Friendship Peak Expedition

TREK DIFFICULTY: Difficult

TREK DURATION: 7 Days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE: 17346 Feet

LOCATION: Himachal Pradesh

TOTAL TREK DISTANCE: 24 Km

BASECAMP: Manali

BEST TIME: July | August 

PICKUP POINT: Dehradun

Highlights

If you are interested in an alternative trek with fantastic powder, unlimited adventure, and the pure beauty of Himachal Pradesh, the Friendship Peak Expedition may become the next big trip of your life. Here’s a brief intro to what makes this trek so special: 

Breathtaking Mountain Views

When posed with the question, “What is your favourite part of the Friendship Peak trek, there is a lasting mental image that comes to mind: the 360 degrees of stunning mountains that accompany you for most of the trek. When you start your ascent, you see some of the highest and most majestic of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar mountain ranges. Everything from Deo Tibba and Indrasan to the massive Hanuman Tibba, the view around each corner is postcard quality. Believe us, no picture could come close to the real thing. 

The Midnight Climb – Magical Adventure

Now that’s when the real adventure starts. On Summit Day, we initiate the final push at 12.00 AM, equipped with headlamps, cold weather clothes, and nerves of steel. The feeling of setting out in the semi-darkness, under the glow of the moon and a blanket of stars, instantly transforms the trek into an exhilarating adventure. The sound of ice cracking underfoot, the stillness of the night, and the sense of closeness to the heavens.

Sunrise from the Summit – Pure Magic

The timing of your ascent allows you to get there just as the first blush of dawn reaches across the mountain. Witnessing the sun rise at Friendship Peak is like experiencing another dimension. As the sun crests and gradually pours soft, golden rays of light over all of the shining snowy peaks that surround you and colors of pink, orange and gold saturate the sky, it is pure magic. Witnessing the sunrise at Friendship Peak is tranquil. It is invigorating. It is a memory you will cherish your entire life. 

A Variety of Himalayan Terrain in Just One Trek

This trek provides you with a little bit of everything that the Himalayas can offer; green meadows, the Beas River, thick pine forests, rocky moraine, snowfields and glacial slopes. The constantly changing terrain is mesmerizing and gives you the sense that you are moving through different worlds each step you take.

Sleeping Under The Stars

The experience of camping in the Himalayas is an adventure in and of itself! After an amazing day, you will set up your camp nestled against the mountains, far away from the noise and lights of civilization. When the sun goes down, the stars come out and you drift off to sleep under the stars with the serene stillness of the mountains that rejuvenates your mind and soul. And waking up to boot the crisp-air, cold, and snow-covered peaks just outside your tent deserves a prize!

Peace and Quiet — Away From the Chaos!

There is no substitute for real peace and quiet while hiking in the mountains. Hiking within the madness of busy trekking trails cannot offer authentic solitude; Friendship Peak can. There are going to be times you are by yourself and all you can hear is your own breath, the snow crunching under your feet, and the soft wind blowing through the valleys; that is peace, it is humbling and grounding.

An Authentic Mountaineering Experience — Get Prepared! 

Mountaineering isn’t a walk in the park. Approaching the Friendship Peak summit you will be using real mountaineering gear like ice axes, crampons, and ropes. There is a delicious thrill to this and it is the ultimate high-altitude adventure. But don’t worry, professional guides will be with you every step of the way.

A Relaxing Start to Sightseeing in Manali

Before the trek commences, we will also give you time to walk around Manali, a town nestled in the mountains with plenty of character each season. You could check out the old Hadimba Temple, have a soak in the natural hot springs at Vashisht Kund, or just walk into Old Manali, those are all nice ways to get acclimatized before heading out on the adventure! (Tip: Restrain from visiting high-altitude sights like Rohtang Pass prior to the trek to maximize acclimatization).

A Quick Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manali

• Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,550 ft
• Hotel stay included (no sightseeing or meals)
• Foreign nationals: $100 Foreigner Trek Permit, payable to TTH representative on arrival

Day 2: Manali to Dhundi (Drive) → Bakarthach (Trek)

• Altitude: Dhundi – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft; Bakarthach – 3,300 m / 10,800 ft
• Drive: 21 km / 1.5 hrs
• Trek: 5 km / 3 hrs

