Yala Peak Expedition

Yala Peak Climbing with 

Yala Peak Climb with Gosaikunda and Helambu Trek begins in Kathmandu with sightseeing of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Next, we drive to Syabrubesi and begin trekking from there.  We trek through forests, small villages, Kenjin Gompa before reaching the base camp of Yala Peak. We begin climbing the peak from the sixth day of our itinerary and summit on the seventh. Yala Peak (5550m) is considered a trekking peak by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, and is a relatively simple, non-technical climb. From the summit, we get exceptionally good views of the Himalayas including Langtang Lirung (7246m), Dorje Lakpa (6990m), Gangchempo (6388m) and Shishapangma (8027m). 

Accommodations

We will be staying at Hotel Moonlight in Kathmandu, standard teahouses during trekking and tents when climbing. Most teahouse accommodation will only have shared toilet facilities. For tent accommodation, foam mattress will be made available. In the climbing section, toilet facilities will be provided with necessary natural preservation. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis. However, a single room will be provided on request and by paying a single supplement of USD 0.

Meals

During our trip, we can enjoy typical Nepali food, different ethnic cuisines as well as all types of international cuisines (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) A welcome dinner, a farewell dinner and breakfasts will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu. During trekking/climbing, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be made for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination. During climbing session, freshly-cooked nutritious food will be provided.

Leader(s) & Staff Arrangements

The most significant thing that makes the expedition, enjoyable and memorable is the skilled, experienced, courteous and helpful leader(s) and the crew members with the ability of operating our days in the mountain smoothly. Our trip will be led by the best and most professional leaders. All of Himalayan Glacier's leaders are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities, Himalayan glacier only employs local staff who have adequate knowledge about culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, and history of their local region(s). The trek and expedition leaders have undergone the following trainings:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid
• Trekking Guide Training
• Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet
• English Language
• Conservation and Biodiversity
• Rock climbing, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (for expedition leaders)

 Porter Care

We make sure that all our porters are well treated, well paid and we provide the level of shelter, clothing and footwear that these harsh environments demand. Porters who become sick are treated with the same care and attention as other team members and we have previously used helicopters - at our expense - to rescue porters from dangerous situations. We support the work of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), making our resources available to them to help improve the working conditions of the porters. 

Responsible Tourism Practice

Himalayan Region of Nepal is stunningly beautiful, but equally fragile. Future generations have just as much of a right to appreciate it as we do and so the tourism industry has an obligation to protect and preserve it. Himalayan Glacier employs a 'zero impact' policy on the natural environment and the traditional communities that live there. Himalayan Glacier, therefore, enforces number of do's and don'ts. Nepal New Generation experienced staff can advise us on how to minimize our impact on the local environment. To find out more about the clean-up campaigns and environmental awareness events, Himalayan Glacier works with KEEP.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition upon joining any of Nepal New Generation trips that all clients be insured for comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please note that we don't arrange or sell insurance.

Acclimatization

The itinerary for Yala Peak Climb with Gosaikunda and Helambu Trek is planned with a high degree of awareness of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Acclimatization will help us adjust to a gradual change in the altitude, ensuring a successful trip. A separate day is set aside in Kyanjin Gompa for acclimatization, but it is important to remember that some visitors are more vulnerable than others.

Physical Condition & Experience Requirements

Yala Peak Climb with Gosaikunda and Helambu Trek is graded as 2B which means that the technical aspect of the climbing requires using ropes, ice axe and crampon. Also, the physical aspect for climbing Yala Peak as well as the trekking requires good cardio-vascular fitness. The Yala Peak Climb with Gosaikunda and Helambu Trek will usually require 5-6 hours of walking every day. In the Yala Peak summiting day, however, you will be required to walk for 8-9 hours. No prior climbing experience is required; however, previous rock climbing and high altitude trekking experiences will still be an asset. There will also be a pre-ice climbing training for participants to ease them into the expedition. The training will mostly be about using climbing gears such as ropes, ice pick, harness, crampons. It is important for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, blood diseases and other medical requirements to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

Best Time to Travel

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for this trip. Although Yala Peak can be climbed during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.

Equipments & Packing List

This list is a guideline to help you pack for trekking and peak climbing. Also, please understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. Those items marked by an asterisk (*) are provided by Himalayan Glacier inclusive in the service. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter, but you are required to carry a daypack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

Important documents and items

• Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
• Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
• Dollars in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport
• Credit cards, bank/ATM/cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards)

Personal Climbing Gears:

• Ice axe
• Crampons
• Harness
• Tape slings (2)
• Screwgate karabiners (2 lock, 2 unlock)
• Descender/eight figure
• Plastic mountaineering boots
• Ascender/Jhumar
• Helmet

Group Climbing Gears:

• Snow bar*
• Rope*
• Ice hammer*
• Ice screw*

Head

• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions
• Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition weight thermal tops
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
• Down vest and/or jacket *
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves
• 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
• 1 pair of mittens; consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched, waterproof, polar-fleece mitt liner

 Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs
• 1 pair of hiking shorts
• 1 pair of hiking trousers
• 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
• 1 pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
• 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
• Cotton socks
• Gaiters

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag 30 degree DC
• Fleece sleeping bag liner

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack or 1 large duffel bag *
• Daypack/backpack of 35 to 50 liters for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit (simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Note: Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant!
• Water purification tablets or water filter
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS(optional)
• 1 alarm clock/watch
• 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
• Large Ziplocs
• 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
• 1 small folding knife
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue /toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial hand wash

Extras/Luxuries

• Reading book
• Trail map/guide book
• Journal and pen
• iPod
• Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)
• 1 modest swim suit
• Binoculars (optional)
• Voltage converter (from 220 to 110 ampere)
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
• Lightweight pillow case (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow