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The Ice Trek
Best Time: Mid January to Mid February
Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Region : Zanskar, Ladhak
Max. Altitude : 3850m
Takeover Point : Leh Airport
This is not only a full scale winter expedition, but a trek into the past, where we, in our high technology gear, will trek side by side with locals wearing woolen Gonchas and sounding the ice with their stout poplar staffs to drive away the demons that lurk there.
Walking on the Frozen River Zanskar, is a `once in a lifetime experience’. This passage is traditionally called " The Tchadar" meaning a `white sheet’ and its traverse is an amazing winter trekking experience.
In the heart of winter, the Zanskar
river freezes to become the only source of travel for the Zanskaris into Ladakh. To negotiate the frozen Zanskar, accompanied by our guide and experienced Zanskari porters, you undertake long marches every day in varying snow and ice conditions. Nights are spent in caves and Zanskari villages en route.
The experience of walking on the frozen Zanskar is unique. Deep in the desolate region of Zanskar, the icy gorge, the changing hues, the towering peaks, present an awe inspiring sight... tinged with just the right dose of adventure due to the freezing temperatures and conditions underfoot
Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Early morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest. Morning sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar Gompa; lunch at hotel, afternoon rest.
Day 2: Leh to Chiling (by Road) along with our porters from Pishu village of Zanskar, 5 hours;
Day 3: Walk on ice of the frozen Zanskar river, Chadar, commences from Chiling, stage one to Zaribago, 5 hours.
Day 4: Zaribago to Deepyokma 4 hours.
Day 5: Deepyokma to Nyrakpulu 4 to 5 hours; camp below Nyarak village, ten minutes up along a small stream.
Day 6: Nyarakpulu to Lingshed, one hour walk on Chadar, then 5 hours steeply up to Lingshed village; stay in private house, relax in a heated room. Visit monastery, school for monks, roam around the village.
Day 7: Ligshed to Nyarakpulu, 5 hours.
Day 8: Nyarakpulu to Tsomopaldar, 4 hours.
Day 9: Tsomopaldar to Tilatdo, 5 hours.
Day 10: Tilatdo to Chiling, and return by jeep to Leh, 5 hours.
Day 11: Return flight to Delhi.
IMPORTANT: Taking part in this trek will take you into altitudes of nearly 4000
meters/13,200 feet. Trekking
at high altitudes is strenuous and you must be in top physical shape in order to endure up to eight hours of trekking over steep, often rocky terrain as well as snow. To be able to sustain and hopefully enjoy such a demanding exercise, you need to possess good cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. In order to prepare yourself for your trekking tour you should undertake regular aerobic exercise or training that includes jogging, cycling or swimming, exercising 3 -5 times per week for at least two months prior to your trip.
Leadership
Our expeditions are led by qualified and experienced mountain guides or mountaineering instructors. In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have a good track record of mountaineering at high altitudes. Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead an expedition comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the expedition both successful and enjoyable throughout. The entire trip will be hosted by an experienced Indian mountaineer, who has thirty years of climbing experience, has led expeditions to the Himalayan peaks such as Kamet (7756m), Satopanth (7055m) and Everest(8850m) among others. Equipment: Trekkers will have to bring extreme winter clothing and gear for temperatures going down to minus 30 degrees Celcius.
What the cost includes
Hotel/airport transfers in Leh
The best available hotel accommodation in Leh.
All road transport by private vehicles.
All camping facilities and meals during the trek.
All porterage costs.
All costs for trip leader.
Porters and local helpers.
What the cost does not include
Flights
Visa fees.
Bar bills and laundry.
Travel insurance.
Tips. 2009 Price: USD 1845 per person, Group size: 8- 12 pax.
Common Trek/Expedition Gear List
Sleeping bag
Down-filled bags are better. Beg, borrow or steal a good one (ie 4 season) because high altitude nights will be coldl. A muff (an extra section around the neck) makes a big difference to the overall warmth of a bag. Add a fleece sleeping bag liner to add warmth to a 3 season or tired 4 season bag.
Sleeping bag liner
Cotton, silk or fleece. Saves washing your sleeping bag and adds warmth.
Inflatable sleeping pad
Thermarest or similar padding is great for the Ladakh treks as the ground is hard, and pads add warmth. We provide a sponge foam mattress for everyone, but if you have your own Thermarest, bring it along.
Daypack
This should be comfortable and a good waist band that transfers some of the weight to the hips is most important. It needs to be big enough to take a jacket, fleece, water, camera and odds and ends. Erring a bit on the larger side is better, bags cinch down.
Boots
Lightweight trekking boots are ideal, or the lighter leather models if you are going for 6000m. They need to be broken in, so a few country walks are in order. For a happy trek you need comfortable feet. Good boots have: good ankle support, plenty of toe room for long descents, a stiff sole to lessen twisting torsion, and are light because with every step you lift your boot up. Look at the inner lining - leather is good and Cambrelle is even better, a material that eats smelly feet bacteria. Good lightweight trekking boots or light all leather boots are perfect. Boots must be lightly worn in before trekking and this should include some steep hills to show up trouble spots. The longer the trek, the
better the
boots you need.
