Walking the frozen Zanskar river through a gorge, sleeping in caves, at temperatures that reach minus thirty at night. The ice is not reliable every year and the route is sometimes cut short.
On the trail now and the next 7 days
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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.
Chadar, planned for you
Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Chadar: the trek
- TravelBase: Leh
- PermitPermits and entry
- On the trailHard trek to 3,390 m₹26,000
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The route
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On the map
Chadar (frozen river) · Open in Google Maps ↗
The climb
How to reach the start
Fly to Leh, then two full days acclimatising before the drive to Chilling.
Step 3 of 6Next: Permits↓Permits and rules
Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.
Step 4 of 6Next: Gear↓What to carry
Altitude safety
Chadar reaches 3,390 m, high enough for acute mountain sickness (AMS). Climb slowly, drink water, and tell your guide about headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness. If symptoms get worse, go down: descent is the treatment. Take travel insurance that covers trekking at this altitude and rescue.
What it costs
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Leh is extra.
Photos
Questions people ask
How hard is the Chadar (frozen river) trek?
Hard grade. It takes 9 days and climbs to about 3,390 m. Walking the frozen Zanskar river through a gorge, sleeping in caves, at temperatures that reach minus thirty at night. The ice is not reliable every year and the route is sometimes cut short.
Do I need a permit for Chadar (frozen river)?
Medical fitness certificate, wildlife permit, registered operator, and a quota system that caps numbers.
How do I reach the Chadar (frozen river) trek?
Fly to Leh, then two full days acclimatising before the drive to Chilling. Base: Leh.
What is the best season for Chadar (frozen river)?
Jan–Feb only.
How much does the Chadar (frozen river) trek cost?
From about ₹26,000 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.
What should I carry?
Minus-30 sleeping bag, gumboots, full down. Most of it is rented in Leh.
Guides for Chadar (frozen river)
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
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By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Drashokk · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Narayan Jambunathan · CC BY 3.0 · source
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