Chadar Trek (Frozen River) 19th 25th January 2012

Walking on Frozen river of Zanskar is an ultimate experience for adventure lover. The traditional name of the trek is "Chadar trek" the frozen sheet, which was only way in

and out for Zanskaris in winter when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes. Therefore, it had been trade route for centuries for Zanskari People. Now the route is also famous as winter trekking among adventure lovers. For last several years, we have been organizing this winter trek in three different options with trained local Zanskari potters and our well-experienced guide and staff. The most isolated and made inaccessible for nearly eight months a year due to heavy snowfall resulting in closure of all the access passes, Zanskar has the distinction of being the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh, and thus one of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet. This geographical isolation together with the esoteric nature of Buddhism practiced here has enabled its some ten thousand inhabitants to preserve and perpetuate their cultural identity. This Chadar trek allows you to penetrate this isolation and to examine some of the villages along the Zanskar River in the midst of winter and thus catch a glimpse of the lifecycle during this unique time of the year. A visit to the ancient monastic establishments of Karsha and Zangla promises to heighten your insight into the mysteries of this Shangri-la, a

land and culture frozen in time behind the ramparts of the Zanskar mountains. Chilling

and Lingshed are the only sizeable villages on this trek until Hanamur and Pidmo before Pishu and Zangla in Zanskar, all the rest are names of places and caves along the route. Area: Zanskar (Ladakh) Altitude: 3850 mts/12628 ft Grade: Moderate to tough Duration: 13 days Season: Mid Jan to End Feb 19th Jan: 2012: Day 01: Delhi Leh (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation) Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse. 20th Jan: 2012: Day 02: Leh Shey Thiksey - Hemis On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa.

Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order.

Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house. 21st Jan: 2012: Day 03: Leh - Chilling(5 hrs drive) In the morning drive to chilling along with our porters from Pishu village of Zanskar, visit coppersmith workshops. Dinner and overnight stay at guest house. 22nd Jan: 2012: Day 04: Chilling - Zaribago We begin our Chadar trek by walking on the frozen Zanskar river from Chilling to Zaribago. The trek is of about 5 hours. Overnight at Camp. 23rd Jan: 2012: Day 05: Zaribago - Deepyokma Walk on the frozen Zanskar river for about 4 hours from Zaribago to Deepyokma. Overnight at Camp. 24th Jan: 2012: Day 06: Deepyokma - Nyrakpulu Walk for almost 4 to 5 hours from Deepyokma to reach Nyarakpulu below the Nyarak village. Over night at Camp.

25th Jan: 2012: Day 07: Nyarakpulu - Lingshed Frozen River (Chadar) TrekLeaving Nyarakpulu it's a one hour walk to the small village of Lingshed. Enjoy the comfort and cozy atmosphere of a private house with central

heating. 26th Jan: 2012: Day 08: Lingshed Spend rest of the day in the warmth of a private home in Lingshed. Explore the nearby monasteries, meet the monks and and hospitable people of the village. Overnight stay at the private home. 27th Jan: 2012: Day 09: Lingshed - Nyarakpulu Lingshed to Nyarakpulu - a walk of about five hours to the campsite. 28th Jan: 2012: Day 10: Nyarakpulu - Tso Mopoaldar Nyarakpulu to Tso Mopoaldar a four hour walk to the campsite. 29th Jan: 2012: Day 11: Tso Mopoaldar - Tilatdo Frozen River (Chadar) Trek Mopoaldar to Tilatdo another day of walking about 5 hours. 30th Jan: 2012: Day 12: Tilatdo - Chilling - Leh From Tilatdo walk up to Chilling village from where a Jeep will take you back to the hotel in Leh by evening. Overnight stay at hotel.

31st Jan: 2012: Day 13: Leh - Delhi Early in the morning transfer to airport and from here catch a flight for Delhi. Trip and services ends here. Cost of the Program USD 1185/- per person* (For a minimum of 4-6 people) Euro 865/- per person* (For a minimum of 4-6 people) GBP 775/- per person* (For a minimum of 4-6 people) INR 49000/- per person* (For a minimum of 4-6 people) *4.9% Service tax extra Cost Include: Accommodation: In Leh, guest house with bed and breakfast basis. While on trek accommodation will be provided on Dome/Alpine Tent, carry mat, kitchen tent, camping stool etc will be provided. Transport: Arrival, departure transfer at Leh by Toyota Qualis/Tata Sumo. Also all sightseeing in Leh. Drop & pick up for trek. Meals: Leh: Only breakfast will serve. While on trek all meals will be provided. Meal will freshly prepare and will be a mix of Indian, Chinese, Continental & Ladakhi. Porters: Experienced porter for carrying camping equipment, rations, vegetables and some amount of personal gear of the clients (one bag not weighing more than 15 kgs). Professional local trekking guide & cook who know the area very well would accompany the group Trekking & camping permit COST DOES NOT INCLUDE Air fare Enroute Meal, Any charges for carrying still/video cameras etc. Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, beverages, etc. Entre fee if any Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc. Any meals/services not mentioned above

Gear For India winter treks Sleeping bag Sleeping sheet Daypack Trekking pants Fleece top Warm hat gloves Toilet paper (start with 1 roll) Extra passport photos Three liters of water bottles Pee bottle Film Novel Lip care Torch gaiters (for climbs only) Water purification Moisturiser down booties Boots

Socks Camp shoes Shell jacket Shell pants Thermal top Thermal bottom Night wear top Day wear shirt x2 or 3 Underwear Sun hat Sun screen Sunglasses Toiletries and odds and ends Small towel/sarong Personal medicines Camera Money pouch/belt 2x Passport photos Energy bars Vitamin tablets

Note: The Trip will run for a minimum of 4 people