Day 1 - Arrival in Leh (3500 m)
Altitude 11,400 ft. Keep your woollen cap and gloves handy at Airport. . Foreigner, a copy of passport and visa. Network is available (only post-paid)ATM is available. Visit of any very high altitude place or pass is not advisable. Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited. Spend the day in the room itself to acclimatize. (Sufficient time would be given for visiting market and nearby places) Spend the day in the room itself to acclimatize to the high altitude. This is absolutely necessary and is most important for the days ahead. Overnight in the hotelSituated at an altitude of 3500m, the day will be spent soaking in the sights and sounds of Leh while at the same time, getting the body acclimatized to the oxygen levels. The Shanti Stupa and Leh market square will give you a good feel of the surroundings and the people. Get outside to stay acquainted with the temperature. Explore market and get your missing stuff from the market
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 2 - Acclimatization Day
Rest Day/Acclimatization Day. You can go around for sightseeing, but going at high altitude pass is not recommended. You need to perform your medical checkup in LEH as per new Govt regulations. You need to be physically fit for this trek.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 3 - Acclimatization Day & Medical Check up
Medical Checkup in Leh
Today, you will have to get the mandatory medical checkup at the Tourist Information Center, obtain your NOC from ALTOA and Wildlife Department permit. Overnight stay in a hotel in Leh.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 4 - Leh to Shingra Koma via Bakula (10,550 FT, 70 Kms drive to Bakula, 2-3 hrs trek to Shingra Koma)
Depending on the weather, the Chadar changes its forms. It can be hard and glass like in some patches, or it can have a layer of powder snow on it giving you a better grip, or you could face thin ice in certain areas, so you might have to walk in slush or dodge that entire patch and go over the rocks on the side of the river. Walk together as a team and follow the sledge route. Always follow the sledge route used by the porters as it is the safest route on Chadar. You will get to your next campsite within 3-4 hours, depending on your speed. Your leaders will take you through a few learning modules about being in the mountains. You will have the campsite to yourself to explore and take pictures for the rest of the day. Camp overnight at Shingra Koma.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 5 - Shingra Koma to Tibb (10,760 FT, 14 Kms)
The biggest challenge from here on will be getting out of your warm sleeping bags and stepping outside your tent in freezing cold weather. The Zanskari people are well known for their hospitality and your staff will wake up way before you to ensure you have a hot cup of tea and a warm meal ready before you leave. Today is going to be a long walking session, you will cover a total 14 km on Chadar and it should take you about 6 to 7 hours to reach your next campsite. Make sure you fill your thermos with warm water before you leave, all liquids tend to freeze in this region given the extreme temperatures, so a thermos is extremely important. By 3 pm, you’ll be at Tibb, and the last 200-meter walk is extremely gorgeous. Camp overnight at Tibb.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 6 - Tibb Cave – Nyerak (Trek 10-11 km. / 5-6 hours)
Stay in tent.It’s the most eagerly awaited day, especially because en route Nyerak – the first village of Zanskar – is a stunning frozen waterfall. While the ones you have seen so far are from high up, this one is also several feet in length which makes it one of the most picturesque sights on the trek. Just ahead of it is Nyerak, and while we camp by the river, a short walk early next morning will take you back to civilization for the first time in almost a week. At Nyerak, you can treat yourself to some goodies from the local shop and interact with the residents there, who are more than happy to indulge in a good conversation.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 7 - Nyerak – Tibb Cave (Trek 15-17 km. / 9 hours)
– 11,100ft to 10,760ft.
Stay in tent.After four days of walking on ice, you will now be an expert. So feel free to look around and soak in the surroundings. There’s a good chance of spotting ibex and bharal on the high slopes, and if you’re lucky, even a snow leopard walking along the ridge. Also look out for birds such as lammergiers and choughs sailing high above the valley. It’s the longest day of the trek through narrow gorges, which means climbing up a short distance by the bank of the river in places where a solid walking surface is unavailable.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Day 8 - Tibb to Bakula (10,550 FT, 12.5 KMs trek). Drive to Leh.
Today is the last day of the Chadar trek, and we will hike to Bakula. It will take you about 7 to 8 hours to reach Bakula. From Bakula, we will drive back to Leh and that marks the end of the Chadar – The frozen river trek. Head back to the hotels, do a bit of last minute shopping before the market closes, and prepare to catch your flight as per your schedule. Stay at hotels in Leh.
Highlights
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins
Aru Valley
Avantipura Ruins