Chadar: The Frozen River

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On south west of Leh lies Zanskar, surrounded by the Himalayan Treks and Zanskar ranges. The valley is at a height of 13,153 ft above the sea level and has an area of about 5,000 sq km. The route from Kargil to Padum is the only motorable road to arrive at Zanskar. Due to heavy snowfall, the area remains inaccessible for nearly 7 months. During winter, when all the passes are closed the only alternate route is the Frozen Zanskar River, which has become a popular destination for winter hikers. This is popularly called as ‘Chaddar trek’.

In order to give you a local feeling, local staffs from Zanskar accompany the expeditions, all the porters and guides are also from Zanskar. This helps visitors to interact easily with locals, and monks. The gatherings and camp fire in evening will leave an everlasting image in the minds of the trekker. At some places sleeping in caves will give you a life time experience.

Our first experience of the trek ahead, Chaddar will lead us to daunting gorges watched over by the Himalayan ranges. After one week of moving in this surreal world we would proceed to Lingshed to experience calm, serenity, vastness of the landscape, monasteries pegged into barren mountains, which will provide us a much required breather.

This travel doesn’t call for any special skill set; however, it demands an unshackled zeal and complete confidence in the guides.

Day 01: Arrive at Delhi

A warm welcome on arrival at Delhi airport; transfer to a centrally located hotel for overnight stay. Remaining day is free to relax.

Day 02: Delhi-Leh (3500 meters)

Transfer to the airport in the morning to catch the flight to Leh. On arrival at Leh, we will be transferred to the guest house. Rest of the day is spent in acclimatizing with the conditions and low the oxygen levels. It is highly recommended due to high altitude. Stay overnight at the guest house.

Day 03: Indus Valley (Leh – Shey – Thikse – Hemis)

On this day we will be visiting the attractions of some of the ancient monasteries of this area. Shey Gompa at about 15 km from Leh also used to be the summer palace of Kings of Ladakh. Many Stupas and Gompas are built around this historic palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17th century AD. Main attraction here is the 12 meters high Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thikse Gompa, is about 17 km from Leh. The monastery is reckoned to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh. Hemis is about 45 km south of Leh. It is the largest monastery in Ladakh, and was founded in the early 17th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery situated in a scenic valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by high walls. By evening we will come back to Leh for an overnight stay in guest house.

Day 04: Leh - Chiling (3200 meters)

We start the day with an early morning drive to Chilling by a private vehicle. On arrival we will be introduced to the staff followed by a visit to the coppersmith’s workshop. Stay overnight at an inhabitant’s home in the village of Chilling.

Day 05: Chilling - Zaribago (3250 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

Day starts with a 6 – 8 hours of trek towards Zaribago. On arrival experience the night with the eternal calm of the mountains which is disrupted only by an odd sputter of freezing ice. Stay overnight at the camps/cave.

Day 06: Zaribago - Deepyokma (3300 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

Morning continue with trekking towards Deepyokma, which is about 6 – 8 hours long. Reach the village and stay overnight in a cave.

Day 07: Deepyokma - Nyrak Pulu (3400 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

This morning starts with a winding trek going deep into an astonishing labyrinth of canyons. Passing through frozen icefalls and finding the human trace next to Nyrak Pulu. Stay overnight at a camps/cave.

Day 08: Nyrak Pulu - Lingshed (3800 meters) [3/4 Hrs of walk]

We start trekking towards the magnificent valley of Lingshed in the morning; visiting the great monastery. Stay overnight at inhabitant’s home.

Day 09: Lingshed - Deepkongma (3450 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

Morning: start trekking down the Lingshed valley and get back on the soft icy surface of the Zanskar River. Stay overnight in a cave.

Day 10: Deepkongma - Warsanglo (3500 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

A 6 – 8 hour trek, beginning morning towards Warsanglo, lets us close enough to experience the life of villages (Hanamur and Pidmo). Stay overnight in tents.

Day 11: Warsanglo - Pishu (3500 m) [4/5 Hrs of walk]

In the morning; start trekking on the firm ground towards Pishu. Reach after a 4-5 hour trek and stay overnight at an inhabitant’s home at this wonderful village.

Day 12: Pishu - Karsha (3700 meters) [3/4 Hrs of walk]

Morning starts with trekking in the large plane valley going through the village of Rinam and thereby reaching the Padum plain; the beautiful site of Karsha. Stay overnight at an inhabitant’s home in the village.

Day 13: Karsha (3700 meters)

Day is free to unwind and to visit the most important monastery of Zanskar called ‘Karsha Gompa’. Stay overnight at the home of an inhabitant of the village.

Day 14: Karsha - Zangla (3600 meters) [5/6 Hrs of walk]

Start the morning trek towards Zangla; passing through Tongde village and its monastery. Later in the day, visit to the magnificent site of Zangla. Stay overnight at an inhabitant’s home.

Day 15: Zangla - Sarakdo (3500 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

Morning starts with trekking back to the Zanskar gorges taking the same path. Stay overnight in tents.

Day 16: Sarakdo - Nyrak Pulu (3400 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

In the morning start trekking towards Nyrak Pulu walking through the gorges. Stay overnight in tents

Day 17: Nyrak Pulu - Tsomo Do (3300 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

Next morning we will return to Ladakh and stay overnight in a cave.

Day 18: Tsomo Do- Tilatdo (3200 meters) [6/8 Hrs of walk]

The day starts with trekking towards Tilatdo, through the wide valley. Reach at Tilatdo and stay in the cave.

Day 19: Tilatdo - Chilling - Leh (3500 meters) [3/4 Hrs of walk]

Next morning we start 4 hour trek back to Chilling. On arrival at Chilling; board the waiting private vehicle and drive back to Leh. On arrival in Leh; stay overnight at the guest house.

Day 20: Leh (3500 meters)

This is a buffer day keeping in mind any unexpected delay in the itinerary. If we reach on time, we will visit a few monasteries of Indus valley. Stay overnight at the guest house.

Day 21: Flight Leh - Delhi

Early next morning; transfer to Leh airport to board a flight back to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel located in the Delhi city center. Rest of the day is free to settle down. Stay overnight at a Hotel.

Day 22: Delhi - International airport

This day is for leisure. An optional paid visit to Delhi/Agra can be arranged. In Evening, transfer to the international airport and continue onward travel.

Travel facts and other details:

Transportation both ways (to starting point and back to finishing point by Jeep), tents, mattresses, porters, home stays, food, guide, cook, cooking gears, crampons, walking sticks, camping fees, and inner line permission where it is needed.

Round trip flight tickets (Delhi- Leh & Leh -Delhi)

Accommodation on twin sharing basis.

All Meals (Bed Tea, Breakfast, Hot / Pack Lunch, Dinner).

Sight seeing in Leh.

Not included in the price:

International flights tickets, Airport Taxes, Visa Fees, Admission fees for Monuments, Museums & Monasteries, Personal Expenses, drinks & tips.