Day 3: Bakarthach to Lady Leg

• Altitude: 3,900 m / 12,800 ft
• Trek: 3 km / 3 hrs

Day 4: Load ferry to Summit Camp → Return to Lady Leg

• Altitude: Summit Camp – 4,750 m / 15,500 ft
• Trek: 2 km each way / 2–3 hrs

Day 5: Move to Summit Camp

• Altitude: 4,750 m / 15,500 ft
• Trek: 2 km / 2–3 hrs

Day 6: Summit Attempt → Return to Lady Leg

• Altitude: Friendship Peak – 5,287 m / 17,346 ft
• Summit trek: 5 km one way / 8–9 hrs round trip
• Return trek to Lady Leg: 2 km / 1.5 hrs

Day 7: Lady Leg to Dhundi (Trek) → Manali (Drive)

• Trek: 8 km / 4–5 hrs
• Drive: 21 km / 1.5 hrs
• Manali stay not included

Day 8: Buffer Day

• Not used in the expedition

What to Pack For Friendship Peak Trek?

Clothing

• Thermal base layers (top & bottom)
• Fleece jacket / light wool sweater
• Down jacket (warm, insulated)
• Waterproof & windproof shell jacket
• Trekking pants (quick-dry) – 2 pairs
• Thermal inner pants
• Waterproof trousers / rain pants
• Warm beanie / wool cap
• Balaclava or neck gaiter
• Lightweight gloves (fleece)
• Insulated waterproof gloves
• Woolen socks – 3 pairs
• Trekking socks – 3 pairs

Footwear

• Sturdy trekking boots (waterproof, ankle support)
• Camp shoes / sandals
• Gaiters (for snow)

Accessories

• Sunglasses (UV protection)
• Headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Trekking poles
• Water bottles (2 x 1 liter) or hydration bladder
• Backpack 
• Daypack
• Rain cover for backpack

Personal Items

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Lip balm (SPF protection)
• Wet wipes / tissue paper
• Personal toiletries & small towel
• Hand sanitizer
• Power bank
• Personal medication & first-aid kit

Best time for Friendship Peak Expedition

The optimal time for the Friendship Peak expedition is during the monsoon, specifically July and August. The rains provide beautiful vistas of the trails, when everything is fresh and clean, and the visibility is excellent. In all the months, you have the best chance of summiting Friendship Peak in these two months when the weather is ideal for trekking. 

Given that Friendship Peak is an expedition, trekking is only possible at a specific time, when the conditions are right. It happens that there isn’t too much or too little snow. Too much snow makes climbing Friendship Peak challenging. Too little snow also makes summiting Friendship Peak difficult because of the exposure of the large boulders that line the ground of Friendship Peak as the snow melts. The months of the monsoon provide the perfect balance between the perfect well-frozen trails needed for the excellent climbing experience that you can have trekking. on Friendship Peak in Himachal..

FAQs

Is Friendship Peak difficult?

Friendship Peak is classified a moderate -to -high trek. You do not need technical climbing experience to complete this trek. Glacier walks, steep snow slopes, and high altitude will be involved during the trek requiring good physical condition and the mental capacity to handle stress. Trekkers will be climbing approximately 5,289 meters (17,346 ft) which often involves snow and using crampons, ropes, and ice axes – especially on the summit day. If you have trekked at altitude previously and enjoy pushing into the snow and cold – then the trek might be well within your reach under the guidance of an experience group and with adequate preparation and acclimatization.

So why is the mountain called Friendship Peak?

There is no official documentation that provides a reason behind the name, but it is generally accepted that the reason it was called this is that the mountain has a lot of group expeditions and these groups usually consisted of friends or mountaineers. The trek is challenging but achievable is a good reason to select a peak climb whether that is for 2-10 people. 

Additionally, the name Friendship Peak has taken on a life of its own to signify camaraderie, working as a team and creating bonds from experiences shared in the mountains.

Where is Friendship Peak?

Friendship peak is located in the Pir Panjal range within the Himalayas, it is located in Himachal Pradesh, India. More specifically, it is near Solang Valley, around 13 km from Manali, a well known hill station where many tourists flock every year. The trek will either begin from Solang, or a nearby village, the they are Dhundi or Bakarthach depending on which route you choose. You will have awesome views of Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, Indrasan and other well known peaks at the top of Friendship Peak.

What is the temperature at Mt Friendship Peak?

The temperature at Friendship Peak greatly varies based on the season and what time of day it is.

During prime climbing season (May – June and September – October), the temperature is approx 5° – 15°C during the day at the lower camps.

During the summit push, the temperatures will drop at the higher altitude camps, and can drop down to -10° – -20° with windchills making it feel much colder at the summit.

It is important to pack correctly and layered, gloves and thermals will be needed in order to stay warm and safe on your expedition.