Friendship trekking peak is an ideal peak for those with no mountaineering experience. The best months for this trek are from May to Mid July, when the western slopes of the peak remain covered with snow and September & October months remain rocky terrain.

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

COST

Overview

Friendship peak is a stunning and spectacular mountain standing at 5289m elevation located just above Beas Kund and on the Pir Panjal range in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh. Friendship peak is perfect for the first Himalayan summit and its trekker’s delight. The entire area is surrounded by spectacular peaks and glacier Hanuman Tibba (5932m) and Seven sisters peak to the west, Maker Beh (6069m), Shikhar Beh (6200m), Ladakhi peak (5345m) to the North as well as peaks of Great Himalayan ranges in Lahaul. The Southern slopes are steep but it doesn’t require any technical ability to climb. A view of Indrasan (6221m) and Deo Tibba (6001m) to the South at a distance is a rewarding point on this trek.

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Manali to Dhundi (3140 m / 10301 ft) Drive 21 Km – 1 Hr, Dhundi to Bakarthach/Lohali Thach (3300m / 10826 ft). Trek 4.5 km, 3 Hrs.
After breakfast, we leave Manali by car to Dhundi via Solang Nala. Dhundi is our starting point of the trek and it will take an hour’s drive from Manali. Solang is a base of all adventure sports in Manali. Solang to Dhundi road goes along the right banks of River through pine, walnut, and silver birch forest to Dhundi, it is an 8 km from Solang to Dhundi. Setting off from Dhundi, we start walking on the trail following the river upstream gently to Bakarthach which is an approximately 5 km long route. It is an easy trail and on the left of the rising Seven sisters peak. Walking beneath of these peaks and crossing the treeline with a glimpse of Bakarthach meadows. Arrive at Bakarthach camp.

Day 2: Bakarthach to Base Camp at Ledy Leg (3900m / 12,795 ft).Trek 4 km. 3 to 4 Hr.
Today after breakfast leaving camp, the climb up is fairly steep to Base camp at Lady leg. The first glimpse of the Friendship peak we will have this day. Magnificent view of summits around Shitidhar, Ladakhi, Friendship peaks. A good trekker can climb these peaks by leaving Beas Kund early. The peaks above 6000m are Makerbeh and Shikhar Beh. Lahaul valley region lies to the north of Beas Kund just behind the great wall of these mountains. To the west Kangra and the lower region of Himalaya is known as the Dhauladhar range. Arrive base camp by lunchtime and after having a hot lunch at the camp. The rest of the afternoon is spent for an acclimatization walk and learn basic skills in ice and snow.

Day 3: Acclimatization, practice – Load Ferry to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).
This day is for acclimatization, practice on snow boots with crampons, training, and use of all the mountaineering gear that will be used in summit day. And load the ferry to summit camp.

Day 4: Base camp to Summit camp (4030m). 2 Hrs.
Today all Friendship peak team move to summit camp.

Day 5: Friendship Peak (5289m / 17,352 ft) Summit day – back to Base camp. 14 to 16 km, 12 to 14 Hrs.
Summit day – Today is the most rewarding day, a summit day, we start by early am or by midnight for our summit attempt of the Friendship Peak. A long, exhausting, and most difficult day of the trek could take 12 to 14 hours. After 4 to 5 hours ascent reach the small col below the summit as we roped up as it gets steeper. From the col a sharp three-hour ascent to the shoulder of the mountain and from shoulder the final push to the summit, it is two hours to reach the summit. From the summit which provides the panoramic view of the Greater Himalaya range to the North and Pir Panjal range to the North West and to the South Beas River valley and Manali clearly visible. After photo shoot descent to the base camp.

Day 6: Base Camp to Dhundi, Trek 8 km, 4 Hrs. Drive to Solang – Manali, 21 Km, 1 Hr.
After an early breakfast, we descend to Bakarthach and continue to descend to Dhundi where we started the trek the first day. Leaving early from camp, means you reach early Manali. Expect to reach Manali by 3 pm.

Trip Facts

A true summit experience
Solang valley and Beas Kund
An introduction to mountaineering

Itinerary

Day 1:

Manali to Dhundi (3140 m / 10301 ft) Drive 21 Km - 1 Hr, Dhundi to Bakarthach (3300m / 10826 ft). Trek 4.5 km, 3 Hrs.

After breakfast, we leave Manali by car to Dhundi via Solang Nala. Dhundi is our starting point of the trek and it will take an hour’s drive from Manali. Solang is a base of all adventure sports in Manali. Solang to Dhundi road goes along the right banks of River through pine, walnut, and silver birch forest to Dhundi, it is an 8 km from Solang to Dhundi. Setting off from Dhundi, we start walking on the trail following the river upstream gently to Bakarthach which is an approximately 5 km long route. It is an easy trail and on the left of the rising Seven sisters peak. Walking beneath of these peaks and crossing the treeline with a glimpse of Bakarthach meadows. Arrive at Bakarthach camp.

Day 2:

Bakarthach to Base Camp at Ledy Leg (3900m / 12,795 ft).Trek 4 km. 3 to 4 Hr.

Today after breakfast leaving camp, the climb up is fairly steep to Base camp at Lady leg. The first glimpse of the Friendship peak we will have this day. Magnificent view of summits around Shitidhar, Ladakhi, Friendship peaks. A good trekker can climb these peaks by leaving Beas Kund early. The peaks above 6000m are Makerbeh and Shikhar Beh. Lahaul valley region lies to the north of Beas Kund just behind the great wall of these mountains. To the west Kangra and the lower region of Himalaya is known as the Dhauladhar range. Arrive base camp by lunchtime and after having a hot lunch at the camp. The rest of the afternoon is spent for an acclimatization walk and learn basic skills in ice and snow.

Day 3:

Acclimatization, practice - Load Ferry to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).

This day is for acclimatization, practice on snow boots with crampons, training, and use of all the mountaineering gear that will be used in summit day. And load the ferry to summit camp.

Day 4:

Base camp to Summit camp (4030m). 2 Hrs.

Today all Friendship peak team move to summit camp.

Day 5:

Friendship Peak (5289m / 17,352 ft) Summit day - back to Base camp. 14 to 16 km, 12 to 14 Hrs.

Summit day – Today is the most rewarding day, a summit day, we start by early am or by midnight for our summit attempt of the Friendship Peak. A long, exhausting, and most difficult day of the trek could take 12 to 14 hours. After 4 to 5 hours ascent reach the small col below the summit as we roped up as it gets steeper. From the col a sharp three-hour ascent to the shoulder of the mountain and from shoulder the final push to the summit, it is two hours to reach the summit. From the summit which provides the panoramic view of the Greater Himalaya range to the North and Pir Panjal range to the North West and to the South Beas River valley and Manali clearly visible. After photo shoot descent to the base camp.

Day 6:

Base Camp to Dhundi, Trek 8 km, 4 Hrs. Drive to Solang - Manali, 21 Km, 1 Hr.

After an early breakfast, we descend to Bakarthach and continue to descend to Dhundi where we started the trek the first day. Leaving early from camp, means you reach early Manali. Expect to reach Manali by 3 pm.