Why You Should Do Chadar Trek

Chadar Trek takes you hiking along the Zanskar River, which remains frozen during the winter, which makes it a picturesque sight. Chadar Trek, which is considered to be a winter trek, has both jaw-dropping scenery and bone-chilling climates. This trek offers several views, from Magnetic Hill to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and natural wonders like frozen waterfalls, knee-deep snow, and white sand (cold desert like Ladakh).

• Wildlife – There is a possibility of seeing some exotic wildlife, such as blue sheep, foxes, snow leopards, and ibex, which are usually found in this region of the Himalayas. Another elusive creature, the Tibetan Wolf, roams the area but is rarely encountered by trekkers. They tend to avoid human presence.
• Culture and Traditions – You get to know the Zanskari culture, which is a blend of Tibetan and Indian cultures, in-depth as you trek and experience the hospitality of the locals. As you come close to Tibb, you see local porter wearing traditional woolen robes, ‘Gonchas,’ with colorful beads around their neck and traditional hats.
• Chadar Frozen River – The chill in the air will serve only as a preview of the temperatures during the Chadar River trek. Chadar translates to ‘Sheet,’ and during the winter, the whole area gets covered in a thick sheet of snow.
• Mythology – There is a legend of praying for water as Narak Waterfall went dry, and a holy man went to Kailash. He returned with a pot of water with two fish in it; there was a condition that he did not put the pot anywhere. Upon his journey, he coincidently placed the pot at this pot, and two fish jumped off, creating a vast waterfall. According to the myth, this waterfall has its source at Kailash in Tibet.
• Tibb Cave is a beautiful place where sand and small stones are found beside the river. Get to spend the night in the ancient cave, Tibb Cave. Tibb Cave is a natural shelter formed by a large rock overhang, which protects it from the elements. Trekkers often camp here, taking advantage of the cave’s shelter to rest and prepare meals.
• Gyalpo – At Gyalpo, you would see high-rise mountain walls on the riverside, which appear man-made. This is also where steep rocks are throughout the landscape and the river curves.
• Pangong Tso Lake – This lake is also called Hollow Lake and is one of the biggest saltwater lakes in Asia. The lake’s water is so clear you can see it crystal clear, changing color from blue to green with the backdrop of huge mountains.