Planning To Go On Chadar Trek? Here’s All You Need To Know

Chadar trek is amongst the most sought-after trails for trekking enthusiasts. Read on to learn the basics required to plan a successful and safe trip to Chadar. 

Important facts about Chadar

• Max altitude: 3,500m or 11,123ft.

• Region: Zanskar Valley, Ladakh.

• Total travel distance: 70km(approx.)

• Average walking distance: 15km-17km/day is ideal. Anything more or less affects your travel experience.

• Difficulty: Challenging.

• Trek dates: Mid-January to Mid-February.

• Duration: Varies with itinerary, ranges from 9-15 days.

Itineraries

• 9-day program

Your journey begins from Shingra Koma on the second day. You will have two days to acclimatise to the weather which includes the day you arrive at Leh.

After Shingra you proceed to Tsomo Paldar, Tibb Cave and finally arrive at Naerak Pullu. The program concludes when you finally reach Naerak campsite.

• 11-day program

Recommended for trekkers with prior travelling experience, the 11-day itinerary of Chadar trek in Ladakh adds the village of Lingshed to the itinerary.

It’s an isolated place housing a 1,000 year-old monastery which you get to visit on the 7th day.

• Classy 15 days program

Recommended only for veterans, the classic itinerary covers Tilad Dho, Gyalpo, Dib Cave, Nyerak, Dib Gongma, Pidmo, Padum, Kilima, Lingshed Dho and finally Chilling.

The route goes deep into the Zanskar valley, providing a vibrant and unforgettable visual experience.

Accommodations for Chadar trek

During your mainland stay, you can reside in hotels. When you hit the snow, you will have to stay in tents and rest inside sleeping bags. You can even sleep in caves, only if marked safe by your guide.

Meals

One of the most important Chadar trek tips is to carry a lot of calorie and protein-rich food. Scaling snow-clad terrain in negative temperatures and low supply of oxygen requires energy and stamina. Cooks accompanying the group also provide boiled eggs and vegetables at regular intervals to help you maintain energy levels.

Food poisoning in such harsh conditions can cause a lot of complications, so make sure to maintain proper hygiene at all times. In case you fall sick, purchasing a winter trek cover insurance policy before you go for the trek can help you financially cover emergency medical care and additional accommodation without hassle.

Toilet

Sanitary toilet facilities are challenging. You have to use makeshift toilet tents. Usually, the trek routes align with dense forests where these tents are set up. Pits will be dug into the tents for you to use. Once done, you need to cover it up to make it usable for the next person.

Difficulty

Although the Chadar trek difficulty is considered as moderate, it is not recommended for first-time hikers. Temperatures can drop in the vicinity of -20oC during the day and below -30oC during the night.

You won’t have any problems as long as you control your breathing and have the mental and physical strength to push through the cold.

Things to carry

Here are a few must-bring items that can make your Chadar trek a whole lot easier –

• Sunglasses.
• Sturdy trekking boots.
• Fleece jacket for hiking.
• Lip balm and sunscreen.
• Altitude sickness medication along with your medicines.
• Chocolate bars and ready to eat food.
• First aid box and sanitisers.
• Toilet papers.
• Garbage bag.

Trekking often leads to misplaced items. Losing your wallet in the process can be perhaps the most distressful item to lose. Considering that such situations are commonplace, avail a wallet care insurance policy to benefit from financial coverage against lost documents and cards in your misplaced wallet.

Set out on a heart-pumping journey through your favorite trekking trails. Experience the picturesque beauty during such hikes with necessary financial coverage against such instances.