Descriptions

The Chadar Trek is a winter walk on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh. Our Chadar Trek 2027 package runs eight days from Leh and back: three days in Leh to adjust to the altitude and clear a medical check-up, three days on the ice, a day of Indus Valley monasteries and your flight out.

It is cold, with nights between -15°C and -30°C, and the ice decides the dates. Read the itinerary, cost and route updates below before you book flights.

Chadar Trek at a Glance

Available Batches

Batches run in January and February, but the exact 2027 dates are not officially announced yet. The table below is a placeholder shape, not a schedule. Ask us for the current list before you book flights.

What the Chadar Trek is

The Chadar Trek is a winter trek on the frozen Zanskar River, walked between January and February. Chadar means a sheet or blanket of ice. For generations Zanskari villagers used it as their winter road to Leh, when snow closed the passes.

The river runs through a gorge with walls up to 600 m high and is only about 5 m wide in places. You walk on the ice where it holds and along the banks where it has broken.

Is the Chadar Trek Right for You?

Choose it if you walk regularly, cope well with cold and can live with basic camping and last-minute changes. Older trekkers face the same medical check-up as everyone else, so see your doctor first, especially with heart, lung or blood pressure problems.

Follow us on Facebook Instagram 

Program

This is the last route we ran, not a confirmed 2027 plan. Camp names, walking hours and the Nerak visit depend on what the administration approves for the season, and your trek leader confirms the actual plan before Day 4.

Day 1: Arrival in Leh (Approx. 3,500 m)

Meal Plan: Dinner
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Leh

Arrive at Leh Airport, located at approximately 3,256 metres above sea level. Our representative will receive you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

The remainder of the day is reserved for rest and initial acclimatisation to the high altitude. Avoid strenuous activities, consume fluids regularly and follow the instructions provided by your tour coordinator.

Day 2: Acclimatisation in Leh

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Leh

After breakfast, spend the day acclimatising to the high altitude. This is an essential part of the trek preparation.

If your health and local conditions permit, enjoy a gentle walk around Leh or visit Shanti Stupa for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and town.

Keep physical activity light and avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise. Your trek leader will brief you about the upcoming expedition, equipment and safety procedures.

Day 3: Medical Check-up and Permit Formalities

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Leh

After breakfast, proceed for the required medical screening and registration formalities in Leh. The medical assessment may include blood pressure, oxygen saturation and other fitness checks as required by the local authorities.

Trekkers must obtain the necessary medical clearance and permits before joining the expedition. Participants who do not meet the prescribed medical requirements may not be permitted to continue.

The remainder of the day will be available for rest, equipment checks and the trek briefing.

Important: The designated medical centre, applicable fees, permit requirements and inclusions for the 2027 season must be confirmed with the local operator and authorities.

Day 4: Drive to Shingra Koma and Trek to Gurudo Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Expedition Camp

After an early breakfast, drive from Leh towards the Zanskar Valley, following the scenic Indus and Zanskar river routes. The drive to the designated trailhead at Shingra Koma is approximately 65–70 km and may take 3–4 hours, depending on road and weather conditions.

On reaching the trailhead, begin your trek along the frozen river, following the guidance of the experienced trek leader. The day's walk introduces you to the unique terrain of the Chadar Trek, including icy surfaces, rocky riverbanks and dramatic gorge scenery.

Continue to the designated campsite at Gurudo for dinner and an overnight stay.

Approximate Drive: 65–70 km / 3–4 hours
Trekking Distance: To be confirmed with the local operator
Trekking Duration: Subject to the final campsite and ice conditions

Day 5: Trek via Tsomo Paldar to Tibb Cave Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Expedition Camp near Tibb Cave

After breakfast, continue trekking along the frozen Zanskar River through a spectacular landscape of towering cliffs, narrow gorges and frozen waterfalls.

Proceed via Tsomo Paldar towards the famous Tibb Cave, a natural rock shelter traditionally used as a resting and camping point by trekkers on the Chadar route.

Enjoy the striking winter scenery and the peaceful surroundings of the valley. Upon arrival at the designated campsite, settle in and enjoy a warm meal prepared by the expedition team.

Approximate Trekking Distance: 12–14 km, subject to the approved route
Approximate Trekking Duration: 6–7 hours
Note: The exact distance and duration will depend on the final campsite and prevailing ice conditions.

