Chadar Trek 2014v2-For Web

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CHADAR TREK FEB 8 TO FEB 16, 2013


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CHADAR TREK 2014 .................................................................................................................3DATE: February 8th to February 16th, year 2014.IntroductionAmong the Top 10 Treks in theworld and also the most unique... ................................................................................................3

Trek Category: Tough ..............................................................................................................3Chadar Trek Program Schedule (Summary) ...............................................................................4

Day 1 - Fly to Leh 3524m (11,562 Feet) above mean sea level ...............................................4Day 2 - Drive to Chilling (3 hrs drive) and trek to Tilad Do camp 3100m (2 km, 1hrs trek) .......4Day 3 Tilad Do to Gyalpo camp 3170m (9 Km, 6 hrs trek) ....................................................5Day 4 Gyalpo camp to Dib Cave 3225m (14 km, 8 hrs trek) .................................................6Day 5 Dib cave to Naerak camp 3390m (10.5 km, 7 hrs trek) ...............................................6Day 6 - Naerak to Tibb............................................................................................................7Day 7 - Tibb to Shingra Koma.................................................................................................7Day 8 - Shingra Koma to Chilling and drive to Leh..................................................................7Day 9 - Return from Leh. ........................................................................................................7

Registration Fee, Payment Terms, Inclusions and Exclusions ....................................................8Registration Contribution Per head ..........................................................................................8Payment Terms .......................................................................................................................8Inclusion ..................................................................................................................................8Exclusions ...............................................................................................................................9(Mandatory Items Checklist) ..................................................................................................10Personal Medical Kit ..............................................................................................................10

Tips for facing extreme weather on Chadar Trek .......................................................................11What kind of attire do I wear to endure the extreme Chadar Trek winter cold? ......................11Carry you personal munchies (Anti-Oxidants, Proteins, Vitamins etc)....................................11Personal Hygiene ..................................................................................................................11

Other FAQs for Chadar trek ......................................................................................................13About Nature Knights ................................................................................................................15Team Nature Knights ................................................................................................................17


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CHADAR TREK 2014DATE: February 8th to February 16th, year 2014.Introduction

Among the Top 10 Treks in the world and also the most unique...In one of the mightiest mountains in the world, where most peaks are covered by snow almost

round the year flows the mighty Zanskar River fed by many glaciers. Zanskar River is famous

for its gushing rapids of white waters that are popular for extreme white water rafting sport.

Zanskar River in the heart of winter freezes to form a sheet of ice or blanket and is known more

popularly among adventurers world wide as "Chaddar", a journey on this remote and exquisite

landscapes gives trekkers a glimpse of the

world unlike any other place in the world. Its

one of the top ten treks in the world.

Zanskar frozen river route (Chadar Route)

was traditionally was used as a trade for

locals living in Zanskar Valley who came

through this route to Leh for trading during

harsh winters of Ladakh.

The Chadar Trek includes 2 days in leh and

7 days trek in extreme cold conditions. It is a winter trek over a frozen river in Ladakh. Average

mean temperature during the day is minus 15 and during nights temperatures fall to minus 25

and 30. The desolate trek is over the ever changing Chadar frozen river. Ice forms, breaks and

changes colour on the river every few hours. At places the Chadar (or ice) does not form over

the river. Trekkers have to forge a new trail climbing over snow covered steep rocky banks of

the river to again descend to a spot on the river where the ice is more stable.

Trek Category: Tough


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Chadar Trek Program Schedule (Summary)

Day 1 - Fly to Leh 3524m (11,562 Feet) above mean sea level

On arrival keep your woolens and jackets ready before getting out of the air craft.Leh in winter is very different from what may experience during typical Leh summer; the

temperatures ranges at an average of -10 degrees centigrade to -15 degree centigrade.Transfer from airport to lodging.It is strongly advised that you do not venture out of Hotel on day one. One needs to let their

body acclimatize to cold and high altitude (thin air conditions). To acclimatize rest and sleep

most of the day, drink lots of water. Everything should be done in slow motion on day one.For those who have been to Leh before will find that most of the hustle bustle shops they found

open during summer season may not be open. So don't depend to buy any major item required

during the trek at Leh; you may not have enough time nor the shops open.For those looking to hire Down Jackets; Gloves needed for extreme cold; Trekking Poles have

to inform us well in advance so that we can make it available for them.

