Chadar Trek (Frozen River)
A 6-day walk on the frozen Zanskar River — India's most iconic winter trek.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Chadar Trek (Frozen River), South & Southeast Asia. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- India
- Country
- South & Southeast Asia
- Biome
- Trans-Himalayan river ice (3,300–3,900 m)
- Best season
- January – February
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Trans-Himalayan river ice (3,300–3,900 m)
- Best season: January – February
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
A 6-day walk on the frozen Zanskar River — India's most iconic winter trek.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: January – February
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Trans-Himalayan river ice (3,300–3,900 m)
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Plan with verified data
Chadar Trek (Frozen River) trip tools
Popular pursuits at Chadar Trek (Frozen River)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