Day 6: Return Trek and Drive to Leh

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Leh

After breakfast, begin the return journey along the frozen river towards the designated roadhead. Enjoy the final views of the dramatic Zanskar gorge while following the trek leader's instructions.

On reaching the roadhead, board your vehicle for the drive back to Leh. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and relax after the expedition.

Trekking Distance and Duration: Subject to the final campsite and approved return route
Drive: Approximately 65–70 km / 3–4 hours, depending on the roadhead

Important: The feasibility of completing the return trek and drive to Leh on the same day must be confirmed by the local operator. The schedule may need adjustment according to the campsite, weather and ice conditions.

Day 7: Indus Valley Monastery Excursion

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Leh

After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing excursion around Leh and the Indus Valley.

Visit Thiksey Monastery, renowned for its hilltop location, Buddhist architecture and panoramic valley views. Continue to Shey Palace and Monastery, an important historic complex associated with Ladakh's royal heritage.

If time permits and local conditions are favourable, an additional visit to Hemis Monastery may be arranged, subject to the confirmed sightseeing plan.

Return to Leh by evening and enjoy your final overnight stay.

Places Covered: Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace and Monastery
Optional Visit: Hemis Monastery, subject to time and confirmation

Day 8: Departure from Leh

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Leh Airport for your onward flight.

Please note that winter weather conditions may cause flight delays or cancellations. Travellers are advised to avoid tight same-day onward connections and allow sufficient buffer time for their onward journey.

Distance and Altitude Chart

Latest Updates for the 2027 Season

Since 2024, construction of the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road has shortened the trek, and the Ladakh administration fixes the start point and campsites each season. The Tribune reported the 2024 route as truncated for this reason.

The ice has also become less predictable. The 2025 trek started on 13 January after a postponement. In January 2026 the Leh administration suspended the trek pending review on 20 January, after a recce found the river unsafe, and later reporting described the season as cancelled.

Operator itineraries for 2025 listed Nerak as open only on Wednesdays and Sundays. We will confirm the 2027 position once the administration issues its guidelines. confirm whether Nerak is in the 2027 plan and how it is reached

Chadar Trek Cost and What the Package Includes

Chadar Trek 2027 Cost Per Person

We have not fixed the 2027 rate yet. The last confirmed price was ₹38,500 per person plus 5% GST, which came to ₹40,425, valid up to 5 October 2024. Use it as a reference point, not a quote, until we confirm the current number.

How to Reach Leh in Winter

• Fly in. Most passes are closed in winter.
• Direct flights connect Leh with Delhi and some other cities. Check the winter timetable.
• The airport is about 4 km from Leh town.
• Book flights only after your batch is confirmed, and keep a spare day or two after the trek.

Best Time and Weather

How Hard is the Chadar Trek?

The trek is graded difficult because of the cold, not the climbing. Overall elevation gain is small, but the walking surface is not consistently flat: broken ice forces you onto uneven riverbanks and rocky sections in places, and a smooth day can turn into a slow one. Sleeping at -20°C or lower and keeping hands and feet dry wear people down more than the distance does. Incredible India advises only very fit people to attempt it.

Leh sits at about 3,500 m, so altitude still matters, which is why the acclimatisation days are fixed. Build stamina with weeks of brisk walking or jogging before you fly.

What to Pack for the Chadar Trek

Medical Check-up, Permits and Insurance

Permits come from the Leh administration, the wildlife department and ALTOA, the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association. Permit fees are part of the package. confirm, see the note on permit fees above

Insurance has been required on past batches and we ask for it on every trek. It should cover the altitude you will reach and helicopter rescue. After booking, send us your insurer's name, its 24-hour emergency number and your policy number. For help choosing a policy, call +91-9717891140 (Vikas Chauhan).

What a Day on the Ice is Like

The first hour is the awkward one. On ice you take short, flat-footed steps, often called the penguin walk, and slipping a few times on day one is normal. Your guide picks the safest line, because the ice changes from day to day.

Water in ordinary bottles freezes, so carry thermos flasks. Steep walls block much of the sun, and evenings are spent in your warmest layers inside camp.