Day 2 - Drive to Chilling (3 hrs drive) and trek to Tilad Do camp 3100m (2 km, 1hrs

trek)

For those who have been to Ladakh before may have come across sangam point; a place

where Indus and Zanskar rivers meet.

We have to follow road going parallel to Zanskar river here.

Travel distance between Leh and Chilling is around 64 KM. We drive to the point where the

vehicle can take us then start our Chadar trek.

First day trek is fairly easy "Tilat Campsite" can be reached in a hours time from the time you

start the trek. This campsite is located near sangam of one of the tributaries of Zanskar and

main Zanskar river.

Get ready for your first night experience of staying in campsite on or near frozen river in extreme

cold conditions. It recommended that you carry pocket size personal warmers that can be keep


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in your jackets or sleeping bags. Any kind of heat / hot soups / Warm Food / Camp Fire is

welcome. Fire wood is a treasured commodity here and comes at a cost.

Day 3 Tilad Do to Gyalpo camp 3170m (9 Km, 6 hrs trek)

Mornings at Tilad Do campsite are like deep freezer; very cold direct sun light does not hit this

place until noon.

The days soon assume a familiar pattern.

Wake up time is around 7:00 am do your thing; breakfast with hot coffee or tea and you arealmost ready for a day full of frozen adventure by 9:00 am.

Our trek guides go ahead with the trekkers, followed by our porter team. It is essential always to

stay with our guides. This is the only trek in the world where you can expect the trail, to vanish

beneath your feet. We can, encounter times when we have to wait while our guides may have to

scout the best route. We prefer to stay on the river, and you will see locals take real risks to

avoid rock climbing. For this reason you must have plenty of warm layers to throw on, and of

course, spare socks. The ice conditions are too varied, but there are one or two things to bear in

mind.

You will develop a sense of the safe and unsafe ice, and learn to catch yourself if you slip. Besure to use your trekking poles if you want to sound the ice.

The ice conditions change quickly and what takes an hour at noon can take three hours. We do

not rush; but we do not dawdle! If you hear Locals calling down the valley, particularly at the

corners, don't worry; they are screaming to scare away the demons who lurk in the ice.Food during day, packed food is not recommended during day on a trek like Chadar. As it can

become frozen. So our cooks can quickly pack local favorite Maggi Mugi with vegetables, local

soup thukpa etc. Drink plenty of warm liquid stew along with your food. Great for acclimatization

and cold.

You will find yourself rapidly relaxing as you walk, enjoying the views; watching for wildlife. Look

out particularly for snow leopard pugmarks, Ibex on the gorge walls, and few occasional birds

flying and few even dive from ice into the river, turning over pebbles looking for edibles.


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Today we will pass through what the porters call 'Chadar Gate'. A little surprise for the trekkers.

Day 4 Gyalpo camp to Dib Cave 3225m (14 km, 8 hrs trek)

Today is full of surprises and fantastic landscapes, the river starts to curve and you can see the

uphill slope of the ice as we ascend the river into Zanskar. We will pass incredible waterfalls on

our left, normally frozen into aquamarine ice cliffs. The waterfalls were said to have come from a

river given to local people who visited Tibet centuries ago to plead for water for their barren

land. They were given a box which they were told they must open only on their return home.

The curious Zanskaris were nearly home when one of them opened it; out jumped a tiny fish,and the river sprung from the ground high above here. Also today we will probably have to climb

briefly above the river - on the sharp bends the speed of the current breaks up the ice.

Lunch will be on rocky beaches by the river, and camp is near one of the many caves that are

blackened by centuries of use by the fires of locals. Our porters use these caves to cook and

sleep in, and many of them are slowly being turned into small huts by Zanskaris. This is a

popular campsite.

As a camping etiquette our teams' first jobs is to dig a toilet pit and clean up the rubbish left by

groups. If there is no snow here the sand that blows around can contaminate your food. We

have stringent hygiene rules for our kitchen, anti-bacterial hand wash always available. Use it!

Day 5 Dib cave to Naerak camp 3390m (10.5 km, 7 hrs trek)

Look forward to one more spectacular day. Crags seem to leap up from the frozen river surface,

and ibex can usually be seen defying gravity far above. After lunch we pass the 'incense tree',

so called because the locals use its branches to burn in their morning rituals, and the prayer flag

draped tree marks the entrance to Zanskar proper. The porters will normally take a few twigs

from the tree, then tear a small piece of prayer flag to wrap it in, and present it to you. Welcome

to Zanskar!An hour later we turn a corner, and there, high above the river, is the bridge that links Zanskar

with Ladakh, and Neraks village with Lingshed Monastery - in summer. Then the valley gorge

opens up, and we see the small huts that mark some of the summer grazing of the Neraks

villagers. The village is far above. A trail is normally beaten through the snow to these huts,

where we camp. And rum is possible.


