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Zanskar Valley 8N/9D Chadar Trek — Walk the Frozen River
4.8(96 reviews)
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See it before you go.
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Why this package
Hand-built itinerary, not a shelf package
WhatsApp-first planner, on call through return
Free changes within 48 hours after the draft
Tour includes
- Hotel
- Meals
- Transport
- Guide
- Activities
Includes the services of a Trust and Trip planner who builds your itinerary, books hotels and transport, and stays on WhatsApp throughout the trip.
Tour highlights
- Walk the frozen Zanskar River — the Chadar (blanket of ice)
- Sleep in river caves at -20°C
- Nerak Frozen Waterfall — the crown jewel of the trek
- Vertical cliff gorge walls rising 4,000 feet above
- Support from experienced Zanskari guides who grew up on this route
- Included: all cold-weather gear, crampons, sleeping bags rated -30°C
What makes this journey unforgettable.
The Chadar Trek — walking 105km on the frozen Zanskar River through one of the world's most dramatic gorges. Temperatures plunge to -30°C. You sleep in caves. The river groans and cracks beneath your feet. January to February only. One of India's most extraordinary adventures.
Walk the frozen Zanskar River — the Chadar (blanket of ice)
Sleep in river caves at -20°C
Nerak Frozen Waterfall — the crown jewel of the trek
Vertical cliff gorge walls rising 4,000 feet above
Support from experienced Zanskari guides who grew up on this route
Included: all cold-weather gear, crampons, sleeping bags rated -30°C
Day-by-day Itinerary
Your journey, unfolded.
- DAY 1
Day 1: Arrive Leh (3,524m) — Do Nothing Day
Arrive Leh airport. Transfer to hotel. This is a mandatory rest day — do not walk around unnecessarily. Altitude sickness risk is highest in the first 24 hours. Drink water, eat light, sleep early. Your guide will brief you this evening on the trek ahead.
- DAY 2
Day 2: Leh Acclimatization — Easy Sightseeing
Light morning walk to Shanti Stupa for Leh valley views. Visit Leh Palace and Leh Market in the afternoon. Gear check at 4pm — your guide issues crampons, gaiters, double-layer sleeping bag, chemical hand warmers and balaclava. Medical check for all trekkers. Trek briefing.
- DAY 3
Day 3: Leh — Ice Walking Training & Preparation
Practice walk on frozen section of Indus River near Chilling (day trip). Learn how to walk with crampons, how to test ice thickness, what to do if the chadar cracks. Cold water management brief. Pack bags for the trek: sleeping bag, thermals, 3 days personal supplies. Early night.
- DAY 4
Day 4: Drive Leh → Chilling (2hrs). Trek begins — Shingra Yokma (3km on ice)
Drive 2 hours to Chilling village (start of the frozen river). Change into trekking gear. First steps onto the chadar — your heart rate increases. The ice groans. The gorge walls rise above you. Trek 3km to Shingra Yokma camp. Set up in a cave or large tent. Guide cooks hot thukpa. Temperature drops to -15°C at night.
- DAY 5
Day 5: Shingra Yokma → Tibb Camp (12km on frozen river)
Full trekking day. The chadar changes constantly — some sections thick blue ice, others thin and dark. Your guide reads the river ahead like a map. Frozen tributary waterfalls hang from cliff walls. Narrow sections where the gorge pinches to 10 metres wide. Hot tea and lunch from mobile kitchen. Arrive Tibb cave camp by 4pm.
- DAY 6
Day 6: Tibb Camp → Nerak Waterfall (10km) — The Highlight
The most dramatic day. Trek to Nerak — where a 150-foot waterfall is completely frozen solid, creating a curtain of blue-green ice. This is the crown jewel of the Chadar. Photograph from every angle. Some trekkers weep here — it's that beautiful. Camp at Nerak. Bonfire with Zanskari folk songs. Stars at -20°C are extraordinary.
