Have you ever dreamt of spending days on frozen rivers and sipping tea to keep yourself warm? This is the dream of every trekking enthusiast. And Ladakh is the destination to all the wishes and dreams of trekkers. Such a spectacular location is the Chadar Trek, the river trail of Ladakh. Chadar Trek is one hell of an experience. One of the most offbeat thrilling things to do in Ladakh, this frozen river trail will leave your adventurous soul satisfied. The Zanskar River freezes in the winters and stays in the icy form from December to February passing through the Nerak waterfall. Hence, the name ‘Chadar’ was given to the place as Chadar means a sheet or a blanket.
Also read: 5 Mistakes To Avoid On Your First Trip To Ladakh
The Charm Of The Chadar Trek:
This Himalayan trek of the frozen river trail of Ladakh is one-of-a-kind. Chadar Trek is an experience amidst the huge mountains and uneven slippery trails and streams unlike trekking between forests in other parts of India. Sleeping in tents right under the starlit sky at the end of a super tiring day of trekking the slippery ic sheets, makes all the hurdles worth it. The road to the destination might be difficult but the experience is unparalleled.
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Best Time To Trek In The Frozen Trails Of Ladakh:
The most ideal time for this offbeat adventure is from late December to early February. The temperature during the day stays around -5 to -15 degree Celsius whereas it falls down to -15 to -25 degree Celsius at night.
Things Do Do In Chadar Trek:
- Hike through the slippery frozen sheets of the Zanskar river.
- You will see man-made ice stupas during your trekking. These stupas use almost 8.3 million litres of frozen water to come into the humongous shape. Pose in front of it and click as many pictures as possible to keep it as a memory.
- There are high chances that you have not witnessed an ice-hockey match before. You can buy passes and watch this rarely seen match.
- Stay physically fit! This is the most important thing throughout the trip. The journey will be tremendous and you need to be extra strong to tackle the harsh weather conditions.
- Taste the yummiest local cuisines after the trek.
- Catch some grand local festivals and cultural performances in traditional outfits.
Also read: Summer Trip To Ladakh: Here’s Your Complete Guide
We can vouch for the unforgettable memories you will make during this trip. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So do not wait anymore and start preparing your itinerary with your friends to experience this paradise.