Quick answer: The Nerak waterfall is a towering cascade on the Zanskar river route that freezes completely in winter. On Trekkaro's 9-day Chadar trek, run in January and February, you reach it on Day 6, the 13 km walk from Tibb Cave to Nerak at 3,400 m, the highest and coldest camp, where nights can fall to -30°C.
The frozen Nerak waterfall is the sight Chadar trekkers wait for, and the goal of Day 6. Seeing it means walking three days on the ice from the road head at Shingra Koma. This page explains where the fall is, when it is frozen, what the days around it look like and what it costs to get there on the Chadar trek. For the kilometre-by-kilometre route, see the Chadar trek distance and height guide.
Where is the Nerak waterfall?
The fall is on the Chadar route along the Zanskar river, at the far end of the trek. Trekkaro's itinerary reaches it on Day 6, on the stretch from Tibb Cave (3,350 m) to Nerak (3,400 m), and the night is spent in tents at the Nerak camp. Nerak is the turning point: from Day 7 the group walks back the way it came, towards Tibb Cave and then the road.
Nerak is also the first village of Zanskar on the route. If time permits on Day 6, the team can arrange a short visit to Nerak village. It happens only if time permits after the 13 km walk, so treat it as a bonus, not a fixed part of the day.
When is the Nerak waterfall frozen?
Trekkaro runs the Chadar only in January and February, and the best weeks fall between the middle of January and the middle of February. Daytime temperatures on the trek run from about -5°C to 0°C, and nights from -15°C to -30°C. Nerak, the night after the waterfall, is the coldest camp of the trek.
For how the cold changes between January and February, read the Chadar trek weather guide.
What other waterfalls do you pass on the way to Nerak?
The Nerak fall is the one people come for, but it is not the only frozen water on the route. On the days before and after it, frozen falls hang on the gorge walls, and local legends surround them.
| Day | Stretch | Camp height | Waterfalls on the way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 5 | Tsomo Paldar to Tibb Cave | 3,350 m | Frozen falls hang on the cliffs, and one waterfall runs even in sub-zero cold |
| Day 6 | Tibb Cave to Nerak | 3,400 m | The frozen Nerak waterfall; optional visit to Nerak village |
| Day 7 | Nerak to Tibb Cave | 3,350 m | The cliff falls again, seen from the other direction on the way back |
The Day 5 fall that never freezes is the odd one out. Its water keeps moving in temperatures that lock everything around it in ice, and where that water comes from is not known to the trekkers or to the people who live along the river. You pass that stretch on Day 5 and again on the walk out on Day 8.
How do you reach Nerak on the Chadar trek?
The Chadar is a Leh-to-Leh trek of 9 days and 8 nights, graded difficult. The first three days stay in Leh, and the walking only starts on Day 4.
| Day | Where you are | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | Leh | Arrival and rest, then an acclimatisation day with sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Leh | Compulsory medical check at the Government Medical Camp: height, weight, blood pressure and oxygen level |
| Day 4 | Leh to Tsomo Paldar | Drive to Shingra Koma, then a short first walk on the ice |
| Day 5 | Tsomo Paldar to Tibb Cave | Past the cliff waterfalls |
| Day 6 | Tibb Cave to Nerak | 13 km, 6 to 7 hours, past the frozen Nerak waterfall |
| Day 7 | Nerak to Tibb Cave | The walk back begins |
| Day 8 | Tibb Cave to Leh | Walk to Shingra Koma, then the drive back to a heated hotel in Leh |
| Day 9 | Leh | Departure |
Each trekker must spend at least two days in Leh before the walk starts. The Ladakh tourism advisory also asks visitors to allow at least 48 hours to acclimatise on arrival, and the medical check on Day 3 decides who goes onto the ice.
The day-by-day kilometres are in the distance guide linked above. The height gain on the ice is small: about 250 m from Shingra Koma (3,150 m) to Nerak. Nerak, at 3,400 m (about 11,155 ft), is the highest point on the ice, yet lower than Leh, where the trek begins. What makes the Day 6 walk hard is the cold and the hours on ice, not the climb.
How cold is the night at Nerak, and how do you prepare?
Nerak is the coldest campsite on the trek, with nights that can drop to -30°C. Layering, insulated gloves, a woollen cap and thermals are essential that night. Eat a full dinner, change into dry layers before the temperature falls and get into the sleeping bag early. Trekkaro provides sub-zero sleeping bags, and tents are shared by three trekkers, with men and women in separate tents.
The ice itself needs grip. Gumboots are mandatory on the Chadar, and you bring your own. On the Chadar, Trekkaro gives free microspikes and gaiters, with no deposit and no charge; ice axes and ropes are part of the team's safety equipment. Leh has the last mobile network, and only postpaid SIMs work in Ladakh. Once you leave Leh the signal is scarce or absent, and the trek team keeps in touch by radio.
What does the Chadar trek to the Nerak waterfall cost?
The Chadar trek fee is ₹25,500 per person plus 5% GST (₹26,775 with GST). EMI starts at ₹1,311 a month. The trek runs from the Leh hotel back to the Leh hotel, and the drive from Leh to Shingra Koma and back is included. Airport transfers in Leh are not; Trekkaro helps you book a cab, paid directly to the driver.
Ladakh adds its own charges on the spot. The wildlife, rescue, ALTOA NOC, entry and pre-medical fees are paid in Leh at the rates the authorities set, and they are not part of the Trekkaro fee. High-altitude risk insurance is compulsory under ALTOA guidelines and is not part of the fee. Leh has the last ATM, so carry enough cash for these fees. For the full budget, see the Chadar trek cost guide.
See Chadar trek dates and book | Chadar trek distance and height | Chadar trek difficulty and fitness
Frequently asked questions
On which day of the Chadar trek do you see the Nerak waterfall?
You see it on Day 6 of Trekkaro's 9-day Chadar trek, on the 13 km walk from Tibb Cave to Nerak. The night after it is spent at the Nerak camp.
Is the Nerak waterfall frozen in February?
Yes, in the first half of February. Trekkaro runs the Chadar in January and February, the best window is from the middle of January to the middle of February, and the frozen Nerak fall is the goal of Day 6.
How high is Nerak on the Chadar trek?
The Nerak camp is at 3,400 m, about 11,155 ft. It is the highest point of the trail, yet lower than Leh, and Nerak is the first village of Zanskar on the route.
Which waterfall on the Chadar never freezes?
A waterfall on the Day 5 stretch from Tsomo Paldar to Tibb Cave keeps flowing even in sub-zero cold. Its source is not known, and local legends surround it.
Can you visit Nerak village on the Chadar trek?
A short visit to Nerak village can be arranged on Day 6 if time permits. It depends on the group's pace after the walk from Tibb Cave.
