date - No deduction

Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure - No Refund

Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers

Please note that this is only a brief of cancellation terms

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