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CHADAR TREK – FROZEN ZANSKAR RIVER

Extreme Winter Trek • High-Altitude Expedition

8 Days / 7 Nights

78,000

/ Person

Quick Overview (Above the Fold)

PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Walking on the frozen Zanskar River (Chadar)
  • Narrow gorges with towering canyon walls
  • Sub-zero winter trekking conditions
  • Remote camps along the river ice
  • Deep winter silence and isolation
  • Option for small-batch or elite safety-focused groups

PACKAGE OVERVIEW

Chadar Expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, curated by Ferrantelli Tours and Travels, where the winter closes the mountains in, roads disappear and the river becomes the only path forward. The Zanskar freezes slowly, layer by layer, until it turns into a moving sheet of ice winding through a deep gorge.

This frozen surface — the Chadar — becomes the trail. Some sections are solid and white, others dark and translucent, carrying the sound of water moving far below. Days are shaped by cold, light, and caution. Footsteps are deliberate. The canyon walls rise straight up, catching only brief sunlight.

Nights are long and quiet, broken only by wind and the shifting sounds of the frozen river. This journey is slow, repetitive, and demanding. The landscape does not change quickly — but the way you experience time does. By the end, the cold feels familiar, the silence feels full, and movement itself becomes the achievement.

PACKAGE PRICE OPTIONS

₹78,000

Standard Expedition

  • Larger group batch
  • Standard camping equipment
  • Certified trek leader
  • Fixed departure dates
  • Best for: Experienced trekkers comfortable in winter conditions

₹1,05,000

Deluxe Expedition

  • Smaller group size
  • Better tents, sleeping systems & logistics
  • Higher guide-to-trekker ratio
  • Improved camp management
  • Best for: Trekkers prioritising safety and comfort margins

₹1,40,000

Premium Elite

  • Very small group (elite batch)
  • Senior expedition leader
  • Highest staff-to-trekker ratio
  • Satellite phone & enhanced safety support
  • Best for: Focused, safety-first winter expeditions

ACCOMMODATION

  • Leh: Local hotels / guesthouses (Heated where available)
  • Trek: High-altitude winter tents (Expedition Grade)

All camping is expedition-grade and weather-dependent.

DAY–BY–DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Leh (Acclimatisation Begins)
  • Arrival at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Leh (3,500 m)
  • Transfer to hotel
  • Complete rest to allow the body to adjust to altitude
  • No sightseeing or physical exertion

🏨 Overnight: Leh

  • Continued acclimatisation in Leh
  • Short, slow walks around the hotel area (if permitted)
  • Trek briefing, equipment check, and cold-weather preparation
  • Safety guidelines and trek overview

🏨 Overnight: Leh

  • Mandatory medical check-up at designated Leh medical camp
  • Health clearance and verification of trek permits
  • Final gear inspection and packing
  • Rest for the remainder of the day

🏨 Overnight: Leh

  • Early morning drive to Shingra Koma / Raar
  • Begin trek on the frozen Zanskar River (Chadar)
  • Short acclimatisation trek to first campsite (Tsomo Paldar)

🏕️ Overnight: Campsite (3,200 m)

  • Full day trekking on the frozen river
  • Navigate ice sheets, narrow gorges, and frozen bends
  • Reach Tibb Cave, one of the most iconic campsites

🏕️ Overnight: Tibb Cave (3,280 m)

  • Trek from Tibb Cave to Naerak village area
  • Pass dramatic canyon walls and deep ice corridors
  • Visit the famous frozen Naerak waterfall

🏕️ Overnight: Naerak (3,400 m)

  • Begin return journey on the frozen river
  • Retrace steps back to Tibb Cave
  • Experience changing ice formations due to shifting temperatures

🏕️ Overnight: Tibb Cave

  • Final trek back to Shingra Koma / Raar
  • Drive back to Leh by evening
  • Transfer to hotel or airport
  • Chadar Trek expedition concludes

TRANSPORT & TRANSFERS

Transport details for the expedition:

  • Leh to Trek Point: Road transfers (Tempo Traveller / SUV) included
  • Trek: Conducted entirely on foot (frozen river)
  • Support: Local Zanskar staff and porters

TRAVEL TO LEH (OPTIONAL ADD-ON)

  • Departures available from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru
  • Direct flights to Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport)
  • Train to Jammu + road transfer (not recommended for winter)

Travel planning assistance available on request.

✅ PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

  • 7 nights accommodation (Leh + camps)
  • All meals during the trek
  • Certified expedition leader & support staff
  • Winter-grade camping equipment
  • Safety gear & first-aid support

❌ PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

  • Flights to/from Leh
  • Personal winter trekking gear
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned under inclusions

Ideal For

Experienced trekkers
Extreme winter adventurers
Small, focused expedition groups
High-risk, high-commitment journeys

Best Time To Visit

January to February is the only window for this expedition, when the Zanskar River freezes. Dates depend on ice conditions.

Important Notes

  • River ice conditions change daily
  • Fitness and mental readiness are essential
  • Itinerary may change for safety reasons
  • Altitudes range between 3,200 m – 3,500 m
  • Temperatures can drop to –15°C to –30°C
  • Itinerary may be adjusted based on ice conditions, weather, and safety assessments
  • Some operators may return to Leh on Day 7 evening, resulting in an early Day 8 departure

❌ CANCELLATION POLICY

Strict winter protocols apply.

  • 30+ days before: Partial refund
  • 15–29 days before: High retention charges
  • Less than 15 days / No-show: No refund

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

No. Prior winter trekking experience is strongly recommended.

Night temperatures can drop well below –20°C.

Only as elite small-batch expeditions due to safety requirements.

Contact & Bookings

Hiddensee Tours and Travels (OPC) Private Limited Gurgaon, Haryana - India