About the Trek
Yunam Peak at 6,111 metres is considered the most accessible 6,000-metre peak in India, making it an ideal first-time mountaineering expedition for aspiring high-altitude climbers. Located in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh near the Baralacha La pass, the peak offers a non-technical climbing route that still demands serious altitude acclimatisation and fitness.
The expedition approaches from the Manali-Leh highway, following the Yunam Nala valley to establish base camp and successive higher camps. The summit push involves walking on snow and glacier, with fixed ropes on the final steep section. The views from the summit encompass the entire Lahaul-Spiti region and the distant Zanskar range.
This expedition is perfect for trekkers who have graduated from high-altitude treks and want to experience genuine mountaineering above 6,000 metres. Trishul Adventures provides complete training, technical equipment, and experienced high-altitude guides for a safe and memorable climb.
Trek Highlights
- Summit a 6,111m peak — your first 6,000er
- Most accessible 6,000m peak in India — non-technical route
- Comprehensive mountaineering training included
- Views of the Lahaul-Spiti region and Zanskar range
- Gateway to higher Himalayan expeditions
- Small group expedition with personalised attention
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 10-day expedition from Manali to summit Yunam Peak at 6,111m in the Lahaul region.
- Drive from Manali over Rohtang Pass to Keylong
- Acclimatisation in Keylong
- Overnight at hotel
- Drive towards Baralacha La
- Short trek to first camp in the Yunam valley
- Overnight in tents
- Rest and acclimatisation
- Short hike to higher ground and return
- Equipment training session
- Overnight in tents
- Ascend to Yunam Base Camp
- Stunning views of the peak and surrounding glaciers
- Overnight in tents
- Mountaineering training day
- Practice with crampons, ice axe, rope work
- Short acclimatisation hike to 5,200m and return
- Overnight in tents
- Advance to summit camp
- Final preparations for summit push
- Early dinner
- Overnight in tents
- Start at 1-2 AM for summit push
- Navigate snow slopes with fixed ropes
- Reach the summit of Yunam Peak at 6,111m
- Descend to summit camp, then base camp
- Overnight in tents
- Reserve day for weather delays
- If summit successful, rest at base camp
- Begin descent preparations
- Overnight in tents
- Descend from base camp to road head
- Drive to Keylong
- Celebration dinner
- Overnight at hotel
- Drive back to Manali over Rohtang Pass
- Expedition concludes — certificates distributed
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing & Gear
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom) x 2
- Heavy down jacket (-20°C rated)
- Waterproof hardshell jacket and pants
- Balaclava, insulated gloves, liner gloves
- Trekking pants x 2 + warm fleece pants
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
- Gaiters (high ankle)
- Mountaineering sunglasses (Category 4)
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is a Difficult grade trek or expedition. You will face sustained high altitude (4,500–6,000 m+), technical terrain (glaciers, moraines, scree, fixed ropes), extreme cold, and 8–12 hour walking days. Prior high-altitude trekking experience is mandatory. Begin training at least 8–12 weeks before departure.
Cardio — Start 8–12 Weeks Before
- Run: 8 km in under 40 minutes, 5x per week — build aerobic base
- Long hikes: 15–20 km with 10–12 kg loaded pack on weekends, ideally on trails with elevation gain
- Stair climbs with load: 20+ floors with a full pack, 4x per week
- High-intensity intervals: Hill sprints or stair sprints 2x per week for VO2max
- Mandatory practice trek: Do at least one 2–3 day practice trek at moderate altitude before departure
Strength (5x per week)
- Barbell squats — 4 sets of 12 (progressive overload)
- Deadlifts — 3 sets of 10
- Weighted step-ups — 4 sets of 12 each leg (use a high bench)
- Single-leg Romanian deadlifts — stability is critical on technical terrain
- Core circuit: 90-sec planks, hanging leg raises, windshield wipers, Russian twists
- Grip training: farmer's walks, dead hangs — essential for fixed-rope sections
- Shoulder press + pull-ups — upper body matters when hauling yourself over boulders
Nutrition & Recovery
- 4–5 litres of water daily; maintain this standard on the trek as well
- High-protein, high-iron, high-carb diet — your body will burn 4,000–5,000 calories/day on the trail
- Iron and B12 supplementation (consult your doctor) — oxygen-carrying capacity matters above 5,000 m
- Zero alcohol for 3+ weeks before departure
- Sleep 8+ hours — overtraining is as dangerous as under-training
- Taper training in the final week: light walks only, full rest 2 days before departure
Altitude, Technical & Medical
- These treks operate at 4,500–6,000 m+ — HACE and HAPE are real risks, not theoretical
- Diamox protocol is mandatory (consult your doctor for dosage and start date)
- Learn and practice: crampon walking, ice axe self-arrest, rope ascent/descent, moraine navigation
- Full personal medical kit: Diamox, Dexamethasone (emergency only), Nifedipine, ORS, painkillers, anti-nausea, blister kit, tape
- Get a full medical check-up including ECG, blood oxygen baseline, and lung function if possible
- Personal travel + medical insurance covering high-altitude evacuation is mandatory
- Mental preparation: difficult treks involve discomfort, exhaustion and uncertainty — embrace it
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior high-altitude trekking experience above 5,000m is essential. No technical climbing experience is required — we provide complete training.
Supplemental oxygen is carried for emergencies only. The climb is designed to be done without supplemental oxygen through proper acclimatisation.
With proper fitness and favourable weather, the success rate is approximately 50-60%. Weather is the biggest variable.
Personal trekking and warm clothing. All technical mountaineering equipment (crampons, ice axes, ropes, harnesses, helmets) is provided by Trishul Adventures.