The Chadar Frozen River Trek

THE CHADAR FROZEN RIVER TREK – January 2017

Walking on the frozen river of Zanskar is THE ultimate experience for adventure lovers. The traditional name of the trek is "Chadar trek" the frozen sheet of ice, which was the only way in and out for the people of Zanskar in winters, when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes.

This is a trek to some of the most isolated yet inhabited regions in the Zanskar mountains, most notably the village of Lingshed.

You will be trekking/ walking on ice – the frozen Zanskar River, an average five to seven hours a day, at an easy pace; but a reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed to sustain walking for five – six days during the harsh cold winter conditions.

The trek commences from the village of Chilling located not far from the confluence of the Indus and the Zanskar rivers. The trek follows the river gorge through a spectacular landscape, a photographer’s paradise, offering occasional sighting of wildlife.

Although pleasant on clear – sunny days, the weather conditions can change abruptly, with wind temperatures known to plummet minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Chilling and Lingshed are the only sizeable villages on this trek, all the rest are names of places and caves along the route.

Trek Route

Leh – Chilling – Nyarakpulu – Chilling – Leh

Tour Program

Region: Nyarakpulu

Best Period to trek: mid January to end of February

Maximum Altitude: 3400m

Minimum Temperature: -40 degrees

Trekking days: 05 days

Age group: 18 to 60 years

Transportation: By Jeep from Leh to Chilling and from Chilling to Leh

Trek Grade: Simple walks on Ice sheet (frozen River) every day for 5 to 7 hours and strictly dependant on weather conditions.

Grading: A reasonable degree of physical fitness is needed for this trek.

Special interest: Excellent view for photographers, ideal place for nature lovers and best spot for adventure lovers.

 

Day wise schedule

 

9th Jan 2017

Day 1:-

Delhi/ Bombay to Leh

• Arrive at Leh airport, to be received by our representative & transferred to the hotel/ guest house. Take a full day rest at the hotel as you need to acclimatize well to the high altitude of Ladakh.

• Overnight hotel/ guest house in Leh

 

10th Jan 2017

Day 2:-

• Leh to Chilling/ Tilatdo 5 hour drive:

• After breakfast drive towards Nimoo where the confluence of river Zanskar & Indus is, from there take left & drive along the Zanskar river till you reach Sumdado.

• At Chiling after Lunch visit the white copper artists famous for their handmade works. After that walking towards Tilatdo campsite (1/2 hour) from where the Trek will start tomorrow.

• Overnight in tents

 

11th Jan 2017

Day 3:-

• Tilatdo to Shingra-gongma (3200m) (5 hours of walking)
  

• Overnight in tents
  

 

12th Jan 2017

Day 4:-

• Shingra-gongma to Deepyokma (3300m) (5 hours of walking)
• After breakfast start the 5 hour trek to Deepyokma where you will see a number of caves – Tsomo Paldar, naturally flowing spring water.
• Overnight in tents

 

13th Jan 2017

Day 5:-

• Deepyokma to Nyarakpulu (3400m) (5-6 hours of walking)

• Start the trek from Deepyokma, after 5-6 hours reach Nyarakpulu.

• Camp at the irrigation fields. Another 1 hour walk up along with a small stream & you will reach a beautiful village called Nyarak. From here Singee-La is visible, which is a summer trekking pass.

• Overnight in tents

 

14th Jan 2017

Day 6:-

• Nyarakpulu to Deepyokma (3300m) (5 hours of walking)

• Taking the same route back from Nyarakpulu to Tsomopaldar.

• Overnight in tents

 

15th Jan 2017

Day 7:-

• Deepyokma/ Tilatdo/ Chilling/ Leh (3200m)

• (6 hour trek & 2 hour drive)

• Trek back from Tsomopaldar to Shingra-gongma, Tilatdo & then to Chilling.

• Reach Chilling and drive back to Leh.

• Overnight hotel/ guest house in Leh

 

16th Jan 2017

Day 8:-

• Fly back home: In the morning transfer to the airport from where you will board the flight to Delhi/ Bombay.

 

Tour Ends Here……

 

What we provide:-

• All accommodation for 7 nights {from DAY 01 at Leh till DAY 07 at Leh} (twin/ triple sharing basis) in comfortable hotels/ guest houses or camps in scenic & off beat destinations.

• Breakfast & Dinner while in Leh

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during trek days

• Chai/ Coffee & cookies twice a day (11am & 5pm)

• Inner Line Permit fees for restricted areas for Indian Nationals

• Basic First Aid Kit & medicines

• Services of certified & experienced guides/ instructors for high altitude trekking, specially on the perilous Chadar (frozen river) in the Himalayas

• Services of Wilderness Medicine Institute Certified guides/ instructors from NOLS,USA http://www.nols.edu/wmi

Itinerary options and pricing:-

7 Nights/ 8 Days INR 25,000/- per person

 

Exclusions:-

• Any Air/ bus/ taxi/ jeep fare

• Service Tax @ 4.5%

• Lunch; we eat at dhabas along the road & pay directly there & then

• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, internet, wifi, telephone/ fax calls, bed tea, mineral water, aerated/ alcoholic beverages, juices, entrance and camera fee at monuments/ museums, medical expenses, gratuities etc.

• Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc.

• Any item, activity or facility other than clearly mentioned within the inclusions & itinerary above

• Any entry fees (union – wildflife – environment – trekking fees) any tips, porter/ pony charges or any other expenses incurred by the participants during the sightseeing, rafting, paragliding trips, other than as clearly mentioned within the inclusions and itinerary

• Rs.2,000.00 per person Environment fees to be paid directly to the Govt. authorities before the trek starts

• Any extra costs incurred due to extension/ change of the itinerary due to natural calamities, road blocks, vehicle

• breakdown etc. factors beyond our control

• Additional accommodation & or food charges due to unforeseen delays in the journey

 

Terms & Conditions:-

• 100% Payment in advance

• The program schedule / route/ mode of transport might be changed due to unforeseen circumstances or for the safety of the group; the decision of the Program Director and/ or the Field director will be final & binding in this regard

• In case any participant falls sick during the tour, the expenses for medical treatment, travel & porter charges etc. will be borne by the concerned individual

• During the tour, the decision of the Program Director and/ or the Field director will be final and binding

• TONY BIKE CENTRE shall not be held responsible for any accident, illness and loss of valuables or such other unforeseen events during the tour

Cancellation Policy:-

 

• Upto Sixty (60) days or more before the tour departure; 100% of the tour amount is refunded

• Between Forty-five (45) days to Fifty-nine (59) days before the tour departure; 75% of the tour amount is refunded

• Between Thirty (30) days to Forty-four (44) days before the tour departure; 50% of the tour amount is refunded

• Twenty-nine (29) days or less before the tour departure; No refunds

• The above are subject to a deduction of Rs.2,100.00 towards administration charges

 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE TO US FOR BOOKING: (by filling the given below form)

 

Team TBC