Long Chadar Trek - With Padum And Zangla
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(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)
▲ Day 1Arrival Day
Arrive In Leh
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
Checkin to the guest house. Meet for evening Snacks. Team introduction and brief about the trek. Dinner.
- Day 1
- 220 - Delhi
- Day 1
- 3500 - Leh
2 - 3hrs.▲ Day 2Acclimatization Day
Acclimatization Walk To Tsemo Monastery. Return To Leh. Explore Shanti Stupa & Nearby. - 5 -6 Hrs.
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today is a very important day for the team. After confronting the extreme weather of Ladakh, we today venture outside and also try and get used to both the weather and walking on these conditions. This will allow us for better acclimatization and comfort during the trek. It also gives us the time to enjoy the unbelievable beauty of Ladakh in the winters
- Day 2
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 2
- 3600 - Tsemo Monastery
- Day 2
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 2
- 3600 - Shanti Stupa
- Day 2
- 3500 - Leh
5 -6hrs.▲ Day 3Exploration Day - Trek
Excursion or Acclimatization walk to Shey, Thikshey Monastery & Nearby.. Return To Leh - 5 Hrs. 5 Kms
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning tea, Breakfast
Morning excursion to Shey Palace and Thikshey Monastery. Medical Check from SNP hospital and resolve Permit from Wildlife District Administration
- Day 3
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 3
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 3
- 3600 - Shey, Thikshey Monastery
- Day 3
- 3500 - Leh
5Km, 5hrs.▲ Day 4Trekking Day
From Leh (3500m ) To Tsomo (3150m ), Via - Chilling (3200m ), Bakula (3170m ) - 3 Hrs.
Overnight In: Tsomo (3150m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
A picturesque and thrilling drive fro some 3 hours brings us to the trekking point after crossing Tilad Do and Bakula.
There we are, about to put our first step on the frozen river !! Its time to get excited but also to go on.. We get down from the roadhead to the Zanskar river bed, and walk on its sides to reach our campsite. As we put our steps and try walking, we do have a little problem and needs getting used to it. After some swaying, balancing and slipping act, we stand up and learn to walk on the Chadar. Its small walk for the first day.
Once we reach there, the day is for us to relax and enjoy the amazing and magical beauty surrounding us. The trek leader and the guide briefs about the techniques required to be used to walk safely and properly for a successful trek. They also pass on important information regarding the Chadar and safety practices.
- Day 4
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 4
- 3200 - Chilling
- Day 4
- 3170 - Bakula
- Day 4
- 3150 - Tsomo
3hrs.▲ Day 5Trekking Day
From Tsomo (3150m ) To Tibb Cave (3190m ) - 3 Hrs. 7 Kms
Overnight In: Tibb Cave (3190m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today is a slightly longer but a day where you will witness lots of incredible beauties of nature and an interesting story too !!
As we finish our early morning activities and hit the trail, we take us deep in the gorge of the river Zanskar. Today we see lots of waterfalls and caves which are delight for to the eyes and to a photographer's lens. The interesting story is better to be heard on the trail from the locals itself, as the way have to say it is also worth experiencing !!
Hot lunch on the way keeps us comfortable and replenished. We reach campsite quite easily and the relax for the day.
- Day 5
- 3150 - Tsomo
- Day 5
- 3190 - Tibb Cave
7Km, 3hrs.▲ Day 6Trekking Day
From Tibb Cave (3190m ) To Naerak (3350m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 13 Kms
Overnight In: Naerak (3350m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Everyday waking up seems to be a challenge, but the same motivation factors of hot coffee, breakfast and the trek for the day works. Added to that, today we have slightly more motivation to be even more excited, as today is regarded as the most rewarding day of the entire trek !!
A huge frozen waterfall take our imagination to fly and the curiosity and a 'silent excitement' created by it within your heart gets you on your toe.. The reflections off it is even more abstract making it a fantasy..
We near the Naerak village. We dont climb upto it and camp beside the river. Interested folks may visit the village for photography.
