DIFFICULTY
Moderate
DURATION
10 Days
BEST TIME
May – Oct
COST
₹ 48,000
OVERVIEW
Friendship Peak, situated at an elevation of 5289m in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India, is a breathtaking mountain offering panoramic views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. The Beas Kund basin adds to the beauty of the landscape. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has categorized it as an ideal trekking peak for professional mountaineers. The climb to the summit involves topographic features like glaciers, crevasses, moraines, and ice patches, which vary depending on the season.
Rated as a moderate to hard-grade trek, Friendship Peak is a good option for experienced trekkers who want to try their hand at mountaineering. The surrounding area comprises lush meadows, dense forests, and thick snow layers on the summit. A typical Friendship Peak expedition takes seven days, from Manali to Manali. However, adding two more days to the itinerary and putting a little more effort into the climb can make it a twin summit expedition by climbing Mt Shititdhar, an adjacent peak, immediately after summiting Friendship Peak.
Mt Shititdhar, also known as “White Peak,” is an excellent choice for first-time mountaineers. The climb offers mesmerizing views of Hanuman Tibba to the west and Deo Tibba, Indrasan, and lesser mountains of Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Range to the east. The south face of the peak provides a challenging and straightforward route. Shitidhar’s accessibility makes it even more attractive than other surrounding peaks.
If this is going to be your first mountaineering experience, you may want to take it a little easy. You have the option of climbing only Friendship Peak as well. Click here to know more about it.
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
- First aid 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
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 do you mean by dual summit?
A) Following the usual itinerary you will make the summit push from the last camp to reach the top of Friendship Peak. Descend to Lady Leg (2nd last camp) and ascend the next day again to reach the top of Shitidhar Peak.
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 8-9 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.
