Chadar Trek in 9 Days — Walking on the Frozen Zanskar River
More trips from Leh Ladakh
Trailhead transport included
Camps & stays included
All trek meals included
Trek leader included
Permits included
Safety kit included
Day-by-day plan
Stay
Leh guesthouse, included — A heated guesthouse in Leh, twin sharing, for acclimatisation and the last night.
Chadar camps, included — Expedition tents and cave shelters on the river bank, with extra-warm sleeping bags and insulated mats.
Food
•All meals in Leh and on the trek
•Hot soup, tea and butter tea on the ice
Trip highlights
- Walk on the frozen Zanskar river through a deep canyon, at −15 to −25 °C at night
- The frozen Naerak waterfall
- Nights in caves and riverside camps, the way Zanskari villagers used to travel
- Three mandatory acclimatisation days in Leh, with the official medical check
- Season: mid-January to February — limited batches
- Max altitude about 3,400 m · Grade: Difficult (cold, not steep) · About 62 km on the ice
Included
- 4 nights in a heated guesthouse in Leh (twin sharing) — days 1–3 and 8
- 4 nights in tents and cave camps on the trek, with sleeping bags rated for −20 °C
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 9
- Experienced Chadar trek leader, local Zanskari guides, cooks and porters for common gear
- Airport pickup and drop; transport Leh → Shingra Koma → Leh
- Gumboots for the ice, first aid, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter checks twice a day
Not included
- ✕Flights to and from Leh
- ✕ALTOA fees, wildlife and environment fees and the mandatory insurance — paid in Leh, set each season
- ✕Personal winter gear (down jacket, thermals, waterproof gloves)
- ✕Backpack offloading (available as an add-on)
- ✕Extra nights if the ice or weather forces a delay
- ✕Anything personal
Things to carry
- Down jacket rated to −20 °C, plus fleece and padded layers
- Two sets of thermal inner wear
- Waterproof gloves over woollen gloves, balaclava, woollen cap
- Woollen socks (5–6 pairs) — feet get wet on the chadar
- Trekking shoes for camp; gumboots are provided for the ice
- UV sunglasses (snow glare), SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm
- Insulated water bottle or thermos
- Personal medicines; ask your doctor about Diamox
- Government photo ID — original and copies (needed for the medical check and permits)
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