Climbing the Phone Yinn Mountain (4284 m, 14050 ft)

This trip can be scheduled upon request. The best season is November - May

This is a 13 days deep dive into the Burmese Himalayas with a challenge of summiting one of the most beautiful snowy peaks of the region. The technical difficulty of the climb is approximately F (IFAS), meaning that the ascent is a trekking route and does not require special equipment (besides trekking poles and sturdy shoes). But it is a physically demanding route and 5-6 hours of mixed terrain walking is to be expected every day. We will be accompanied by a local guide, a cook and porters. Each participant has an allowance of 20 kg that he or she can give to a porter. If you have never climbed a mountain before – this is a perfect start!

The set off point of the journey is Putao – a small frontier town in the far north of Kachin State on the border with China, Tibet and India. There are no roads, and it can only be reached by air. The lush forests that lead to the base of the mountain are home to many unique plants and flowers. The sight of snowcapped mountains rising amid the green jungle is said to be magnificent. We will cross creeks via suspension bridges and bath in crystal waters. And since we spend several nights in local villages, we’ll get the chance to learn about the lifestyle and culture of local people.

Yes, it is definitely worth it! The mountain has opened up for foreign mountaineers only five years ago, and it is still “wild”. Out of all the modules of the trip to Burma, this one is the most exciting for me – a true adventure!

Day 1

Individual arrival to Yangon. The best option might be to fly into Myanmar via connection in Bangkok. Transfer to hotel.

21:00 - Meeting at the hotel lobby to get to know each other and go for dinner.

Day 2

After breakfast transfer to the airport.

11:30 - 15:35 - Flight to Putao (via Mandalay)

Lunch, briefing and transfer by jeep or truck to the Upper Sangaung Village and Wasamdam Village. Overnight stay at a local house.

Day 3

Wasamdam Village to Phone Yinn Htuh Village. Trek through a deep evergreen forest. Overnight at a local house.

Day 4

Phone Yinn Htuh to War Cho Daw Camp and Phan Yinn Cross Road. Trek towards the confluence of Phonyin and Phangran creeks. Cross Phonyin creek by bridge and keep trekking up and down along Phangran creek. Overnight in tents.

Day 5

Phan Yinn Cross Road to Pai Htein Camp and to Melakhu Camp. An all day long accent with altitude gain of 1000 m (3300 ft). Overnight in tents.

Day 6

Melakhu Camp to Khaung Camp. The route goes up and down rapidly, but the absolute elevation gain is 500 m (1650 ft). Overnight in tents.

Day 7

Khaung Camp to Phone Yinn Summit-1. As we gain altitude, the climb becomes steeper. Overnight in tents with food cooked on a gas stove.

Day 8

Phone Yinn Summit-1 to Phone Yinn Summit-2 and back to Phone Yinn Summit-1. Climb is via a glacier. Overnight in tents with food cooked on a gas stove.

Day 9

Phone Yinn Summit-1 to Melakhu Camp and Pai Htein Camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 10

Pai Htein Camp to Phan Yinn Cross Road, War Cho Daw Camp and Phone Yinn Htuh. Overnight stay at a local house.

Day 11

Phone Yinn Htuh to Warsamdam and Putao. Overnight in Putao.

Day 12

Extra day in case of bad weather or any kind of delay.

Day 13

15:55 – 19:55 – flight Putao – Yangon (via Mandalay and Myitkyina)

Dinner and night in hotel.

Day 14

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