Chadar Trek situated in Zanskar range of Ladakh, is touted to be one of the most difficult treks in the world. The trek is most enjoyable during the harsh winters when the Zanskar river is transformed into a pristine white sheet of ice. No matter how breathtaking the view might be, Chadar trek is not everyone’s cup of tea. The snow-capped mountain and stunning beauty of the locales draw many tourists to this jaw-dropping high altitude trek every year.
This trek is named Chadar because of the sheet of ice that river transforms into during peak winters. The sheet of white ice looks like a blanket hence the name became Chadar. The temperature during daytime drops to minus 15 to 20 degrees during day while the night becomes as cold as 23 to 25 degrees.
The best time to go for Chadar trek is from mid-January to mid-February. The Zanskar river freezes into a complete solid sheet of ice. You can walk on the massive white slabs of ice that are spread across miles. However, not everyone can take up Chadar trek. From 2019 onwards, it has become mandatory to undergo a medical examination at SNM Hospital at Leh post post which a fitness certificate will be provided. Without that fitness certificate, nobody is allowed to take the Chadar trek. This rule has been post several cases of Acute Mountain Sickness that causes breathlessness, nausea, hallucination and much more.