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Chadar Trek Overview

With the word Chadar meaning a blanket, the Chadar Trek depicts a trail over the frozen Zanskar River, on which people travel for several kilometers to reach the final destination. Unlike other trekking expeditions in India, this one does not require you to pass through forests or rock formations, but instead lets you walk over frozen water, which once was a gushing river. 

Chadar Trek in the Zanskar Region has been talked about by adventurers all over the world. Hundreds of tourists have seen the secret thrills and mind-blowing sights near the frozen river of Zanskar. In fact, the Chadar Trek is one of the most popular and beautiful hikes in the Himalayas and must be part of your Ladakh trip packages. The Zanskar river is a 5KM long tributary of the mighty Indus river, and is surrounded by 600 meter high vertical cliffs. 

This winter trek, which takes place over a frozen stream of river, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for individuals seeking extreme adventure. The trek towards the frozen river begins at Chilling as this is the spot where the stream begins to freeze. While the ice sheets are more stable during the winter months, many people consider heading out on this expedition between the months of December to February. 

To finish this trek, the adventurers are required to cover at least 16 KM on a daily basis. Since the overall trekking distance is around 75 KM, people generally take a 10 to 15 days long trip to Chadar. With the temperature dropping to -35 degree celsius, the Chadar Trek becomes even more difficult in the winter season. 

Highlights

• The most fascinating thing about the Chadar Trek is that it is done on a frozen stream of the Zanskar River.
• While the river flows in its full gush in the summers, as the winters come, the whole stream freezes and becomes thick enough to let people walk over it.
• This blanket of frozen Zanskar River is only formed during the winter months, hence the trekking experience of Chadar is available for a very small time.
• To complete the Chadar Trek, a trekker is expected to complete 16 KM of walk on a daily basis.
• The basecamp of this trek is Tilad, which can be easily reached by taking the local transportation.
• Setting up tents or camps on the frozen water is not possible, hence trekkers are expected to complete the voyage as soon as possible so that they do not have to stay the night there.

How To Reach

To embark on the Chadar Trek, one must first travel to Leh, around where the journey commences and continues to Chilling, which is the spot where the Zanskar river starts freezing. It would take about 65-70 kilometers for people to cover the distance from Leh to Tilad via Chilling, the trek's base camp.

Checkout & Book: Homestays in Leh Ladakh

Best Time To Visit

Since the trekking is done on the frozen stream of the Zanskar River, the best time to go for it will always be the winter season. The months between December to February are the best to head out for Chadar Trek. The river during this time is frozen, however the temperature during these months can go up to -35 degree celsius. 

Planning a Ladakh Trip, Checkout: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Packages

Other Essential Information

Things to carry for Chadar Trek:

Toiletries

Pack only enough toiletries to last a week in small bottles as it will help you save a lot of room and weight in your backpack.

  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Small toothpaste
  • Cold cream

Trek Equipment's

  • Head Torch
  • UV Protection Sunglasses 
  • Rucksack (50-60 L)
  • Daypack

Miscellaneous

  • Warmees
  • Trail Munchies
  • Hot Water Bag
  • Medicine kit
  • Utensils
  • Ziplock bags or poly bags to compartmentalize wet, dry, and dirty stuff.
  • Insulated water bottle or thermos flask
  • Hot Water Bottle

Getting Acclimatization

The most harsh difficulty during the Chadar Trek is getting Acclimated with the weather conditions. Hence, it is at all times advisable to spend at least three nights in Leh before heading out for the trek. Make sure that you carry your boarding pass or any other proof of your arrival in Leh as it will be needed to reassure that you have acclimatized at least 3 days in Leh. 

Mandatory Medical Checkup

Tourists must go through a mandatory medical checkup in Leh, after which only they will be allowed to head out on the Chadar trek. Tourists who are medically unfit will not be permitted to participate in the trek.

Permits

To participate in the Chadar Trek, travelers must first get a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the ALTOA (All Ladakh Tour Operator Association).

Also See: Festivals Of Ladakh

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Tourism Board Alliances

Chadar Trek Reviews

Traveller image gallery
review-img
Abhishek Kumar
Reviewed: 12 Jul 2018
5.0/5
It had everything that you dreamed about. It had ice (lots and lots of ice), even when I was sleeping battling the cold at night I was could see those ice sheet right in front of my eyes. We were walking on ice, we were drinking those ice (of-course the boiled one), but the most exciting part was th... Read More
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar
(32+)View All
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Puneet Prajapati
Reviewed: 12 Feb 2019
5.0/5
Being a fauji kid i always dreamt to do something adventurous and so i chose the most dangerous most exciting chadar trek as my first trek. After reaching the hotel in LEH i was welcomed by Satya sir and guess what we both shared common backgrounds i.e. fauj. After having breakfast i went to the ro... Read More
Puneet Prajapati
Puneet Prajapati
Puneet Prajapati
Puneet Prajapati
Puneet Prajapati
Puneet Prajapati
(27+)View All
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Hemendra Kateja
Reviewed: 12 Feb 2020
5.0/5
Hi My name is Hemendra Kateja, I live in Jaipur, Rajasthan. My Chadar Trek was one of the unimaginable and most memorable trek. I went with my friend Nikhlesh for this incredible trekking adventure in February 2020. We both were very excited for this trek as we already mesmerised with chadar trek fo... Read More
Hemendra Kateja
Hemendra Kateja
Hemendra Kateja
Hemendra Kateja
Hemendra Kateja
Hemendra Kateja
(17+)View All
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MOHIT MALAVIYA
Reviewed: 24 Feb 2019
5.0/5
Chadar Trek - Feb 2019 Julley!!!!! It's been 15 days my trek is over but chadar effect is still Onn!!!! Without fail I see the same pics again and again, take the pride to share my Chadar experience with my friends. Thanks to Satya, Shanshank, Guide, Porter's, my Group and Thrillophilia for this... Read More
MOHIT MALAVIYA
MOHIT MALAVIYA
MOHIT MALAVIYA
MOHIT MALAVIYA
MOHIT MALAVIYA
MOHIT MALAVIYA
(13+)View All
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Mohd Kalim Ulla
Reviewed: 18 Jan 2023
5.0/5
Over all good experiences with Thrillophia I can say it was a really nice trip nice coordination between Thrillophia n local team , White talk hotel Staff was very polite n nice and Mr Rahul Bist was very quick on response and helpful he was always picked up Phon whenever we required and resolve the... Read More
Mohd Kalim Ulla
Mohd Kalim Ulla
Mohd Kalim Ulla
Mohd Kalim Ulla
Mohd Kalim Ulla
Mohd Kalim Ulla
(6+)View All
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Bithi Roy
Reviewed: 23 Jan 2023
5.0/5
The best trekking experience with Thrillophilia Chadar Trek'23 From registration to completion of Chadar trek.. it’s been a roller coaster.. but I am glad to get my trek organised by @thrillophilia.. every member of the team, right from the booking partners to the porters were on their toes day and... Read More
Bithi Roy
Bithi Roy
Bithi Roy
Bithi Roy
Bithi Roy
Bithi Roy
(4+)View All

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