Trekking over the frozen Zanskar river, or famously known as ‘Chadar’, stands out as an experience almost purely because of the unique trail (highlights of Chadar) and icy landscapes that it offers. However, the trail has garnered significant popularity over the years among adventure enthusiasts. With the trek only being possible during the narrow window between mid January to mid February, it has grown to attract more crowds during this season. If you are looking to attempt a winter trek at a similar difficulty level and wish to avoid the streams of trekkers that Chadar attracts, here are a few alternate options that you might want to consider!
Sumda Chey Winter Trek
The perfect alternative to Chadar, which also lets you trek Chadar in a way! This trail in Ladakh is an all encompassing trek that covers everything including culture, adventure and adrenaline. The route leads to Sumda Chey village and also allows you to traverse the frozen river during the trail. Sumda Chey monastery and the Sumda waterfall are some of the highlights of this trek. Although the route might overlap with that of Chadar for the most of it, it still stands out and takes its own direction, leading you to the cozy village. Rated BRS 5 on the Bikat Rating Scale, the trek makes for the perfect route for anyone who wants to trek Chadar but also want to avoid the mainstream route that may be thronged by trekkers during the season time. More information on the Sumda Chey trek can be found here.
Spiti Winter Homestay Trail
If unique winter experiences is what you are after, Spiti Winter Homestay Trail is as unique as it gets. The barren land of Spiti in summers rests under a thick sheet of white in winters. One might think there can’t possibly be much to a dry desert in winters but Spiti will prove to surprise you beyond your expectations.What better way to spend your winter than to be surrounded by snow and the comfort of piping hot local food at cozy homestays. The trail takes you through all of Spiti Valley’s main villages and monasteries, giving you a glimpse of the lives and culture of the locals. And what’s more is that a walk on the frozen Dhankar Lake gives you the exact same experience of walking on Chadar. If a winter adventure with a mix of local culture is what you are looking for, this trail hits the spot. For more information and a detailed itinerary, click here.
Markha Valley Winter Trek
Markha Valley is the most ideal option if you are looking to get the frozen river experience but want a more offbeat trail. Being an unconventional option during the winters, Markha Valley has so much to offer from panoramic views of ranges in Ladakh to the frozen Markha river that dominates the scenery. A tributary of the Zanskar river, the Markha river freezes during the winters, allowing us to walk and even dance (if you wish to!) on it between January to March. The cozy homestays, warm Ladakhi culture, blue sheep sightings and an up close view of Kang Yatse I and II make this a banger of a trek. The best part? It is a tad bit easier than Chadar, rated BRS 4 on the Bikat Rating Scale. And rest assured you will not see many humans in sight if traversing to such remote corners is something that ignites the adventurer inside you! For more information and a detailed itinerary, click here.
Snow Leopard Expedition
Here’s another one from Spiti which adds an extra punch of thrill to your winter adventure bringing you to the heart of snow leopard land! The snow leopard - also known as a mythical creature or ghost (?!) earns its reputation from its elusive nature and extremely rare sightings high up in the mountains. The Spiti Snow Leopard Trek takes us into the remote corners of Spiti to get a chance to spot this beauty, but also allows you to enjoy the winter landscapes that this place has to offer. The trail gives us the perfect opportunity to venture into the mountains with the help of local guides and experienced trackers who will help us trace the snow leopard. If you are a photographer, this trek is also an opportunity to capture the snow leopard in its natural habitat! (very few people are known to have managed to capture them on camera!). For more information and a detailed itinerary, click here.
While each trek is unique in its own way and one cannot replace the other, these treks are no less when compared to Chadar in terms of the challenges you might face or the spell that the landscapes will cast on you. So if you are looking for an alternate winter trek that matches up to Chadar, the above options are just what you should be looking at to beat the crowds and get offbeat experiences that you will always cherish. If you wish to know more before making a decision, feel free to reach out to our team who will guide you towards the best option based on your requirements.
