Introduction
At 11,400 feet above sea level, the Chadar trek in Leh, Ladakh is an experience that is quite literally unparalleled. It is a trek that is marked as difficult and is suggested that only the bravest of the brave take it up. The trek is done over a frozen river – the Zanskar River – and this river that looks like glass, is thronged on all sides by majestic snow laden summits of the Himalayas. It is safe to say that this trek is an adventure of a lifetime, and that it comes with its fair share of challenges. The Chadar is basically the sheet of ice that forms over the river owing to extreme cold temperatures, and hence, this is where the trek gets its name from. You can also visit Nag Tibba Trek , It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it a favorite spot for both seasoned trekkers and beginners.
The Trek
This trek is a winter trek and takes 9 days to complete. The total distance of the trek is around 62 kilometres and is a trek with extreme conditions. It’s almost like taking a trek to the Arctics as temperatures here drop to -30 degree Celsius at night, and in the daytime it lingers at around -10 degree Celsius. The Chadar or the ice on the river changes form every few hours, and one ought to be very careful about that. This trek takes quite a lot of courage and perseverance, and so you need to gear up!
The trek happens in this manner–
Day 1: Arrival at Leh
Day 2: Acclimatisation at Leh
Day 3: Medical check-up at Sonam Norbhu Memorial Hospital
Day 4: Drive from Leh to Shingra Koma, via Chilling and Tilad Do and trek to Gyalpo at 11400 feet
Day 5: Trek from Gyalpo to Tibb Cave at 11800 feet
Day 6: Trek from Tibb Cave to Nerak at 11150 feet
Day 7: Trek from Nerak to Tibb Cave at 11800 feet
Day 8: Trek from Tibb Cave to Shingra Koma, and drive back to Leh
Day 9: Departure from Leh
Highlights of the Trek
Apart from the fantastical nature of the frozen river trek, the trek also has some spectacular attractions to offer to its trekkers. The trek brings to you nature’s miracles with its beautiful waterfalls, deep snow, and also white sand– which is what we picture when we think of Ladakh.
The most famous showstopper on this trek is the Nerak Waterfall which is completely frozen. Yes, you heard that right, it is frozen solid white in colour! Falling from a height of 56 feet, the Nerak Waterfall is suspended in the air. Isn’t that astonishing and spectacular! Apart from this, there is also a chance that you might get to see the fauna of that region, namely blue sheep, snow leopards, and ibex.
Furthermore, to be honest, each stopping point of the trek is an attraction in itself. The Nerak Village is the first village in the Zanskar region, and is ethereal. Tilat Sumdo comes along in the trek and from here you can get a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas. 10 kilometeres from Tilat Sumdo is Shingra Koma where trekkers are sure to be left awestruck and spellbound owing to the beauty and serenity that the place has got to offer. Tibb houses a beautiful waterfall and a cave, which makes it worth stopping by at. Lingshed is a small village that houses one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh.
Prerequisites for Trekkers
- An experience of a high altitude trek, of at least 4000 metres, is a must for undertaking the Chadar trek
- Should have good heart and respiratory health
- Should not have liver or kidney related health issues
- Should be physically fit enough to cover distances of 5 km in around 30 minutes
- Trekker should be able to carry a 12-16 kg backpack at all times while on the trek
- Should carry a first aid kit
- Carrying of warm clothes is a must considering the weather conditions on the trek
- Proper trekking gear like gumboots, waterproof gloves and socks are a must for the trek
Conclusion
As much as it may seem daunting, the Chadar Trek is something that’ll surely up your survival skills and your resilience. Making your way across trails with extreme weather conditions might not be easy, but imagine the self satisfaction that you’ll have once you complete the trek. Will that not be worth it? With its heaven like vistas and the experience of visiting and camping in caves, and warming yourself with blazing bonfires in mind numbing cold, the Chadar trek will revive the adventurer in you with newfound zeal and enthusiasm for life. An exhilarating 9 days and 62 kilometres worth of trek, the Chadar trek will make its mark on your life as an unmatchable experience!
