Chadar Trek: Trekking on the Frozen Zanskar Lake
The Zanskar is a unique river that leisurely winds through the mountain ranges. As it winds its way to the Indus River, this ribbon of blue-green waters is shielded by high mountain slopes that surge up against its banks. Time appears to halt during the winter, though, as the river’s flow turns into thick sheets of ice, creating a new route for those who enjoy the outdoors and adventure. This is your opportunity to walk on water if you’ve ever desired to. The Chadar Trek, a unique experience, is about to begin.
The Chadar Trek: What is it?
The Zanskar River’s annual winter rush is halted when the water freezes and turns into a thick layer of ice, thus the name Chadar. This is the river where the journey is held. The journey is difficult; hikers must traverse 105 kilometers of ice at an average pace of 16 kilometers per day. Walking makes up the majority of the route, although there will be stones to scale and 600-meter-tall, sheer cliffs passively observing your progress.
You will be on the river during the day and protected by the nearby caverns at night. Have we stoked your appetite for anticipation? It will be necessary when the temperature drops to between -15 and -20 degrees.
What the Chadar Trek will show you
The walk is lengthy, and along the 105 kilometers, you will be able to witness some breathtaking views, such as the following:
Tilat Sumdo: One of the trek’s campsites, Tilat Sumdo symbolizes Sumdo (which meaning confluence) and is the point where a stream and the Zanskar river converge. This is your opportunity to stop, take a breather, warm up with food and the tent’s protection as the surrounding Himalayan range watches over you.
Tibb Cave: As we’ve already shown, the hike is challenging. The weather is mostly to blame for this, since it dips to extremely cold temperatures. But nature is just as ruthless as she is fair. The caverns at Tibb (which means cave in Ladakhi), where you will spend the night, will shield you from the bitter cold. There are many waterfalls along the way to Tibb; some are frozen and will unfreeze in the summer, while others flow in spite of the cold.
Nerak: According to legend, Nerak ran out of water once. In order to pray for water, a holy man traveled to Kailash. On his journey back, he was then told to keep a pot of water with two fish and not to set them down. When he set the pot down at Nerak, the two fish sprang out, forming a thunderous waterfall. You will come upon the Nerak Waterfall’s powerful fall here, which is frozen solid at the moment. Nerak Bridge offers a glimpse of the waterfall as well. The Nerak base camp is farther away. Keep in mind that your stay at Nerak will be the coldest part of your journey. It’s going to become chillier, so get ready!
Gyalpo: Every voyage has its share of twists and turns. The Gyalpo camp, located where the river bends, is where you’ll discover yours. This location offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and is bordered by towering mountains.
Lingshed: For a hike where time and a river pause in frozen calm, a visit to Lingshed, one of Ladakh’s oldest settlements, seems fitting. One of the main attractions of Lingshed, which is nearly picture-perfect in its beauty, is the 1440-founded Lingshed gompa (monastery).