Chadar (frozen river) trek vs Markha Valley
Pick Chadar (frozen river) trek for
snow
Pick Markha Valley for
nature, culture and heritage, an easier walk, a smaller budget
| Chadar (frozen river) trek | Markha Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Ladakh, Zanskar, Leh | Ladakh, Hemis National Park, Leh |
| Highest point | 3,400 m | 5,150 m |
| Difficulty | Difficult | Moderate |
| Trek distance | about 62 km | about 70 km |
| Days on the ground | 9–10 | 9–10 |
| Best months | Jan, Feb | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Snow likely | Jan, Feb | Rarely |
| Crowds in season | Moderate | Moderate |
| Daily spend | about ₹4,000 | about ₹3,000 |
| Gateway | Leh | Leh |
| With kids | Not advised | Not advised |
| With seniors | Not advised | Not advised |
| Permits | Mandatory acclimatisation days, medical check and insurance in Leh, plus fees — confirm current LAHDC rules; the trek has been restricted in some years. | Hemis National Park fee and Ladakh permits. |
Chadar (frozen river) trek: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Markha Valley: when to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely