About Yala Peak
Yala Peak is a striking mountain in the Langtang Region in Nepal. With a height of 5,500m/18,000ft, Yala Peak is one of the most famous trekking peaks for beginners in Nepal. The peak lies near the Nepal-Tibet border, which you can see when trekking in the Langtang Region.
It is categorized as a trekking peak(little to no technical), so essential climbing skill and experience is enough. Equipment such as ice axes and crampons is enough for this peak climbing. To reach the summit of Yala Peak, you have to cross the whole Langtang Region. The route takes place through Langtang Region villages and Langtang National Park. The climbers do not head straight to the summit. Generally, there is one full acclimatization day around Kyanjin Gompa. A hike to Tsergo Ri is a popular option before the climb.
the climb starts from the Yala Peak Base Camp(4,600m), Yala Kharka. The climb is quite simple and non-technical to reach the summit and return to Kyanjin Gompa on the same day. But once you are at the top of this peak, you’ll even see Shishapangma(8,013m), the 14th tallest mountain in the world. You can also catch other peaks, such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, etc.
Permits Required for Yala Peak Climbing
You do not need specific peak climbing permits to do Yala Peak climbing. The peak is straightforward, with no technical section. So there is no requirement for a climbing permit for Yala Peak. However, you’ll need two licenses that all the regular Langtang Region trekkers have to get, TIMS Card and Langtang National Park Permit.
The TIMS(Trekkers Information Management System) Card is a must permit for the Langtang Region. It is for the safety and security of the trekkers and their information. The card is obtainable from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. It costs USD 6 per pax for SAARC Nationals and USD 20 per pax for other nationals.
Likewise, Langtang National Park Permit is for entering the enriched protected site, which falls in the trekking route. The permit is available at USD 17 per pax for SAARC nationals and USD 34 per pax for other residents.
The required documents for obtaining these permits are passport-sized photos, fees, and photocopies of a valid passport. Our Yala Peak climbing cost covers the permit costs. And our team will arrange these permits for you.
Yala Peak Climbing Route
Let’s talk about how the Yala Peak Climbing Route progresses. Like all the tours in Nepal, Yala Peak Climbing will start by leaving Kathmandu’s concrete vicinity. You will leave the city for Syabrubesi. There is no alternative way to reach the starting point. So you will take a scenic highway drive of 8 hours. The day will end in Syabrubesi.
The next day, you’ll take a trail to Lama Hotel to start the trek to Yala Peak. The track is the standard route of the famous Langtang Valley Trek. You’ll finish the day in Lama Hotel after trekking through dense forest and riverside trails. After Lama Hotel, the trek to Langtang Village will start. It will be a picturesque day of trekking. By the end of the day, you’ll be in Langtang Village.
From Langtang village, you’ll take a route to Kyanjin Gompa. It will have many mountain panoramas. The scenic day will conclude in the town of Kyanjin Monastery. Afterward, the next daylight, you’ll spend a complete rest and exploration day around Kyanjin Gompa. You’ll hike to Tsergo Ri to enjoy the day well and acclimate to the altitudes.
After spending another night in Kyanjin Gompa, you’ll move towards the Yala Base Camp. The night will happen in a tented camp. You will leave the base camp down to climb the Yala Peak the next dawn. As it is a straightforward climb, you will reach the peak's summit after several hours of uphill climbing. You will enjoy a breathtaking panorama from the peak’s summit.
On the same day, you’ll descend to Kyangin Gompa to spend another night in the village. The following morning, you’ll leave the place to retrace back to Lama Hotel through the same trail. After the Lama Hotel’s night, you’ll trek to Khanjim via Sherpa Village. From Khanjim, you’ll hike back to Syabrubesi on the last trekking day of Yala Peak Climbing. And, on the previous day of the trip, you’ll take a roadway drive back to Kathmandu. So this is how the route goes on.
Yala peak Climbing Difficulty Level
Yala Peak Climbing is the most accessible trekking peak in Nepal. Other similar peaks have technicalities, but Yala Peak is a straightforward climb. You can finish the summit push in one day and return on the same day. While approaching the Yala Peak’s point, you’ll have a comfortable walk to the top. That is why it is called an accessible peak.
However, you must trek in high altitude, cold weather, rocky terrain, and snowy uphills. An average of 5-6 hours of the trek is needed every day while trekking via Langtang Valley. You have to rest and sleep in a tented camp during the climbing days. And there can be many uphills and steep sections throughout this journey. All of this may not be easy for the newbies to digest. Although the difficulties are not that severe, people with no trekking and climbing experience may feel them.
the Yala Peak Climbing Difficulty level depends on the doers' level of experience and preparation. If you are an experienced one, this climb is an easy task. If not, you may have to face all those difficulties.
