Yala Kamiyama Trekking Experience

Known as Yarlha Shambo Gangri in Tibetan, Yala Kamiyama, or Yala Snow Mountain, is situated at the juncture of three counties in Sichuan, Kangding, Danba and Daofu. One of the four holy mountains in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Region of Sichuan Province, it is considered very sacred by the local people, and worshipped as the head of the nine gods of the mountains.

Trekking in Yala Kamiyama

At an elevation of 5,884 meters, the scenic area is popular with trekkers, and is widely known as one of the best trekking routes in western Sichuan. Treks normally start at Zhonggu Village, around 30 kilometers from Kangding, and the area includes an abundance of natural attractions that you will enjoy and will take your breath away. The three day trek includes the scaling of Yala Pass, 4,216 meters above sea level, as well as some of the most beautiful lakes you could feast your eyes upon.

Yala Snow Mountain Trekking Itinerary

Most tourists start their Yala Snow Mountain trek from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan provincial. Here we offer you the sample itinerary for a classic 4-day trekking tour in Yala Snow Mountain, including the transfer from and back to Chengdu.

Day 1: Chengdu – Ya’an – Luding – Kangding – Zhonggu Village (Drive 327km)

The first day starts after breakfast, when you will be driven from Chengdu to start your trek in Zhonggu Village. The drive takes you through Ya’an, Luding, and Kangding on the Chengdu-Ya’an Highway, and the G318. After driving through the Erlang Mountain Tunnel, you will reach the largest canyon in Sichuan, the Dadu River Grand Canyon.

Kangding

After arriving in Kangding, you will have chance to explore the busy streets and shops, and buy the things you still need for the trek, before continuing on to Zhonggu Village, where you will stay overnight in a guest house. If you are already feeling stiff from the long drive, there is a natural hot spring nearby where you can relax tired muscles.

Day 2: Trek from Zhonggu Village to Xindianzi Grassland (Hike 18km, 5hrs)

The first day of the adventure begins early, as the morning sun rises above the mountains and the dew is still laying on the ground. The first day of trekking is relatively easy, and it only takes four to five hours on the wild, open track from Zhonggu village to Xindianzi Grassland. The route passes by Huacaopo, with an altitude of 3,500 meters, and each step takes you further into the isolated, yet serene area that is Mount Yala.

Xindianzi

As you pass through the Yala River Valley, you can see the jagged peaks of the mountains set against the blue sky above, and feel the lush grass of the valley underfoot. The campsite for the night is at the Xindianzi Grassland, also known as the East Hillside Camp Base.

Day 3: Trek from Xindianzi to Yalayoucuo Lake via Yala Pass (Hike 18km, 7hrs)

The main feat of the third day, or second day of trekking, is the ascent of the Yala Pass, which sits at an altitude of 4,216 meters. After a healthy breakfast, you will start the trek to Yalayoucuo Lake, walking through some of the most beautiful lush forests on the mountain’s foothills. The trek from Xindianzi to the foot of Yala Mountain takes around two hours, and from there it is another hour to reach the top of Yala Pass. From the top of the pass you will get a spectacular view of he peak of the mountain, as well as being able to look down onto the valleys below, and soak up the intense alpine atmosphere.

Yalayoucuo Lake

The trek through the pass takes around two to three hours, after which you will arrive at the Sisters Lakes, 4,200 meters above sea level. After another short walk, you will finally reach the campsite for the night, at the shores of the beautiful, jade-green Yalayoucuo Lake. At 3,980 meters above sea level, the lake is a beautiful sight this high up the side of the mountain, and a perfect place to get some great scenic photographs.

Day 4: Trek from Yalayoucuo Lake to Taizhangou Valley (Hike 8km, 3hrs), then drive back to Chengdu (Drive 327km)

After a restful night on the shores of the spectacular Yalayoucuo Lake, the hike starts down towards the Taizhangou Valley. The route goes past the mountain peaks, and you will be able to experience the snow-capped peaks as you pass the summit of Yala Holy Mountain, and the Donggu Hot Spring.

Taizhangou Valley

The walk down to Taizhangou Goukou is easy going, and a relaxing change from the hard climb to Yala Pass. After a short break at Taizhangou Goukou, at 3,400 meters, you will continue on down to Zhonggu Village, where the car awaits to take you back to Chengdu, and the end of an incredible, four-day adventure.

