Chadar trek on Zanskar river to begin today after delay

The much-anticipated Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh is set to commence on January 13, following a delay caused by the late formation of ice along the riverbanks. The trek, which attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the country every year, was initially scheduled to begin on January 7 but was postponed due to weather conditions.

An official announcement revealed that after a reconnaissance mission by the UT Disaster Response Force (UTDRF) in collaboration with representatives from the Wildlife and Tourism Departments, as well as the All Ladakh Tour Operator Association (ALTOA) and Ladakh Mountain Guides Association (LMGA), the revised date for the trek has been confirmed, contingent on favourable weather conditions.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has also released a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the successful and safe conduct of the trek. Trekkers will begin arriving in Leh on January 13, where they will rest for acclimatisation for a day before undergoing medical checks.

Travel agencies are required to ensure that all trekkers possess the necessary equipment and gear for the trek; without these, they will not be permitted to participate. ALTOA will be responsible for organising and providing the required gear.

An identity card will be issued to each porter, cook, helper and guide by ALTOA, and medical facilities will be available to the trek crew. To ensure safety and comfort, firewood for halts along the trek will be transported from Leh, with ALTOA taking responsibility for this. Travel companies will also be required to provide proper accommodation, tents, and food for the trekking team.

Additionally, the SOP mandates that all vehicles used for transportation must play an audio advisory issued by the Tourism Department, and an oxygen cylinder must be present in every vehicle at all times.

In terms of waste management, the Wildlife Department will distribute green bags for trash and collect a security deposit from guides, which will be refunded upon the return of all waste.

To regulate the number of trekkers, a maximum of 10 groups will be allowed to embark on the trek each day, with no more than 10 trekkers per group. The police are also exploring options to establish a communication network along the trekking route.

The LAHDC has made it clear that anyone violating the regulations, whether they are tourists, travel agencies, or taxi operators, will face a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for a first offense. Repeated violators may face fines ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. In severe cases, the administration reserves the right to revoke the license of the tour operator responsible for non-compliance with the SOPs