Chadar Trek
Walk on the frozen Zanskar River. One of the world's most extreme winter treks.
Zanskar, Ladakh · 9 days · Groups of 6–10
Highlights
- →Frozen Zanskar River — the only winter road into Zanskar valley
- →Temperatures drop to -25°C — raw, unfiltered Himalayan winter
- →Tibb Cave — famous overhang camp mid-route
- →Nerak Waterfall — frozen solid, a 30m curtain of ice
- →Zanskari villages completely cut off from the outside world
- →Walking on ice over a living river — unlike any other terrain on earth
Day-by-day Itinerary
Arrive Leh — acclimatization
Arrive Leh. Rest. Gear check and briefing. No exertion.
Leh → Chilling (drive) + first steps on Chadar
Drive to Chilling via Nimmu. Trek begins on the frozen river. First taste of ice walking.
Gyalpo → Tibb
Full day on the Chadar. Sections of open water — navigate carefully. Camp at Tibb cave overhang.
Tibb → Nerak
The signature day. Reach Nerak and the frozen waterfall. Camp below the ice curtain.
Nerak — explore + buffer
Explore the icefall. Photography. Rest. Buffer for weather delays.
Nerak → Tibb (return)
Begin the return journey. Ice conditions change daily — no two crossings are identical.
Tibb → Gyalpo
Retrace through the canyon. Thin ice on the return is common — guide takes point.
Gyalpo → Chilling → Leh (drive)
Trek exits at Chilling. Drive back to Leh. Hot meal, warm beds.
Departure
Leh departure. Trek ends.
What's included
- ✓All meals Day 1 dinner to Day 9 breakfast
- ✓Sub-zero camping gear — sleeping bags rated to -30°C, insulated mats
- ✓Certified Chadar guide with minimum 5 crossings
- ✓Porters for group equipment
- ✓All permits and Zanskar entry fees
- ✓Transport: Leh to trailhead and return
Not included
- ✗Personal travel to/from Leh
- ✗Personal cold-weather gear (list provided)
- ✗Travel and rescue insurance (mandatory)
- ✗Thermal layers and boots (rental available in Leh)
FAQs
How cold does it actually get?
Air temperature ranges from -10°C to -25°C. On the ice, with wind, it can feel colder. We provide sleeping bags rated to -30°C. The cold is manageable with proper layering — we brief you in detail before departure.
Is the Chadar physically demanding?
Less about fitness, more about cold tolerance and mental resilience. The daily distances are moderate (8–12 km) but walking on uneven ice for hours is tiring. Anyone with basic trekking fitness can do it.
Logistics
Meeting point
Leh Airport / Leh Bus Stand, Ladakh
Trip ends
Leh Airport / Leh Bus Stand, Ladakh
Minimum age
18 years
Fitness required
Moderate — cold tolerance and mental resilience are the main requirements
Starting from
₹42,000
per person, all inclusive
Next batch: January 2027
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