The Chadar Trek adventure begins at Leh, at an altitude of 11,400 ft. To call it adventure trekking is an understatement. It is an experience of a lifetime. During the winters, the Zanskar river in Ladakh freezes over, a thick sheet of ice covering it completely. Hence, the name ‘Chadar’ or blanket. The most interesting thing to note about the Chadar is that there is a new one every day! The Chadar forms during the night melt during the day, and reforms during the night! The unparalleled experience of the Chadar Trek includes trekking on the frozen Zanskar river, an event that will remain forever etched in your memory. Ladakh, located amidst the majestic Karakoram range and the mighty Himalayan range, presents to the world this great trekking opportunity that only the brave and the strong can undertake. This frozen river trekking opportunity makes Ladakh all the more special.
The Chadar Trek or the frozen river trek is different in the slow gain that it takes in altitude, spread evenly throughout, and takes you to a maximum height of 11,800 ft, deep in the Himalayas! The experience starts at Leh, crosses the frozen Zanskar, and reaches the Ladakh town of Chilling, the actual starting point of the trek from where the frozen river trek starts. The total distance covered during the Chadar trek is a 62 km, spread evenly throughout the 6 days of the trek that you undertake on foot. The Chadar trek is only open in the months of January and February, as these are the only times when the emerald, flowing Zanskar river is frozen enough to enable trekking on it.
The weather throughout the Chadar trek remains mind-numbingly cold. Though you may have the blessed opportunity of experiencing a temperature slightly above 0 degrees as you land in Leh, as soon you cross over to Ladakh and start the frozen river trek, the temperature dips down to sub-zero degrees. The temperature throughout the trek varies from -5 to -15 degrees during the day and reaches as low as -30 degrees during the night. You will encounter the lowest temperature during the night at the Nerak campsite, i.e., on your fifth night. You will be walking through a thick carpet of snow throughout the Chadar trek. Even Leh will have a blanket of snow laying as thick as 6’’ on it!
Apart from the obvious 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 the 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 to be frozen in time itself, suspended mid-air. The curious sights will set your senses on fire and make the memories of Chadar trek sharp in your memory every time you envision them later! If you are looking for a splendid experience of trekking in India, the Chadar trek is the answer!
Spread over 62 kilometres, Chadar Trek is a favourite winter trial of the Ladakh region that starts from Leh and takes you through the snow-clad mountains of the Himalayas.
The trek’s highlight is the frozen Chadar river and you cross it to continue the trail.
It is nothing less than a life changing experience that will change your perspective on life and nature.
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Ladakh happily welcomes adventurers and offers amazing trekking options.
Some of the popular treks here are- Chadar Trek, Markha Valley Trek – offers one to explore the beauty of Gandola La and Hemis National Park, and Stok Kangri Trek- is believed to be the toughest trek as the trekkers need to climb up to the highest peak in the region.One can even enjoy camping at Camel Resort Camp, Camp Water Mark, Bikamp at Leh and Nature’s Nest Camp at Pangong Lake.
There are other adventures too that can be enjoyed in Ladakh like- rock climbing, water sports like river rafting in Indus and Zanskar rivers, Quad biking in Nubra Valley.
One can even enjoy the ATV ride on the highest motorable regions.One thinking of visiting Ladakh can reach here by air, train or by road.
Leh the capital of Ladakh has an airport- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport that is the 23rd highest airport in the world.It enjoys good connections with several prominent cities of India like- Mumbai, Jammu, Delhi, Srinagar, and Chandigarh and makes Ladakh accessible by air.One wanting to reach Ladakh by road- Ladakh is accessible from two sides- Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
The NH 1 connects Ladakh to Kashmir via the Zoji La high mountain pass and from Himachal Pradesh, the Leh-Manali Highway connects Ladakh Trip to this neighboring state.
The Chadar trek takes you right onto the frozen Zanskar river, into the middle of an untamed winter wilderness.https://trippytrip.in/trip/chadar-frozen-river-trek
The only thing separating you from the icy depths of the river is a sheet of ice.
You’ll see waterfalls frozen in mid-flow, bubbles trapped under the ice, and trees with no leaves.
You’ll stop at the famous Tibb Cave to share a cup of hot buttered tea over a blazing fire, and camp at night in tents under starry skies.
It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!
