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.
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.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Manali (2050 m / 6725 ft).
Day 2: Manali to Dhundi (3140 m / 10301 ft) Drive 21 km, Trek Dhundi to Bakarthach (3300m / 10826 ft).
Day 3: Bakarthach to Base Camp at Lady Leg (3900m / 12,795 ft).
Day 4: Acclimatization, practice - Load Ferry to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).
Day 5: Base camp to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).
Day 6: Friendship peak (5289m / 17,352 ft) Summit day.
Day 7: Back to Dhundi, Drive to Solang - Manali.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Manali (2050 m / 6725 ft).
Arrive at the popular tourist resort of Manali. Manali is approximately 300km from Chandigarh and check into the hotel. To help with acclimatization before we start trekking you spend the day in Manali at just over 2000 meters. This is a very popular tourist destination.
Day 2: 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 nallah. Dhundi is our starting point of the trek and it will take an hour 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's 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 these peaks and crossing the treeline with a glimpse of Bakarthach meadows. Arrive at Bakarthach camp.
Day 3: Bakarthach to Base Camp at Lady 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 learning basic skills in ice and snow.
Day 4: 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 ferry to summit camp.
Day 5: Base camp to Summit camp (4030m). 2 Hrs.
Today all Friendship peak team move to summit camp.
Day 6: 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 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 7: 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.
Arrive at the popular tourist resort of Manali. Manali
is approximately 300km from Chandigarh and check into the hotel. To help with
acclimatization before we start trekking you spend the day in Manali at just
over 2000 meters. This is a very popular tourist destination. Due to recent
changes in State Govt. and local administration laws on outdoor adventure
activity in Manali. On the first day is important to make a discussion on how to
deal with dos and don't in mountains. Plus a final check of gear before leaving
for Dhundi. This day is also important in order to get things done with
paperwork such as permits from IMF and necessary permits.
After breakfast, we leave Manali by car to Dhundi via
Solang nallah. Dhundi is our starting point of the trek and it will take an hour 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's 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 these peaks and crossing the treeline with a glimpse of
Bakarthach meadows. Arrive at Bakarthach camp.
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 on an acclimatization walk and learning basic skills in
ice and snow.
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 ferry to summit camp.
Today all Friendship peak team move to summit camp.
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 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.
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.
ü All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary Manali to Manali.
ü Trekking gear: 3 men spacious 4 season tents, sleeping bags, foam mattresses, dining tent, trekking poles & safety gears.
ü Climbing gear: rope, ice axe, harnesses, gaiters, crampons, climbing boots, slings, carabineers, ascenders.
ü Meals during the trek - Nutritious & healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea /coffee, snacks. from Indian, Tibetan, Chinese to continental cuisine.
ü Support staff: Qualified climbing guide, cook & camp crew.
ü Trekking mules/horses for porterage of your luggage and trekking gear.
ü Camping fee, trekking permits, peak fee.
ü Goods and services tax.
ü First aid medical kit.
× Domestic flight Delhi - Manali
× Hotel in Manali
× Travel insurance.
× Soft or hard drinks.
× Entrance fee at monasteries
× Personal tipping to staff: Guide, cook, helper, horseman, driver.
× Any unforeseen cost arises by natural hazards rain, snow, road block which cost extra lodging & boarding beyond trip Schedule.
I totally loved working with Potala Adventures. No wonder they have decades of experience! I had a very peculiar case; I was the sole climber to Friendship Peak since my friend couldn’t join. Even then, Mr. Prem made everything work well for me in very reasonable cost. He made many adjustments to suit just my needs and organized my climb very well. Now, few details: 1. Looking at my individual ...
TRIP FACTS
Destination - Manali
Activity - Trekking & mountaineering
Max altitude - 5289 meters
Difficulty - Strenuous
Trip length - 7, 8 days Delhi to Delhi
6 days Manali to Manali
6 days trekking
5 nights camping
Best time - May end to Oct
