Avoid
Zanskar Valley in March
Ladakh, India
March ends the Chadar season. The ice becomes unreliable as temperatures fluctuate. Late-season treks are riskier — sections of river can break through without warning. By mid-March, the Chadar is done. The valley remains frozen and inaccessible by road. Zanskar in March is the extreme shoulder: too late for safe ice, too early for road access.
The March story
March Chadar is the expert-only window. The ice is unpredictable — warm days can thin sections overnight. Experienced operators may still run treks in early March but the risk profile changes. Multiple rescues have been required in March when ice broke. The valley itself is between seasons: winter's grip loosening but spring not yet arriving. The monasteries in March have a restless energy — monks ready for spring but still bound by snow. By mid-March, the Chadar season is definitively over. The frozen river starts breaking up — watching the ice release in sections, creating a jigsaw of blue and white, is dramatic but signals the end. If you didn't make January-February, plan for next winter or shift to the road-season experience (July-September) which offers monasteries, trekking, and isolation without the ice.
Why March scores 1/5
Weather
Chadar melting, too warm for river trek. Road still closed. Valley in limbo — neither winter nor summer access.
Roads & Access
self drive: 4WD mandatory.. road condition: Pensi La road rough, seasonal (Jul-Sep only).. public transport: Rare shared taxis.. from nearest city: Kargil 230km via Pensi La. Or Manali (3+ days). Or frozen river.. last km difficulty: extreme
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 1/5. rescue: Army post at Padum. No helicopter in bad weather.. helpline: No civilian helpline. Carry satellite phone or PLB.. ambulance: None.. police station: Padum. nearest hospital: PHC Padum (very basic). Real hospital: Kargil 230km (2 days in winter).
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL barely works. Effectively offline. Download everything. Tell someone your plan.
Kids
Not ideal for kids —
Elevation
3,660m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
- ✓Expert-only late-season Chadar trekkers accepting higher risk
- ✓Ice-breakup photographers documenting the river's transformation
- ✓Nobody without extensive cold-weather trekking experience
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Standard Chadar trekkers — ice is becoming unreliable
- ✗Risk-averse travellers — March ice can break unpredictably
- ✗Those expecting road access — months away
- ✗First-time winter trekkers — too late and too dangerous
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 | Chadar Trek season -20 to -5°C. Frozen Zanskar River walking. Guided expeditions only. Once-in-a-lifetime adventure. |
| February | 4/5 | Best Chadar month -15 to -5°C. Frozen Zanskar River walkable. Guided treks only. Once-in-a-lifetime experience. |
| Marchviewing | 1/5 | Chadar melting, too warm for river trek. Road still closed. Valley in limbo — neither winter nor summer access. |
| April | 1/5 | Inaccessible. Pensi La snowbound. Chadar melted. No road, no river route. Valley completely cut off. Wait for July. |
| May | 1/5 | Pensi La still closed under snow. BRO clearing in progress. No access to Padum. Earliest opening late June. |
| June | 3/5 | Pensi La road opening 5-18°C. Access rough but possible. Padum monastery accessible. Services limited but starting. |
| July | 5/5 | Peak season 10-25°C. All monasteries accessible. Padum, Karsha, Phugtal open. River rafting season. Book camping ahead. |
| August | 5/5 | Best road conditions 10-25°C. Dry weather (rain shadow). All activities open. Rafting excellent. Nomad camps active. |
| September | 4/5 | Good 5-18°C but cooling fast. Autumn gold in valley. Monasteries open. Last trekking window. Road still passable. |
| October | 2/5 | Road closing rapidly 0-10°C. Pensi La getting snow. Last vehicles leaving. Urgent exit needed before winter traps you. |
| November | 1/5 | Road closed. Pensi La snowbound. Valley isolated until Chadar forms in January. No in/out access. Winter begins. |
| December | 2/5 | Chadar prep season -15 to -5°C. Zanskar River starting to freeze. Valley isolated. Chadar treks begin late Jan. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Kargil 230km via Pensi La. Or Manali (3+ days). Or frozen river.. Roads: Pensi La road rough, seasonal (Jul-Sep only).. Self-drive: 4WD mandatory.. Public transport: Rare shared taxis.. Last stretch: extreme
Elevation
3,660m
Difficulty
extreme
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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