Frozen River – Chadar Route Trek

While in winter the passes get closed due to snow fall, To go out of the valley only way left is by frozen river trek or Chadar route, This route has been used by the inhabitant of Zanskar valley since the time immoral to be in touch with the main town of Leh and with rest of the world. The access from zanskar allows inhabitants to bartered their goods, to full fill the resupply for living hood and to bring their children to school.

Climate is harsh, temperature can go down till minus 30 even more which makes life harder for local. On the traditional winter trail of Zanskar this trek remains one of the world most adventurous trek. While trekking one have to some time wade even through icy chilled water and scramble over the rocky cliff. you will enjoy staying in local family house which allows to insight of local lives, its sky touch deep brown gorges, white and blue sheet of ice over river bed and frozen cascades makes this trip a life time memory.


Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Fly Delhi to Leh (3600m)

Day 3: Acclimatize in Leh

Day 4: Drive Leh to Chilling and trek to cave

Day 5: Trek to Gyalpo camp (7 hours, 3170m)

Day 6: Trek to a second cave (3225m)

Day 7: Trek to Neraks camp (3390m)

Day 8: Nieraq to Dib Gongma (3400m)

Day 9: Dib Gongma to Hanumil (3500m, 8 hours)

Day 10: Hanumil to Pishu (6 hours)

Day 11 to 15: Return to Leh

Day 16: Optional day in Leh

Day 17: Fly from Leh to Delhi

Day 18: Departure

Extension to Karsha (21 days)

Day 11/12: Pishu to Karsha

Day 13 to 19: Return to Leh via Pishu – Chilling

DAY 20: Leh

Day 21: Fly from Leh to New Delhi

Day 22: Departure from New Delhi


Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Fly Delhi to Leh (3600m)

Transfer to Delhi domestic airport. Fly to Leh, with great views of the Himalaya. At Leh transfer to a cozy hotel for the night. In summer Leh town bustles with excitement and tourist activities. After the long winter when no outdoor work can be done, the local people get busy with agriculture, tourism and festive celebrations.

Day 3: Acclimatize in Leh

Leh is located at high altitude and has a desert climate with hot summers and extreme winters. So it is very important to get acclimatized to avoid altitude sickness. Spend the day visiting the monastery in town, the Shanti Stupa and Leh’s old fort. Night in the hotel

Day 4: Drive Leh to Chilling and trek to cave

A three-hour drive takes you west of Leh to Chilling, where the adventure starts. Porters pack all the baggage and begin the 2 to 3 hours walk to our first camp. While walking on the ice follow the guide and porters. This being the first day, you will need time to get used to walking on ice. You will learn to keep warm and keep the circulation going. Tonight you will sleep in a cave, a unique experience for many.

Day 5: Trek to Gyalpo camp (7 hours, 3170m)

Pack your gear before breakfast. Then follow the guide as always. People often try to climb on the rocks to avoid getting wet, but it’s not always possible. So carry plenty of socks to change.

Day 6: Trek to a second cave (3225m)

Today it will be uphill on a curving slope of ice, passing a frozen waterfall. Dinner and sleep in another cave.

Day 7: Trek to Neraks camp (3390m)

A spectacular day to enter Zanskar, with excited shouts of welcome from the porters. You might see some wild life and if you are very, very lucky perhaps a footprint of the elusive snow leopard. We camp outside a village.

Day 8: Nieraq to Dib Gongma (3400m)

Leave early morning for an interesting trek with a challenging climb up a steep slope.

Day 9: Dib Gongma to Hanumil (3500m, 8 hours)

A long amazing day on the ice as we exit the gorge. Tonight we will stay with villagers and sleep in room.

Day 10: Hanumil to Pishu (6 hours)

Most of today’s walk may be along a dry path, if there’s no snow. Walking hours depends on snow conditions. Overnight in a family home.

Day 11 to 15: Return to Leh

We follow the same way back. Transfer to hotel on arrival in Leh.

Day 16: Optional day in Leh

Just in case there’s bad weather during the trek, this extra day ensures you don’t Miss your flight from Leh to New Delhi.

Day 17: Fly from Leh to Delhi

Transfer to domestic airport. Flight to Delhi, transfer to the hotel . afternoon, free time in Delhi .O/N in hotel.

Day 18: Departure

Half-day sightseeing tour, including the Bahai Temple and Qutub Minar. Take an evening stroll in Connaught Circus. Later, transfer to airport for homeward flight.

Extension to Karsha (21 days)

Day 11/12: Pishu to Karsha

It’s a long walk along a plain (longer if snow is there) to a picturesque monastery perched high on a rock, providing an excellent view of the valley. Join the evening puja in the monastery. Stay overnight in the monastery or local house.

Day 13 to 19: Return to Leh via Pishu – Chilling

Follow We follow same route back to Leh. The Chadar river changes its color and conditions by the minute. Return is quicker due to downhill slope.

DAY 20: Leh

Just in case there’s bad weather during the trek, this extra day ensures you don’t Miss your flight from Leh to New Delhi and beyond.

Day 21: Fly from Leh to New Delhi

Transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel in Delhi. A half-day sightseeing in Old and New Delhi, including Red Fort, Gandhi Memorial and India Gate. Take an evening shopping stroll along Janpath. Overnight in hotel.

Day 22: Departure from New Delhi

After breakfast proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi, including the Bahai Temple and Qutab Minar. Night transfer to international airport for onward flight.



COST INCLUDE

COST EXCLUDE


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Frozen River – Chadar Route Trek

India Streneous
  • Region: Ladakh - Zanskar

  • Activity: Trekking Indian Himalayas

  • Season: Jan to Beginning of Feb

  • Duration: 18 days (Extension to 22 days)

  • Grade: Difficult

Highlights

  • Trekking expedition on traditional zanskari route of winter

  • Staying with local family and having insight of their life.

  • Stunning sky touch gorges and Frozen river.

  • Breath taking view of landscape

  • Challenging trek in extreme climatic condition.

  • interaction with monks of monasteries


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