Friendship Peak Trek 5289m 6 Days & 5 Nights Spectacular peaks standing at 5289m and a famous trekking peak in Manali.
Overview
Friendship Peak is a stunning 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 it is a trekker’s delight. The entire area is surrounded by spectacular peaks and glaciers 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 ideal 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 the terrain remains rocky in September and October.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Manali (2050m) to Dhundi (3140 m / 10301 ft) Drive 21 km, Trek Dhundi to Bakarthach (3300m / 10826 ft).
Day 2: Bakarthach to Base Camp at Lady Leg (3900m / 12,795 ft).
Day 3: Acclimatization, practice – Load Ferry to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).
Day 4: Base camp to Summit camp (4030m / 13,221 ft).
Day 5: Friendship peak (5289m / 17,352 ft) Summit day.
Day 6: Back to Dhundi, Drive to Solang – Manali.
DETAILED 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 nallah. Dhundi is our starting point of the trek and it will take an hour’s drive from Manali. Solang is the base of all adventure sports in Manali. Solang to Dhundi road goes along the right banks of the River through pine, walnut, and silver birch forest to Dhundi, 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 is 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 2: 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, and 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 the Himalayas is known as the Dhauladhar range. Arrive at 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.
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 on summit day. And load the ferry to summit camp.
Day 4: Base camp to Summit camp (4030m). 2 Hrs.
Today all Friendship peak teams 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 at 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 the shoulder the final push to the summit, it two hours to reach the summit. From the summit which provides a 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. 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.
