Gonchas and 'Julley'
Local porters in woollen robes called gonchas haul sledges over the ice, greet trekkers with 'Julley', and sometimes sing as they walk.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Chadar barely climbs at all. What makes it hard is the cold, and the ice under your feet.
−30°C
Coldest nights
51km
Nerak and back, on ice
3,399m
Highest point, Nerak
600m
Gorge walls
💪 Difficult❄️ January⛺ 4 camps✈️ Fly in only
Day by day
Nine days, step by step
Bikat's current trek turns back at Tsomo Paldar. The Nerak days follow Himalayan High's figures; sources give 51 to 105 km.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Fly to LehRoads are shut in winter🛏️ Hotel · 3,500 m
- Day 2Rest in LehAcclimatise🛏️ Hotel in Leh
- Day 3Medical in LehRequired for the ALTOA NOC and wildlife permit🛏️ Hotel in Leh
- Day 4Leh → Shingra Koma → Tsomo PaldarDrive, then onto the ice5.5 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Tents · 3,300 m
- Day 5Tsomo Paldar → Tibb CaveInto the gorge7 km · 3 h🛏️ Tents · 3,190 m
- Day 6Tibb → NerakTo the frozen waterfall13 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Tents · 3,350 m
- Day 7Nerak → TibbBack down the ice13 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents near Tibb
- Day 8Tibb → Shingra Koma → LehOff the ice12.5 km🛏️ Hotel in Leh
- Day 9Fly homeTrip ends
Stories and nature
The winter road
A road that will end it
The Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road will give Zanskar year-round access. Its construction has disturbed snow leopards.
When it won't hold
In 2026 the start was postponed in January, and the river never froze solid enough: the season did not open at all (Discover with Dheeraj, citing The Tribune and Newsgram).
When to go
Only in deep winter
Leh's authorities set the start date each year after checking the ice.
January
Bikat's month. Days −5 to −10 °C, nights −25 to −30 °C.
February
Wikipedia and Discover Leh Ladakh extend the season into February.
Thin ice
The season depends on the ice. In 2026 it never froze solid and the trek did not open.
Summer
No Chadar: the river runs free. Markha Valley is next door.
Plan your trip
Getting to Leh
In winter Leh can be reached only by air. Plan for three days there before the ice.
- Delhi✈️ About 2 h to Leh
- Leh🚙 About 70 km via Nimmu, 3–4 h
- Shingra Koma
The rules reported by Discover Leh Ladakh: two days' acclimatisation, a medical on day 3, insurance, and at most 10 groups of 10 a day.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹25,500 + 5% GST, Leh to Leh. The ALTOA and wildlife fees (about ₹6,000–8,000) are paid on the spot.
Medical
A medical check-up at the Tourist Information Centre in Leh is required before you get permits.
Gear
Gum boots for the ice; operators list them as extra.
The cold
Hypothermia and frostbite are the real risks. Layer up, keep dry, and tell your leader early.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Check the ice first
The 2026 season never opened: the river did not freeze solid enough. Check with ALTOA and the Leh DC office before you book flights. Discover with Dheeraj, Aug 2026
Where to get permits
Everything is done at one window: the Tourist Information Centre in Leh's main market, opposite J&K Bank. Discover with Dheeraj
Keep your boarding pass
The TIC uses it to check you spent three nights in Leh. No boarding pass, no permit. Discover with Dheeraj
Insurance in Leh
After the medical, you buy ASC360 adventure insurance at the TIC. It covers rescue and evacuation. Discover with Dheeraj
Rescue
ASC360 rescue staff are posted along the route, and a doctor usually patrols it. Your Medical Rescue Card gets you free treatment. Discover with Dheeraj
No phone signal
BSNL and Jio work in Leh. On the river there is no signal at all. Discover with Dheeraj
Batteries
No electricity at camp, and the cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares inside your jacket. Discover with Dheeraj
Hot water
Camps give hot water. Fill a flask every morning and drink all day. Discover with Dheeraj
Sleeping bag
Operators give sleeping bags, but quality varies. Bring a −30 °C bag, or at least a liner. Discover with Dheeraj
Tents and toilets
You sleep two to a tent. Toilets are dry pits in a toilet tent. Carry your own toilet paper. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Himalayan Hikers: things to carry for Chadar.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Leh before the trek
Bikat AdventuresRent · trek shoes, poles, fleece jacket, rucksack. For Bikat trekkers; handed out at the day 1 briefingLeh briefing, day 1 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 8 operators with a Chadar page in October 2026, none with dated 2027 batches. Leh's authorities set the start each year after checking the ice, and the 2026 season never opened.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.