Cold weather trekking enthusiasts may have met their match along a high altitude route in Ladakh known as Chadar Trek. This multi-day excursion along the Zanskar River is only possible during the winter season, a time when the river freezes over and local Zansakaris use this path as a trade route.

Zanskar River is a popular river for class 4 rafting in the summers. The Zanskar gorge is popularly referred to as the ‘Grand Canyon of Asia’. For Chadar Trek, the experience of Zanskar River involves walking in temperatures as low as -5° F on a blanket of ice (chadar) through a gorge in the Indian Himalaya mountains. The high altitude of more than 10,000 ft and rough winter conditions are just two endurance cringing factors making this route best suited for seasoned trekkers.

How Hard: Easy walk, tough conditions

How Long: 14 days

How High: 3200+ meters

When: Season runs from December to February

Day 1: Arrive Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, 3200 meters. Remainder of day is spent acclimating to the altitude.

Day 2: Leh to Shey, Thikse, and Hemis. Sightseeing of Shey Gompa, Thikse Gompa, and Hemis Gompa. Return to Leh for overnight stay.

Day 3: Leh to Chilling (3200 meters). Drive to Chilling, meet the staff and overnight in a village home.

Day 4: Chilling to Zaribago (3250 meters). First day of walking, and experiencing the frozen Zanskar River. Walking time 5 hours. Overnight in camps or caves depending on conditions.

Day 5: Zaribago to Deepyokma (3300 meters). Continue trek to Deepyokma village. Walking time 5 hours. Overnight in camps or caves depending on conditions.

Day 6: Deepyokma to Nyrak Pulu (3400 meters). Continue trek through maze of canyons passing through frozen icefalls to Nyrak Pulu. Walking time 6 hours. Overnight in camps or caves depending on conditions.

Day 7: Nyrak Pulu to Lingshed (3800 meters). Trek continues to Lingshed valley. Monastery visit before overnight stay at local home or tents. Walking time 4 hours.

Day 8: Rest Day, Lingshed. Spend an entire day resting in Lingshed, one of the most remote villages in
Ladakh. Visit monastery, school for monks and explore the village.

Day 9: Lingshed to Nyrak Pulu (3400 meters). Begin trek back, walk to Nyrak Pulu. Walking time 5 hours. Overnight in camps or caves depending on conditions.

Day 10: Nyrak Pulu to Tsomo paldar (3300 meters). Continue trek back to Leh. Walking time 8 hours. Overnight in camps or caves depending on conditions.

Day 11: Tsomo paldar to Tilatdo (3200 meters). Walk to Tilatdo. Walking time 8 hours. Overnight in caves.

Day 12: Tilatdo to Leh via Chilling (3500 meters). Finish trek to Chilling. Board a private vehicle for drive back to Leh. Walking time 4 hours. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Leh. The day is reserved for any unexpected delay in the itinerary. Stay overnight
at hotel.

Day 14: Depart Leh.