Frozen River Trek

Region : Zanskar (Ladakh)
Duration:22 Days
Altitude: 3850 mts/12628 ft
Grade: Moderate to Tough
Season: Dec end to Feb

Walking on Frozen river of Zanskar is an ultimate experience for adventure lover. The traditional name of the trek is "Chadar trek" the frozen sheet, which was only way in and out for Zanskaris in winter when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes. Therefore, it had been trade route for centuries for Zanskari People. Now the route is also famous as winter trekking among adventure lovers. For last several years, we have been organizing this winter trek in three different options with trained local Zanskari potters and our well-experienced guide and staff.

The most isolated and made inaccessible for nearly eight months a year due to heavy snowfall resulting in closure of all the access passes, Zanskar has the distinction of being the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh, and thus one of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet. This geographical isolation together with the esoteric nature of Buddhism practiced here has enabled its some ten thousand inhabitants to preserve and perpetuate their cultural identity. This Chadar trek allows you to penetrate this isolation and to examine some of the villages along the Zanskar River in the midst of winter and thus catch a glimpse of the lifecycle during this unique time of the year. A visit to the ancient monastic establishments of Karsha and Zangla promises to heighten your insight into the mysteries of this Shangri-la, a land and culture frozen in time behind the ramparts of the Zanskar mountains. Chilling and Lingshed are the only sizeable villages on this trek until Hanamur and Pidmo before Pishu and Zangla in Zanskar, all the rest are names of places and caves along the route.

Day 01: Delhi - Leh (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation)

Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 02: Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis

On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area.

Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17'Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa.

Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order.

Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17'Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

Day 03: Leh (local Sight seeing)

In the morning Day trip Phyang, Shankar Gompa & Leh Palace. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04: Leh - Chilling(5 hrs drive)

In the morning drive to chilling along with our porters from Pishu village of Zanskar, visit coppersmith workshops. Dinner and overnight stay at guest house.

Day 05: Chilling - Zaribago (5 hrs)

In the morning set out for a walk on ice of the frozen Zanskar river, Chadar. Feel the thrill of adventure. Dinner and overnight stay at cave.

Day 06: Zaribago - Deepyokma (4 hrs)

Today we will trek up to Deepyokma. Dinner and overnight stay at cave.

Day 07: Deepyokma to Nyrakpulu (4-5 hrs)

Trek up to Nyrakpulu. Today we will camp below Nyarak village, ten minutes up along a small stream. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 08: Nyrakpulu - Lingshed

Today we will trek an hrs walk on frozen river (Chadar), after that 5 hrs steeply up to Lingshed village. In this day we will stay in private house, relax in a heated room. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09: Lingshed

The day is for relax. This is one of the most remote villages in Ladakh, visit Lingshed monastery, school for monks, explore the village. Dinner and overnight stay at village houses.

Day 10: Lingshed - Deepkongma (4-5 hrs)

Today we will trek up to Deepkongma. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 11: Deepkongma - Warsangdo (5 hrs)

Trek up to Warsangdo. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 12: Warsangdo - Pishu

In the morning we will trek up to Pishu. Dinner and overnight stay in cave.

Day 13: Pishu - Karsha

In the morning trek to Karsha. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 14: Karsha

The rest day at Karsha. After breakfast visit Karsha Gompa. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.

Day 15: Karsha - Zangla

Today we will trek up to Zangla. Upon arrival at Zangla visit the Zangla Gompa. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 16: Zangla - Sarakdo

Trek up to Sarakdo. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 17: Sarakdo - Nyrakpulu

Today we will trek up to Nyrakpulu. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 18: Nyrakpulu - Tsomopaldar

Trek up to Tsomopaldar. Dinner and overnight stay in cave.

Day 19: Tsomopaldar - Tilatdo.

Today we will trek up to Tilatdo. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 20: Tilatdo - Chilling

The last day of our trek. Today we will trek up to chilling and from here return back to Leh by Toyota Qualis/jeep. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 21: Leh

Full day of rest in Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 22: Leh - Delhi

Early in the morning transfer to airport and from here catch a flight for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to international airport to catch a flight for onward destination.