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Introduction:
“Himalayas, where beauty and danger coexist in perfect harmony “ by Eric Valli.I have always heard older people or people who are frustrated with city life say, ” Once I retire, I will go and settle in the Himalayas. “ . The Himalayas are the epitome of peace , spirituality, meditation, and surreal beauty.
Zanskar river’s beauty
The Zanskar River, which is a tributary of the River Indus, flows through the mountains of the Himalayas .It is located in the eastern part of the Himalayas, and Tibet to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the south. The famous Chadar Trek starts from a small village situated in Ladhak called Chilling, and this trail follows the frozen Zanskar River for about 62 Km .It is also called Chadar Trek because trekkers have to walk on frozen river that have turned into ice sheets following the rushing Zanskar River. Sheets in Hindi means Chadar, so trek on frozen ice sheets aka Chadar Trek.
Thrill of Chadar trek
The Chadar Trek is the most thrilling, adventurous, and unforgettable experience in the Himalayas. The cold blue, turquoise Zanskar river is speedily flowing from the north-eastern slopes of the Great Himalayan Ranges and making its own way, having different forms such as ice sheets, frozen waterfalls forming ice sculptures, ,layers of partially frozen river, and being surrounded by huge, snow capped mountains. and the whole landscape is covered in white coloured snow, and in the middle of it, a turquoise blue river flows, making it a mini Arctic Pole of India. It showcases nature’s best art, dreamy scenery, and just the peace and sound of the river and breeze. One can experience absolute silence and also hear their heartbeat. It’s a place where nature is at its best and unharmed by mankind.
Best time to visit
Chadar Trek is worth every sacrifice, and one must have very strong willpower and perseverance to do this trek. The best season to do the Chadar Trek is from January to February. Want to know why? Click here . For any Himalayan trek, the participants should be physically fit and flexible, with good training in cardio, yoga, core exercises, and breathing exercises, and they should be mentally prepared as well.
Duration of this trek
First, one must reach Leh. Trekkers should stay in Leh for 4-5 days and get acquainted with the climate , visit the local Sanchi Stupa, Leh Palace, and get the medical test done before going on the trek . In a medical exam, they will check oxygen levels, blood pressure, and other vitals, and after clearing the medical exam, one can gear up for the Fun part!
Things to carry
All the trekkers have to reach Chilling, which is about 40 miles away from Leh. Carry all the essentials, such as proper shoes, as one has to walk on frozen ice, which can get tricky. Sometimes while walking, ice sheets can be broken, and one may slip or get hurt very badly. Keep calm and take steps carefully. Carry a walking stick for some support. So from Chilling, one can get to their first campsite, Tsomo Paldar or Gyalpo Paldar, which is very stunning, and at night one can see the clearest stars in the sky. From there, one can go to Tibb’s Cave, where the ice sheets get thinner, so be careful !
At Tibbs Cave,one can stop near the river and drink water from it, as it’s the purest alkaline water . And next day you can move forward to Nerak, which is the last stop; it takes 2.5 hours of walking to reach it. It has a frozen waterfall called Neraki Waterfall, which is about 100 metres or 330 feet tall and it has the magnificient view. Stay for a couple hours. Enjoy the chilly invigorating air, take pictures, and soak in nature’s dreamland, and you will be happy for undertaking this walk.
What to do in the critical conditionsIf conditions get bad or if you get stuck, contact the IAF. (The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a dedicated unit called the High Altitude Rescue Team (HART) that is responsible for carrying out rescue operations in the Himalayas). The HART team has specially trained pilots and crew members who are equipped to operate in high altitude and challenging weather conditions.
If a trekker gets stuck on the Chadar Trek, the HART team will first assess the situation and determine if an airlift is possible. If it is possible, the team will then dispatch a helicopter to the location of the trekker. The helicopter will land on the frozen river, and the trekker will be evacuated to safety.
Conclusion:
Chadar Trek will provide you with some of the most breathtaking views, rare and exceptional works of nature’s art, calm, and the sound of the rushing cool blue river, but most significantly, you’ll return feeling more certain, proud, and appreciative of yourself. ALL THE BEST FOR CHADAR TREK , ENJOY, AND BE SAFE!
