28/08/2022
Chader (Frozen River Trekking)
In a Nutshell
Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Altitude: 3850 mts
Highlights: Leh Town, Chilling,Neyrak, Tso Mo Palder, Lingshet Gompa
Theme: Trekking
Grade: Difficult
Best Time: Jan & Feb
Brief Description:-
Walking on the frozen river is an ultimate experience for the adventure lovers. The traditional name of the trek is "Chadar Trek" the frozen sheet trek, which was only way in and out for the people of Zanskar in winters when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes.
This is a trek into some of the most isolated yet inhabited regions in the Zanskar Mountains, Trekking on ice, the frozen Zanskar River, on an average five to seven hours daily at an easy pace. But a reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed to sustain walking for nine days during winter conditions.
The trek commences from the village of Chiling located not far from the confluence of Indus and the Zanskar River. 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 winds & temperatures falling up to minus 20 to 30 degree Celsius.
Expedition Details:-
DAY 01:FLIGHT DELHI TO LEH:-
Upon arrival at Leh Airport you will meet by our representative and transfer to Hotel for Check in. On the first day of your trekking trip in Ladakh, you will spend your entire day in Ladakh for acclimatization. Although there are many things to do in Leh town, it’s best that you spend your entire day at leisure allowing time for high altitude acclimatization. Full day rest. Over Night in Leh.
DAY 02: LIESURE DAY/ VISIT LOCAL MARKET:-
Rest or leisure day for acclimatization. Overnight in Leh.
DAY 03: MEDICAL CHECKUP DAY:-
After the breakfast visit Leh SNM hospital for medical check up and to get medical certificate. Overnight in Leh
DAY 04: LEH TO TALID SUMDO(DRIVE) TREK TO TSOMO PALDER:-
After breakfast we will drive from Leh to chilling 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 Zanskar till Tilat Sumdo. Hearing the different sounds of Chadar forming and breaking, you will soon get familiar where the Chadar or the ice cover is thick and thin. With a early lunch break in between, we would soon reach the majestic. Lunch is in between the trek, where we all stop where sunlight is abundant though duration is much less as the river flows through a gorge and direct sunlight time is limited.
We trek again on frozen ice towards the designated camping site for the day. Overnight at camp.
DAY 05: TSO MO PALDER TO NEYRAK PULLU:-
Today we will have early breakfast, it is an another day of ice expedition amoung some of the most fantastic landscapes and ice vistas. Vast mountains 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. 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 life walking through a giant freezer. The walk also cross through narrow gorge, where the trekker may have to climb briefly on to the rocky river bank. We trek again on frozen ice towards the designated camping site for the day. The sharp bends and current of the river breaks the ice in some places. Lunch in between of a flat rocky hill side by the river with magnificent day on the chader trek. However, the caution being that this can become a difficult if the Chader is not very firm. The vistas are stunning though as we pass through giant frozen waterfalls, ice cliffs and one may even catch sight of the mountain fox. After lunch we pass the incense tree, so called because the locals use its branches to burn in their morning rituals and the prayer flags draped tree marks the entrance to Zanksar proper. The porters will normally trace a few twigs from the tree. We reach Naerak campsite by late afternoon. An old, dilapidated bridge on the river as folklore goes is thought to be more then 1000 years old. A trail is normally beaten through in the snow towards the village up high in the mountain. Overnight in camp.
DAY 06 : NEYRAK PULLU TO TIBB:-
Though technically it is the same way back, it is also quite different. The Chader or the blanket of ice that is forming on the River Zanskar is always changing, breaking up and forming itself again. As the Chader dynamics are ever changing, the same route and place would look and feel different as the texture and conditions changing. All along the way, trekkers will pass by and meet a lot of locals wearing their traditional woolen dresses, trekking their way towards the village of Padum, Lingshed and Neyrak. Pleasantries are exchange and even a few stories and legend about the Zanskar and its people can be heard. Their warmth and smiles is amazing amoung all the hardships. Overnight at camp.
DAY 07 : TIBB TO SHINGRA KOMA:-
Starting from Tibb, go up to Shingra Koma today. The high walls of mountains rising form 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 even snow leopards. You will might be lucky to view a snow leopard but you can almost be sure that you are being watched by one all the time. Overnight in camp.
DAY 08 : SHINGRA KOMA TO TILIT DO BACK TO LEH:-
Today is the last day of this amazing unique trek. We finally return back to the road head where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to our hotel at Leh.
A huge goodbye to the supporting staff, thrie absolute dedication and support is nothing short of amazing. Finally on reaching at Leh the hotel 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 Leh.
DAY 09 :DEPART LEH (FLY OUT):-
Tour concludes. Travel To Himalaya thank you for your patronage and ensure a punctual transfer to Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward journey towards home.
Include:
Welcome drink on arrival
Breakfast and dinner
Hotel/camps site
Oxgen cylinder
Wild life fee
Transport pickup and drop
Trekking permit
Food
Sleeping bag
Matter
Hot bottle
Etc.....
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