Skyline Trek
Yunam Peak in Lahaul District in Himachal Pradesh stands at 6,111 meters, providing the ideal starting point for climbers reaching 6,000-meter levels. Lahaul offers desolate scenery similar to Ladakh, which makes this peak an attractive alternative to more commonly climbable peaks like Stok Kangri or Kang Yatse II; Yunam provides its special adventure that lies outside the tourist trek. As it covers such a short distance, trekking the Himalayan Foothills provides an affordable and time-efficient alternative. Along the route are stunning sights such as Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal lakes, as well as Baralacha La Pass; all make the trek worthwhile. Sissu and Jispa provide an insight into the rich culture of this region, with charming towns such as Sissu and Jispa showing their history and diversity. From up high, one can take in breathtaking mountainous vistas like CB Range and Mulkilla Range stretching away into all directions. Yunam Peak trek offers an easy walking experience with few technical hurdles or weather conditions that could cause disruptions, providing the ideal motivation and inspiration to start exploring the 6000M summit. Be prepared for a keel walk experience, but do not expect it to reach such lofty altitudes with such ease – read further for more details about this trek.
This section provides a comprehensive, simple explanation of the Yunam Peak Expedition, including general day-to-day routing, elevation gain, etc. The basic itinerary is designed to give an overview of the trek; all-inclusive itinerary allows for a more in-depth understanding of the various distances between campsites, the nature/type of terrain that trekkers will be traversing, and the locations of the campsite relative to one another.
In addition to the above, the trek map indicates the specific route of the trekking path, village locations, forest locations, and campsite locations within the trek area enabling trekkers to imagine their trek through snow-covered coniferous forests and alpine meadows. The elevation chart clearly indicates the total elevation gained and lost each day of the trek ensuring that trekkers can prepare adequately before arriving at the basecamp, acclimatize safely to altitude, and have a positive experience on their overall trek.
By Road: From Manali, travel via Keylong and Bharatpur Tent Colony for Bharatpur. Manali to Atal Tunnel to Keylong Jispa Zingzingbar Bharatpur (220 km). (8-9 hours of driving time). Cars should be adequately equipped to navigate rough terrain and high altitudes.
By Air: The Nearest Airport for Travel by Plane or Plane and Plane Transfer is Bhuntar Airport (Kullu). Starting from Bhuntar, Travel through Manali to reach Bharatpur/Keylong.
Trekking with us for the Yunam Peak Expedition is entirely safe because we have a team of trek leaders qualified in Wilderness first-aid and complete information about the high-altitude glitches. During the trek, we carry a full first-aid kit that contains all the essential medicines. Before trekking with us, you must ensure that you are medically fit for the trek; for us, your medical fitness is more important than anything else.
Right from our establishment, we at Trekup India have been continuously introducing new safety practices into Indian trekking to ensure the safety of voyagers. Trekup India introduced microspikes and made emergency bottled oxygen mandatory for all treks. Our trek leaders take your daily Pulse oximeter reading. We at Trekup India introduced the radio walkie-talkie as a safety communication device.
We have noticed that most trek-organizing organizations do not follow these systems, but with time, they are following us; several competing companies are adopting these practices and organizing great, safe treks.
We ensure complete technical safety in the mountain. Our company has a vast team of more than 100 guides and trek leaders who serve on Himalayan treks. One of the best things about our team is that all the members are trained professionally by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Indian Mountaineering Foundation Delhi, and Hanifle Center Outdoor Education Mussoorie.
To ensure a perfect Trek, we have introduced some new safety checks to ensure excellent safety for our trekkers.
At Trekup India, you will find a team with local knowledge and fluency in English and Hindi. This helps ensure that you have a fantastic trek. Not only this, but we also pay attention to your health and safety because this is something we cannot ignore. All the team leaders involved in trekking have already undergone several professional courses in first aid, portable altitude chamber training, CPR, environmental awareness training, and advanced wilderness emergency medicine.
We also carry a complete first aid medical kit on every trek and trip we organize. Apart from the medical kit, we take a portable altitude chamber (if needed) and medical oxygen for all high-altitude treks. Our company has significant expertise in organizing all sorts of group adventure holidays for family groups, school and college groups, and friend groups. We have many travel options that suit different fitness levels and travelling styles.
Regardless of the group size, we value each and every member of our trekking groups. Our commitment to personal attention ensures that your needs and safety are always our top priority.
Trekup India has been a stalwart in the Adventure Tourism industry for 30 years. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to providing top-notch treks, voyages, trekking programs, and high-altitude expeditions. Our extensive experience is a testament to our commitment to your adventure and safety.
