Just imagine yourself crossing the frozen sheets of ice, and surrounded by mountains enveloped with snow on one side and a clear stream flowing on the other side. Feels esthetic, right? And while you are feeling this fantastic, you look up, around, and ahead, you witness an unreal beauty as far as you can see. This is the beautiful – Chadar Trek, the frozen river that is multiplied a hundred foot.

The Chadar Trek is one of the most unique and best treks in India. It is a 6-day trek across the frozen Zanskar Lake in Ladakh. The season to visit this trek is during the latter part of January till the end of February or sometimes even in the first week of March, depending on the weather.

Zanskaris – The locals of this area, walk the road from the Zanskar to Nerak for work which mostly includes trading goods in the summers. During the winters, because of heavy snowfall the road is blocked and it is dangerous to travel so the locals tread along the Zanskar River which is frozen at that time.

The thick blanket of the ice that covers the Zanskar River looks like an ice sheet or rather called Chadar in the local language, hence the name Chadar Trek.

Though it might seem a difficult trek but is not as the surface needed to travel is a flat walk with a minimal amount of climbing. So, if you are able to walk for a couple of hours without much of a strain, then you are all good to go.

So, How Do You Go On The Chadar Trek?

1. Start by reaching Leh

Leh at this time is all covered with snow. Hence, the flight is the only way to reach Leh. The temperature at this time of the year reaches -10 and after sunset dips to -15 to -17 degree Celsius. So, if are able to survive this temperature, the trek will be a lot easier for you.

Tip: It is advisable to spend a day or two at Leh in order to let your body get completely acclimatized.

2. Tilat Do– Starting Point of the Trek

The starting point of the trek is Tilat, from there you will have to drive along the Leh-Srinagar Highway to reach Zanskar. Ahead of Zanskar is Chilling, and at the very end of Chilling road lies the Chadar trek.

Tip: On the Trek, there will be hard ice, freshly fallen ice, or something in between so while on the move, observe the locals and your guides to understand the icy surface below your feet.

3. Tilat Do to Shingra Koma

Shingra Koma is 10kms from the Tilat Do. Shingra gets its name because of the abundant presence of a plant called the Shingra. It takes around 6 to 7 hours from Tilat Do and in the midway you can stop for lunch near one of the cave-like formations, to cook your food.

Tip: Do not carry any packed food as the temperature will freeze everything.

4. Shingra Koma – Tibb – Nerak

The next stop to tip is at a distance of 15kms – Tibb. This distance can roughly be covered in 7-8 hours. It is one of the longest day and the most beautiful day of the Chadar Trek. While crossing this area you witness instances of little waterfalls frozen into dangling icicles. And in the midway, you will come across a big waterfall which is not entirely frozen. Sounds unreal! Right?

5. Towards Nerak

From Tibb to Nerak, it is a trek of 7 hours covering an area of 12kms. This is the day when you will reach the gorgeous Nerak Frozen Waterfall. There is a Nerak Bridge – a little ahead of the waterfall– it is an old wooden bridge that can hold up to 4 people at a time, and gives a clear view of the frozen fall and the surrounding area.
About 20 minutes from there you will reach the Nerak campsite. The temperature in that area dips down to -25 Degree Celsius or might even go lower.

6. Walk back to Chilling

Nerak is the final point of the Chadar trek, and you will have to start your return journey from there. Though you will find that you are retracting your steps from where you started, but the whole dynamics of the Chadar will get changed.

This is the uniqueness of the Trek, as the old chadar breaks; the freshly fallen snow replaces those breaks in no time. This place changes its dynamics so quick that you won’t be able to point to a place where you already have been.
This terrain is unique and beautiful as it sounds, but it is far more fascinating and enriching experience that you can imagine.

Things to keep in mind while stepping on the Icy Chadar Trek –

• Keep up with the weather reports, do not undermine them.
• Do not skip a meal. The trek in demanding and challenging, it will keep you on your toes.
• Do not neglect the Guide. Follow his steps and tips.
• Do not litter the area. And keep the water resources clean.
• Do not over stress your body, take a break whenever needed.