Zanskar Gorge
| Chadar Trek | |
|---|---|
Blue sky in Chadar
|
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| Length | Approx. 65 miles (105 km) One way |
| Location | Ladakh |
| Designation | Chadar Trek |
| Trailheads | Chilling |
| Use | Hiking |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Extreme |
| Season | January to February |
| Sights | Zanskar |
| Hazards | Severe cold |
Coordinates: 33°46′19″N 76°50′43″E / 33.7719174°N 76.8453493°E
The Chadar Trek or the Zanskar Gorge is a winter trail in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Traditionally the only means of travel in the area during the harsh winter months, the trail has become popular with international adventure tourists.
Its walls are near vertical cliffs up to 600 m high and the Zanskar River (a tributary of the Indus) is only 5 metres (16 ft) in places.
The overall distance is approximately 105 kilometres (65 mi) - an average trekker walks 16 kilometres (10 mi) per day.
The best time to do the Chadar trek is January to February, when the temperature during the winters drops sometimes to -30 to -35 degrees
A road is under construction to maintain year round connectivity between Leh and Zanskar and is expected to complete in couple of years. The locals have been demanding this road for a long time and will make their life a lot easier, specially to answer medical emergencies during winter. The road construction has disturbed the local wildlife, primarily the snow leopard. It used to be its prime territory for the snow leopards in the winter, but now they dwell up higher in the valley.
Tilat Sumdo
Improvised Sledge on chadar
Indus and Zanskar confluence.
First night camp on a sandy beach opposite Bakulo cave
Clear day in Chadar
Porters are collecting drift wood for fire
Resting moments of chadar
Near Tibb camp
Tibb camp
Wooden bridge at Nerak
Nerak fall
Video clippings of Chadar trek done in 2014
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Wikipedia