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Day 6 - Naerak to Tibb.Today we start our return journey and go back towards the Tibb cave. And if you thought that it

was just a matter of retracing your steps back to Chilling, you can think again. The Zanskar

River reacts to the slightest change of temperature, and constantly keeps repackaging itself.

The Chadar would have assumed a completely new form, and will it will almost be impossible to

say whether you have been here before.

On the way, you can meet a lot of locals wearing their traditional woolen Gonchas some of

them monks who are hiking from the Lingshed Monastery to Leh, some of them young students

accompanied by their parents returning to their schools in Leh after the winter vacation.Watching the locals negotiate the Chadar is a fascinating sight. They are suitably adept to the

climate and seem very much at home in the sub-zero temperature and the biting cold winds.

Nothing wipes the smiles off their faces and dampens the warmth of their spirit.

Day 7 - Tibb to Shingra Koma.

Day 8 - Shingra Koma to Chilling and drive to Leh.

Day 9 - Return from Leh.Interesting note, extra days stay back at LehMost of us are staying back one day extra and going back on Monday.. Its always good to come

back after a trek into a local town and have just enough time to stretch your legs, celebrate and

chill out. This will be optional day 10.


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Registration Fee, Payment Terms, Inclusions and Exclusions

Registration Contribution Per head

Rs.25,000/- for bookings before September 30, 2013

Rs.28,000/- for bookings after November 1st, 2013.

Rs.35,000/- Premium last minutes registration,only if seats are available after January 1,

2013.

Extra Night Stay at Leh: Rs.1500/- per head per night, Includes Bed and Breakfast in

deluxe rooms with attached bath.

Payment Terms

50% advance and balance before October 20, 2013.

Inclusion

Local transport (Point to Point as per planned program only)

Sleeping bag during trek, Tent (3 person in each tent)

Kitchen tent, food, toilet tent, mattress, utensils, crampon, trek leader, local guide, cook, helper

and, porters for the group equipment. We allow to carry 7-8kg weight in your backpack (only

your personal stuff), Our porter carry the central equipment like sleeping bag, cooking utensils,

camping gear etc.

Food: Food during trek as per standard menu i.e. from Feb 9th to Feb 15

Standard and simple Food at Leh (Feb 8th Lunch and Dinner; Feb 15th Dinner, Feb 16th

Breakfast)


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Exclusions

1. If you need personal porter to carry your backpack so you have to pay extra Rs.660/ per

day per bag. Trek will be lead by our trek leader.2. You have to bring only your personal clothing, backpack and any trekking/sports shoes

and Gum boots for day hike. You can easily buy the Gum boots from Leh at the cost Rs.

350 to Rs. 400/- (But recommended to buy from your local city as you can try them out

before you are on to the trek).

3. Any non-standard menu item in food not included (cost to be borne by individuals

ordering the same).]

4. Airport transfers cost not included in the budget

5. Stay and food cost for additional night

6. Stay for additional days not included in the budget. (Most of are staying back oneadditional night after the trek); Stay for additional night at Leh is working our for

Rs.1,500/- approximately per person per night on twin sharing basis (will soon share the

exact cost once we block the hotel rooms). In a deluxe grade lodging. This cost to be

paid in advance. Cost of the food during additional day/nights stay has to be paid in cash

during the stay.

7. Bottled water or beverages cost to be borne by persons ordering it.

8. Shopping / Personal gear / Tips to porters cost not included in the budget

9. In case of emergencies (Act of God, Sickness, Flight cancellations, Road blocks etc) if

we incur additional cost of stay / food or other resources. The additional cost incurred

has to be borne by participants.10. In case someone has to return from mid way through the trek due his/her personal

emergency (the additional cost of transfer / travel / stay at Leh cost would be borne by

individuals).

11. Anything that is not specifically mentioned in the details in budget is not included in the

budget.

