DIFFICULTY
Moderate
DURATION
10 Days
BEST TIME
July-Sept
COST
On Enquiry
OVERVIEW
The Shinkun West Expedition is an exhilarating high-altitude adventure that takes climbers to the majestic summit of Shinkun West Peak at 6,153 meters. Located near the iconic Shinkun La Pass, this challenging climb lies at the intersection of Lahaul and Zanskar Valleys in Himachal Pradesh. This region is renowned for its untouched beauty, blending stark, barren landscapes with snow-clad peaks and glacial streams.
This expedition is not just a physical challenge; it’s a journey through ancient Himalayan trade routes and pristine wilderness. Starting in the charming town of Manali, you’ll traverse remote villages like Jispa and cross rugged terrains to reach the serene base camp of Shinkun West. Along the way, experience the rich culture of the local Himalayan communities and the unparalleled beauty of the Trans-Himalayan ranges.
The climb itself is technical, featuring steep ascents, icy slopes, and sharp ridges that demand prior mountaineering experience and strong technical skills. The reward is the awe-inspiring view from the summit—a sweeping panorama of towering Himalayan peaks, including glimpses of Nun Kun, Stok Kangri, and even distant Karakoram ranges.
This expedition is ideal for seasoned climbers looking to push their boundaries and embrace the true spirit of mountaineering. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of a technical climb or the serene beauty of the Himalayan wilderness, Shinkun West offers an unforgettable experience for every adventure enthusiast.
INCLUSIONS
- 2 nights in a nice hotel with breakfast
- 7 nights’ accommodation in Camps as per the itinerary
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on all days
- Tea every Morning & Evening
- Soup in the Evening
- Highly qualified Guides during the trek
- Camping in tents along with sleeping bags
- Climbing boots & Crampons
- Seat-harness & Ice axe
- Firstaid medical kit
- Oxygen cylinder till Summit for emergency
- All the necessary technical equipment required for the expedition
- All fees & Permits
- Participants will get an exclusive discount on all Fast&Up products
EXCLUSIONS
- Travel till Manali
- Personal clothing & Personal Porter
- Lunch & Dinner when in hotel
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Toiletries
- Tips to guide/porter
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions of the package.
- Personal Insurance
THINGS TO PACK
For Your Head:
A woolen warm cap & balaclava offer warmth and protection against the cold Everest winds, while a bandana serves multiple purposes, from a sweatband to a dust mask. A traditional hat or cap provides additional sun protection during the brighter hours of the day.
Footsteps of an Explorer:
Your feet are your foundation. Six pairs of socks—three lightweight for mobility, three heavyweight woolen for warmth—ensure your feet stay dry and comfortable.
Ankle-high, heavy sole trekking boots are indispensable, crafted for the rugged terrain. Do carry a pair of regular sneakers as a backup, along with sandals specifically for river crossing and allowing your feet to rest and breathe in the evenings.
Hands That Conquer:
Protect and preserve your hands with two pairs of warm liner gloves and a pair of waterproof gloves. This combination keeps your hands warm, dry, and ready to grip your next challenge.
Clothing: The Armor of the Adventurer
Begin with a thermal innerwear set of polyester/merino material, your first defense against the cold.
Add lightweight, quick-dry trekking pants for your daily marches, with Gore-Tex windproof trousers and jacket as shields against the biting winds and sudden downpours.
A waterproof jacket (hard shell) or poncho is your emergency layer, ready at a moment’s notice. Rotate through 3-4 full-sleeve T-shirts, the backbone of your layering system.
A Fleece (250-300 gsm, full polyester) could serve as your comfort layer, offering warmth without weight, topped with a down jacket (comfort rating of Minus 20 C) for the cold.
Navigational and Survival Gear:
A 20-litre backpack is essential for keeping items like your water bottle, snacks, and perhaps a fleece within easy reach, while a 60-70 litre rucksack serves to carry your main luggage, transported by mules or porters.
Trekking poles become extensions of your will, aiding your ascent and descent.
A Water bottle and a thermos flask, essential to keep you hydrated on your trek.
