Yala Peak Climbing

of the Yala Peak Climbing is when you arrive at the heart of the nation, Kathmandu. The valley of Kathmandu is a fabulous destination on its own, and we will have an entire day dedicated to exploring its sites. As the plane enter the hilly region, you will get to see scenes of the Himalayas in the north. It’s a very scenic flight with views of the Annapurna Himalayas, Langtang, Mera Peak, and some Everest region peaks.

After you touchdown at the airport, you will be taken to the immigration booth where your tourist visa will be processed. For this, you will have to fill out an application form that you get there, a proof of residence, proof of return tickets, a valid passport, a visa payment bank receipt, and two passport-sized photos.

If you want to avoid spending considerable time at the immigration booth, you can also apply for a tourist visa online. You just have to fill out a digital visa application, attach all the necessary documents as mentioned above, and wait a couple of business days to receive an email. You will be sent a digital barcode that you have to print out and present at the immigration booth to get a visa clearance.

Regardless of how you decide to proceed, one of our reps will be at the terminal waiting to take you to your 3-star hotel for the night. After you have freshened up, we will set up a short meet-up with the crew members to get to know each other.

Today is going to be a full day of sightseeing around the valley of Kathmandu. It’s a great way to witness the traditional architecture of Nepal while also learning a little about the history. We will start the 2nd day of the Yala Peak Climbing with a visit to Dakshinkali Temple. About 22 km from the city center, this temple is technically outside the valley, but it’s a great site that should not be missed.

Dedicated to Goddess Kali, this temple is highly revered by Hindus and has been religiously important since the 14th century when it was built by the Malla kings. As per the legend, Goddess Kali showed up in the dreams of the then-king and ordered him to establish a temple at the site. When the king went to check the site to construct the temple, he found a stone statue of Kali already there.

Taragaon Museum is a great visit as well. Located up north within the valley, it is a fairly new establishment (operational since 2014), but the content within is much older. It’s basically a collection of art that focuses on the preservation of the Newari Heritage, which is the dominant culture in the valley.

Although the museum has been open since 2014, the story behind the building goes back to 1972, when Carl Pruscha, an Austrian architect, sketched the layout to accommodate officials who used to visit Nepal (UNESCO and UNO). The ultimate design of the building was a combination of modern European and traditional Nepalese styles.

The building acted as an accommodation till the 90s, after which it was just another neglected building. Arun Saraf, a well-known philanthropist and businessman, bought the building in 1997, but it was not until 2012 that he decided to turn it into a museum.

Mahabouddha Temple is yet another great site to visit, this 16th-century Hindu temple was inspired by a visit to Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha achieved enlightenment. Abhta Raj, a well-known priest, attempted to design and build something similar to the Mahabodhi Temple in India, and the result was more than appealing. However, he did not live long enough to see his own creation.

This temple is said to be one of the best Shikhara-style temples in Nepal as it combines the architecture of the Maha Bodhi temple and traditional Nepalese style. The flooring is something you will definitely notice, as it is decorated with a multitude of terracotta tiles with imprints of Buddha on each.

Next up, the Budhanilkantha Temple is a piece of centuries-old history that still stands strong. It was first built in the 6th century under the commission of the then-Licchavi King Vishnugupta. As per the legend, the king’s wife stumbled upon the statue of Lord Vishnu while she was plowing a field. After her plow hit the statue, it began building as if it were alive. This prompted the immediate building of a temple in the field.

The name Budhanilkantha roughly translates to “Old Blue Throat,” which can be linked to the blue throat of Lord Shiva after he drank poison during the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. As per the religious texts, Lord Shiva later reveals that he was able to do so with the grace of Lord Vishnu.

We will start the 3rd day of the Yala Peak Climbing with a heavy breakfast, followed by a ride out of the city. From Kathmandu to Sybarubesi, it’s a 122 km road trip that takes about 7 hours to complete, including the occasional breaks. It’s the first trip trekkers make when they have to get to the Langtang valley. Although the trip is not smooth all the way through, it makes up for being bumpy by getting our attention with the scenes of hills and rivers.

From Kathmandu, we will head north on the Pasang Lhamu Highway (NH-18) passing Dhunche, Trishuli Bazaar, and more towns on the way to Syabrubesi. First, we will take a short break after reaching Tishuli Bazaar, about 70 km from Kathmandu. The road condition is average but can be narrow at times since the road winds up the hills and along the rivers.

From Trishuli Bazaar, we will get to Dhunche after 2 more hours of riding; this is where we will have our lunch. On the way, you will get to see views of the Ganesh Himal and Langtang. Passing by a number of small settlements along the way, we will reach 1965 meters of altitude, leading us to Dhunche.

Now, for the final leg of today’s road trip, we will get to Syabrubesi in about 1.5 additional hours of driving. This route follows the Langtang River with views of multiple peaks in the distance. Sybarubesi is a popular village in the region, which means that it is well-facilitated, unlike the other remote villages we will visit during this Yala Peak Climbing journey.