12. Un-utllised resources will not be refunded.


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(Mandatory Items Checklist)

1. Back pack (60 ltr -70ltr)- with comfortable shoulder straps, frame, and back pack cover (line

the bag with polythene)

2. Any trekking / sports shoes + Gum Boots (Easily available in Leh at low cost)

3. wind and waterproof Track Pants (do not bring shorts, tight jeans, Capris)

4. T-shirts - 2 full sleeve

5. 1 Fleece T-shirt and; 1 Fleece jacket; a woolen sweater would be an alternative.

6. 1 Wind proof jacket.

7. 1 Heavy/ Down/Feather jacket.8. Thermal inners 2 Pair

9. 4 pairs cotton shocks and 3pairs woollen socks.

10. 2 pair water proof hand gloves and 2 Pair woolen Gloves.

11. 1 Liter water bottle. (Grade One Plastic Bottle).

12. Woolen cap/ Balaclava.

13. Sun Cap or Hat

14. Sun glasses Dark with side cover, it should be 100% U/V protected and polarized.

(Mandatory)

People who were spectacles-

Avoid contact lenses, use photo chromatic glasses

15. Head Torch with extra batteries.

16. Sun protection cream and; Lip Balm / cold cream.

17. Toilet kit/ toilet Paper.

18. Quick dry Towel- It should be light / thin.

20- Walking Stick (Trekking Poles)

Personal Medical Kit

1) Personal emergency medicine for any chronic illness that you have always make two pack

and keep it in two different places. Inform your tent partner/s about the whereabouts of your

backup medicines and what they are for.

2) Dimox for altitude sickness (you may refer and check this with your personal family doctor).

3) Vix Rub, Cold Cream, Moisturizer, Tiger Balm for those with chronic headaches

4) Personal medicines for infections such as common cold, sore throat, pain killers,

temperatures etc.


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Tips for facing extreme weather on Chadar Trek

What kind of attire do I wear to endure the extreme Chadar Trek winter cold? Always wear clothes in layersLayer 1 - Starting with inner thermals

Layer 2 - full sleeves t-shirt and track pants; Woolen Socks (One double woven woolen socks

with one warm nylon or normal woolen socks inside). Carry enough spare socks and other

undergarments.

Layer 3 - Woolen Sweater or Fleece Jacket.

Good thick Woolen Monkey Cap or Balaclava with woolen Muffler

Layer 4 - Wind Proof / Water Proof JacketTwo Pair of gloves (Thin Woolen inside and outside Wind Proof / Waterproof Snow Gloves).

Good Pair of Sun Glasses with Good UV Protection.

Layer 5 - for really extreme cold (You may only need this in mornings or nights after sun down).

Down Jackets.

Those who are too sensitive to cold can also carry personal pocket size warmers. Available on

most adventure sport gear shops.

Note: Good Trekking shoes is mandatory and also carry Gum Boots (Buy locally at Leh or bring

one from home).

Carry you personal munchies (Anti-Oxidants, Proteins, Vitamins etc)

(Dry Fruits to keep your immunity high "Walnut, Almonds, Raisins, Dehydrated Apricots,

Cashew etc). Protein bars to replenish from daily endurance of treks, You can carry chocolate

bars to replenish carbohydrates.) this will help to balance ones diet with the regular food had

during the treks.

Personal Hygiene

Complete bath during the trek will be a luxury and too tough for most people to even think

about. But its very important to maintain personal hygiene.Here are few tips.1) Always carry personal pocket size hand sanitizers.2) 2 or at-least 1 pack of Candid Anti-Bacteria Powder.3) Wet and Dry Moisturizing Wipes

4) Small Hand Towels (Always handy for hot water sponging).


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5) Small Mouth wash; Mouth freshers; Chewing Gums that helps in cleaning teeth besides

Tooth Paste, Tooth Powder and Floss.6) Moisturizing Cold Cream7) Sun Screen8) Deo Sprays. Anti Bacteria sprays are also availableSecret to a good night sleep in freezing temperatures during Chadar trek? Its very simple; have good sleeping bags and if you can get / purchase a bottle of hot water that

you can slip inside your sleeping bag before you sleep. It keeps the sleeping bag warm enough

for the night.If you still feel warm or do not have very good sleeping bags try to get two normal ones :) or a

good warm sleeping inners.Do not wear too many layers while sleeping if you have a good sleeping bag. Let your body free

for the night so that it can replenish and be fresh for the next days trek. Keep a small box of Vix

Rub handy with you.


