Ice trek (Chadar) on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh

Highlights

• Follow the traditional winter trading route connecting Spadum to Leh along the frozen Zanskar river!
• This is a real adventure with only a couple of adventure seeking people making the trek every year – the conditions on the river can be variable so a flexible approach is required.
• Gain an insight into the remote cultures of Zanskar and Ladakh and you will have the chance to stay with local Zanskaris along the way.
• There is also plenty of time to explore the monasteries and forts around Leh as you let your body acclimatize to the altitude.
  

Ice trek (Chadar) on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh

Total number of days: 20 days
Grade & days trekking: Expedition grade 5, 14 days trekking.
Accommodation: 8 nights hotel & 11 nights camping

Introduction

A trek on the frozen Zanskar river, traditionally called Chadar, is an unforgettable journey. You will be exploring area that is cut off from the outside world for over 8 months and can be visited in winter by following the old trade along the frozen Zanskar river.

We walk through the kingdom of Zanskar, visiting the small towns of Pishu, Pidmo, Stonde and Zangla and their impressive gompas and forts.

This is a truly adventurous trek graded as an expedition grade 5 due to the unpredictability of the conditions encountered and the remoteness of the area visited. The amount and condition of the ice on the Zanskar river can very year on year and also day to day so a flexible attitude is essential! It would be suitable for someone who has some mountaineering experience (especially the use of ice axe and crampons on steeper ice) and is prepared to put up with the cold temperature (down to –35C at night).

One of the most interesting parts of the trek will be gaining an insight into the remote cultures of Zanskar and Ladakh and on this journey you will have the chances to stay with local Zanskaris. We also employ locals as porters, cooks and guides on this trek which is of great economic benefit to these marginal communities.

Chadar Ice Trekking Detailed itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Leh (3505 mts.). The rest of the day you can rest from altitude. Overnight hotel.

Day 03 Sightseeing around Leh. Leh is the ancient capital of Ladakh and has many hilltop forts and Palaces to visit including the Royal Palace, which overlooks the town. The town is situated on the old Silk Route and still has a tradition – It is well worth wandering around the colorful bazaar. Overnight hotel.

Day 04 Sightseeing around Leh. The two most well known monasteries are Shey and Thiksey. Shey gompa was constructed by the first king of Ladakh and was the seat of power for the pre – Tibetan kings. Thiksey gompa is a very impressive monastery containing numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall paintings and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha’s teachings.

Day 05 Drive to Chilling, and trek to Tilat 5 hours walking. Transfer by jeeps on a tarmac road to Nimmu, then drive on a track to Chilling. We start the trekking from Chilling and continue on to Tilat. Overnight Camp.

Day 06 Trek to Teeb – 7 hours walking. The trek on the frozen Zanskar river starts today, we spend the night in the caves at Teeb (possible to camp as well).

Day 07 Trek to Neeraq cave – 7 hours walking. Walk on frozen river. Overnight at Neeraq.

Day 08 Trek to Pidmo – 8 hours, over the frozen river.

Day 09 Trek to Stongde – 6 hours, walk on the frozen river.

Day 10 Trek to Spadum – 3 hours walking. Complete trek to Spadum where we stay either with Zanskari family or tourist bungalow.

Day 11 Rest day at Spadum. This is a day to relax and explore around.

Day 12 Trek to Karsha – 3 hours walking. Return trek to Karsha. Overnight camp.

Day 13 Trek to Pishu – 4 hours walking. Return trek to Pishu. Overnight stay with Zanskari family or camp.

Day 14 Trek to Hanumil – 4 hours walking. Return trek to Hanumil. Overnight in Hanumil cave.

Day 15 Trek to Neeraq – 6 hours walking. Return trek to Neeraq. Overnight in Neeraq cave.

Day 16 Trek to Teeb – 6 hours walking. Return trek to Teeb, overnight in cave.

Day 17 Trek to Tilat – 7 hours walking. Return trek to Tilab. Overnight camp.

Day 18 Return trek to Chilling, drive to Leh via Nimmu. Overnight in Leh hotel.

Day 19 Spare day in Leh. A free day in Leh to explore and as a security day in case of flight cancellation.

Day 20 Fly to Delhi and home. Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi, the rest of the day at your leisure with evening flight back home.

Trek information – what is included

The following is included in the price of the trip:

• All internal transfers and sightseeing’s
• Twin sharing rooms in all hotels
• Bed & Breakfast in Delhi hotel and full board in Leh hotel.
• All trekking arrangements.

The following are not included in the price of the trip:

• Alcoholic Beverages.
• Photographic Charges.
• Entrance to monasteries and monuments.
• Liabilities of loss, damage and loss of life.
• Rescue operation by any means of transportation.
• International airport tax, Tipping etc.
• Air tickets.
• Nature of personal expenses.
• Telephone, fax and laundry bills.
• Personal Travel Insurance.
• Any extra expenses to any unavoidable circumstances such as road blockage, landslide, now, political unrest, sickness or accidents.