Update: I don’t quite encourage everyone to do The Chadar Trek. I was naive when I first started my trek 3 years ago and didn’t know the trek conditions, operators and how inexperienced trekkers could potentially damage the surroundings. Like you and everyone else, I was intrigued by the wildness of this trek and I was not socially aware of the problems that persists in these harsh region. With the amount of human traffic and no proper system to manage human waste, it is wise to not contribute to the problems in this already fragile landscape. I urge you to read this post shared by IndiaHikes here and a fellow blogger on his thoughts before making a wise decision.

As I had done the Annapurna base camp trek in Nepal last year, I was determined to start my 3 month stint in India with a crazy adventure called the Chadar Trek in Ladakh and I ensured it had to be cold, bone chillingly cold. Trekking in Ladakh was my answer to starting my trek in India.

I recall hearing first about the Chadar trek couple of years ago when it was shared multiple times on social media tagged as the world's most remotest region (Zanskar Valley in Ladakh) where locals have to trek for days on sheets of ice used as a route for them to send their children to school and get access to local supplies.

'Chadar' refers to a blanket of ice and can only be accessed during the coldest months from January to February. The region remains close off for eight months to a year due to heavy snowfall and it was also known as one of the most popular winter treks in India. No surprises there as here I was a Malaysian flying all the way to start my journey in India, with the ultimate Chadar trek in Ladakh. So yeah.

The thought of treading through deep icy waters and walking on a thin layer of ice was somehow fascinating and thrilling to me. My first impression of the Zanskar region was one of isolation. I had the same exact picture in mind and looking back I am glad my trek mate managed to capture this which sums up part of my experience, yet it felt like as if a wicked ice queen had decided to cast a spell and form a frozen obstacle course for us to cross over. At that point, I remember that I stood motionless and surveyed the place, really thinking to myself if I should put my left foot forward or not.

Read more: Solo Trippin' In Northern India: Why Travel to India Alone (As A Female)?

Trekking in Ladakh: The Chadar Trek