TraWell Amigos:: Frozen Zanskar River Chadar Trek, Ladakh 2023

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Let’s TraWell Amigos!

Join us for once in a lifetime experience and a dream of many, trek to Frozen Zanskar River, Ladakh also known as Chadar Trek.

🔺 Dates:
• January 2023: 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th
• February 2023: 4th & 5th

🔺 Charges: ₹23000 per head (Leh to Leh)

🔺 Brief Information:
Region : Leh, Ladakh
Duration : 8 Nights/ 9 Days
Grade : Difficult
Max Altitude : 11,123 Ft.
Approx Trekking Km : 75 Kms.
Temperature : Winters -30 to -35

🔺 Chadar Trek 2022
“Chadar” refers to the sheet of ice that from over the Zanskar river as it transforms itself from a rapid flowing river into a white blanket of ice during winter. It becomes a frozen spectacle of glass ice ranging from a bluish tinge to golden yellow that is seen during the few hours that sunlight reaches directly into the gorge to the milky whitish on a moonlit night – as said a trek journey like no other.

Chadar connects villages in the Zanskar valley (deep in the mountains) with Chilling (on the road to Leh) along the frozen Zanskar River. This route has been used for centuries for trade and transportation, and is most reliable in February when the ice is most stable.

🔺 Route Description: Leh (3N) – Somo Paldar (1N) – Dib Cave/Tibb (1N) – Naerak (1N) – Dib Cave/Tibb (1N) – Leh (1N)

🔺 Duration: 8 Nights and 9 Days

🔺 Highlights:
• 4 Nights at Leh and 4 Nights at Trek
• Expert Team with the latest equipment
• Option for additional nights in Leh & Ladakh sightseeing
• Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide, and Support staff to help trekkers.

🔺 Brief Itinerary:
Day 01:
• Arrival in Leh (3500 m) – Altitude 11,400 ft.
• Stay in Guest House

Day 02:
• Acclimatization Walk in Leh- Altitude 11,400 ft.
• Stay in Guest House

Day 03:
• Getting a medical check-up at SNM Hospital- Altitude 11,400 ft.
• Stay in Guest House

Day 04:
• Lower Shingra and Somo Paldar – 11,400 to 10,390 ft. – Drive 75 kms | 08 Kms Trek | Stay in tent

Day 05:
• Trek to Dib Cave/Tibb -10,550 – 10,760 ft. – Trek 15 KMs – Stay in tent

Day 06:
• Dib Cave/Tibb to Camp at Naerak – 10,760 – 11,150 ft. – Trek 12.5 KMs – Stay in tent

Day 07:
• Naerak to Tibb/Gaylpo- 11,150 – 10,760 ft. – Trek 14.5 KMs – Stay in tent

Day 08:
• Tibb to Shingra Koma & Back To Leh- 10,390 to 11,400 ft. – Drive 75 kms | 08.5 Kms Trek |
• Stay in Guest House

Day 09:
• Departure from Leh

🔺 Inclusions:
• Accommodation at Leh Guest House (Day 1,2,3, 8 according to Itinerary) and Camping while on Trek on Day 4,5,6,7 according to Itinerary)
• Meals while on trek (Veg.) – Hot Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner starting from Day 4 Breakfast to Day 8 Breakfast
• Celebratory Dinner on Day 8 in Leh
• Trek equipment including -30 degree comfortable double-layer Siachen sleeping bags, sleeping mats, air breathable 4 season camping tents, mobile kitchen, and utensils for food
• First Aid, Medical Kits, Oximeter, and oxygen cylinder
• Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide, and Support staff to help trekkers
• Fixed return transfers from Leh Guest House to Trek Base Camp is included in the package as per the itinerary on Day 4 and Day 8
• Porters to carry the common luggage including tents, sleeping bags, kitchen tents, camping ration and food, fuel/kerosene, oxygen cylinders, toilet tents
• GST 5%

🔺 Exclusion:
• Food / Meal in Leh. Available in Leh Hotel/Guest House @ Rs.250/- Per Meal (Approx)
• Any kind of personal expenses
• Adventure Insurance premium cover of Rs.4,100/- to be paid directly after the medical check-up in Leh(Premium amount based on 2022 Chadar Trek).
• Local authorities (LAHDC, ALTOA) charge fees for the environment and Wildlife for the trek which totals to 4,500 INR per head (The fee may be revised) will have to be paid by trekkers before starting the trek in Leh, So keep some cash handy.
• A medical check-up may happen either at SNM Hospital or as advised by the ALTOA association.
• Porter to carry personal luggage. The same may be arranged @ Rs.4750/- for the complete trek days ie from Day 4 to Day 8(5 Trek Days) up to 10Kg baggage
• Airport pick from the Leh Airport (Govt Pre Paid Taxi Charges @ Rs.500/-)
• Anything not specifically mentioned under ‘Inclusions