Today is the first day of trekking during your Yala Peak Climbing journey. We will cover 11.3 km in a span of 5 hours to get to our destination, Lama Hotel. Our destination is not a hotel, as the name suggests, the village was named after “Lama Hotel”, which stands to be the dominant force of the community.

Leaving the village of Syabrubesi, we will head northeast, entering the Langtang National Park, this is where our permits will be checked. Following the forest of pine and oak, we will trek for about 2 hours to get to Bamboo, our first stop. As you might have guessed, this area is full of bamboo trees.

From Bamboo, the path turns steeper as we make our way through a forest of Rhododendron and oak trees. This climb lasts for about an hour and turns into a plain path leading us to Rimche. This is the last village before Lama Hotel and our last stop as well. From there, the path turns steeper yet again, marking the final climb of the day 4 of the Yala Peak Climbing journey.

The village of Lama Hotel is a peaceful place to spend the night; the shimmering sound of the river, the chilly breeze of the hills, and the tranquil forest around make it very relaxing. We will spend the night at a local tea house or lodge, which supports the local communities in their small business. Starting the day at 1460 meters above sea level, we will end the day at an elevation of 2470 meters.

of the Yala Peak Climbing journey is one of the longest trekking days as we have to cover 14 km, which takes about 6 hours. Leaving the village of Lama Hotel, we will walk along the Langtang River on a slightly ascending trail through a lush hillside forest. About an hour into the trek, we will get to Riverside, also referred to as Gumnachok. It’s a tiny settlement where trekkers can enjoy a hot cup of tea and snacks before continuing.

From there, our next stop is Ghoda Tabela, which means Horse Stable. It’s not a long trek, it’s just around 2 km, which takes a little more than an hour to complete. The elevation gain is 250 meters, which is why it takes such a long time. From Riverside, we have to trek a steep path with switchbacks along the hill. While ascending, you will be able to see peaks in the distance, including the Langtang Himalayan Range.

From Ghoda Tabela, we will walk about 45 minutes, gain 140 meters of elevation, and cover 1.5 km to get to Thangshyap. The path is very gentle as the sub-alpine vegetation turns into an alpine setting. We will cross many streams via wooden bridges and pass a couple of makeshift houses that shepherds use from time to time. We will rest a bit at Ghoda Tabela before we move to Langtang village, our final destination of the day.

The last part of today’s trek is a difficult climb as we have to cover 4.5 km and gain 540 meters within 2.5 hours. A steep climb takes us to Chyamki village, sitting at 3230 meters above sea level. Moving on, we will pass by many Mani walls and Chortens, a testament to the influence of Tibetan Buddhism in the region. The trail turns into a gradual ascent after a while and takes us to the Langtang village.

Today is the shortest day of the Yala Peak Climbing journey. We just have to cover 6.8 km, which can be done within 4 hours of trekking from Langtang village. We will start today’s trek from 3430 meters above sea level and get to 3870 meters of elevation at the end of the day’s trek. We will gain a total elevation of 440 meters.

Leaving Langtang village, the trail is open and wide with scenic treats of the northern peaks, and it is an easy-going experience for most of today’s trek. First, we will get to Mundu, which is about a kilometer from Langtang village; we will get there in just 30 minutes.

From there, we will trek an additional 1.5 km to arrive at Sindum village. This part of the trek gains us 150 meters of elevation. On the way, we will pass a meadow where you might encounter a couple of Yaks and sheep. Shepherds are often seen there looking after their cattle. You can also view the 7227 meters high Langtang Lirung peak.

From Sindum, the trail continues to be a gradual ascent and takes us through small streams. We will also pass by Mani walls and chortens, leading us to Yamphu village. Remember to always pass by chortens from the left; the clockwise rotation. This is the last village before we get to Kyanjin Gompa.

For the last part of today’s trek, we will trek a plain trail, passing by glacial moraines and grassland patches. After a 1.5-hour trek from Yamphu, we will finally get to Kyanjin Village. The Gompa in the village is very ancient and is the center of any kind of religious activity in the region.

We can not stress enough how important it is to acclimatize well with the environment; it’s something that will determine the success of your Yala Peak Climbing journey. Today is not only an acclimatization day but also a day to explore a few viewpoints nearby and the local attractions.

One of the most popular and scenic options is the hike to Kyanjin Ri. This 900-meter high viewpoint covers around 4 km of distance and takes 5 hours to complete. To begin this acclimatization hike, we leave the Kyanjin village and head northeast to a steep ascent. The path is rocky with patches of grass here and there.

As we climb up the hill, the trail turns more rugged, winding up the slopes. It’s not a technically difficult climb, but it is definitely exhausting. From the top of Kyanjin RI, we will get to witness a stunning scene of the Langtang II, Langtang Lirung Glacier, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Langtang Lirung, and more. Standing at 4773 meters above sea level, the feeling is unreal and definitely a moment of a lifetime.

