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