Chadar Frozen River Ice Trek

Description

“CHADAR” refers to the blanket or sheet as the Zanskar river transforms itself from a rapid river into a white blanket of ice during winter, a frozen spectacle awaits the trekker to be experienced of glass ice ranging from a bluish tinge to golden yellow that is seen during the few hours that sunlight reaches directly into the gorge to the milky whitish on a moonlit night – as said a trek journey like no other!

ZANSKAR: Zanskar valley lies to the south – west of Leh, surrounded by the Himalaya and Zanskar ranges, which is the most isolated of all the Trans – Himalayan Valleys. Zanskar comprises of two main valleys the Stod (Doda Chu) and the Lanak (Tsarap Chu) which coverage below at Padum. The area remains inaccessible for nearly 7 months in the year. All passes close in the winter and the river freeze on the surface. Zanskaris walk along it to reach the Indus River in Nimoo (Chilling village), which is known as the Chadar (frozen blanket) Trek. The geographical isolation has resulted in the preservation of the Buddhist heritage and identity. Many ancient monastic establishments are still actively involved in religious activities some remote caves are believed to have been used by the successive Buddhist saints to sustain meditation in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.

Itinerary

Day-01: Fly To Leh Altitude 11,400 Ft. | Stay In Guest House. | Keep Your Woolen Cap And Gloves Handy.

Flying Over Miles And Miles Of Heavily Snowed Mountains Will Tell You Just Why It’s Impossible To Reach Ladakh By Road In The Winters. The Moment You Land At The Leh Airport, One Of The Highest Airports In The World, You Will Feel The Fresh And Crisp Air, And A Drastic Drop In The Temperature. The Town Has Just Begun Shedding Off The Thick Winter Slumber And Is Slowly Coming To Life. Taking A Stroll Through The Leh Market, You Will Find That Very Few Shops And Eateries In The Town Are Open For Business; But If Required, Some Last Minute-shopping For The Trek Can Be Done Here. The Chill In The Air Will Serve Only As A Preview Of The Temperatures During This Winter Trek. The Night Is Spent In A Copy Guest House.

Day-02: Drive To Tilad Do Via Chilling Altitude 11,400 To 10,390 Ft. | Drive 65 Kms. | Stay In Tent.

In the morning we leave by private vehicles with our support staff to begin this amazing and most exciting winter trek. Shortly after leaving Leh, we reach Nimoo, the confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers. The sight is amazing as the iced up and frozen Zanskar meets the fast flowing Indus. We stop here for around 5-10 mts for all to have a view and a click. We then turn down from Nimoo following the track parallel to the frozen River Zanskar, a drive towards the road head beside the frozen river is another amazing experience. Travel distance between Leh and Chilling is around 64 KM. We reach now to the point, past the village of Chilling to where the roadhead ends. Touching the Chadar first time, we start the trek for 1-2 hrs along the magnificent frozen river.

Day-03: Tilad Do To Shingra Koma Altitude 10,390 To 10,550 Ft.| Trek 10 Kms. | Stay In Tent.

In The Morning We Leave By Private Vehicles With Our Support Staff To Begin This Amazing And Most Exciting Winter Trek. Shortly After Leaving Leh, We Reach Nimoo, The Confluence Of Zanskar And Indus Rivers. The Sight Is Amazing As The Iced Up And Frozen Zanskar Meets The Fast Flowing Indus. We Stop Here For Around 5-10 Mts For All To Have A View And A Click. We Then Turn Down From Nimoo Following The Track Parallel To The Frozen River Zanskar, A Drive Towards The Road Head Beside The Frozen River Is Another Amazing Experience. Travel Distance Between Leh And Chilling Is Around 64 Km. We Reach Now To The Point, Past The Village Of Chilling To Where The Roadhead Ends. Touching The Chadar First Time, We Start The Trek For 1-2 Hrs Along The Magnificent Frozen River.

Day- 04: Shingra Koma To Tibb Cave Altitude 10,550 To 10,760 Ft. | Trek 15 Kms. | Stay In Tent.

Early In The Morning After Having Our Breakfast, It Is A Day Of Ice T Expedition Among Some Of The Most Fantastic Landscapes And Ice Vistas. Vast Mountain Sides Rise Up Abruptly From The River As It Flows Through Gorge. We Might Even Catch Sight Of Bharals Or Blue Sheep As We Trek Along The Frozen River. Not To Say About The Frozen Waterfalls! Though Today Is The Longest Day Of The Trek, We Pass Through Some Magnificent Beautiful Waterfalls And Frozen Ice Cliffs On The Left - It Is Like Walking Through A Giant Freezer! The Walk Also Crosses Through Narrow Gorges, Where The Trekker May Have To Climb Briefly On To The Rocky River Bank.

Day-05: Tibb Cave To Naerak Camp Altitude 10,760 To 11,150 Ft. | Trek 12.5 Kms. | Stay In Tent. | Attraction Frozen Waterfall.

Today Is The Most Spectacular Of All Days On This Trek. Walking On The River You Cross
Deep Gorges And Reach A Point Where Juniper Trees Are Covered With Prayer Flags. The
Porters Give You A Twig Of This Tree Tied With A Piece Of Prayer Flag As A Badge Of Good-
Luck And Good-health. A Few Steps Away Stands The Mother-of-all Frozen Waterfalls – A
Huge Instance Of Suspended Animation Several Feet Tall And Equally Wide. You Can See
Dozens Of Colours In This Enormous Ice Structure As Sunlight Plays Off Its Surface.
Right Next To The Waterfall Is A Bridge Across The River Which Is A Part Of The Summer-
Time Road From Zanskar To Leh.
The Naerak Village Lies Several Feet Above The River, A Vigorous Hour-long Trek Can
Take You To The Village If You Want To See The Life Of A Zanskari. The Camp Is Set Up
Close To The River.

Day-06: Naerak To Tibb Cave Altitude 11,150 To 10,760 Ft. | Trek 12.5 Kms. | Stay In Tent.

Though Technically It Is The Same Way Back, It Is Also Quite Different. The Chadar Or The Blanket Of Ice That Is Forming On The River Zanskar Is Always Changing, Breaking Up And Forming Itself Again. As The Chadar Dynamics Are Ever Changing, The Same Route And Place Would Look And Feel Different As The Texture And Conditions Change. All Along The Way, Trekkers Will Pass By And Meet A Lot Of Locals Wearing Their Traditional Woolen Gonchas, Trekking Their Way Towards The Village Of Padum, Lingshed And Naerak. Pleasantries Are Exchanged And Even A Few Stories And Legend About Zanskar And Its People Can Be Heard. Their Warmth And Smile Is Amazing Among All The Hardships. Overnight At Camp.

Day-07: Tibb Cave To Shingra Koma Altitude 10,760 To 10,550 Ft. | Trek 15 Kms.

Starting From Tibb, Go Up To Gyalpo Today. The High Walls Of Mountains Rising From The Sides Of The River Almost Look Like Castle Walls. You Can See Several Trails Of Pug- Marks All Along The Trek – Footprints Belonging To Foxes, Ibex Or Snow-leopards. You Would Be Lucky To View A Snow-leopard; But You Can Almost Be Sure That You Are Being Watched By One All The Time.

Day-08: Shingra Koma To Tilad Do And Drive To Leh Altitude 10,550 To 10,390 And Drive To 11400 Ft. | Trek 10 Kms. | Drive 65 Kms. | Stay In Guest House

Today Is The Last Day Of This Amazing And Unique Trek. We Finally Return Back To The Road Head Where Our Vehicle Will Be Waiting To Take Us Back To Our Guest House At Leh. Huge Goodbye To The Support Staff; Their Absolute Dedication And Support Is Nothing Short Of Amazing. Finally On Reaching At Leh, The Guest House Room Of Leh After Some 8 Days Is Most Welcome, Yet The Experiences Of This Ice Trek Linger And Will Be Remembered Forever. Overnight At Guest House In Leh.

Day-09: Return From Leh

So Finally A Goodbye And Good Wishes For Your Return Flight From Leh As You Board The Early Flight Back To Your Home Town, And Definitely Some Great Memories And A Lifetime Of An Experience To Narrate To Many A Friend And Family.

Inclusions

Accommodation: Stay At Leh Hotel/guest House On Day 1, Day 2, And Day 8/last Night Of Trek And Tents/camps On The Trek.
Transportation from Leh to the road head at Chilling from where the trek starts.
All Vegetarian meal during the trek.
Camping charges and permits.
Sleeping bags and mats.
Trek guide, staff, and cook.
Emergency oxygen and first aid kit.

Exclusions

Travel insurance
Tips/ laundry and other expenses of a personal nature
No sightseeing included in Leh on Day 2.
Transport not included for medical check-up.
Food/Meals in Leh.
Personal expenses.
Personal winter and trek requirements like jackets, sun glasses, gloves, and trekking poles.
Anything not specifically mentioned under the included list.
Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond our control.