14/08/2013
Chadar – The Frozen Zanskar River Trek - 12 Days
The Chadar walk isn’t called the ‘wildest trek in the world’ for nothing. It’s a primal trek on the Zanskar River, which is sheathed in ice each winter. We walk on ice, traverse across the gorge walls where the river thaws, and bed in caves that have been used by local travellers over centuries.
Legends, history, culture and magical landscapes are an everyday affair on this walk, which is possible only in a window during coldest months of winter. And we’ve not even begun on the utterly real possibilities of seeing a glut of wildlife — from the bharal and the ibex to the elusive carnivores, the wolf and the regal snow leopard.
The trek follows an ancient trail used by the Zanskaris during the days of the SIlk Road, when they walked this frozen highway all the way to Leh with wares they would trade for essentials. They’d build fires in caves, and read the weather, and milk and chapatis, to forecast the troubles ahead. We’ll have more accurate forecasts, but do much else like the locals do — staying in caves and warming ourselves by the fire.
For those looking for adventure, action and bragging rights, nothing can hold a candle to the Chadar trek.