We organize treks in Uttarakhand, Kashmir, Sikkim, and Himachal while being part of the trekking community; we feature more than 75 documented Himalayan treks. In addition to other outdoor activities, our company also organizes trips for schools, colleges, and families.
Therefore, we maintain the quality of services offered to our valuable customers.
| Item | Characteristic Feature | Pro-tip |
|---|---|---|
Waterproof, Ankle-Height Trekking Boots | These are high quality boots with stiff rubber soles that prevent water entry. | Must be fully broken in. Good with a deep aggressive grip to avoid injury in toe or fingers. |
Trekking Poles (Pair) | Provide 2 additional points of contact for stability on snow / ice and reduce impact on knees while descending. | Use them together to distribute the weight of your pack, this can reduce stress on your knees and ankles. |
Waterproof Gloves (2 pair) | Protects against cold injury. Having two pairs that allows warmth while protecting your hands. | Keep the shell of gloves dry for a waterproof layer for handling snow and keep the inner liner for warmth. |
Gaiters (required) | Create a seal between your boots and trousers to prevent snow from entering your boots / sock. | Put your gaiters on as soon as you reach the snowline; avoiding snow wetting your socks / boots minimizes risk for cold injury. |
High-Grade SPF Sunscreen and Lip Balm | Protects against severe sun / wind burn. It is important for exposed skin at high altitude due to reflection from snow. | Reapply sunscreen to face, neck, and ears every 2 hours spent on the snow. |
Sunglasses (Category 4) | Highest level of protection required to protect against temporary blindness (photokeratitis) | Do not remove sunglasses when you are on the snow because snow can reflect 80% of UV light back into your eyes. |
| Category | Item | Specification & Reason |
|---|---|---|
Headwear | Warm Beanie / Balaclava | Must be thick wool or fleece; cover the ears completely. Important in retaining body heat, as a large percentage of body heat is lost from the head. |
Wide-Brim Sun Hat or Buff | Light material (hat) or synthetic tube (buff). Protects face, neck, and scalp from high-altitude UV radiation from the sun. | |
Upper Body | Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts (2) | Choose Synthetic (polyester) or thin Merino wool; short or long sleeve because cotton actively makes you cold and uncomfortable when you sweat. |
Thermal Base Layer (1) | Mid-weight Merino wool or synthetic long-sleeve top. Provides immediate insulation; it will lock in body heat as the starting point of your heat-trapping system. | |
Fleece Jacket (1) | Mid-to-heavy weight (200-300 GSM) fleece or softshell jacket full of insulation. This layer provides the best warmth-to-weight ratio It can be worn alone or under your shell. | |
Insulated Puffed Jacket (1) | Down or synthetic insulation; rated for 0∘C and below. Your main source of heat protection for cold night camping, evening, and the summit push when below freezing conditions are anticipated. | |
Waterproof & Windproof Jacket (1) | Shell material (e.g. Gore-Tex equivalent) with taped seams. Your outer barrier (shell layer) keeps the rain, snow and penetrating wind out from the mountains. | |
Lower Body | Quick-Dry Trekking Pants (2) | Synthetic, lightweight, and preferably stretchable or convertible. Durable for comfortable walking, fast drying after getting wet from rain or snow. |
Thermal Base Layer (1) | Mid-weight thermal bottoms (wool or synthetic). Vital layer of insulation under your trekking pants in cold walking conditions at camp. | |
Waterproof Rain Pants (1) | Lightweight, packable shell pants. These will protect your trekking pants and base layers from getting wet when it's snowing or raining heavily. | |
For Feets | Create a seal between your boots and trousers to prevent snow from entering your boots / sock. | Put your gaiters on as soon as you reach the snowline; avoiding snow wetting your socks / boots minimizes risk for cold injury. |
Trekking Socks (4-5 pairs) | Wool or some kind of synthetic blend (not cotton). 1-2 pairs should be extraordinarily thick for nights. These will manage moisture in your foot to reduce blisters and provide warmth at night sleeping in a bag or in boots! | |
Camp Shoes | Lightweight sneakers, sandals, or slippers. You'll want these to dry out your trekking boots and let your feet rest when at the campsite. |
| Category | Item | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
Backpacks | Main Rucksack (50-60 L) | For Porter. Good frame of posture and hip belt required. |
Daypack (20-30 L) | Daily carry. Must have water, layers, snacks, camera, and gloves in your daily essentials. | |
Sleeping bag & liner | Sleeping Bag (Rated to −10∘C / 14∘F) | Confirm if Trekup India provides a sleeping bag; if you're renting your bag, make sure it is a reputable outfit. |
Sleeping Bag Liner | A liner adds additional warmth and keeps your bag clean. | |
Hydration | Insulated Water Bottles (2x 1L) | CRUCIAL: No hydration bladders (the tube will freeze). Insulated bottles will keep your water from freezing. |
Hydration Tablets/ORS | Make sure you have enough hydration tablets and/or Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) which are important for replacing electrolytes lost at high altitude. | |
Safety & Navigation | Headlamp with extra batteries | Essential for crossing the pass started early in the morning. |