4 Days Sichuan Mount Yala Trekking and Camping Tour

Yala Snow Mountain Trekking Altitude

Altitude Changes along the Mt. Yala Trekking Way

The route for this trip takes you from the low altitude of Chengdu, at 540 meters, to the highest altitude you can walk to, at Yala Pass. The changes in altitude, in the order that you will walk around the route, are:
Kangding – 2,560 meters
Zhonggu Village – 3,002 meters
Huacaopo – 3,500 meters
Xindianzi – 3,600 meters
Yala Pass – 4,216 meters
Sisters Lakes – 4,200 meters
Yalayoucuo Lake – 3,980 meters
Taizhangou Goukou – 3,400 meters
And back to Zhonggu Village at 3,002 meters again.

Altitude Changes along the Mt. Yala Trekking Way

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness while Trekking around Mt. Yala

There is no foolproof way to avoid getting altitude sickness, as everyone has a different response to high altitudes. However, the majority of visitors can avoid getting sick by ascending slowly once over 2,500 meters above sea level. The trek here does not climb especially rapidly, and as long as you take it easy, and do not over-exert yourself, you should be fine.

If you are known to be prone to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), speak to your doctor before you leave about medication that can help prevent it. You should also avoid high-fat foods, alcohol and cigarettes, as these only exacerbate any symptoms you may already have.

Best Time to Do Yala Snow Mountain Trek

The best time to trek in the Yala scenic area is from late September to November, during autumn when the weather is milder and not so wet, and the scenery is fantastic. The skies are often very clear at this time of year, and the views of the mountain peaks at sipectacular.

The Beautiful View of Yala Snow Mountain

Packing List for Yala Snow Mountain Trek

While it is mild during autumn, the weather can still be a little chilly, so best to bring warm clothes as well as a shower-proof jacket, just in case. A decent tent is needed, as is a warm sleeping bag, as the night time temperatures can still reach as low as freezing. Make sure you have warm, strong boots and good socks, and take a hat and warm gloves for when it gets cold. Sunscreen is not really needed at this time of year, unless you have sensitive skin.

Extend Your Trip to Attractions near Yala Snow Mountain

Tagong Grassland

Tagong, or Lhagang in Tibetan, is a small Tibetan settlement near Kangding that is well known for its scenic grasslands and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. It offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and authentic Tibetan “homestays”, where you can see how a real Tibetan family live on a day-to-day basis.

Tagong Grassland

The nearby Tagong Grassland is a huge expanse of prairie that lies in the shadow of the sacred Yala Mountain. The grasslands are home to tens of thousands of yaks, and are full of lush grass with a few small lakes, which are the home of many species of wild birds.

Mount Gongga

On the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, nestled between the Dadu River and the Yarlong River, sits the highest mountain in Sichuan Province. With its peak at an elevation of 7,556 meters, Mount Gongga has earned the local, Sichuan title of “King of the Mountains”. Also known locally as Minya Konka, the mountain is the highest over 7,000 meters east of the Himalayas, and the third highest peak outside the entire Himalayan Range.

Mount Gongga

Danba

Danba is the home town of the Jiarong Tibetans in Sichuan Province, and boasts of many high stone watchtowers, or Diaolou, inside the area. One of the most beautiful Tibetan villages in the world, Jiaju, is located there, and the women of the village are said to be the loveliest anywhere.

Danba

Xinduqiao

Xinduqiao is a picturesque small Tibetan town and famous for its plateau pasture scenery, with vivid green grassland, streams, mountains, and the Tibetan counting houses surrounding it. It is called the “paradise of photographers”, due to the wonderful natural lights and stunning landscape here.

Xinduqiao

Daocheng Yading

The Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is a unique natural environment of Snow Mountains, alpine forests, pristine glaciers, and shimmering lakes, located in Southwest Sichuan, in Daocheng County. Some 860 kilometers from Chengdu, and around 430 kilometers from Kangding, the county is famous for the spectacular mountain scenery and its fascinating attractions.

Daocheng Yading

Mt. Siguniang

Mt. Siguniang is also known as “Four Maidens Mountain”, and is the highest peak in the Qionglai Mountains of Western China. The mountain includes four peaks, Daguniang Feng, Erguniang Feng, Sangungiang Feng, and Yaomei Feng. Yaomei is the highest point of the peaks, and is 6,250 meters tall. Trekking or horse riding are both popular activities at the Mt. Siguniangshan Scenic Area, and is the best way to enjoy the spectacular sights on the Four Maidens.

Mt. Siguniang