Ops: add two or three first-hand observations from your own Chadar batches, such as a typical day's timing or how the group handles a broken ice section

Common Mistakes

• Booking non-refundable flights before the batch is confirmed.
• Treating it as easy because there is little climbing.
• Wearing shoes that get wet and then freeze. Gumboots are the usual answer.
• Expecting to buy everything in Leh. Do not count on finding your size in winter.
• Booking a same-day onward flight after Day 8.

Pro Tips

• Walk only where your guide walks. Never test the ice yourself.
• Drink water on schedule, since you will not feel thirsty in the cold.
• Keep a spare pair of gloves and socks in a dry bag.
• Sleep with your phone and batteries inside your sleeping bag.

Why Book with Himalayan Holidays

• Himalayan Holidays is operated by Shikhar Travels India Pvt Ltd, with its office at M-66, Lajpat Nagar-2, New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, recognises the company as an Inbound Tour Operator and Adventure Tour Operator.
• It is registered with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and listed with industry bodies including ATOAI and IATO.
• Prices are per person with GST shown separately, and inclusions and exclusions are listed before you pay.

Ops: add verified trust points if you have them, such as years of running Chadar batches, guest numbers and your Ladakh partner's ALTOA registration

How to Book the Chadar Trek

1. Pick a month and send an enquiry through the form, WhatsApp (+91-9821088817), phone (+91-9717891151) or tours@shikhar.com.
2. We share the available batches, the current route and the latest price.
3. Confirm your batch and pay 50% of the invoice.
4. Book your flights to and from Leh.
5. Buy insurance and send us the policy details.
6. Pay the balance 30 days before arrival.
7. Arrive in Leh on Day 1.

Terms, Payment and Cancellation

Payment

We need 50% of the invoice on confirmation. The balance is due 30 days before arrival. We may cancel the tour if the deposit, balance or final payment is not received. A booking deposit means you accept these terms.

Cancellation Charges

Send the cancellation notice to Himalayan Holidays in writing.

Hotels and other suppliers may apply their own cancellation terms, charged on top of the above.

Refunds and Unused Services

• No refund for unused services or for schedule changes made by the traveller. Some refunds may follow the supplier's own policy.
• Send refund requests within two weeks of the end of the trip.
• Extra costs from bad weather or other events beyond our control, such as hotel, transport or meals, are billed separately.

If the Trek is Cancelled or Cut Short

The Leh administration decides whether a batch runs. Ops and legal: add Himalayan Holidays' policy for a season that is cancelled, delayed or shortened, including whether guests get a refund, a credit or a shift to another batch

Liability and Governing Law

Himalayan Holidays and its suppliers are not responsible for extra costs caused by accident, illness, weather, strikes, road blocks, loss, delay or damage. We may cancel or alter a package when conditions require. These terms follow the laws of India, with exclusive jurisdiction in the courts of New Delhi.

More Winter Treks from Himalayan Holidays

• Dodital and Darwa Top Trek
• Dayara Bugyal Trek
• Kuari Pass Trek

You can see all of them on our Winter Treks page.

FAQs

What is the Chadar Trek?

The Chadar Trek is a winter trek on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh. You walk on the ice between steep gorge walls and camp along the river. It runs only in January and February, when the river freezes enough to walk on.

When is the best time to do the Chadar Trek?

January and February. Incredible India names February as the most stable month for ice, while recent Januaries have been unreliable: the 2025 start slipped to 13 January and the 2026 trek was suspended. Final dates depend on ice and administration orders.

How many days is the Chadar Trek package?

Our package is 8 days and 7 nights, Leh to Leh. Three days go on arrival, acclimatisation and the medical check-up, three on the trek, one on Indus Valley monasteries and one on departure.

How difficult is the Chadar Trek?

It is graded difficult, mainly because of extreme cold, slippery ice and long days outdoors. There is little climbing. Fitness, warm clothing and steady walking matter more than technical skill, and Incredible India advises only very fit people to attempt it.

What is the Chadar Trek cost in 2027?

Not fixed yet. The last confirmed price was ₹38,500 per person plus 5% GST (₹40,425 total), valid until 5 October 2024. Flights, insurance and gear you buy or rent are extra. Ask us for the current rate before booking.

What does the price include?

Leh hotel nights, airport pickup, Leh to Leh transport, meals, camping gear, a trek leader and guide, a first-aid kit, and permits as currently structured. GST, flights and insurance are extra. Confirm the exact 2027 breakdown with us before paying.

