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Travel Blog of Medhavi Davda.
​Solo Woman Traveler  & Adventure Travel Blogger from India.

How to prepare for Chadar Trek

12/21/2015

35 Comments

 
Chadar Trek - Frozen River Trek in Ladakh is one of the most glamorous treks in the world. It is considered to be extremely difficult because you have to trek on the frozen Zanskar river in winter when the temperature ranges between -15°C and -30°C.
Though the walk is simple, with no ascend, this trek brings it's own set of difficulties. The temperatures are beyond human tolerance. The ice on the river forms and breaks without any notice and in the worst case scenarios an alternate route through the snow-covered steep rocks has to be trailed through. It can snow at any time and leave the trekker guessing if there is ice or water beneath the snow cover.
The preparation is tricky if not very difficult.
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How to dress for Chadar Trek

The most important rule is to make layers, instead of carrying think and heavy jackets.
For top make layers in this order: Thermal inner, full sleeves tee, woolen sweater / fleece jacket, windcheater / down jacket (water and wind proof).
For bottom make layers in this order: Thermal / woolen inner, water proof trekking pants.
For palms make layers of: woolen / fleece gloves, water proof gloves.
For feet make layers of: sports socks, woolen socks.
For face and head: Use a balaclava which covers the head and face, and a woolen cap.
Shoes: Snow trekking boots are the best for this trek, but if you don't wish to buy them, carry your normal trekking shoes and buy the local gum boots (Rs. 300 - 400) from the market in Leh. These gum boots would be needed when you have to cross the patches of chadar which aren't completely frozen. On fully frozen patches and the alternate rocky patches, the normal trekking shoes could be used. It is difficult to walk with the local gum boots entire day, so use them only when really required. It's always a good idea to use micro-spikes on the shoes/boots to avoid slipping on the ice.
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Important things to carry for Chadar Trek

Trekking pole isn't required extensively, but it is good to have when you need to climb some steep alternate patches.
Hot water bag is a must. Slide it in your sleeping bag in the night, to help you survive the difficult temperatures in the tent.
2 Sleeping bags are must, one to be used as liner and the other as the main one.
Insulated water bottle which can be tightly sealed. Anything else would freeze the water inside the bottle and put you in serious trouble.
Extra pairs of clothes including gloves and cap should be kept handy while trekking. Also, keep the clothes wrapped in plastic bags in the rucksack. It helped me a lot when I had fallen into the frozen river with my rucksack and had to immediately change into fresh clothes.


Where to buy the gears from for Chadar Trek

Local market in Leh: Though most part of Ladakh remains shut in winters, the local markets are open to sell the trekking gears for the winter treks.
I would suggest you to rely on local markets for the following gears:
Woollen cap, balaclava, woollen socks, woollen gloves, water proof gloves, woollen sweater, woollen pants that can be used as inner layer, local gum boots, trekking pole, sleeping bag.
You can also find good backpacks and windcheater/down jacket in the markets of Leh. 

Buy the following gears before you land in Leh:
You don't want to panic if you don't find the most important gears in the limited markets of Leh. And you shouldn't exert yourself before the trek when you land in Leh. So I would suggest to be prepared with the following gears before you land in Leh, and keep only the woollens to buy from Leh (as it is difficult to buy woollens from most cities in India).
Backpack, windcheater/down jacket, trekking shoes, tshirts, waterproof pants, thermals, sports socks, insulated water bottles, headlamp/torch, sunglasses.
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Fitness and Acclimatization required for Chadar Trek:

Fitness is very important, though the trek isn't exhaustive. Your body needs to be strong enough to handle the extreme weather at those high altitudes. 3-4 kms of jogging (or equivalent amount of any other workout) everyday for 1-2 months is a good way to prepare your body.
Additionally, you can train your body to handle the cold by avoiding hot water, warm clothes and blankets in the winter in your own city for a couple of months before the trek.

Acclimatization is very important. The day you land at Leh, all you need is complete rest and no sight-seeing or strenuous activity. 2 days of acclimatization before the trek is optimal. Also, completely avoid the heaters in the room in Leh before the trek. I have seen some serious health issues with people who used heaters and couldn't acclimatize well.
Drink lot of hot liquids (warm water, soup, tea) during the trekking days.

Please be prepared with alternate plans as Chadar is very sensitive and the climate changes aren't helping much to keep the Zanskar river Frozen even in the winters. Chadar breaks at certain points and it may not be possible cross beyond a certain point. Read my post on How I managed to complete the Chadar Trek.

