Chadar Trek – AN THRILLING TREK

                                 

INTRODUCTION

 

Chadar translates as “sheet,” referring to the thick sheet of ice that enslaves the ever-feral Zanskar river. Winter arrives, and the civilization dwelling beyond the valley’s gorges and ravines becomes blanketed in snow. In an emergency, the ice on this river allows the residents of this secluded valley to communicate with the rest of the world. Trekking may be considered a passing trend, but Chadar Trek is not one of them. It’s the closest thing to stepping on a glacier. The prospect of a successful trek on these snow boulders is breathtaking. It’s not a journey; it’s a new kind of regeneration.

 

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

January and February; from the middle of January until the end of February, one can experience the raw joy of walking on a frozen river. The walk normally takes 9-10 days and requires a minimum of 16-18 kilometers per day.

 

Weather Specifics

The temperature in Leh during the day ranges between -10 and 0 degrees Celsius, depending on the weather. After dusk, the temperature begins to fall, and it can reach -25 degrees Celsius. A feather jacket, combined with thick gloves and a warm cap, is a must-have not only for the climb but also for walking about Leh. When entering the monastery, it is necessary to remove one’s shoes and wear a thick pair of woolen socks. For extreme weather circumstances, suitable trekking clothing that can protect from chilly winds and unexpected snowfall is required.

 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Leh

When you arrive in Leh, you will be taken to the assigned hotel. The first day will be spent in the room getting used to the high altitude. This will be crucial in the coming days. Stay at a hotel for the night.

 

Day 2: Acclimatization

The following day, one can go sightseeing and experience the local highlights of Leh, or simply rest at the hotel. Spend the night in a hotel.

 

Day 3: Leh, Shingrayokma, and Tsomopaldar.

After breakfast, one will drive to the magnificent valleys and have a sight of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, which meet at the Nimoo confluence. From Nimoo, one can begin the journey toward the ShingraYokma road. At this point, you will disembark and begin your hike to the TsomoPaldar campground.

 

Day 4 : Tsomo Paldar – Dibb Cave

Today you will begin your journey to the Dibb cave. Walking into the deep canyons of the Zanskar valley, one can see towering cliffs on all sides and unspoiled snow. By the end of the day, one will have arrived in the cave, which is a popular spot for locals to traverse.

 

Day 5 : Nyerak – Hotang

You’ll be taking the same path you took yesterday from Nyerak to Hotang today. Enjoy an overnight stay in the tents at the conclusion of the day.

 

Day 6 : Shingra Yokma – Hotang

Today is the final day of the hike, and you will leave after breakfast for Shingra Yokma. The expedition will take 9 hours of walking over the hard ice, including a brief rest stop. After the trek, you will be driven back to Leh and will spend the night at a hotel.

On the final day of your journey, you will be transferred to the airport, from which you will begin your travel to your next location.

 

How to Get to the Beginning?

The only method to get to Zanskar is by flight. The nearest airport is in Leh, where all flights arrive before noon. Prepare to exit your plane because the bone-chilling temperature greets you on the great expanse of white snow. From here, take the road to Chilling (64 km) and then a 2-hour trek to Tilat Sumdo, the starting site.

 

How To Reach?

By Air: The nearest airport to Chadar Trek is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh. This airport connects to major international airports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.

By Train: Travel from Delhi to Jammu on the New Delhi Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express, which departs at 8:40 p.m. and arrives at 5:45 a.m. You may take a bus from Jammu to Srinagar, and buses from Srinagar to Leh run frequently. After acclimatization, fly from Delhi to Leh and the next day takes a cab to Chilling.

By Road: The 1,266-kilometer-long NH1 connects Delhi with Leh. The distance from Leh to Chilling is 64 kilometers. To get to the Chadar Trek, you must first travel to Leh. The walk begins in Leh and continues to the freezing Zanskar River. The walk base camp is around 65 to 70 kilometers from Leh through Tiled.

 

Chadar Trip is a winter trek that takes you across the frozen Zanskar River. The Zanskar frozen river trip takes place in harsh weather conditions, with snow all around. Because of the uneven formation of ice, walking on it can be difficult. There may be regions where no ice sheet has formed. There, you’ll have to construct a new path via snow embankments. At times, the temperature drops below – 30 degrees Celsius at night. The conditions are difficult, but not awful. The experience is unique in that no other hike can boast such conditions. Anyone interested in experiencing extreme weather conditions as well as unusual scenery should go on the Chadar trek in Ladakh.

 

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