Personal Care Compact:
A personal hygiene kit and medicine kit are your wellness companions, holding everything from toothbrush and paste to sanitizers and personal medications.
50+ SPF Sunscreen against the harsh sun rays. Towels, tissues, and wipes to keep you clean and dry. Lip Balm, especially Vaseline, is recommended to protect against the chapping and dryness caused by the cold, dry winds.
Illumination and Vision:
A headlight, backed by extra batteries, pierces the darkness, guiding your steps under starlit skies or pre-dawn treks.
Polarized, Category 4 sunglasses with 100% UV protection and wrap-around design are most recommended for with a backup pair, protect against the glare of the sun, reflected by snow and ice.
Others:
Keep your devices charged and ready with a power bank. Embrace moments of joy and peace with a camera, music player, books, and cards, lightening your spirit as you lighten your load.
THINGS TO PACK
For Your Head:
A woolen warm cap & balaclava offer warmth and protection against the cold Everest winds, while a bandana serves multiple purposes, from a sweatband to a dust mask. A traditional hat or cap provides additional sun protection during the brighter hours of the day.
Footsteps of an Explorer:
Your feet are your foundation. Six pairs of socks—three lightweight for mobility, three heavyweight woolen for warmth—ensure your feet stay dry and comfortable.
Ankle-high, heavy sole trekking boots are indispensable, crafted for the rugged terrain. Do carry a pair of regular sneakers as a backup, along with sandals specifically for river crossing and allowing your feet to rest and breathe in the evenings.
Hands That Conquer:
Protect and preserve your hands with two pairs of warm liner gloves and a pair of waterproof gloves. This combination keeps your hands warm, dry, and ready to grip your next challenge.
Clothing: The Armor of the Adventurer
Begin with a thermal innerwear set of polyester/merino material, your first defense against the cold.
Add lightweight, quick-dry trekking pants for your daily marches, with Gore-Tex windproof trousers and jacket as shields against the biting winds and sudden downpours.
A waterproof jacket (hard shell) or poncho is your emergency layer, ready at a moment’s notice. Rotate through 3-4 full-sleeve T-shirts, the backbone of your layering system.
A Fleece (250-300 gsm, full polyester) could serve as your comfort layer, offering warmth without weight, topped with a down jacket (comfort rating of Minus 20 C) for the cold.
Navigational and Survival Gear:
A 20-litre backpack is essential for keeping items like your water bottle, snacks, and perhaps a fleece within easy reach, while a 60-70 litre rucksack serves to carry your main luggage, transported by mules or porters.
Trekking poles become extensions of your will, aiding your ascent and descent.
A Water bottle and a thermos flask, essential to keep you hydrated on your trek.
Personal Care Compact:
A personal hygiene kit and medicine kit are your wellness companions, holding everything from toothbrush and paste to sanitizers and personal medications.
50+ SPF Sunscreen against the harsh sun rays. Towels, tissues, and wipes to keep you clean and dry. Lip Balm, especially Vaseline, is recommended to protect against the chapping and dryness caused by the cold, dry winds.
Illumination and Vision:
A headlight, backed by extra batteries, pierces the darkness, guiding your steps under starlit skies or pre-dawn treks.
Polarized, Category 4 sunglasses with 100% UV protection and wrap-around design are most recommended for with a backup pair, protect against the glare of the sun, reflected by snow and ice.
Others:
Keep your devices charged and ready with a power bank. Embrace moments of joy and peace with a camera, music player, books, and cards, lightening your spirit as you lighten your load.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q) Who should go on this expedition?
A) Those who have been trekking for a while and now want to push their limit or try their hand, particularly at mountaineering should go for this expedition. You’ll get to learn and practice proper mountaineering skills here.
Q) Is this expedition suitable for beginners?
A) You must not be an absolute beginner. Some prior trekking experience is required.
Q) What will be the pickup point?
A) You will have to arrive at the Manali bus stand by yourself. Our cab will be waiting there for you and that’s where your journey with B&C starts. Someone from our internal team and many trekkers usually go via Delhi/Chandigarh. So, we can book our bus seats accordingly and travel together.