🔺 Additional Information:
• Additional Night at Hotel in Leh @ Rs.1500 Per Person/Night on Twin Sharing Basis without meals
• Sightseeing/Taxi can be arranged from our travel desk at the Base Camp Leh on actual as per the rate of Leh Transport & Taxi Union
• Oxygen cylinders and first aid will be there during the trek. Rescue and medical team will be available on call in case of any exigencies from Chilling or Naerak DTPT point
• Tented accommodation will be provided on twin/triple/Quad sharing basis while on the trek

🔺 Suggestive Things To Carry Chadar Trek 2022:
• Carry 2 pair of synthetic track pants. Track pants are light and when things get cold you can wear one over the other
• Carry 2 Full sleeve tees with collar
• Fleece jacket – sweaters are highly discouraged
• A full sleeve thick jacket
• Carry 4 pairs of undergarments
• Get 2 pairs of thermal inners
• Carry 2 pairs of sports socks. 2 pairs of woolen socks
• Woolen monkey cap/balaclava that cover the ear
• Woolen hand gloves + synthetic glove (water proof). If you dont have synthetic gloves, get two pairs of woolen gloves and a surgical glove
• Hot water bottle/Bag – available at any medical store
• Sun glasses, branded company with 100% UV protection. Curved ones will cover your eyes well. Sunglasses prevent snow blindness. Sunglasses are mandatory for this trek
• Gumboot, if not purchased from Leh
• Backpack (55 – 65 L) with sturdy straps and supporting frame. Daypack (20 L) is required only if you wish to offload your backpack to our support team. If you don’t want to carry your backpack you can give it to porter, but you have to inform us in advance and charges would be Rs. 700/- extra per day per bag. Please also do inform us about this at least 15 days in advance
• Trekking shoes: Good standard trekking shoes are sufficient for the trek. On Chadar, which is solid ice or a slight cover of snow on slippery ice, trekkers have found to their amazement that a simple gumboot finally is the best for Chadar. Most of the outside agencies in order to impress tell about crampons. In my years of experience in Ladakh and on Chadar too, I can absolutely say that crampons are quite dicey – quite a few trekkers have injured themselves or worse broken their ankle while a crampon get stuck on the fine cracks in the ice. Gumboot is available in Leh hardware shop and can be purchased here itself. If your shoe size is 9-10, getting a pair might be tough..so start searching as soon as you land in Leh. Sports shoes are not allowed. You need traction on snow and sport shoes with their PVC soles are hardly the choice. Ensure the shoes are well broken in before the trek. Trekkers will soon learn and modify their trek to the “penguin walk” style on seeing from the porters and guide! It is a kind of dragging your foot and not lifting much.
• People who wear spectacles, choose one of these: Use contact lenses/ Photochromatic glasses. If either of the above is not possible, wear your spectacles and carry a big sunglass that can be worn over your spectacles.
• A woolen head-scarf or muffler
• Trekking pole is mandatory
• Light towel (should be thin, quick drying kind)
• Chapstick or lip balm
• Cold cream and sun screen lotion (SPF 40+). While sun screen help prevent sun burns, a better option is to stay covered
• 2 Water bottles (1 L each). The insulated water bottles are good but even normal water bottles will suffice
• Personal medicine kit containing:Crocin – 6 tablets/Avomine – 4 tablets/Avil 25mg – 4 tablets/Combiflam -5 tablets/Disprin – 10 tablets/Norflox – 10 tablets/Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters/Band aid – 10 strips/Digene – 10 tablets/Gauze cloth – 1 small role/Leukoplast – 1 small roll/Cotton – 1 small roll/ORS – 5 packets/Betadine or any antiseptic cream/Volini or Moov or Relispray/Diamox – 10 tablets (to be taken only if required and but not as preventive medicine/Any other medicine that you take
• Personal toilet kit (minimal) and toilet paper
• LED Torch with extra set of cells (head lamps are much more preferable)
• Small repair kit consisting of safety pins, needle, thread and string (mandatory)
• Camera, memory-cards, batteries etc (carry enough spare batteries. Electricity is not available)
• While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry few extra plastic bags for wet clothes

🔺 A Big NO
• No denim or jeans – not suited for this trek.
• Snacks, colas, alcohol and personal food – No need to overburden yourself with food. Do not carry any disposable plastic bottles like (Bisleri, Aquafina), plastic wrapped/packaged items. Do not bring any non bio degradable material.
• After packing, weigh your gear. It should be in the range of 8-10 kg – preferably on the lighter side. Anything heavier, you will need to iterate and remove what is not essential
• Carry light and what is essential. As an example, toothpaste should be bought in small size (that can last you 10 days)
• Some general advice about clothing: To protect yourself from cold, dressing in layers is the mantra. Two T-shirts worn one over the other is warmer than a T-shirt that is thick. 3 T-shirts worn one over the other is as good as a full sweater. This is just a guideline. If you are prone to cold carry extra warm clothing

🔺 Along with the above list, please ensure you also carry the following documents:
• An identification card (like driving license, voters ID card etc), along with a photocopy.
• A passport size photo
• A medical certificate Format will be sent after confirmation
• Disclaimer certificate. Format will be sent after confirmation

***The documents are mandatory. Without them you will not be allowed to trek.

🔺 Important Instructions:
A good trekking shoe, raincoat and one pair of thermal inner-wear are necessary items for any trek. Apart from these do bring Woolen clothes/ Woolen cap/Jackets/Wind-cheater, Socks(3-4 pairs), Thermal wear (1-2pairs), Trekking shoes(should have ankle support, good grip and water proof), Snow gloves/normal gloves, Sunglasses/goggles, Lunch box, water bottle, spoon, Personal medication, Torch and batteries, a sturdy Rucksack bag.

