Life on the Chadar Trail: The Isolated Communities of Zanskar | SLICE | FULL DOCUMENTARY

Hidden deep within the Indian Himalayas, the Zanskar Valley is a remote kingdom frozen in time. Perched at 3,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by towering peaks rising over 7,000 meters, it is one of the most isolated places on Earth. For eight long months each year, winter seals off the region completely. Snow blocks the mountain passes, cutting the Zanskari people off from the outside world. In this frozen silence, one path remains: the Chadar, a 120-kilometer trail carved across the surface of a partially frozen river. This treacherous ice road snakes through a narrow gorge, flanked by sheer cliffs and deathly cold. It is the only route for supplies, travel, and survival — but it comes with deadly risks. The Chadar is more than a path — it’s a test of endurance and spirit. Men haul timber in freezing caravans. Children walk for days just to reach school in Leh. The ice beneath their feet is unpredictable — solid one day, shattered the next. Every step requires prayer, skill, and luck. This is the story of the Zanskari — men, women, and especially children — who brave the fearsome ice trail each winter, risking everything for education, livelihood, and connection to the world beyond.