Quick answer: The Chadar trek with Trekkaro costs ₹25,500 + 5% GST (₹26,775) per person, Leh to Leh, for the January 2027 batches. That covers 4 nights in a Leh hotel, 4 nights camping on the frozen Zanskar, meals on the trek, transport to the trailhead, the trek team and Leh sightseeing. Add Ladakh's on-the-spot fees of about ₹6,000–8,000, return flights to Leh and winter gear, and the whole trip comes to about ₹49,000–53,000. EMI starts at about ₹1,311 a month.
Chadar is a walk on the frozen Zanskar river in mid-winter, between canyon walls, with nights in riverside caves and camps at -15°C to -30°C. It is short on distance but serious on cold, which is why Ladakh's rules, fees and acclimatisation days shape the cost as much as the trek fee does. Here is every rupee, line by line.
1. The trek fee: ₹26,775, Leh hotel included
Your ₹25,500 + GST covers:
- 4 nights in a Leh hotel (Days 1–3 and Day 8), twin sharing
- 4 nights camping on the Chadar route (Days 4–7)
- Vegetarian and egg meals from Day 4 breakfast to Day 8 lunch
- Transport from Leh to Shingra Koma and back
- Leh sightseeing on the acclimatisation days: the Hall of Fame, Shey and Thiksey monasteries
- An expert trek leader and guide, oxygen cylinders, first aid, stretchers and radio communication
- Storage for your extra luggage in Leh
Not included: Ladakh's on-the-spot fees, flights to Leh, airport transfers, meals in Leh, high-altitude insurance and your winter gear. Free Trekking Gear is not part of the Chadar package; Chadar needs gumboots and expedition-grade layers, which you bring, buy or rent in Leh.
2. Getting to Leh
| From Delhi | Time | Typical return cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Leh (IXL) | About 1.5 hours | ₹10,000–16,000 in January (booked early) |
| Road via Manali or Srinagar | Closed in winter | Not an option |
Flying is the only way in during January. You must reach Leh by noon on Day 1 for the orientation, because Ladakh requires three days in Leh to acclimatise and a government medical check on Day 3 before anyone is allowed onto the ice.
Total cost from Delhi: Trekkaro vs other operators
| Cost per person | Trekkaro | Other operators (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Trek fee (incl. 5% GST) | ₹26,775 | ₹26,775–27,825 |
| On-the-spot fees (medical check, ALTOA, wildlife and environment) | ₹6,000–8,000 | ₹6,000–8,000 |
| Delhi–Leh flights, return | ₹12,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Gumboots and gear rental in Leh | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Meals in Leh, airport taxi, insurance | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Total | ₹49,275–52,775 | ₹49,275–53,825 |
Chadar costs about the same with every serious operator. The fees we found in October 2026 were ₹25,500–26,500 + GST, and the government fees and flights are the same for everyone. So choose on what you get for the money: acclimatisation nights in a hotel, how experienced the leader is on the ice, and what happens if the river doesn't freeze well.
How Trekkaro compares, beyond price
| What matters | Trekkaro | Ask other operators |
|---|---|---|
| Leh nights | 4 hotel nights included (3 before, 1 after) | Are acclimatisation nights included or extra? |
| Group size | Maximum 20 trekkers, one leader or guide per 8 | How many per batch and per leader? |
| Cancellation | Free rescheduling, or a 100% TrekCash voucher, up to 7 days before departure | Only cash refund slabs? |
| EMI | Yes, on eligible credit cards | Available? |
Before you pay any operator, ask: Are the Leh hotel nights included? Who pays if the authorities shorten or close the route because the ice is unsafe? Which gear do you provide? Is the on-the-spot fee estimate written down?
Optional add-ons
| Add-on | Cost | Worth it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack offloading | ₹5,000 | You'd rather walk on the ice with a light day pack; a porter carries the rest |
| Single tent occupancy | ₹2,000 | You want your own tent on the coldest nights |
How to keep the cost down
- Book flights as soon as you book the trek. January Leh fares climb sharply in the last few weeks.
- Buy gumboots in Leh. They cost a few hundred rupees in Leh market and work better on Chadar than expensive boots. See our winter trek packing list for the layers.
- Budget the fees from day one. Keep about ₹8,000 aside for the on-the-spot fees, which are paid in Leh before you go onto the ice, so they never come as a surprise.
- Spread the fee with EMI. About ₹1,311 a month over 24 months on eligible cards. Choose EMI at checkout on the Chadar trek page.
See Chadar dates and book | Winter trek packing list | Har Ki Dun trek cost
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chadar trek cost?
With Trekkaro it is ₹25,500 + 5% GST, which is ₹26,775 per person, Leh to Leh. It includes 4 Leh hotel nights, 4 nights camping, meals on the trek, transport to the trailhead and the trek team. With Ladakh's fees, flights and gear, the full trip from Delhi comes to about ₹49,000–53,000.
What fees do you pay in Leh for Chadar?
About ₹6,000–8,000 per person, paid on the spot: the government medical check, the ALTOA charge and the wildlife and environment fees. Every operator's trekkers pay these, and they are not part of any trek fee.
Is free trekking gear included on Chadar?
No. Chadar needs gumboots and very warm layers rather than the standard trek kit, so gear is not part of this package. Gumboots are cheap in Leh, and down jackets can be rented there.
Can I pay for Chadar in EMI?
Yes, on eligible credit cards. On a 24-month plan the fee works out to about ₹1,311 a month; the exact amount depends on your bank's interest rate.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. Beyond the trek fee you pay Ladakh's on-the-spot fees, your flights, meals in Leh, insurance, gear and any add-ons you choose. All of these are listed above.
