Sagar Cantonment
0.8 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Sagar Cantonment is a cantonment town in Sagar district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Chadar Trek
Know the trail before you step on it - difficulty, permits, weather, guide need and route clarity in one place.
Explore
Summit & Peak
Trek safety, weather & access status
Travel with caution
Off-season - likely closed Jan–Feb
Off-season right now. The Zanskar only freezes safely in Jan–Feb. Outside this window there is no “Chadar” - the route is impassable.
Advisory
Permit + medical mandatory. The Chadar (frozen Zanskar) trek requires registration with the Leh administration, a medical-fitness certificate, acclimatisation days in Leh, and a registered guide - solo trekking is not allowed. Ice conditions change daily; only attempt within the official Jan–Feb window.
Live weather
28°C
Overcast
Mountain weather changes quickly. Treat this as a planning signal, not a final safety clearance - confirm locally before you set out.
Difficulty
Difficult
Max altitude
3,390 m
Distance
62 km
Duration
8–9 days
Best time
mid-January to February
Fitness
High - extreme cold; for the prepared
Start point
Chilling
End point
Nerak & back
No permit needed
DIY Trek Readiness: can you go self-planned?
Beginners
Some experience helps
Guide
Recommended
Permit
Not needed
Fitness
High - extreme cold; for the prepared
Trail clarity
Moderate
Network on trail
None
Max altitude
3,390 m
Best season
mid-Jan to Feb
Languages
Ladakhi, Hindi, English
How is this score calculated?
This is a DIY-readiness gauge - how do-able it is to plan and travel yourself. Destinations show it as a 0-5 DIY Score; treks & routes as a 0-10 Score (a wider scale for the extra variables they carry). Both are built from these factors:
- SafetyLocal safety, terrain and current advisory conditions along the route.
- Transport accessHow easily you can reach the place and move around without your own vehicle.
- NetworkMobile signal and data coverage you can expect on the way.
- Season reliabilityHow dependable the weather and season window is for travel.
- Budget clarityHow predictable day-to-day costs are, with few surprises.
- Trail / route clarityHow well-marked and easy to follow the route or trail is.
- Stay availabilityThe choice and reliability of places to stay along the way.
- First-timer friendlinessHow forgiving it is for a first-time independent traveller.
- Solo / women comfortHow comfortable and safe it is for solo and women travellers.
- Local supportAvailability of guides, hosts and on-the-ground help if you need it.
Readiness verdict
- Best forExperienced, fit trekkers comfortable at altitude
- Not ideal forFirst-time trekkers going without any support
- Go DIY only ifYou can manage long walking days, low or no network, basic navigation and changing mountain weather.
Guide: Recommended
Permit: Not needed
Network: None on trail
Plan it yourself
The DIY deep-dive
Chadar Trek is at its best in mid-January to February. It covers about 62 km, runs over 8–9 days, tops out near 3,390 m.
DIY route options
The classic route
Start from Chilling and follow the standard 7-day line - the most reliable, well-trodden way to do it.
Time it by season
Plan around mid-January to February for the best weather, views and open access.
What most travellers miss
- Download offline maps and share your plan first - the mobile network here is patchy to none.
- Do not rush past Shingra Koma - most people treat it as a quick stop, but it is worth a slower evening.
- Time it for mid-January to February. Outside that window, snow, weather or road closures can cut access.
- Use the acclimatisation day in full - fast itineraries are what catch people out at altitude here.
Where to base yourself
Leh
Trailhead base - last shops, network and gear before you set off.
Shingra Koma
A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.
Tibb
A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.
DIY is the main way - this is the upgrade
Need expert help planning this trek?
Prefer not to manage permits, guide coordination, stays and route pacing yourself? We can help you turn this trek into a private, supported experience for your dates, group size and comfort level.
- Permit and guide coordination
- Private group support
- Route pacing and halt planning
- Stay, meals and local logistics
Enquire for pricing
Enquire on WhatsApp
About this trek
The Chadar Trek is one of the most extreme and surreal treks on earth – a walk along the frozen surface (the “chadar”, or sheet) of the Zanskar river through a deep gorge, at temperatures that plunge well below −20°C. For centuries it was the only winter link for the people of Zanskar.
Trekkers camp in caves along the river, the ice constantly shifting and cracking underfoot. It runs only in the deep winter of January and February and demands serious cold-weather preparation.
Essential packing list
- Trekking shoes with grip
- Warm base layer + fleece
- Down jacket / warm jacket
- Rain shell / poncho
- Headlamp + extra batteries
- Water bottle / hydration bladder
- Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen
- Personal medicines
- Power bank
- Offline maps
- Cash and ID copies
- Permit documents, if applicable
Map
Nearby route landmarks & places to know
Tap “Get directions” to open any spot straight in Google Maps.
Lakha Banjara Lake
2 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Lakha Banjara Lake, also known as Sagar lake, is a lake in the center of Sagar city of Sagar District in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association Ground, Sagar
3.4 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association Ground or Chandu Sarwate Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The ground is mainly used for organizing matches of football, cricket and other sports. The grou…
Sagar division
3.8 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Sagar Division is an administrative geographical unit of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The city of Sagar is its administrative headquarters. As of 2023, the division consists of the districts of Sagar, Chhatarpu…
Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
3.8 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Sagar, formerly Saugor, is a city, municipal corporation and administrative headquarter in Sagar district of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It's Madhya Pradesh's 6th largest city of by population. The c…
Makronia
4.4 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Makronia is a municipality in Sagar district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Its part of Sagar Urban Agglomeration.
Rajakhedi
6.1 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Rajakhedi is a census town in Sagar district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Hirdepur
6.2 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Hirdepur is a Census Town city in Damoh District, Madhya Pradesh. Its part of Damoh Urban Agglomeration.
Jaruakheda
6.2 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Jaruwakheda is a town in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located on the NH 934 35 km from Sagar.
Garhpehra
7.6 km from Chilling, Ladakh centre
Garhpehra is a village in Sagar District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. There is a fort called Garhpehra Fort.
Stay & food planning around the trailhead
Base and stock up at the trailhead before you start; on the trail expect basic halts and simple meals - tea stops and packed snacks, with no cafe-style reliability once you set off.
Stay
Hotal Sablok
Hotal Sablok, Jyotesh Pandey Sagar Road, Sagar, Sagar - 470001, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Stay
Hotal usha
Hotal usha, Jyotesh Pandey Sagar Road, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Stay
POP 82008 Hotel Royal
POP 82008 Hotel Royal, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Stay
collection O 83051 Hrg Destiny
collection O 83051 Hrg Destiny, SH14, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
Subham Bhojnalay
Subham Bhojnalay, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
The Chintoos Restaurant
The Chintoos Restaurant, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
Balaji tea Store
Balaji tea Store, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
Shri Shai Restaurant
Shri Shai Restaurant, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
Garg Tiffin Centre
Garg Tiffin Centre, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Food
Thrayambakeraj Restaurent
Thrayambakeraj Restaurent, NH934, Sagar, Sagar - 470002, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Frequently asked questions about Chadar Trek
What is the best time to do the Chadar Trek?
The best time for the Chadar Trek is mid-January to February.
How difficult is the Chadar Trek?
The Chadar Trek tops out near 3,390 m.
How long is the Chadar Trek?
It covers about 62 km and takes around 8–9 days.
Explore Chadar Trek itineraries & maps
Chadar Trek – 7-Day Itinerary
7 days
Ladakh
5.8Plan Score 5.8 / 10Doable with prep
₹399
DIY trek plan
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