Yushan – Jade Mountain 2D/2N

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See our range of Yushan hikes
2 days	3 days	5 days

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Yushan is, quite rightfully, the main icon of the emerging Taiwan nation. While being the highest mountain in Taiwan at an elevation of 3,952 meters (13,114 feet) it is, for the reasonably fit and well prepared, eminently climbable. Everyone, Taiwanese and visitor, should aim to make it to the summit of this stunning peak at least once in their lives.

Unfortunately (or rather fortunately) the number of people issued permits – yes, essential nowadays, to ascend it are limited. Permits for popular times, especially weekends/holidays, are decided by lottery. In order to improve our chances we try to organize hikes on weekdays and apply well in advance.

Option 1 - Permit ONLY
We can help you apply for permits and then let you sort out the rest. Cost - $900 for the first person, $400 for additional people (this includes accommodation at Paiyun, if available, and other required fees). Again... apply early, and for weekdays if at all possible.

Option 2 – Fully-Guided ‘all-in’
Depend on Barking Deer all the way to the top (and back) – to have coffee brewing at 2:30 am, and to tell you the difference between a Gem-faced Civet and a Yellow-throated Marten. Details below and on faq.

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Day -1
Meet 7-8pm downtown Tainan (or other agreed-on location), travel by van to Tataka (2600m) - 20 km beyond Alishan. Check into the nearby hiker's hostel, enjoy the quiet, cool mountain air, acclimatize, and sleep.

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Day 1
7 am awaken to the smell of a hearty breakfast and coffee. 7:30 ready packs, clear national park police checkpoint, catch minibus shuttle to trailhead. 8am start hiking – at a modest pace no doubt, as you feel your lungs wheeze, heart pump, and you curse the abundance of gravity/shortage of oxygen. Don't worry no one gets left behind and we often pause to admire the views. Trudge, stroll, chat, snack, trudge.
11:30 am stop for lunch
3/4 pm arrive with great joy at Paiyun lodge (3402m). Swap stories with other hikers, mellow out. If time/energy allows, a side trip to Yushan west peak is possible.
5/6 pm have dinner, get cosy in your (very basic) dorm bed and to sleep early.
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Day 2
Arise with everyone else around 3am (No, that is not a typo! We can as a group decide the previous evening to stay in our sleeping bags and head of later, but the sunrise is worth it.) Anyone not feeling capable of making the summit may stay horizontal. Quick breakfast, and of up the trail, headlamps lighting the path. After an hour or so slog we are above the tree line, within another few minutes (of hairy, grip-onto-the-chains adventure) you arrive at the summit feeling GOOD! Wait for the sunrise, munching on snacks carried up by your cheery guide; pose for photos; be amazed the world can be such a wonderful place - a religious experience for many…
Descend to Paiyun lodge, gather up gear, and start down the trail stopping if desired for side treks. Arrive back at vehicle late afternoon/evening. Return to Tainan/Taipei late evening. Start boasting…or sleeping.
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Read the FAQ here

See extra pictures here