- Day 6
- 3190 - Tibb Cave
- Day 6
- 3350 - Naerak
13Km, 5 - 6hrs.▲ Day 7Trekking Day
From Naerak (3390m ) To Lingshed (3750m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Lingshed (3750m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 7
- 3390 - Naerak
- Day 7
- 3750 - Lingshed
12Km, 5 - 6hrs.▲ Day 8Rest & Acclimatization Day
Explore or Rest - 5 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Lingshed (3750m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 8
- 3750 - Lingshed
- Day 8
- 3750 - Lingshed
10Km, 5hrs.▲ Day 9Trekking Day
From Lingshed (3750m ) To Zangla (3940m ), Via - Tsarak Do (3800m ) - 5 - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Zangla (3940m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 9
- 3750 - Lingshed
- Day 9
- 3800 - Tsarak Do
- Day 9
- 3940 - Zangla
5 - 7hrs.▲ Day 10Trekking Day
From Zangla (3940m ) To Padum (3680m ) . Excursion to Karsha & Stongdey Monasteries (3700m ). Excursion to Karsha & Stongdey Monasteries - 6 - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Padum (3680m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 10
- 3940 - Zangla
- Day 10
- 3680 - Padum
- Day 10
- 3700 - Karsha & Stongdey Monasteries
- Day 10
- 3680 - Padum
6 - 7hrs.▲ Day 11Exploration Day - Trek
. Return To Padum - 5 - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Padum (3680m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 11
- 3680 - Padum
- Day 11
- 3680 - Padum
5 - 7hrs.▲ Day 12Trekking Day
From Padum (3680m ) To Naerak (3350m ), Via - Tsarak Do (3800m ) - 6 - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Naerak (3350m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
to be written later
- Day 12
- 3680 - Padum
- Day 12
- 3800 - Tsarak Do
- Day 12
- 3350 - Naerak
6 - 7hrs.▲ Day 13Trekking Day
From Naerak (3390m ) To Tibb Cave (3150m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 13 Kms
Overnight In: Tibb Cave (3150m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today we start retracing our trek route back to Tibb Cave.. If you hadn't had enough of the trek last time, its time you fulfill it today.. however, the Chadar keeps motivating you as you head back.
- Day 13
- 3390 - Naerak
- Day 13
- 3150 - Tibb Cave
13Km, 4 - 5hrs.▲ Day 14Trekking Day
From Tibb Cave (3190m ) To Leh (3500m ), Via - Tsomo (3150m ), Bakula (3250m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 14 Kms
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
We head back to the road head of this trek today - Bakula, from where we drive back to Leh tomorrow reach by evening
- Day 14
- 3190 - Tibb Cave
- Day 14
- 3150 - Tsomo
- Day 14
- 3250 - Bakula
- Day 14
- 3500 - Leh
14Km, 5 - 6hrs.▲ Day 15Departure Day
From Leh (3500m ) To Delhi (200m ) - 2 Hrs. 1100 Kms
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Morning tea, Breakfast
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
Itinerary and our service ends. You will be dropped to the airport as per plan.
- Day 15
- 3500 - Leh
- Day 15
- 200 - Delhi
1100Km, 2hrs.
Classical Chadar Trek - Why Its A Must-Do
- The mesmerizing land of Ladakh: Ladakh is popular for a reason, and the reason is simple... its unbelievably beautiful !!
- Experience trekking in one of the coldest places on Earth. The winter temperatures ranges between -9 to -30 degrees. This is definitely not a common experience. Its unique !!
- Trekking on the Ice Sheet of the Frozen Zanskar. On this trek you walk through the mighty and awesomely beautiful gorge of the Zanskar river.
- Wildlife sightings. Seeing mountain goats is easier as they don't fear humans too much. Fair chances of seeing these on this trek. If lucky, you might sight a snow leopard as well.
- Local culture and villages of Zanskar. The locals are the charm of this trek. To witness their energy, humbleness and hard life is a eye changer.
Altitude and Acclimatization Profile For The Classical Chadar Trek
- Day 1
- D1Delhi
- Day 2
- D2Leh
- Day 2
- Tsemo Monastery
- Day 2
- Leh
- Day 2
- Shanti Stupa
- Day 3
- D3Leh
- Day 3
- Leh
- Day 3
- Shey, Thikshey Monastery
- Day 4
- D4Leh
- Day 4
- Chilling
- Day 4
- Bakula
- Day 5
- D5Tsomo
- Day 6
- D6Tibb Cave
- Day 7
- D7Naerak
- Day 8
- D8Lingshed
- Day 9
- D9Lingshed
- Day 9
- Tsarak Do
- Day 10
- D10Zangla
- Day 10
- Padum
- Day 10
- Karsha & Stongdey Monasteries
- Day 11
- D11Padum
- Day 12
- D12Padum
- Day 12
- Tsarak Do
- Day 13
- D13Naerak
- Day 14
- D14Tibb Cave
- Day 14
- Tsomo
- Day 14
- Bakula
- Day 15
- D15Leh
- Day 16
- Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is The Classical Chadar Weather And Temperature In Winters?
Winter is very harsh in Ladakh. Day time temperature stays between -6 to -9 degrees Celsius, while after sunset, it goes below -18 degrees. Waterline remains frozen and the city suffers tremendous water shortage. Over 70% of the shops and hotels remain shut and local people move to warmer cities. On the trek too, heating ice to make water becomes a big deal. Fresh vegetables and meat are flown in from Delhi and Srinagar. Serving good meals cooled with fresh vegetables becomes an expensive affair.
Which Is The Best Time To Do The Classical Chadar Trek?
The best time to do the Chadar Trek depends upon temperature, wind and snow conditions. Chadar is the frozen top layer of the river water and a strong Chadar is preliminary requirement for a safe and good trek experience. Formation of strong Chadar is dependent upon good wind and subzero temperatures. Snow isn't good for the Chadar trek. Considering all these points, best time to do the Chadar trek varies by year. However, January mid to February mid can be considered as the best time.
How Cold Is The Classical Chadar Trek?
-9 to -25 degrees Celsius
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 12:16:12 AM
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