Basic First-aid kit | With plasters (Compeed!), Band-Aids, antiseptic, pain medication, and then any of your personal medications you might need. | |
Personal | Personal toiletries | Toothbrush, tooth paste, biodegradable soap, toilet paper (pack out!), and hand sanitizer. |
Quick Dry Towel | Material should be water absorbent with light in weight and small in size. | |
Power bank | There will be no place to charge devices on the trek. |
The concept of pricing is the key part of your trekking journey. It defines the value and experience you receive for the price you pay for your trek. For a structured high altitude trek, like Yunam Peak Expedition operated by Trekup India provides transparency with the cost & amenities provided to our trekker. Inclusions provide clarity in respect to operator's responsibility; essentially every necessary service, logistical support, group equipment, and permit to have a safe and fully supported trek from start to finish while exclusions provide clarity in respect to individual's responsibility, for all expenses related to personal choice (like a porter), necessary contingency items (like insurance), or mandated fees examined outside the package price (like GST).
Total Trek Cost: ₹ 33,450 / person + 5% GST (Mandatory)
A structured 8–12 week training plan designed to build stamina, strength, and endurance for a safe and successful trek.
Exercises focused on improving stamina, heart health, and endurance to prepare your body for long trekking days.
Exercises aimed at building leg, core, and upper-body strength to handle steep climbs, descents, and carrying a backpack during the trek.
Techniques to improve lung capacity, oxygen intake, and breath control for better performance at high altitudes.
Practices to enhance mental focus, calmness, and resilience, helping you stay relaxed and positive throughout the trek.
A structured, week-by-week workout routine designed to gradually improve fitness, strength, and endurance in preparation for the trek.
| Day | Workout Focus | Week 1 Target | Week 2 Target | Week 3 Target | Week 4 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Endurance | Sustained hiking or walking with a good grip of boots. | 90 minutes | 100 minutes | 110 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Moderate Cardio | Walking, light jogging and cycling by maintaining steady pace where walking is possible | 30 minutes | 35 minutes | 40 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Intensity | Stairs, treadmill on incline or hill repeat | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes | 35 minutes |
| Day | Workout Focus | Week 5 Target | Week 6 Target | Week 7 Target | Week 8 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Endurance | Start carrying ¼ target pack weight | 2.5 hours | 3 hours | 3.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Moderate Cardio | Performing exercise at higher speed than before | 50 minutes | 55 minutes | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Intensity | Increase the intensity of your repeats or steepness of incline | 40 minutes | 45 minutes | 50 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Day | Workout Focus | Week 9 Target | Week 10 Target | Week 11 Target | Week 12 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Endurance | Carry ½ target pack weight. Target daily trek duration | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | 6 hours | 5 hours |
| Long Endurance | Back to back sessions. This session is done on day 2 of fatigue. | 3 hours | 3.5 hours | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| Intensity | Maintain intensity but reduce volume slightly to allow recovery | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 40 minutes | Rest or 20 minutes light walk |
Planning and organizing all essential gear in advance to ensure comfort, safety, and readiness throughout the trek.
The body’s gradual adaptation to altitude, terrain, and physical exertion to maintain health and performance during the trek.
Trekup India has the expertise and flexibility to tailor your adventure based trekking experience. Whether you are with your friends, family, colleague or being a solo we will provide you customised trekking experience according to your style and fitness level. Trekup India has completed 30 years above with the Adventure Tourism Industry for its commitments and trust. We have been delivering outstanding treks, expeditions, and outdoor programs in the Himalayas since day one. We operate in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and South Africa with over 75 documented treks in the higher altitude of Himalayas. We are known for our professionalism, safety, and endless passion for the mountains. Below we have mentioned why to choose us, so have a look and be our next trekker for high altitude treks.
1. Unmatched safety and medical preparedness
2. Deep local knowledge and experience longevity
3. Superior trek quality and trekker comfort
4. Commitments to responsible tourism
When you choose Trekup India, you select a company which provides safety endorsement through its experienced staff who deliver high-quality trekking services in accordance with their mountain expertise. The entire trek experience at Trekup India begins with our dedication to delivering high-quality services which maintain your safety throughout the entire trekking.
