You must have understood that without the proper training your fantasy of waking over the ice sheets turned Zanskar River amidst the Himalayas cannot be accomplished. The training of Chadar Trek physical fitness must start a month or two prior to your trip in order to get acquainted with the amount of valor you would require for the trek.
The mental training is as important as the physical training, hence you must make sure you invest the required efforts and time for the same. If done right, the physical training can help your brain to get trained to bear the pressure, simultaneously helping the brain and the body to come out of the comfort zone and get trek-ready.
But the question arises - how to prepare for Chadar Trek? Well, you are at the right place. We have curated an exclusive list of doable things for all the adventure enthusiasts! Make sure you do not miss out any point, gear up to shed some sweat!
Walk and exercise: You should build a habit to walk for at least half an hour per day, two months prior to the trek. You’ll be walking for around 4-5 hours each day, therefore it is a better idea to get into the habit so that you don’t lag. Include cardiovascular exercises in your schedule as they will help train your heart rate to elevate and then relax. This will increase oxygen retention in your body which is very beneficial at high altitudes.
Build stamina and endurance: Stamina and endurance are the best allies that will help you survive through this trek. Daily exercising and walking will help you push your boundaries and hence increase your stamina.
Avoid heaters and warm quilts in order to increase your endurance for the cold. You can also trek to a nearby hill to get your body acquainted with the adventure. Try walking with weight over your shoulder, as this will help your shoulders to get acquainted with the weight of the backpack that you will be carrying during the trek.
Medicines basics: Walking on the frozen river while the temperature drops to -25 degrees Celsius is a daunting as well as an enthralling task. While the mandatory cuts and bruises will be a part of this rewarding journey, it is advisable not to leave them untreated. You are required to carry a first aid kit which includes medicines for cold, fever, pain stimulants, anti-allergic pills, muscle pain-relieving ointments, and necessary antibiotics.
Do not forget to carry glucose as it will help you gain the energy levels whenever they drop. A medicine - Diamox will be an elixir during the adventurous journey as it helps to cure the dizziness, nausea, headache, and breathing problem caused due to the high altitude but it is still advisable to consult a doctor to check if it is the right medicine for your body or not.