Chadar trek will not be everyone’s cup of tea now. Get insurance to make it happen

From now on, not everyone will be able to undertake the Chadar trek. Reason? You will now have to undergo a compulsory health check-up and get medical insurance to get permission to trek the frozen Zanskar river. As per the officials in the know-how, this move has been taken in the wake of high casualties every year.
The officials also mentioned that people undertaking this trek are required to bear inhospitable conditions to trek at a height of 11150 ft; further, the temperature during the day hovers around -10 degree Celsius and between -20 and -25 degree Celsius during the night. It is, therefore, expected that such a move would bring down the number of casualties as compared to the previous years.

As per the officials, ice forms and breaks on the river after every few hours. And, in some places, the chadars or ice sheets do not even form. To ensure safety and security of adventure seekers undertaking the 100 km Chadar or Zanskar Trek between the months of January and February. Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa said the Leh administration has even issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) and several guidelines.
While the Chadar trek is one-of-a-kind and trekkers require at least seven days to complete by crossing frozen ice slides, waterfalls and caves on the way, the challenge does not drive away the enthusiasm though. And now as per the new guidelines, trekkers will now have to spend at least three days in Leh for acclimatisation. Then, the trekkers will have to undergo compulsory pre-medical checkup in Leh.
For the safety of these trekkers, the administration has also set-up free treatment facilities, high-altitude medical rescue centre, and three rescue posts. This new regulation came into effect from 2019, and anybody willing to experience the trek will first have to get medical insurance to get the permit. Post the medical check-up, the trekkers will get their adventure insurance.