Zanskar Chadar Trek (Frozen River Trek)

per person

Walking on the frozen river of Zanskar is THE ultimate experience for adventure lovers.

Walking on the frozen river of Zanskar is THE ultimate experience for adventure lovers. The traditional name of the trek is “Chadar trek” the frozen sheet of ice, which was the only way in and out for the people of Zanskar in winters when all other ways are closed due to heavy snowfall at high passes.

This is a trek to some of the most isolated yet inhabited regions in the Zanskar mountains, most notably the village of Lingshed.

You will be trekking/ walking on ice – the frozen Zanskar River, an average five to seven hours a day, at an easy pace; but a reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed to sustain walking for five – six days during the harsh cold winter conditions.

The trek commences from the village of Chilling located not far from the confluence of the Indus and the Zanskar rivers. The trek follows the river gorge through a spectacular landscape, a photographer’s paradise, offering occasional sighting of wildlife.

Although pleasant on clear – sunny days, the weather conditions can change abruptly, with wind temperatures known to plummet minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Chilling and Lingshed are the only sizeable villages on this trek, all the rest are names of places and caves along the route.

Trek Route: Leh-Chilling-Nyarakpulu-Chilling-Leh

Tour Program
Region: Nyarakpulu

Best Period to trek: mid-January to end of February
Maximum Altitude: 3400m
Minimum Temperature: -40 degrees
Trekking days: 07 days
Age group: 18 to 60 years
Transportation: By Jeep from Leh to Chilling and from Chilling to Leh
Trek Grade: Simple walks on an Ice sheet (frozen River) every day for 5 to 7 hours and strictly dependent on weather conditions.
Grading: A reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed for this trek.
Special interest: Excellent view for photographers, an ideal place for nature lovers, and the best spot for adventure lovers.

12+ Age

4-Wheel/ SUV

Adventure

Motorbiking

Trekking

Departure

Leh Airport / Leh Airport
Departure Time

Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
Return Time

Approximately 8:30 PM.
Dress Code

Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket.
Included

Airport Transfers

Beverages

Personal Guide

Toll & Taxes
Not Included

Accommodation

Backup Support

Driver

Fees

Meals

Medical Support

Vehicles

Our gallery

DAY 01

Delhi/ Bombay to Leh

Arrive at Leh airport, to be received by our representative & transferred to the hotel. Take a full day's rest at the hotel as you need to acclimatize well to the high altitude of Ladakh. Overnight hotel in Leh

DAY 02

Post breakfast, we take a walking tour of Leh town/ market to further acclimatize ourselves/ also finish any last-minute shopping, etc.

Overnight hotel in Leh

DAY 03

Leh to Chilling/ Tilatdo 5 hour drive

After breakfast drive towards Nimoo where the confluence of river Zanskar & Indus is, from there take left & drive along the Zanskar River till you reach Sumdado.
At Chiling after Lunch visit the white copper artists famous for their handmade works.
After that walk towards Tilatdo campsite (1 hour) from where the Trek will start tomorrow.
Overnight in tents (1st night)

DAY 04

Tilatdo to Shingra-gongma (3200m) (5 hours of walking)

Overnight in tents (2nd night).

DAY 05

Shingra-gongma to Deepyokma (3300m) (5 hours of walking)

After breakfast starts the 5-hour trek to Deepyokma where you will see a number of caves - Tsomo Paldar, naturally flowing spring water.
Overnight in tents (3rd night)

DAY 06

Deepyokma to Nyarakpulu (3400m) (5-6 hours of walking)

Start the trek from Deepyokma after 5-6 hours to reach Nyarakpulu.
Camp at the irrigation fields. Another 1 hour walk up along with a small stream & you will reach a beautiful village called Nyarak. From here Singee-La is visible, which is a summer trekking pass.
Overnight in tents (4th night)

DAY 07

Nyarakpulu to Deepyokma (3300m) (5 hours of walking)

Taking the same route back from Nyarakpulu to Tsomopaldar.
Overnight in tents (5th night)

DAY 08

Walk back the same route till Shingra Gongma (4 hours of trekking)

Overnight in tents (6th night)

DAY 09

Deepyokma/ Tilatdo/ Chilling/ Leh (3200m) (3 hour trek & 2 hour drive)

Trek back from Tsomopaldar to Shingra-gongma, Tilatdo & then to Chilling.
Reach Chilling and drive back to Leh.
Overnight hotel in Leh

DAY 10

HOME

Flyback home: In the morning transfer to the airport from where you will board the flight to Delhi/ Bombay.

Tour Concludes...

WHAT WE PROVIDE

All accommodation for 9 nights {from DAY 01 at Leh till DAY 09 at Leh} (twin/ triple sharing basis) in comfortable CENTRALLY HEATED hotels/ or camps in scenic & off beat destinations
Breakfast & Dinner while in Leh
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during trek days
Chai/ Coffee & cookies twice a day (11am & 5pm) during trek days
Inner Line Permit fees for restricted areas for Indian Nationals
Basic First Aid Kit & medicines
Services of certified & experienced guides/ instructors for high altitude trekking, specially on the perilous Chadar (frozen river) in the Himalayas
Services of Wilderness Medicine Institute Certified guides/ instructors from NOLS,USA http://www.nols.edu/wmi

ITINERARY OPTIONS AND PRICING:-

9 Nights/ 10 Days INR 30,000/- per person

EXCLUSIONS

Any Air/ bus/ taxi/ jeep fare
5% GST or as applicable at the time of billing
Lunch; we eat at Dhaba’s along the road & pay directly there & then
Expenses of personal nature like laundry, internet, wifi, telephone/ fax calls, bed tea, mineral water, aerated/alcoholic beverages, juices, entrance and camera fee at monuments/ museums, medical expenses, gratuities etc.
Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc.
Any item, activity or facility other than clearly mentioned within the inclusions & itinerary above
Any entry fees (union – wildlife – environment – trekking fees) any tips, porter/ pony charges or any other expenses incurred by the participants during the sightseeing, rafting, paragliding trips, other than as clearly mentioned within the inclusions and itinerary
Rs.2,500.00 per person Environment fees to be paid directly to the Govt. authorities before the trek starts
Any extra costs incurred due to extension/ change of the itinerary due to natural calamities, road blocks, vehicle breakdown etc. factors beyond our control
Additional accommodation & or food charges due to unforeseen delays in the journey

OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

100% Payment in advance.
The program schedule/route/ mode of transport might be changed due to unforeseen circumstances or for the safety of the group; the decision of the Program Director and / or the Field director will be final & binding in this regard
In case any participant falls sick during the tour, the expenses for medical treatment, travel & porter charges etc. will be borne by the concerned individual
During the tour, the decision of the Program Director and / or the Field Director will be final and binding
I Am Adventure shall not be held responsible for any accident, illness and loss of valuables or such other unforeseen events during the tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Up to Sixty (60) days or more before the tour departure, 100% of the tour amount is refunded
Between Forty-five (45) days to Fifty-nine (59) days before the tour departure; 75% of the tour amount is refunded
Between Thirty (30) days to Forty-four (44) days before the tour departure; 50% of the tour amount is refunded
Twenty-nine (29) days or less before the tour departure; No refunds
The above are subject to a deduction of Rs.5,100.00 towards administration charges

Zanskar Chadar Trek (Frozen River Trek)

Walking on the frozen river of Zanskar is THE ultimate experience for adventure lovers.