Is the medical check-up compulsory?

Yes. The Leh administration requires every trekker to pass a medical check-up on Day 3, after acclimatising. Doctors check vitals such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Without clearance you cannot go onto the ice, so see your own doctor before booking flights.

How cold does the Chadar Trek get?

Nights usually fall between -15°C and -30°C, depending on the day and the source, and days are around -5°C to -10°C. Layers, insulated footwear and dry gloves are essential, and water in ordinary bottles freezes, so carry thermos flasks.

What is the highest altitude on the Chadar Trek?

Leh is about 3,500 m. Camps on the ice sit at roughly 3,200 to 3,300 m, and Nerak, the far end of the full route, is about 3,400 m (11,000 to 11,150 ft depending on the source). Altitude gain is small, but acclimatisation still matters.

How long is the Chadar Trek route?

Incredible India lists about 62 km, while Wikipedia and many operators cite about 105 km for the full Chilling to Nerak route. Road construction has shortened the trek since 2024, so your batch covers less. We share day-wise distances once the route is fixed.

How do I reach Leh in winter?

Fly in, because most passes are closed in winter. Direct flights connect Leh with Delhi and some other cities, and the airport is about 4 km from town. Book flights only after your batch is confirmed, and keep a spare day after Day 8.

Can beginners do the Chadar Trek?

No technical climbing skill is needed, but this is not an easy trek for a first-timer. Extreme cold, hours on uneven ice and the medical check-up filter out people who are unfit, so build up your stamina and fitness before booking. Earlier high-altitude experience helps.

What gear do I need to bring?

We provide tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, and kitchen and toilet tents. You bring warm clothing, gloves, a cap, sunglasses and boots suited to ice. Ask us before booking whether gumboots and down jackets can be rented. confirm

Is travel insurance mandatory?

It has been required in past seasons and we ask for it on every batch. Carry a policy that covers trekking at altitude and helicopter rescue, and send us the insurer's name, its 24-hour emergency number and your policy number after booking.

What happens if the Chadar Trek is cancelled?

The Leh administration decides whether a batch runs, based on a recce of the river. Batches can be delayed, shortened or suspended, as in January 2026. Ask us for our current terms before you book flights. add the policy

Key takeaways

• The Chadar Trek is an 8-day winter trek from Leh, run in January and February.
• A medical check-up in Leh on Day 3 is compulsory.
• Camps sit at about 3,200 to 3,300 m, and Nerak is about 3,400 m.
• The last confirmed price was ₹38,500 per person plus 5% GST. The 2027 rate is not fixed yet, so confirm it before you book flights.
• The route and Nerak access can change each season, so book flights only after your batch is confirmed.

Plan your Chadar Trek 2027 with Himalayan Holidays

The Chadar suits fit, well-prepared people who are comfortable with cold and can handle changes to the plan. Send us your preferred month and we will share the available batches, the current route and the latest price. Book early, since winter flights are the only way into Leh and batch dates can move.

Phone: +91-9717891151. WhatsApp: +91-9821088817. Email: tours@shikhar.com. Office: M-66 Ground Floor, Lajpat Nagar-2, New Delhi 110024.

Last updated: 28 September 2026. Reviewed by: Devendra Rawat

Price & Inclusions

₹ 38,500/-

Inclusion Details

What is Included

• Hotel stay in Leh for three nights before the trek confirm the two hotel nights on Days 6 and 7
• Pickup from Leh airport
• Leh to Leh road transport
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Dome tents on sharing basis during the trek
• Sleeping bags and mattresses
• Kitchen tent, toilet tent and utensils
• Trek leader and guide
• First-aid kit
• Permits and entry fees, as currently structured confirm: some operators charge ALTOA and wildlife fees separately, on the spot

Exclusion

What is Not Included

• 5% GST
• Flights to and from Leh added, confirm
• Personal insurance (required)
• Medical check-up fee, if the centre charges one confirm
• Personal expenses such as drinks, room service, phone calls at camps and tips
• A personal high-altitude porter, horse or pony
• Camera fees, where applicable
• Extra costs caused by weather, illness, natural disasters, strikes or road blocks

Enquire Now

Photo Gallery