Few useful tips from my friend Gunjan Juyal - an adventurer, traveler, very cheerful, cool and helpful guy I met on Chadar trek:
1. If you don't use microspikes, then avoid rubber gum-boots. Instead go for the PU (compressed foam, found in most bathroom slippers) gum-boots. In these temperatures the rubber boots become hard as stone, slippery as ice skates!
2. Don't try to avoid the cold, instead try and embrace it as far as you can. Some of us sat with the porters and sang after the trek was over, instead of burrowing inside the bags. Sometimes we drank straight from the river and even washed our faces with that cold water. Soon the cold became bearable and it was (almost) fun.

Read my stories on my experience with Chadar Trek:
Chadar Trek Tales1: How I survived to tell this tale
Chadar Trek Tales2: How I managed to complete the trek
35 Comments
Amit Sengupta link
12/21/2015 11:50:09 pm

Looks like a really useful article. I have been thinking of doing a trek over there for many years now. This is a ready reckoner.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
12/22/2015 12:43:05 am

Thanks Amit :)

Reply
Gunjan
12/22/2015 02:46:44 am

Great tips! A concise, crisp post. Will definitely be handy for a lot of people preparing for the trek.. It's almost the next season right :)

Especially liked the part about layering (so very imp!), basic physical fitness and acclimatization.

May I add a few of points from my experience:
- Avoid rubber gum-boots. Instead go for the PU (compressed foam, found in most bathroom slippers) gum-boots. In these temperatures the rubber boots become hard as stone, slippery as ice skates! Both our local brands as well as some Decathlon rubber boots we saw fared so poorly that it was at times dangerous!
- Don't try to avoid the cold, instead try and embrace it as far as you can. :P Some of us sat with the porters and sang after the trek was over, instead of burrowing inside the bags. Sometimes we drank straight from the river and even washed our faces with that cold water. Soon the cold became bearable and it was (almost) fun.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
12/22/2015 02:45:42 pm

Thanks a lot Gunjan! I've added these in the post. I was getting a lot of queries about this trek.
And everytime I write a post about my travels, I start missing being there. After spending 2 chilliest weeks of my life on Chadar, I never wanted to go back, but I feel tempted again. Chalein? :P :P

Reply
Abhinav Singh
12/24/2015 06:11:03 pm

Just what one needs before the trek. Trust your guidance on such topics.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
12/25/2015 12:21:10 am

Thanks Abhinav. It's gonna be handy to you too when u plan this again.

Reply
agam shah
12/25/2015 04:52:21 pm

sir,
i am planning to do the chadar trek, i am totally inexperienced, is it possible for me to complete the trek. i am 23 male, and please also tell me if i need to do some fitness training apart from things mentioned in the blog.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
12/25/2015 06:08:15 pm

Hi Agam,
As I mentioned, the weather makes this trek very difficult. Apart from that, there aren't strenuous hikes that you'll have top deal with. Inexperienced trekkers can take this trek. Just follow the guidelines I've mentioned about physical training and acclimatization. You should be good to complete!

Reply
mahesh semwal link
12/26/2015 04:01:55 pm

Very informative post. Chadar is in my wish list & lets see when dream will come true.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
12/27/2015 01:50:51 pm

Thanks Mahesh, all the best!

Reply
Anup
1/8/2016 11:06:35 am

Very informative, crisp & precise points to take a note...
Nothing is optional...
Thanks a lot for helping with this info, Medhavi...

Wish to join sometime...This is long pending under personal and professional commitments...

Cheers...
Anup

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
1/9/2016 12:41:07 am

Thanks a lot Anup! All the best to you :)

Reply
Anand Pandey
1/20/2016 06:00:32 pm

Useful article..good tips and nice photos..Not sure when I will get chance to go but really useful :)

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
2/2/2016 02:47:59 pm

Thanks a lot Anand. Hope you get a chance to walk on the chadar in your lifetime! All the best.

Reply
RAHUL
7/11/2016 10:35:38 am

Planning for chaddar in the comming year.
Do we get proper sub zero clothing in Leh on rent. As I stay in Mumbai we do not have such clothing .

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
9/15/2016 05:21:54 pm

Hi Rahul,

It would be difficult to rent out clothes as most trekkers own their personal gear. If you are lucky, you may approach some trekking guides and ask them to arrange. You would be able to buy cheap, local warm wears from Leh.