Q) What are the best months to visit Friendship Peak?
A) In summer, the best months are April-June. Whereas in winter, it’s September-October.
Q) How different is this from a usual trek?
A) Most of the days would feel like a regular trek except for the summit push when you have to start climbing in the middle of the night using proper mountaineering gears
Q) Can this trek be reduced to 6-7 days?
A) Yes, it can be reduced by a day or two but for an extra charge since you’ll be given a personal guide while coming back. Please WhatsApp us on +919000603444 to know more.
Q) What to pack?
A) You’ll need to pack the basic clothing and accessories you’ve used on your previous treks. Mountain gear that you require after the summit camp, such as Ice-axe, Snow boots, Crampons, Harness, etc., will be provided by us.
Q) What will be the accommodation type for this trek?
A) At Manali, we will stay at hotels or guesthouses. During the trek, you will stay in a 3-man tent/camp on a twin-sharing basis.
Q) Can I get a personal tent?
A) Of course, you can get a separate tent for yourself if you don’t want to share your sleeping space with someone. However, you’ll have to pay an extra charge for that.
Q) What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
A) Maximum temperature you’d witness on the trek will be around 25 degree Celsius. At a minimum, it could go -5 after summit camp during the night.
Q) Who will lead us on the trek?
A) Your trek will be led by one of our experienced and knowledgeable mountain guides, who will be supported by a team of skilled coordinators, helpers, and cooks.
Q) Is a trekking pole necessary?
A) Though it is not necessary, a trekking pole is extremely helpful since the terrain could get
Q) Do I have to buy all the gear required?
A) We can help you get trekking poles, hiking shoes, gloves, warm trousers, raincoats & jackets on rent. Connect with us to know the charge.
Q) What are the gears we will be using? Is it easy climbing with those gears for the first time?
A) Till the base camp, you’ll not require any typical mountaineering gear but from the summit camp, you will. You will also be provided with enough training so that you can climb with gear such as snow boots, crampons, ice-axe, harnesses, ropes, helmets, etc. Not to mention, there will always be people around you for supervision.
Q) Will I be carrying my bags the whole time?
A) No, mules will be there to carry your bags till the base camp (Ladyleg). After Lady Leg, you carry some of the basic stuff you’ll require on your summit day and leave them at the summit camp for next-day use. We call it the load ferry.
Q) What’s the success ratio for the summit attempt?
A) Most of the climbers on friendship peak are first-time mountaineers, i.e., they may have gone on treks before but it’s their first time climbing mountaineering gears. Still, about 70% of people are successful at their attempts.
Q) What kind of fitness level is required?
A) You must be ideally fit, untouched by any sort of physical injury, illness, or overweight. Should be able to walk for 6-8 hours easily.
Q) How can I prepare for this expedition?
A) You must start preparing at least 1.5-2 months prior to the kick-off date. Below are some of the exercises you could add to your fitness regime:
-Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or walk continuously for 10 km (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (a slight incline is better), even better if done with some weight on your back
-3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch
-Push Ups – 10 x 3
-Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
-Planks
Q) Is transportation included? Where will you pick us up and where will you drop us off?
A) We will pick you up from Manali private bus stand and drop you at the same place. Other domestic transportation, i.e. from the hotel to Dhundi (where the trek starts), will also be provided by us.
Q) Is mobile network available during the trek?
A) Your number will go unreachable as soon as you start your trek from Dhundi and will stay like that until you’re back. You’ll be out of network for about 6 days.
Q) What are the toilet facilities during the trek?
A) A separate toilet tent with a portable toilet chair will be available on all days except on the summit push day.
Q) What kind of food is available during the trek?
A) A variety of highly nutritious veg & non-veg food is available during the whole journey. However, at the summit camp, limited food can be carried. That day, you’ll be given noodles, soup, tea, sandwiches, etc.
Q) For what other things will I be charged?
A) We don’t work with any hidden costs. You’ll get everything required and mentioned in the brochure from when you arrive in Manali, till we bid you adieu.
