The flight to Ladakh is absolutely scenic. You get a bird’s eye view of the entire city and the layers of snow-clad mountains will help you understand why it is impossible to reach Ladakh by road in winters. You will feel a drop in the temperature the minute you land at the airport, which is also one of the highest airports in the world. Collect your bags and check in to your assigned hotels. Today’s day is extremely important for acclimatization, so try to stay outdoors as much as possible but try not to exert yourself. Leh is quite in the winters and very few shops and eateries are open for business. You can buy dry fruits from some of the shops at a very reasonable price and some woolen clothes too if you like. Take a stroll through the colorful Leh market during the day, and if possible, try to walk till Leh Palace and Namgyal Monastary.

The day is reserved for acclimatization. Your leader may take you for a light acclimatization walk during the day. As per the new regulations of Leh, you might have to get medically examined at SNM Hospital in Leh and today the checkup would be organized (as required).

The drive to your first campsite, Shingra is quite scenic. You drive along the beautiful Indus river and get a chance to see the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar river at Nimmu. We are going to cover a total distance of 70 kms by road and you will experience a few jaw-dropping moments as the vehicle makes its way around the narrow hairpin bends. It should take about 3 hours to reach Shingra and as you get closer, the inspiring sight of the frozen Zanskar will get you excited about the trek. Your leaders will soon give you tips on how to walk on Chadar. It takes a while to get the hang of it. We call it the ‘Penguin Walk’. Walk around as much as possible, it will help you get comfortable walking on a glassy ice sheet. You will fall a few times, and that is part of the overall experience. You will also be taught how to get inside your double layered sleeping bags before sundown

The biggest challenge from here on will be getting out of your warm sleeping bags and stepping outside your tent in freezing cold weather. The Zankari people are well known for their hospitality and your staff will wake up way before you to ensure you have a hot cup of tea and a warm meal ready before you leave. Today is going to be a long walking session, you will cover a total 14 kms on Chadar and it should take you about 6 to 7 hours to reach your next campsite.

Today is the most important day on the trek because you will get a chance to see the-mother-of-all-waterfalls ‘Nerak waterfalls’ after reaching your campsite. It is going to be another long day, so you will start early. Aim to reach Nerak campsite before 3pm, so you get plenty of time at Nerak waterfall. The sun will again be shun from the valley, so keep moving to keep your body warm.

Today, your trace your steps back to Tibb campsite. And if you think you are going to see the same frozen ice sheet again, think again. The Zanskar river reacts to the slightest change in the temperatures, and constantly keeps changing its form. You will not be able to recognize the sights, it all seems so different on the way back.

And it all ends today. We have two options today, we can either head back to Chadar and walk on the frozen river again or go over the rocky hills right in front of the campsite in order to reach Shingra Yokma. Whichever route your leader chooses, depending on the conditions of the routes, it will take just about 30 minutes for you to reach your last stop.