Chadar trek : Alaska of India

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   I am always fascinated about many of the Himalayan treks. Chadar considered as Alaska of India is one such destination. Found this information on http://www.responsibletravel.com
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Chadar Trek allows us to penetrate this 
isolation and also to examine some of the villages along the Zanskar 
River in the midst of winter and thus catch a glimpse of the lifecycle 
during this unique time of the year. The valley is at a height of 13,153
 ft above the sea level and has an area of about 5,000 sq km. The route 
is famous for winter trekking among adventure lovers. A visit to the 
ancient monastic establishments of Karsha and Zangla promises to 
heighten our insight into the mysteries of this Shangri-la, a land and 
culture frozen in time behind the ramparts of the Zanskar mountains. 
Chilling and Lingshed are the only sizeable villages on this trek until 
Hanamur and Pidmo before Pishu and Zangla in Zanskar, all the rest are 
names of places and caves along the route. This geographical isolation 
together with the esoteric nature of Buddhism practiced here has enabled
 its some ten thousand inhabitants to preserve and perpetuate their 
cultural identity.

        Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival at Leh (3500 meters). On 
arrival at Leh airport, we will meet the representatives and will be 
transferred to the guest house. Rest of the day is spent in 
acclimatizing with the conditions and low the oxygen levels. It is 
highly recommended due to high altitude. Stay overnight at the guest 
house.

Day 2:
Indus Valley (Leh – Shey – Thikse – 
Hemis). On this day we will be visiting the attractions of some of the 
ancient monasteries of this area. Shey Gompa at about 15 km from Leh 
also used to be the summer palace of Kings of Ladakh. Many Stupas and 
Gompas are built around this historic palace. Shey palace was built by 
Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17th century AD. Main attraction here
 is the 12 meters high Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang 
Gompa. Thikse Gompa, is about 17 km from Leh. The monastery is reckoned 
to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh. Hemis is about 45 km south of
 Leh. It is the largest monastery in Ladakh, and was founded in the 
early 17th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery situated 
in a scenic valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by high walls. By 
evening we will come back to Leh for an overnight stay in guest house.

Day 3:
Sham Valley (Leh-Likir-Alchi-Leh). 
After breakfast we drive for full day, spending the day sightseeing in 
Likir and Alchi Monastery. Return to Leh by evening. Stay overnight at a
 hotel.

Day 4:
Leh - Chiling (3200 meters). We start 
the day with an early morning drive to Chilling by a private vehicle. On
 arrival we will be introduced to the staff followed by a visit to the 
coppersmith’s workshop. Stay overnight at an inhabitant’s home in the 
village of Chilling

Day 5:
Chilling - Zaribago (3250 m) [5 hrs of 
walk]. In the morning set out for a walk on ice of the frozen Zanskar 
river. Experience the Chadar, feel the thrill of adventure. Arrive at 
Zaribago and experience the night with the endless silence of the 
mountain which is disrupted only by the crackles of freezing ice. Stay 
overnight at the camps/cave.

Day 6:
Zaribago - Deepyokma (3300 m) [4/5 hrs 
of walk]. By morning continue with trekking towards Deepyokma. Reach at 
the village and stay overnight in the caves.

Day 7:
Deepyokma - Nyrak Pulu (3400 m) [5/6 
hrs of walk]. In the morning, we start the trek going deep into an 
incredible maze of impressing canyons passing through frozen icefalls 
and find the human trace next to Nyrak Pulu. Stay overnight at the 
camps/caves.

Day 8:
Nyrak Pulu - Lingshed (3800 m) [3/4 Hrs
 of walk]. By morning; begin trekking towards the magnificent valley of 
Lingshed visiting the great monastery. Stay overnight at inhabitant’s 
home.

Day 9:
Rest day. Spend an entire day resting 
in Lingshed, one of the most remote villages in Ladakh. Visit monastery,
 school for monks and explore the village.

Day 10:
Lingshed - Nyrak Pulu (3400 m) (5 hrs 
of walk). Early in the morning start descending towards Nyrak pulu from 
Lingshed. Stay overnight at camp/cave.

Day 11:
Nyrak Pulu - Tsomo paldar (3300 m) [6/8 Hrs of walk]. By morning; continue returning to Ladakh and stay overnight in cave.

Day 12:
Tsomo paldar- Tilatdo (3200 m) [6/8 Hrs
 of walk]. By morning, we will begin trekking towards Tilatdo where the 
valley widens. Reach at Tilatdo and stay the last night in cave.

Day 13:
Tilatdo - Chilling - Leh (3500 m) [3/4 
Hrs of walk]. By morning, we will start trekking back to Chilling. On 
arrival at Chilling; board the private vehicle which is already waiting 
for you and drive back to Leh. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 14:
Leh (3500 m). The day is reserved for any unexpected delay in the itinerary. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 15:
Flight Leh - Delhi. Early in the morning transfer to the airport to board a flight back to Delhi.

Small group adventure holiday 
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like 
minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others 
are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether
 you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great 
way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some 
flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to 
travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing 
new places. 
        How this holiday makes a difference
EnvironmentWe actively engage in environmentally 
responsible practices like keeping the group size as minimum as 
possible, use of eco-friendly toilets etc. This helps to minimize 
tourist impact upon the local habitat. 

The clients are updated 
with the effective information so as to help them to identify and 
implement valuable ways to positively protect local nature and 
communities. The example could be use of biodegradable soaps or 
re-usable water containers.  This philosophy is abided by each and 
thence can be passed on and abided by all, even after the trip has 
ended.

To reduce the effect on environment, the major travel from
 Delhi to Manali is done by public transport thereby reducing the 
congestion.CommunityThis trip travels beyond Leh and to the 
areas where tourism is less established and the population is inhabited.
 By hiring porters from remote regions and working with local 
restaurants and other suppliers, we are contributing to the growth of 
local economy. 

To increase the employment opportunities long 
term, we do employ and train local guides, drivers and assistants on all
 our trips. This ensures that the local community is benefited and more 
people are employed. We always promote cross cultural communication and 
also educate the clients about the local communities. It is achieved by 
limiting tour group sizes, and which in turn will also help in 
minimizing any social and environmental impact. 

It is always 
taken in to account that where and whenever possible our tours should 
unquestionably benefit the local community. We eat locally grown and 
cooked food, supporting restaurants/small eat outs enroute while at the 
same time providing guests with the freshest, most authentic tastes of 
the region.

The camps in Serchu are owned locally. The camp name 
is “Himalayan Saga”. These are eco-friendly camps and do not have 
electricity. The camps used in Pangong are also Eco-friendly. Martsemik 
camp is one such. Most of the hotels in Leh use either solar panels to 
heat water or locally installed boilers with minimal effect on 
environment.