- DAY 7
Day 7: Nerak → Tibb Camp — Return on Different Ice
The return journey feels completely different — the ice has changed, the light comes from the opposite direction, and you carry the experience differently. Trek back to Tibb. Stories around the fire. Last cave night.
- DAY 8
Day 8: Tibb Camp → Chilling → Leh — Return to Civilisation
Final day on the ice. Trek Tibb to Chilling (12km) with triumphant energy. Change into dry clothes at Chilling village. Drive back to Leh (2hrs). Celebration dinner at a Leh restaurant. Toast with kahwa tea. Certificates distributed.
- DAY 9
Day 9: Leh — Rest and Departure
Free morning. Visit Leh market for final shopping — Pashmina, thangkas, prayer flags. Transfer to Leh airport. Trip ends. You walked on water.
— End of trip —
What's in — and what's not.
What's included
- Leh hotel 3 nights (acclimatization + post-trek)
- Cave camping during trek (2-3 nights)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner throughout)
- Experienced Zanskari trek leader and assistant guide
- Porters for all gear and supplies
- Cold weather kit: double-layer sleeping bag, crampons, balaclava, gloves
- Permits (Inner Line + Chadar Trek permit)
- Emergency oxygen cylinder and first aid kit
- Vehicle transfers Leh-Chilling and return
Not included
- Flights to Leh
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
- Personal thermal clothing (layering system)
- Tips for guides and porters (customary)
- Any medical evacuation costs
Comfort you’ll remember.
Hotel Grand Willow Leh + river cave camps
3-star accommodation
Leh nights in comfortable 3-star hotel with heating, hot water and good meals. Trek nights in river caves used by Zanskaris for centuries — camp kitchen sets up inside, guide cooks hot dal and rice. Sleeping bags rated to -30°C provided.
Signature activities
Chadar frozen river trekkingNerak frozen waterfallCave campingIce walking with cramponsZanskari folk music eveningsHigh altitude stargazing
Traveler Reviews
Travelers who've been there.
Want us to call you?
A planner — not a call centre.
Upgrades available
Want luxury? Add it at minimum cost.
Want luxury at minimum cost?
- Business / First class on the entire route
- Premium-economy on long-haul legs only — saves up to 40%
- Lounge access at originating + connecting airports
- Priority boarding, extra checked bags
Pricing depends on the departure date, airline and hotel inventory. Speak to a planner for an exact quote.
Talk to a plannerCancellation policy & payment terms
Tour price · ₹35,000 / per person on twin sharing
Departure: your departure. The cancellation deduction depends on how close to departure you cancel — the closer to the date, the larger the slab. Read the full policy
₹3,500(10% deduction)
121–900 days prior
₹5,250(15% deduction)
91–120 days prior
₹7,000(20% deduction)
61–90 days prior
Need to change or cancel? We'll handle it.
Call +91 8115 999 588Need to know
Things to consider before the trip.
Weather
For up-to-date weather, check AccuWeather or your preferred forecasting service before you pack.Air travel
We typically book Air India or IndiGo on Indian sectors and a star-alliance carrier internationally. Specific airline confirmed 15 days before departure.Coach travel
AC vehicles sized for your group: sedan / SUV up to 4 pax, tempo traveller for 5–12, mini bus or 35-seater for larger groups.Documents required
- Adult: Voter ID / Passport / Aadhaar / DL
- Child: Passport / Aadhaar / School ID
- Infant: Aadhaar / Birth certificate
- NRIs & foreign nationals: Passport + valid Indian visa
Health & insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Carry routine medicines. Consult your doctor for high-altitude segments (Ladakh, Spiti, Char Dham).Payments
Cheque, DD, debit / credit card, NEFT / RTGS / IMPS. Card payments carry an additional 1.8% gateway fee. Cheques in favour of Trust and Trip Experiences Pvt. Ltd.
Standard hotel check-in is 1.30 PM and check-out 10 AM. For questions specific to your booking, message your planner.
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