Reply
RAHUL BHADBHADE
12/9/2017 04:03:01 pm

Thks !!! Davda

Hitesh Aggarwal
10/11/2016 12:22:59 pm

Hello Medhavi

You have written very short and nice piece of article on preparation for this trip to the nature's snow world.

I have also done Chadar in January 2016. Thus, I want to add some of the points in the preparation -

1. Head Torch - A must for everyone.

2. Sunglasses - UV protected to prevent snow blindness.

3. Energy bars - Chocolates and if you are desi then jaggery . (gur) and chana. I carried the latter and people . ate it over the snickers.

Most important - if you want to do it, do it as soon as possible. Two things are going to make this trek history - highway construction and global warming. Both are in full swing. Global warming will ruin this trek.

3.

Reply
Gaurav
1/11/2017 08:58:33 pm

Nice article. Just what I needed. Can I ask who and how do I contact for this trek?

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
1/12/2017 11:57:10 am

Thanks Gaurav. There are many agencies who organise this trek

Reply
satish nurukurthi
1/12/2017 10:48:57 am

Great article with useful information.

We are going to chadar this year....!!

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
1/12/2017 11:52:29 am

Thank you Satish. All the best!

Reply
Deepen
1/12/2017 05:38:17 pm

Thanks Medhavi your information is very useful, as we are going for Chadar with Linshed stay on 4th Feb, 17.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
1/17/2017 01:08:16 pm

Thanks Deepen. All the best.

Reply
Manjulika Pramod link
1/18/2017 02:18:29 pm

A friend needed tips and I will pass on this post right away.
I am equally inspired to do this trek some day.

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
1/18/2017 02:38:41 pm

Thanks Manjulika :)
I'm glad to hear that from you.. you are getting out of your comfortable travels and talking adventures!

Reply
Minakshi Sharma
2/20/2017 03:49:34 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience! It was very helpful for me for my Chadar trek 5-12 Feb this year. In addition to your blog, appreciate your patience to answer all my questions over facebook chat - I was amazed at the way you are so approachable :) I love and will continue reading your blogs! Continue inspiring :)

Reply
Medhavi Davda link
2/22/2017 12:25:47 am

Thanks a lot Minakshi.
I'm glad I could be of some help to you for your trek!
I love inspiring and encouraging people for adventures.
Cheers to your successful completion of Chadar Trek!

Reply
Rakesh Jain
7/4/2017 05:44:22 pm

Hi Medhavi,
Really enjoyed this piece!
Just wanted to know, if breathing can be an issue in this trek?

Thanks

Reply
shivanand Kugatoli
11/27/2017 03:21:44 pm

Thanks for sharing Medhavi. We are planning Chadar trek in coming Feb. How about the mobile battery life. Do power banks help. Or do you suggest solar power chargers

Reply
Priya Aurora link
1/9/2018 10:37:32 am

Hi I am going to chadar on 20th and have done so much reading. But found your blog most surreal and inspiring.

I’m a solo traveller too, so any tips will be welcome.

Reply
Vytautas
3/11/2018 05:32:59 am

Hi, I was wondering, is it possible to do this trek (or a part of it) with the ice skates?

Reply
Sheetal Gohil
9/3/2018 03:16:57 pm

I am in early 40s.Planning for the trek in February 2019 with husband.He has also done EBC and is fit.
I am yet to start a fitness regime.
Will a regular cross trainer exercise help?

Reply
ShubhangiChaturvedi
10/15/2018 03:56:01 pm

Hi,
I've been to let in decDecem but I couldn't get acclmatized without diamox. Do you think it's okay to consume diamox before chaddar?

Reply
Rashida Firoz Rohawala
10/22/2018 02:18:09 pm

Hi - This is very helpful, I am going for the Chadar trek in Jan 2019. It would be very helpful if you could also share where you bought all your stuff from, especially the waterproof down jacket.

Reply

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    Author

    Picture
    Hola! I'm Medhavi Davda - a solo and adventure traveler. Himalayas is my first home. 
    I am a High-Altitude Trekker and a certified Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diver. 
    I LOVE dancing, badminton, french wines & cheese cakes.
    I left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I'm living minimalistic and location independent life. I packed my basic stuff in my car (donated the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. 
    I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager.

    ​Comfort makes me uncomfortable and so I have RAVENOUS LEGS

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