Selecting a reputable company is one of the most important steps to ensure a successful, enjoyable, and safe trekking experience. To build your total trust in us, we have developed a comprehensive understanding of the four fundamental components of trust in the trekking industry that is: legally accountable, operationally excellent, satisfied customers and financially ethical. Our registered and recognized standing, our proven history of successful treks, and our excellent ratings are all factors of trust you can depend on so that you may enjoy your trek with complete peace of mind, while we take care of your safety and satisfaction every step of the way.
1. Registered and Recognized: A registration and recognition serve to show that we are a stable and trustworthy organisation and we operate under the legal guidelines and safety standards of our respective domains. In addition, you will have legal safeguards against unlicensed or unsafe tour operators.
2. Successful Treks: You can be confident we are competent operators with a proven track record of success. We have been operating since 1993, and our extensive experience has resulted in becoming one of the world's leading logistical, risk management and emergency response specialists in extreme mountain environments.
3. Good Ratings: The organization uses external assessments together with superior client evaluations to measure its performance because these two assessment methods function as its performance measurement system. The documented materials confirm our guides' professional proficiency together with our ability to deliver exceptional trekking services throughout different periods.
4. Transparent Pricing: Our cost breakdown system enables us to provide complete pricing information which prevents any possibility of hidden charges while we establish financial responsibility for our expenditures. All administrative shortcuts have been eliminated from your trek experience because we use your funds to implement essential safety measures and deliver our top-tier services.
Operations Manager
How We Created This Guide?
1. Medical Safety Protocols: We worked with high-altitude medicine specialists to create a comprehensive system of medical safety protocols, including emergency response plans and acclimatization schedules for our high-altitude treks.
2. Testing Logistics & Gear: The success of a high-altitude trek is dependent on the quality of gear used. When we created this planning guide, we included only tested, reliable gear, such as weather resistant tents and calorie-rich nutrition meals.
3. Environmental Responsibility & Planning: The trail uses strict Leave No Trace environmental policies and waste management practices. The environmental impact assessment which we conduct before our trek will help us protect the untouched natural landscape for upcoming trekkers.
4. Transparent Costing: Our transparent costing works as a complete solution which demonstrates our commitment to transparent cost information because it shows all of our expenses in detailed form. We include all expenses which consist of permits and insurance costs and fair wages for our local employees.
Why This Content Exists?
1. To Mitigate Risks and Provide Safety: Trekking is a physically risky event, and this guide is meant to assure you that your safety is not left up to chance. By providing details of our on-the-ground research and medical protocols, we can demonstrate that all routes have been stress-tested.
2. To Create Total Financial Transparency: Many times within the trekking industry there are extreme cases of sticker shock from things like hidden permits, equipment charges, or unanticipated tipping. This guide creates price integrity.
3. Verified by Global Trekker’s: This content was created to demonstrate we have external validation of our performance and move the discussion from we say that we are good to our clients and our independent trekkers say we are good, making an important differentiation for those selecting a trekking partner.
4. Ethical and Environmental Concern: Today’s voices of modern trekkers are being heard more loudly than ever and they are aware of their footprint. By outlining our Leave No Trace principles and our partnership with local communities, we provide a moral compass for the trekker, ensuring your trek contributes to the conservation of wilderness instead of its degradation.
Expert Advice: Since you are climbing from sea level, it is crucial to use this first day to let your body adapt gradually to the mountain air.
Manali is an ideal starting point for high-altitude trekking expeditions, making it easily accessible. On Day 1, participants travel to Manali and settle into their lodging; given that climbers will be climbing from sea level, their bodies must adapt gradually to mountain air. Acclimatization time provides opportunities for group introductions, reviewing essential mountain guidelines, and discussing what awaits them during the trek of the Yunam Peak route, terrain, weather conditions, and what they should anticipate on their trek.
Expert Advice: Take time throughout the day to gently explore this charming village to help your body adapt to its higher altitude.
Jispa, a small village in Lahaul with under 300 residents, lies close to both the Bhaga River and the Leh-Manali Highway. Accommodation options such as hotels and homestays make Jispa an idyllic mix of traditional mud houses and multi-storied buildings. Buddhist culture brings life and color to the tranquil scenery in Sissu village, known for its stunning waterfall. Our journey includes passing by this picturesque settlement. Once we’ve collected our permits from Tandi and Keylong, we will cover the final 22 kilometers to Jispa in approximately one hour, hoping that we will arrive by four hours in total. You will have time throughout the day to explore this charming village while adapting to its higher altitude; be sure to spend the night either in a hotel or a homestay!
