Chadar Trek
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Ladakh · Ladakh

Chadar Trek

Chadar Trek In Leh – over the Zanskar River range of Ladakh-2026- Complete information, Itinerary, Costs Date

Difficulty
Trek DifficultyDifficult
Duration
Trek Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
Altitude
Highest Altitude11,800 feet
Suitable For
Suitable For15 to 55 years
Distance
Total Trek Distance30 km
Basecamp
BasecampLeh
Accommodation
AccommodationTents/Hotel
Region
RegionLadakh
Pickup
Pickup DetailsLeh
Dropoff
Dropoff DetailsLeh
Cloakroom
CloakroomAvailable
Off Loading
Off LoadingAvailable
📢 We have announced dates for 2026. Please scroll down to find the dates. Register soon as this is one of the fastest treks to fill. Click here to get personal help in planning this trek.

Highlights

  • Trek over the completely frozen Zanskar River
  • Explore the Zanskar culture closely
  • Witness the completely frozen waterfall known as Nerak Waterfall
  • Known as The Frozen River Trek, one of the trickiest treks in the world
  • Experience the harsh and stable ice of Ladakh's winter

Chadar Trek — Overview

Your trek journey started with Himalayan Ibex, beautiful mountain town of Leh, all our trekker reach Leh by flight this is best option to you reach to Leh, altitude is 11800 feet above sea level, the trek beautiful Zanskar River which liws totally frozen during the December to Feb, Peak. Winters Tre…

Chadar Trek — Complete Guide

Our mission has always been to ensure that no trekker steps into the Himalayas without the right perspective. A trek is not just a checklist of summits; it is a serious commitment to the outdoors. Having the right information is what separates a reckless climb from a soulful journey.

This section serves as your definitive manual for the Chadar Trek. We have distilled years of mountain experience and real-time feedback into this guide to give you a clear, honest picture of the trail.

We provide this depth of information because we want you to be more than just a visitor—we want you to be a prepared, responsible trekker who respects the mountains as much as we do.

Short Itinerary
Trek Summary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival at Leh Airport
Pick up from the Airport and Check in Leh Hotel. The altitude of Leh is 3,505 meters (11,500 feet).
Day 2: Acclimatization Day at Leh
Altitude: 3505 m / 11,500 ft | Explore the surrounding area, market visits, and gear checking by Himalaya Hikers.
Day 3: Medical Test Day in Leh
Mandatory medical checkup in Leh to ensure proper preparation for the Chadar Trek. Stay in hotel.
Day 4: Drive to Dib/Tilado & Trek to Shingra Yokma (Camp 01)
Drive: 65 km (2–3 hours). Trek: 3–4 km (3–4 hours). Altitude: 3300 m / 10,800 ft. Trek on the frozen river to Shingra Yokma.
Day 5: Trek from Shingra Yokma to Shingra Goma (Camp 02)
Trek Distance: 5–6 km (5–6 hours) | Altitude: 3200 m / 10,500 ft. Continue the icy adventure.
Day 6: Trek from Shingra Goma to Tsomo Paldar (Camp 03)
Trek Distance: 6 km (4–5 hours) | Altitude: 3300 m / 10,800 ft. Experience the stunning ice formations.
Day 7: Trek from Tsomo Paldar to Shingra Yokma
Trek Distance: 11–12 km (7–8 hours) | Altitude: 3300 m / 10,800 ft. Begin the return journey.
Day 8: Trek to Dib/Tilado & Drive Back to Leh
Trek: 2 km. Drive: 65 km. Arrive at Leh Hotel by afternoon.
Detailed Day-wise Itinerary
A Complete Route & Campsite Breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Leh Airport

Pick up from the Airport and Check in Leh Hotel. The altitude of Leh is 3,505 meters (11,500 feet).
Chadar Trek Difficulty & Experience
What to Expect: Terrain, Weather & Challenges

Difficulty: Difficult — Suitable for fit beginners.

You will cover a total distance over 8 trekking days, gaining significant altitude. The terrain includes steep ascents and rocky paths. Weather can change rapidly at altitude — rain, snow, and mist are common. Our Trek Leaders monitor conditions and make safety decisions accordingly.

Altitude: You will reach 11,800 ft. At altitudes above 10,000 ft, the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness are real. Fitness helps, but even experienced trekkers can be affected.

Best Time to Visit Chadar Trek
Seasonal Weather & Temperature Guide

Best months to visit:

JanuaryFebruary
How to Reach the Base Camp
Your Detailed Travel & Connectivity Guide

The base camp is accessible by road from Rishikesh or Haridwar. Nearest railway station is Haridwar; nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. We arrange pickup from Rishikesh.

Packing and Gear List
Your Complete Trekking Checklist
  • Layered woollen clothing (thermal base + mid-layer + rain jacket)
  • Trekking poles
  • Good quality trekking shoes (waterproof)
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Personal first aid kit and any prescription medicine
  • Water bottle (2L minimum)
  • Light snacks (nuts, dry fruits, energy bars)
Preparation & Fitness Tips
Train. Trek. Triumph: Your Complete Fitness Plan

Start training 6 weeks before the trek. Focus on:

  • Cardio — 45 minutes of jogging/cycling, 5 days a week
  • Stair climbing — builds leg and lung capacity
  • Squats and lunges — strengthen knees for steep descents
  • Weekend hikes — practice with a loaded backpack

Fitness Benchmark: Complete 5 km in under 40 minutes before the trek.

Himalayan Ibex Safety Standards & Expertise
Our Expertise Why We Are India's Trusted Trekking Community

Your safety is our priority. We bring oxygen cylinders, high altitude medical kits, and certified Trek Leaders who are trained as Wilderness First Responders.

What is Included & Excluded in Chadar Trek
What is Covered & NOT Covered in the Package
What is included in the trek fee?

Complete Package from Leh To Leh, Accommodation: Tents/Hotel on Twin Sharing, Meals: Nutritious meals during the trek, Transport: Leh to start point and return, Certified guide and support staff, Permits: Trekking permits, Safety equipment & first aid.

What is not included?

Personal gear and expenses, Meals during transit to and from Leh, Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory), Optional Services: Backpack Offloading charge ₹1000, Single Tent/Hotel Room occupancy on request, extra cost.

Map of Chadar Trek Route
Complete Journey Pickup Point to the Peak

Detailed maps and GPS coordinates will be provided in your pre-trek briefing document.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Your Curiosity, Our Commitment
Is Chadar Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes, with proper fitness preparation. The difficulty is rated Difficult.

Important Booking Notes
How to book and payment information
  • Himalayan Ibex offers both online and offline booking options.
  • Payment: We require a 25% advance payment for booking treks. The remaining amount is to be paid in cash at the basecamp before the trek starts.

The IBEX Spirit of Trekking

Our values on and off the trail

We're always ready for adventure
Trekking comes with uncertainty. Weather, terrain, and setbacks are part of the journey. We embrace them with resilience and openness.
We embrace low-noise trekking
We blend into nature, not the other way around. We avoid shouting, loud music, and noisy games. In silence, we hear birdsong, streams, and the wind.
We protect the environment
We minimise waste, reuse resources, and pick up litter. We carry eco-bags, segregate waste, and inspire others to preserve trails.
We are self-sufficient
We carry our load as much as possible, manage our gear, and stay prepared for all situations.
We support each other
We wait for each other, share burdens, and uplift teammates. By putting the group first, we build strong bonds.
We are fit and prepared
We train well before our treks. This helps us walk longer, handle emergencies, and contribute to the team.