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Other FAQs for Chadar trek1) Is it freezing Cold during the day time when are trekking?

As the day progresses the temperature is fairly bearable; One does not require layers like down

jackets. It is quite OK.

2) Few of my friends who have done EBC trek asked me during winter season asked me how is

this trek in comparison to EBC in terms of toughness and endurance.

If compared to EBC Winter Trek; this is a fairly easy;

lesser altitude (so less altitude sickness problems as compared to EBC)

Distances covered in a day; climbs and descends is less compared to EBC

No of days covered are obviously less.

Bigger Challlenges here are stay is in tents

Its a totally different type of trek as compared to EBC.

3) How fit should one be to do this trek?

Any one with good average fitness can do this trek.

Some basic preparation helps.Go for few practice trek

Few Jogs and Walks with small backpack on your back (4 Days a week).

If a person is a physically on good shape he/she will enjoy this trek; else you may end-up

enduring it.


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Some additional nice to have items one any high altitude treks (will share soon).

Of all the treks in India, Chadar is one of the most expensive treks you will do.

Following reasons:1) You have only one option to reach Leh during winter, i.e. fly to and fro all other routes is

blocked due to extreme winter.2) Expensive labour, Porter rates are more than double in winter. You can imagine why.3) Rentals of all equipments and gear are very high during this small season.4) All food has to be flown in so obviously is very expensive.5) Fuel since it is very limited is very expensive; it takes almost twice the amount of fuel to cook

the food than in normal conditions.6) It is not advisable to have a very large group of trekkers on a single party.For those venturing out to the Chadar on the Nature Knights exploratory trek, our only advice is

to prepare for the trek and not to treat it as any other trek. The rewards from this trek are plenty

to take the white winter scenery in the Chadar canyons is once in a life-time experience.

Experiencing this marvel is something people travel all over the world to witness. I hate to admit,

but Chadar is actually a very glamorous trek to do.


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About Nature Knights

Drab ppts, zigzag sales graphs, collection pressures, project deadlines, commuting in the Metro,

rising inflation, stock market crashes, an ever increasing collection of junk cable TV channels..

Sounds familiar?

We don't have the solutions to this nor do we offer a 4-minute nirvana course. We also don't

know the 10 quick steps to salvation.

These are realities of a crazed city and no one can avoid it. Not even us!

Yet, we know certain things; that as you travel 10 km further from Panvel on the Goa highway,

the temperature drops suddenly; climbing the Mahuli peak early morning leaves you with better


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lungs and heart; star gazing in the middle of the night atop Harishchandragad can be an

unparallel experience; a coin tossed from the top of Vasota peak at Babukhada can swish rightback at you because of the wind pressure rushing up the valley like a hurricane...

That it took 22 years for the Sidhis to build the Janjira fort, the only one which Shivaji could

never conquer; Daulatabad fort changed hands between 7 dynasties in its 800 year old history;

there could be even more forts yet to be unearthed in Maharashtra; 'Creole' is a variation of

Portuguese languate spoken in the world only by a small community (of less than 400 people) in

the fishing village of Koralai near Alibaur, 'Ladakh' is 'the coldest desert in the world and also

has the highest motorable road in the world, hightest saltwater lake in the world, least populated

district in India in terms of density and is a land like no other", Bhutan is rated highest in Asia as

The Land of Gross National Happiness'....

.... Welcome to Nature Knights!!

We Trek, We Travel, We Explore... Wild Life Sancturies, Forts, Historical Places, Jungles,

Lakes, Mountaines, Beaches...

Our Bucket of Adventures.. Rappelling, Rock Climbing, White Water Rafting, Sailing, Fishing,

Paragliding, Caving, Snorkelling, ... on and on...

We honestly attempt to live, rather than survive and we will be happy to invite you to join us.

Do get in touch with us..


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Team Nature Knights

Nature Knights programs are designed and executed by our team members from diverse

corporate and cultural backgrounds. They include professionals from Technology, Human

Resource, Business Consulting, Business Development, Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Media,

Doctors to name a few.

Our seasoned core team is made of people who come from Corporate World who have varied

hands on exposure of Off Beat Travel and Adventure Sports. Many of these team members

have already handled several Adventure Offsite Events, Managed Extreme Adventure Sports

and Team Building Events. Nature Knights team comprises of its core members teaming up with

local associates across all geographical area of our operations to give safe and life time

experiences to our customers.


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