Another great acclimatization hike option is a hike to Tserko Ri. Reaching a maximum height of 5033 meters above sea level, this viewpoint is a little higher than Kyanjin Ri. For this hike, we will head east from Kyanjin Ri and cross the Langtang River via a suspension bridge to get to a pasture land. This section of the hike is pretty steep.

As we move up the hill, the trail gets uneven and full of loose rock. Follow the footing of the Yala Peak Climbing guide in difficult sections. The last section of the climb is the steepest and covered in snow occasionally. The summit of Tserko Ri presents trekkers with gorgeous views of Yala Peak, Langtang Ri, Shishapangma, Langtang Lirung, Naya Khang, and more.

We will reach a maximum altitude of 5033 meters, gain 1163 meters of elevation, and cover a distance of 10 km. This hike will take around 8 hours to complete, essentially taking a whole day, and the climb is more difficult in comparison to Kyanjin Ri. So, unless you are really sure about it, you should stick to other options.

The last hiking option is the Langshisha Kharka hike. This is the least popular option out of the three because of the fact that it is 20 km long, longer than an actual trekking day, and takes around 9 hours to complete. Heading east from Kyanjin village, we will trek along the valley ridge and get to a plain section. This part is full of meadows where cattle are grazing and shepherds are on the lookout.

Crossing several glacial moraines and small streams, we will finally get to Langshisha Kharka, where green grasses fill the land with views of the surrounding peaks accompanying us. The maximum height of this hike is 4100 meters above sea level, and the elevation gain is just 230 meters.

The village of Kyanjin also has a couple of sites you can explore, including the Local Cheese Factory and the Kyanjin Gompa Monastery. The Cheese Factory was set up with the help of the Swiss government, where visitors are free to sample some Yak cheese and witness the process that goes into making cheese. Meanwhile, the Kyanjin Monastery is a relaxing visit where the hymns of the monks serenade your soul.

of the Yala Peak Climbing journey is a major day since we will be going to the base camp and preparing for the climb tomorrow. It is also a difficult trekking day since we are now at a proper Himalayan altitude with snow all around us and cold breezes everywhere. The total distance of the trek extends a little over 9 km with an elevation gain of 730 meters. We should be able to reach the base camp in about 6 hours.

Leaving Kyanjin Gompa, we will head northeast to cross the Langtang River via a wooden bridge that looks suspicious, but it’s incredibly sturdy. Continuing the trek, we will get to an open pasture land with scenes of high peaks. From there, the path climbs steeply with loose rocks and huge boulders dominating the scene over grassy patches.

The final section to the base camp requires us to climb over glacial moraine. Once we get to the base camp, a beautiful scene of Naya Kang, Tserko Ri, Gangchepmo, and more will be waiting for us.

The ultimate day of the Yala Peak Climbing journey is finally here; today, we will climb the Yala Peak and get back to Kyanjin Gompa afterwards. The day starts very early, preferably around 3 AM in the morning since we have a lot of grounds to cover. So, make sure that you get enough sleep and rest the night before.

The climb to the summit is 4.5 km long, which means a 9-km round trip. Since we are now officially climbing a peak, even this 9 km takes upwards of 7 hours to complete. We will begin the climb at around 3:15 AM after everyone is well-prepared and fed. Leaving the base camp, we will walk and cover the glacial moraine with crumbling rocks for the initial segment of the climb.

As we climb up the peak, the path turns steeper with snow covering all of it. At this point, you must use your ice axes, spikes, and crampons to get all the traction that you need. Climbing in an alternating pattern will help counter the steepness of the path while going over sharp ridges. The final push to get to the summit requires climbing a rocky path that calls for endurance.

The sense of achievement you get when you reach the top can not be fully described with words. Scenes of Langtang Lirung, Shishapangma, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchempo, Ganesh Himal, and more, add to the sense of achievement. After spending quite some time at the top, we will start descending.

After we get to our base camp, we will have a much-needed hot plate of meal before heading to Kyanjin Gompa. We will descend approximately 9 km and lose 1630 meters of elevation over a course of 5 hours. The descent is not as difficult as the ascent, but nonetheless, it takes time to get down because of the rugged terrain. You should step on sturdy places to avoid sliding over loose rocks.

Day 10 of the Yala Peak Climbing journey is full of descents as we go downhill from Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel. This trek is 14.5 km long, loses an altitude of 1400 meters, and takes about 6 hours to complete

It’s a 5-hour long descent from Lama Hotel to Sybaru Besi, covering 11.3 km, and losing 1003 meters of altitude. Today is also the last day of trekking in your Yala Peak Climbing journey

The following day, we will have our last breakfast of the trekking days at Syabrubesi before getting on a ride to Kathmandu. A farewell/celebratory dinner will be waiting for you in Kathmandu

It’s the last day of the Yala Peak Climbing journey; we hope you have a great time adventuring with us, and we hope you will be back for another exciting journey to the Himalayas. Till then, we bid you farewell and drop you off at the international airport as per your flight schedule.