CHADAR TREK

The flight to Ladakh is breathtakingly beautiful. By 12 p.m., you should be in Leh. You get a bird's eye view of the whole region, and the layers of snow-covered mountains make you understand why driving to Ladakh in the winter is difficult. The temperature will decrease as soon as you arrive at the Leh airport, which is also one of the world's highest airports. Gather your belongings and check into your designated lodgings. Today is a crucial day for acclimatisation, so try to spend as much time outside as possible, but don't overdo it. In the winter, Leh is quiet, with few shops and eateries open for company.

The next day is set aside for acclimatisation. During the day, your leader will take you on a light acclimatisation stroll. According to current Leh local government rules, you must be medically checked at SNM Hospital in Leh, and the checkup will take place today.

You must have a mandatory medical checkup at the Tourist Information Center today, as well as an ALTOA NOC and a Wildlife Department permit. Staying in a hotel in Leh for the night.

Today is the first day of our frozen river journey in Zanskar. You travel down the magnificent Indus river, stopping to see the Indus and Zanskar river confluence at Nimmu. We'll travel a cumulative distance of 70 kilometres by route, and you'll see a few jaw-dropping moments as the vehicle navigates the tight hairpin bends. The journey to Bakula should take about 3 hours, and as you get closer, the motivating sight of the frozen Zanskar will pique your interest in the trek. Your leaders will send you instructions on how to walk on Chadar shortly. For the remainder of the day, you'll have the campsite to yourself to discover and photograph. Shingra Koma is a great place to spend the night.

The most difficult part would be slipping out of your cosy sleeping bags and walking outside your tent in the freezing cold. The Zanskari are noted for their hospitality, and your staff will rise early to make sure you have a hot cup of tea and a warm meal before you depart. 

Today will be a long walking day; you'll travel a total of 14 kilometres on Chadar and arrive at your next campsite in around 6 to 7 hours. Fill your thermos with warm water before you leave; due to the high temperatures in this region, all liquids begin to freeze, so a thermos is essential. Since the massive rocky mountains on both sides of the Zanskar river appear to obscure the light, you can only see it about 9-10 a.m., and then only in spots. When you stroll through this vast valley with nothing but pure crisp air and massive rocks on all sides, take in the sights. The Zanskar river, which flows through the centre, is a vivid and deep blue colour, and you can often see water running underneath you beneath the dense ice sheet. Along the way, you'll pass by a few frozen waterfalls. Midway through, your team will prepare a warm lunch for you, so fill your bellies and relax with a hot cup of tea. You'll be at Tibb by 3 p.m., and the final 200 metres are breathtaking. Tibb is a great place to spend the night.

After reaching your campsite, you will have the opportunity to see the "mother of all waterfalls," the "Nerak waterfalls."

This is the most important day on the Chadar trek because you will have the opportunity to see the "mother of all waterfalls," the "Nerak waterfalls." You'll be up early and it's going to be another busy day. If you arrive at Nerak campsite before 3 p.m., you'll have plenty of time to explore the Nerak waterfall. The sun will be shunned once more in the Zanskar valley, so keep going to stay wet. In the centre of the frozen river, numerous blocks of ice are melted, creating geometrical forms of various shapes and sizes that are interesting to see. Take advantage of the remaining hours of the day. Tibb is a great place to spend the night.

You'll retrace your steps back to the Tibb campsite today. And if you think you'll see the same frozen ice cap again, you're mistaken. The frozen Zanskar river responds to even the smallest changes in temperature by shifting its shape. On the ride back, you won't be able to remember the sights because everything seems to be too new. Depending on the atmosphere, you can walk on a glass-like surface or patches and patches of slush. Local porters will be wearing traditional woollen robes called ‘Gonchas,' with colourful beads around their necks and traditional hats, along the way. Spend the night.

We'll hike to Bakula today, the last day of the Chadar trek. Bakula can take you about 7 to 8 hours to enter. We'll travel back to Leh from Bakula, bringing the Chadar - the frozen river trek to a close. Return to your hotels, do some last-minute shopping before the market closes, and get ready to board your flight on time. Staying in a hotel in Leh is a good idea.

Today, we fly back to our respective homes. You will enjoy the memories of one of India's finest treks for the rest of your life.