🔺 For Registrations call Team TraWell Amigos:
Shivaraj: 09870198572/ 09769433003
Anupama: 09702643484

✅ Book your seat by paying just ₹8000 per person (Non Refundable) as advance payment ✅

Join our WhatsApp group 👇🏼
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HPQG9X06uFfJR26UF46qQp

🔺 Last date for registration: Till the seats are available to get confirmed seats, OR till the batch gets full.

🔺 Common Things to carry:
• ID proof
• Face Mask (must)
• Hand Sanitizer (must)
• Min. 2 liters water
• Ready to eat food (biscuits, plum cake, chips etc.)
• Rainywear (optional)
• Good trekking shoes preferably Action/ any jogging or sports shoes
• Extra pair of clothes (Compulsory)
• Energy drink (ex. Glucon D)
• A haversack to put in all the things to be carried. (Please do not bring suitcases or sling bags/ jholas)
• Personal basic medical kit (Containing an antiseptic, few bandages, personal medications if any, Antibiotics for stomach infection)
• Camera (optional)
• Please try to wear track pants and a full sleeve t-shirt
• Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments

🔺 Common Backpacking Checklist:
1. Sun protection & Cold Cream (Sunscreen/Lip balm/Sunglasses)
2. Insulation (Jacket/ Personal Clothing’s/ Fleece Gloves/ Hat or Cap)
3. Illumination (Headlamp or flashlight (Plus spare – Extra batteries)
4. Personal First-aid Kit
5. Energy Food
6. Hydration Bag or Water Bottle
7. Bandana or Buff
8. Rainwear (jacket, pants) (Depend on Weather)
9. Boots or Shoes suited to terrain
10. Socks plus spares
11. Sandals
12. Camera and memory cards – Optional
13. Binoculars – Optional
14. Notebook and pen or pencil
15. Credit/Debit card; small amount of cash
16. Earplugs and eye shade – UV Protected or Cat 4
17. Toilet paper or Tissue Paper
18. Insect repellant
19. Toothbrush and/or toiletry kit
20. Towel
21. Cell phone with Charger
22. Poncho (optional)
23. Personal Clothing (T-shirts/Lowers/Under Garments etc.)
24. Thermal Inner

▪️ COVID -19 Checklist for Participants:
• Any travel history to/from any foreign country/containment or red zone in the past 14 days
• Any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 during the past 14 days
• Age above 55 yrs participants are not allowed to join any events till further notice
• Trekkers must carry sufficient amount of sanitizer, masks, gloves, and a personal medical kit for the respective days of the trek
• Apart from the above, trekkers must make sure they carry all the required things, remember no sharing will be allowed. Trekkers will be responsible for disposable of their own items

▪️ COVID -19 Guidelines for Participants:
• Mask is compulsory to join for any events
• Keep at least 1 meter distance during all social and inter personal interactions, trekking
• Avoid Touching frequently touched objects and surfaces with bare hands
• Living with Corona is the new normal. We must learn to take care of ourselves. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves and our Nation safe from Corona. While doing that we must follow our dreams too.

***Notes: Please keep in mind that we shall change our policies and procedures based on Government regulations in future. As you know, there can be last-minute announcements and we will have to follow them. However, we shall try to abide by the Government rules keeping in mind the welfare of our trekkers.

▪️ RULES & REGULATIONS:
• Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited at the time of event
• No plastic littering
• Wear full sleeves, full tracksuit to avoid mosquito bite or leeches
• Proper footwear/ shoes are essential for trekking
• Conserve and preserve our heritage
• Photographs taken during the activity which can be used for publicity purposes
• Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety, Jewellery, Cash and baggage

🔺 Terms & Conditions:
• We reserves all right to change/deviate/cancel the plans without any prior notice
• No Extra adventure/out of itinerary behavior during trek
• Trek leader’s decision will be final and binding
• TraWell Amigos will not be responsible for injury / accident / death of the participants
• Any damage to the property will be chargeable
• 50% refund in case if you cancel the plan and inform us 7 days before the event day
• No refund if the cancellation request is less than 4 days
• No Show No Refund
• Bookings cannot be transferred to another date nor it will be transferred to another person against cancellation

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Love,
Team TraWell Amigos!

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