Altitude Sickness during Yala Peak Climbing
You on Yala Peak Climbing will reach 5,500m of height. When you are at a height above 3500m+, you are prone to mountain sickness. Thus, the expedition has a chance of mountain sickness. You’ll trek and remain for some days in the higher region of the Langtang Region. To finish the climb, you’ll touch 5,500m/18000ft altitude. So altitude sickness is actual during Yala Peak climbing. That is why you will do all the things to avoid it.
The symptoms of altitude sickness are insomnia, headache, vomiting, loss of breath, dizziness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and feeling sick. If you feel any kind of symptoms, inform your guide instantly. And it is better to rest and descend to lower places. And if things are worse, it is wise to evacuate for emergency treatment.
Here are some ways to avoid mountain sickness:
- Do not gain excessive altitude in a day, not more than 800m aboce tree Line.
- Take acclimatization day and spend it well.
- Keep your body hydrated all the time.
- Do not consume any kind of alcohol.
- Eat a healthy and energy diet.
- Have altitude sickness medicines such as acetazolamide, paracetamol, etc.
- Yala Peak Climbing Preparation
To prepare for the Yala Peak expedition, you’ll have to do several things. There is no need for super preparation as it is a non-technical climb. That is enough if you can prepare for high-altitude trekking and basic mountaineering climbing.
On this expedition, you’ll trek from Syabrubesi to Yala Peak and back to Syabrubesi. All of that walk will happen through the beautiful Langtang Region. On average, you’ll have to trek for 5-6 hours. It is more than enough if you can prepare your body for this sort of walking. You can do cardio and strength training for that purpose. Cycling, jogging, day hiking, running, swimming, and gym workouts will make your body ready for the trip.
Likewise, you have to do pretty basic climbing things on Yala Peak climbing. If you have good mountaineering skills, that is a bonus for you. If not, you can attend basic climbing skills before the expedition. It will teach you to use the essential climbing gear. Although climbing training is not a must, you can do it to remain on the safer side.
Yala peak Climbing Best Time
If you are sure about doing Yala Peak Climbing, do it in Autumn and Spring. These two seasons are the best times for doing tours in Nepal.
The Spring season is a pre-monsoon season in Nepal, which lasts through March, April, and May. During this season, the weather around the Himalayas is warm and stable. You’ll get perfect panoramas of mountains on sunny days. The precipitation level is relatively low, which means fewer chances of rainfall. And it is a season of blossoming flowers in Nepal, mainly Rhododendron. That is why Spring is a peak season in Nepal. Yala Peak Climbing during it is just perfect.
Likewise, Autumn is another good time for the Yala Peak excursion. The season is a post-monsoon season lasting through September, October, and November. All thanks to the monsoon season, Nepal’s landscapes during Autumn are crystal clear. The temperature is also quite welcoming and stable. As the monsoon is already gone, there will be no rainfall during this season. This season is a happy season for the most significant local festivals, Bijaya Dashami and Tihar. Hene, Autumn is so much famous for adventures in Nepal. You can do Yala Peak climbing this season.
However, Monsoon and Winter are not among the best times for doing Yala Peak climbing. Although it is entirely possible to climb the peak during these two times, it is treacherous. The unstable weather, heavy snowfall, and regular rainfall make these two seasons challenging.
Food
Food during Yala Peak climbing is not a problem. As this expedition runs through the route of the Langtang Valley trek, there are plenty of lodges. During this expedition, you can expect local, quality, delicious, and organic food. The teahouses and lodges of the trail provide various local, western, and Chinese meals. Some of the popular food items of the trip are Dal Bhat, Momos, Burgers, and Noodles. You can also have various beverages, bakeries, and energy bars. Whereas, during the climbing days, you’ll have limited meals to eat. You will spend just one night in a tented camp on this trip. Your kitchen staff will cook the meal.
Accommodation
The accommodation is also readily available during Yala Peak Climbing. The region’s locals run numerous teahouses(lodges). You will get rooms with two beds, pillows, blankets, and mattresses in these teahouses. Yet, the rooms do not have any kind of heaters. A sleeping bag is thus highly suggested during this trip. Surprisingly, you’ll get hot showers in some of the lodges. One day, you have to spend a night in a tented camp, the night before the climbing day. The sleeping bag will work here as well.
Tips for Yala Peak Climbing
- Prepare your body for the expedition.
- Do strength and cardio training at least 3-4 months before the climb.
- Climbing training is unnecessary, but it is beneficial if you do it.
- Pick the correct date for the expedition.
- Manage all the basic logistics.
- Hire trekking and climbing essentials if you do not want to buy them.
- Choose a trusted and experienced agency for the trip.
- Ask for an expert cum local guide for the expedition.
- Learn about mountain sickness and try to avoid it.
- Acclimate with the altitudes properly.
- Buy/rent a sleeping bag.
- Get travel insurance that covers all the emergencies of the expedition.
- Do not drink alcohol and dehydrate your body.
- Maintain a good blood oxygen level.