Water Source: To help your body adjust more easily, it’s important to drink plenty of water to combat altitude sickness as we increase in elevation.
Today will be full of adventure. We will visit Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal, two lakes with distinctive characteristics, before crossing Baralacha La Pass at an elevation of 4,850 meters. Bharatpur will serve as our initial campsite on this journey, and you may start to feel any effects as we increase in altitude. To help your body adjust more easily, it’s important to remain active and drink plenty of water to combat altitude sickness; roadside dhabas can provide food on demand. Bharatpur marks our transition from green landscapes into brown-and black tones as we enter Lahaul.
Expert Advice: Staying active outdoors during the evening trek is essential, as it helps your body adjust better to Lahaul's dry air.
Ascending over the past 48 hours, our bodies need time to acclimate to high-altitude conditions gradually. Today’s focus will be acclimatization – from humid city environments through cooler Manali climate zones and finally to Lahaul’s dry air, which may present difficulties. To assist our adaptation, we’ll embark on an evening trek, covering approximately 300-400 meters of elevation gain; staying active outdoors helps our bodies adjust better and prepare us for what is coming our way in future days.
Expert Advice: The terrain resembles moraine with loose rocks making it tricky to stay balanced, so use stepping stones carefully and take regular breaks.
Tomorrow will be challenging as we embark on our first trek at this altitude with backpacks in tow. Although the trek isn’t long, it steadily ascends with each step towards base camp. After breakfast at 9 AM, we begin our trek on a clear pathway that leads directly there. As we ascend, the terrain resembles moraine with loose rocks, making it tricky to stay balanced. At various points along the trek, we will need to cross streams multiple times; narrow sections and stepping stones help facilitate this crossing process, so shoes do not usually need to be removed during crossings. Be sure to take regular breaks and stay hydrated throughout your journey, which should take approximately four to five hours to reach base camp. From here, enjoy panoramic views of the mountain as you spend two days exploring its various routes and features.
Expert Advice: Please eat an early dinner and aim to be asleep by 7 PM to ensure optimal rest before the 1 AM wake-up call for the summit.
At Base Camp, we must prepare properly. We will issue essential equipment such as snow boots, crampons, and helmets, and provide essential instruction on snow walking techniques, fall prevention strategies, energy management for summit push, as well as reviewing our summit plan, discussing route challenges, and emphasizing teamwork. Tonight will mark our departure towards the summit; therefore, please eat an early dinner and aim to be asleep by 7 PM for optimal rest before our journey starts.
Expert Advice: Reserving energy for the descent is vitally important, as navigating the treacherous snowy conditions on the way down will take extra energy.
This day can best be described in two words: electrifying and exhausting. Our day starts early at 1 AM as we get prepared, fuel up with breakfast, pack two liters of water for our ascent, and depart at 2 AM. While Mt. Yunam’s slopes can be more easily managed on rocky terrain with clear pathways, traversing snow can prove far more treacherous due to constantly shifting conditions that require extra exertion with every step – but its added challenges increase our sense of victory when we finally reach the summit-on-summit day – adding an extra challenge that amps up our sense of achievement when finally reach it all the way. Your climb will depend heavily on the conditions you encounter along the way, beginning on a relatively flat stretch of moraines before entering a 60-degree sloped gully with steeper turns that leads to an expanse of snow – before making another right turn and reaching Yunam’s summit, an idyllic wide flat plateau offering 360-degree views of endless snow-capped mountains and magnificent sunrise views to make this experience all the more breathtaking. As you progress up the mountain, it becomes evident that the peak seen from base camp is not its summit; rather, its true position lies some hours beyond, hidden by an impossibly deceptive false summit not visible from base camp. Summit day presents one of the toughest tests for climbers. Covering nearly 1000 meters, summit day can present both physical and psychological obstacles that must be overcome to reach success. Reserving energy for the descent is vitally important, as snowy conditions make descending more challenging than ascending. Be wary when traversing snowy terrain – it will take more energy to navigate this treacherous surface! If you encounter a rocky landscape without snow instead, your descent may be faster, but you will miss out on experiencing all the thrills and spills associated with sliding through it on your journey down.
Expert Advice: Anticipate arriving in Manali by early evening, so it is recommended to schedule any further onward travel plans accordingly.
As our trek comes to an end, we descend from base camp to Bharatpur along rugged terrain, waving goodbye to this magical mountain range. Our journey down is smooth and effortless – once we reach Bharatpur, we will come upon well-known dhabas, as well as our vehicle that will transport us back to Manali. Anticipate arriving in Manali by early evening for further travel plans.
