The Frozen River Trek

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The Frozen River Trek

(10 Days 9 Nights)

  • Ladakh(9N)
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The Frozen River Trek

(9 Nights 10 Days)
  • Ladakh(9N)

Highlights

  • 9 Nights / 10 Days Ladakh Treks trip
  • Stay: Ladakh (9N)
  • Arrival & Acclimitization
  • Acclimatization
  • Fitness Day
  • Leh to Bakula drive 3 hrs, trek to Shingra Kongma(3,369m)
  • Shingra Yogma to Tibb
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Overview

The Chadar trek, a winter walk on the frozen Zanskar river. The trip begins with three days in Leh to acclimatise and a medical check-up, which is mandatory before trekkers are allowed onto the river.

On day four you drive to Bakula and start walking on the ice to Shingra Koma. The next days continue to Tibb and Neyrak, passing frozen waterfalls and stretches where the guide checks the ice before the group moves on. You then walk back the same way, drive to Leh, and fly out on day ten.<

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Tour Itinerary
(9 Nights 10 Days)

Day 1

Arrival & Acclimitization

Today you arrive at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh. Once you board the flight to Leh, know that you are going to see beautiful mountains and you must not miss on clicking them from your shutterbags.Upon arrival you will be received by our representative and shall be transferred to your Hotel. You will be welcomed by chilly air and hopefully some sunshine.It is strictly recommended to rest today and give time to your body for altitude acclimatization. This will be a free day as such, however, you may go for an Evening walk to Shanti Stupa. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2

Acclimatization

This day is meant to acclimatize with the change in altitude again. However, you might like to explore the local market to buy out trek essentials.Taxi if required will be available and charged extra, directly payable. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3

Fitness Day

Today we will visit the city hospital for medical checkup. Due to the health problems the trekkers have faced in past, it is now mandatory to spend three days at Leh and acclimatize well before you begin the trek. Allow your body to get used to the cold.The trekkers can go further to the trek only if they pass this check up. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4

Leh to Bakula drive 3 hrs, trek to Shingra Kongma(3,369m)

After breakfast, drive to Bakula. It is one of the most scenic drives which brings you the delight of seeing some of the most beautiful spots in Ladakh. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus are some of the places where you can take a pit stop for clicking memorable pictures.An hour and a half of driving along the Zanskar will get you to Chilling and then further to Bakula. The car will drop you right where the road ends. This will be your starting point of walking on the Zanskar.Walking on the ice will be the first challenge you will face. You can check for the ice formation using your walking pole before stepping your foot. Be ready to fall on your bum or on your knees many times on the Chadar. Its okay and you will remember it and laugh off when you will be back home. We trek to the first Camp site Shingra.The next challenge will be the first night in the camp in subzero temperature. Our sleeping bags would be of good support but most of this day is to prepare yourself mentally for the days to come.

Day 5

Shingra Yogma to Tibb

Walking time 5 hours. In the morning, pack up and trek on ice of the frozen Zanskar River, Chadar, as we continue towards our second camp at Tip Yogma. The Zanskar Valley is the most isolated of the Trans-Himalaya valleys and that true sense of remoteness will become all the more evident as we approach our camp. After walking for 3 hours, stop for hot lunch and rest.Today, the route will get tortuous and will offer more of zig-zag crossings as the valley gets narrower. But sometimes surprises awaits you in the evenings at camp. Arrive at Tibb Yogma and set the camp for overnight stay.

Day 6

Tip YogmaBao u0096 Neyrak

Walking time 5-6 hours. As usual with the sunrise, pack up and start walking on the ice chadar. We will encounter some spots of hot spring where the ice may not be strong and needs to be checked by the guide. If the ice is weak, we may have to climb a small peak to avoid river crossing. Trek on the frozen river till Neyrak - one of the windiest places around. Come across some stunning frozen waterfalls on this day. The frozen waterfall is natureu0092s masterpiece in itself and attracts lots of trekkers from across the globe.Here, you will come across an old, dilapidated bridge on the river, claimed by the villagers to be more than 1,000 years old. Arrive at Neyrak and set the camp for overnight stay. Neyrak village is situated just above a small cave where we plan to setup the camp. If we reach timely, you might like to trek to the village too.

Day 7

Neyrak u0096 Tibb YogmaBao

Walking time 4-5 hours. Trek back to Tip Yogma. We will be retracing our steps back to the previous campsites. The most astonishing fact about the Chadar trek is its everchanging nature. Though you have trekked the same way back, you will still be amazed at how different the trail and surroundings look on the way back.You will see a lot of locals around, and will be surprised to see how these people have adapted to such crucial temperatures and lifestyle and endure this all with a smile. Okay, by the way, we had some crazy bollywood fans in our last batch who even did a fashion walk on the Chadar! Believe us- Chadar had never seen so many colors!

Day 8

Tibb YogmaBao u0096 Shingra Kongma

Walking time 5 hours. Today will be much safer and easier comparing to the previous days. We can see the great ice fall closer to Takma on the way.We will be just concluding the trek, this one would be a penultimate day walk over the chadar.

Day 9

Shingra to Bakula Bao u0096 Drive back to Leh

(end of trek): Walking time 2 hours. Trek for couple of hours until Bakula/ where the road begins. Vehicle will be ready to drive back to Leh (2-3 hours).Pamper yourself with a much needed hot shower and a great dinner.

Day 10

Departure

Morning after an early breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport to board your onward flight, with memories of ALifetimeTrip. (**You might like to extend the trip for a couple of more days to be at Leh or visit Pangong Lake. Speak to our travel advisor for this in advance.)

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Inclusions

  • All Applicable Taxes
  • Environment fees.
  • Inner Line Permits.

Exclusions

  • Any Air/Train/ Bus Fares- Best fares, Available On Request.
  • Any additional expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay / cancellation / roadblocks/landslides/ strike or any other natural causes out of human control or any emergency evacuation expenses.
  • Any changes in the tax structures at a later date.
  • Any room heater charges, if opted.
Important Information

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