Socks
In the low country your feet will be warm or even hot while walking so quality cotton mix sports socks are best. Three to four pairs are enough. Thick trekking socks are better for higher up and cool evenings, four pairs. Mostly modern trekking boots fit snugly so wearing two pairs of socks at the same time is impractical.
Sandals/camp shoes
Good sandals such as crocs or similar are a necessity for river crossings in Ladakh (unless you like wet boots), and a luxury for your feet at the end of the day. Running shoes double as an extra pair of day shoes, or for the evenings at camp. Flip-flops, available for cheap in India, or crocs or similar are good for washing in the river, and dry fast.
Camp booties
A luxury and unnecessary but are so comfortable for cool evenings in the dining tent. Down or synthetic work.
Fleece jacket/Vest
Most trekkers consider fleece essential, but alternatives are a thick thermal top or a light down jacket. Layering is essential as the weather can be changeable. A fleece vest or jacket is easy to carry in your daypack, and layers well over a T-shirt and long-sleeved mid-weight shirt.
Down jacket/vest
Almost essential for the cool evenings. If you don't already have a jacket, inquire about renting one. A down jacket is the best option, although a vest can also be brought along.
Wind/Rain jacket
Waterproof and breathable. Plastic ponchos or non-breathable raincoats are not suitable. Gore-tex (or similar) jackets are recommended for treks over passes or climbing trips. Lighter jackets should be a second jacket, easy to throw in the daypack for warmer days.
Thermal shirts/underwear
Good thermals, both tops and bottoms, are one of the secrets to cold weather trekking comfort. Expedition-weight thermals are the most versatile and can be worn as your high altitude trekking top or under pants on extremely cold days. Zip-up tops are great for changeable weather.
Nightwear thermals
Silk-weight is lightest and warm, mid-weight is perfect. Great for warm nights in the sleeping bag!
Fleece/sweatpants
essential; great for the chilly evenings in the dining tent, or after unpacking camp.
Day-wear shirt
T-shirts are popular but a cotton shirt or mixed yarn travel shirt is more versatile. The collar protects the back of your neck and the sleeves can be rolled up or down. Take two so you can swap damp for dry.
Trekking pants
You will live in these. Light material, loose and dark-coloured is best. Bring a couple of pairs of pants and a pair of shorts. Again, shorts should be longer (knee-length, or just above) to avoid attracting attention (and humoring) from the villagers.
Wind pants
If your trekking pants are reasonably windproof then special wind pants are not needed. If you do bring a pair, it is not necessary to have Gore-tex. Similar, non-waterproof is quite OK.
Underwear
They're light, so bring enough.
Warm hat
Nice for the evenings, hats essential for cold trekking days.
Trekking poles
Definitely useful, especially on steep, rough terrain, but if you are not used to using them you can survive without.
Sunglasses
Bring a good pair with UV protection, and an extra pair is good just in case.
Mittens/gloves
A good pair of wind-proof gloves are essential and makes packing up camp on cold mornings much more bearable!
Water Bottle
Should be one liter or more in capacity, able to take boiling water and be leak-proof. Nalgene or a similar brand, or European aluminum bottles, are best. You need AT LEAST 2 water bottles, or at least 1 water bottle IN ADDITION to a Camelback or hydration system.
Pee bottle
Very useful on cold nights!
Torch / Flashlight
Petzl Tikka's and other similar torches with LED bulbs are absolutely essential. You should have one in your daypack every day. Headlamps are ideal for reading in the tent and also essential for night toilet trips.
Towel
Bring only a small one trekking, or a camp towel.
Sunscreen/lip balm with SPF
The sun is strong at altitude, especially after snow. Bring at least sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 15, better still SPF 30+. And bring more than you think you will use!
Moisturizer
A small tube for sensitive or well cared for skins. The air is dry and the sun harsh. Local apricot oil is also available in Leh, and great for hydrating the skin.
Sun hat
A light baseball cap or similar is ideal. A wide-brim sun hat is also good.
Bandana/scarf
Bandanas are perfect for keeping the harsh sun off the back of the neck, and scarves ideal for the Lawrence of Arabia look in the often desert-like conditions of Ladakh. Both locally available.
First aid kit
We carry one with aspirin, Paracetamol, ibuprofen, decongestants, lozenges, various antibiotics for diarrhoea and chests infections, Diamox, antiseptic, antihistamine cream, rehydration, bandages and band-aids, tough blister tape (but not moleskin) and the book Medicine for Mountaineering. You should bring any personal medicines that you need.
Water Purification/filters
A bottle of water purifier to last the trip is useful to have around.
The Ice Trek, Adventure Tours - Reservation Form
