In an earlier blog, we talked about the awesomeness of the Chadar trek. You guys loved it so much that it is currently ruling page one of Google, so thanks a lot for that! You should keep showing us that kind of love more often than you see! It helps us to meet more amazing trekkers like yourself. Anyway, while we could go into the details of it, this blog isn’t the page for a heart-to-heart; it will be done on Instagram. By the way, have you been checking out our amazing video shots from the treks? If not, then please do because they are absolutely wallpaper screen worthy!
We have this habit of losing ourselves in the excitement, right? After all, aren’t we Trek- NOMADS? Now, enough of the banter, and here we are, back to the point. In this blog, we are crystalizing almost everything we have discussed about the chadar trek to date. While you’ll still have the detailed blog to go to, this one is full of the most commonly asked questions we get from our trekkers. So, without further ado, here we go.
Where do I get the best offers for Chadar Trek?
It pains our heart to put it here but believe us, this is the most commonly asked question about the chadar trek; what is the cost of the chadar trek; what is the best discount that can be obtained, and lot such? Also, please understand that Treknomads provides a world-class experience to our trekkers and almost all the modern amenities that can be provided on a trek. Thus, when you trek with us, you’ll get just the best!
Why should I take up the Chadar trek?
Have you ever thought about walking on water? Well, if yes, then Chadar Trek is the trek to do. The Chadar Trek is the Zanskar river that gets frozen and forms a chadar (layer/sheet) of snow. The excitement of walking on ice, climbing icy rocks, and basking in the glory of this region’s beauty makes the trek worth every while.
Now, while we have talked about the Chadar trek, we must mention that trekking is an adventure activity. Given that you can never know what rock to find, what flora to see, and what fauna will suddenly show up, every step is full of thrill. There is never a single dull moment. Plus, there is always this angle about testing your strength and persistence!
As someone who may lead a very routined life (nothing wrong with that), doesn’t a break like this sound exciting?
What would be the best time to go on Chadar Trek?
The best time to take the trek would be January and February, specifically from early January to early February. Around this time, the river freezes into a perfect sheet of ice, and with the surroundings being snow-clad, too, it feels as if the stage was set up for your grand walk on water.
The trek isn’t easy, but (and that is what our trekkers have told us) the beauty of the surroundings is so mesmerizing that you forget about being tired. Be it the gleaming sun rays, the glistening snow, or the frozen air closer to the peaks, there is just too much to marvel at.
Chadar trek is regarded as the toughest winter trek in India. The temperatures during winter keep oscillating between -5 degree to – 25 degrees. The temperature fluctuations of the day and night result in the most hazardous hurdles of the trek – broken trails. You may have to leave the main trail (the ice sheet) and take detours through difficult terrains which may be steep to climb.
What is Chadar Trek’s Difficulty level?
The Chadar Trek is an arduous trek and a challenging one too. The frozen Zanskar River is the only way to access the Zanskar valley, as all the mountain passes are shut due to snowfall. Now, it is a frozen river that you are walking on, which means you have to tread cautiously. This trek is a tough trek due to: Low level of oxygen, tricky terrain and extreme cold. There have been a few casualties on this trek, so it is always better to act responsibly as you proceed further in the trek. Please follow the guidelines shared by your trekking guide.
With the trek covered, the next challenge comes in the form of the extremely low temperatures and the distance that needs to be walked. The trek is 60 km, and all of this must be covered on foot. Many times, people encounter icy rocks and boulders too. These are, as is evident, extraordinarily slippery and climbing them isn’t as easy. Hence, you must have the right trek gear.
Next comes the temperature that you will have to brave. The temperatures can fall to as much as -25 degrees Celsius. Add to this; the nights are spent in tents near the frozen river. Hence, we cannot emphasize enough how critical it is that you come prepared with the warmest of jackets, the comfiest of sleeping bags, and sturdy shoes. To know more about the kind of gear to carry, please visit this link.
What to expect in terms of Chadar Trek Temperature?
We gave you a glimpse above, and here we are with the details. The temperatures are crazily low. While your daytime temperatures can range around 10 to 15 degrees, the nights have also been known to gone to – 35 degrees. These icy/chilly winds always make you shiver, even when the sun is out.
PS: Don’t get too scared, for this shiver is pleasant in the afternoons. Plus, your body is considerably warm because of all the trekking, so you do not feel uncomfortable. It is only the nights for which you need to come prepared.
We would also like to add that a lot of times, feeling extremely cold is also about perception. You will be in a literal snow land, and our brain is known to play tricks. Hence, a lot of times, people tend to get uncomfortable too soon. While we at Treknomads make sure that all the relevant medical checks (especially the oxygen concentration) are done, it is always a good idea to prepare yourself mentally for what is coming. And so, if you are someone who finds 10 degrees to be too uncomfortable a temperature, this trek may not be the best idea for you.
What is the average Chadar Trek Distance that needs to be covered daily?
The total distance that needs to be covered in the trek is 60 km. On average, a trekker has to trek over 10 Km km to complete the entire trail. While the distance might not seem too much for those who train for the trek, the real challenge comes from the terrain.
You see, you’ll be walking on a sheet of ice which means less friction, which in turn means that you’ll have to walk with utmost caution. Also, such extreme cold would require your body to burn more energy to keep itself warm. This means that you’ll get tired faster. Lastly, there can be multiple icy boulders that you will have to climb, so it will be a decent challenge for you to overcome.
So, what do you do to ensure that this doesn’t exactly unsettle you? Well, you train well, and you train hard, and for details, you visit this link.
Can you give a brief itinerary of the Chadar Trek?
- Day 01: Arrive in Leh and stay at a hotel
- Day 02: Acclimatise day at Leh
- Day 03: Medical check-up and permit procedure
- Day 04: Travel from Leh to Shingra Yokma & trek to Sumo
- Day 05: Trek from Sumo to Tibb
- Day 06: Trek from Tibb to Nerak, the frozen waterfall
- Day 07: Trek from Nerak to Tibb
- Day 08: Trek from Tibb to Leh
- Day 09: Departure from Leh
Can you tell me in brief about the accommodation and food arrangements?
The trek primarily hosts homestays. At TrekNomads, we ensure that you get the best of the accommodations so that you can relax and acclimatise well to the changing altitude. The food- well, you will get basic nutritious food such as dal, chawal, upma, maggie, etc. We understand that you may have read about how cooking is tough at higher altitudes but believe us when we say this, Rajma Chawal tastes the best at those heights! So you get the drift? We have you covered!
Is there anything else that you would like to know?
Yes, there is a lot that we want you to know in detail. Much of it is in the blog, and some more can be accessed here. Please ensure you stick to the guidelines and requirements mentioned for your comfort. You must understand that you’ll not necessarily find the shops on the trek. There would be some good facilities before we start the trek, but once we are on it, we’ll just have to live by what we carried along in the first place.
Thus, just like Anup Soni would have said in Crime Patrol, when you read the requirements, “Saavdhaan Rahein, Satark Rahein”!
See you soon with another blog on another trek.
If you want us to write on something specific, you know where to reach us!
Click here to register for Chadar Trek
More blogs on Chadar trek:
Chadar Frozen River trek: Getting fit for the Chadar trek
Chadar Trek 2021 | Your Guide to Trekking the Frozen River in Zanskar
10 Reasons why Chadar Frozen River Trek is the greatest adventure of all time