Overview
Area: Himachal Pradesh
Duration: 10 Days
Best Season: June to October
Grade :Tough
Altitude: 5289 mts/17348 ft
Total Trekking: K.M
About Friendship Peak Trek
One of the most famous summits for trekking in the Indian Himalayan region, the Friendship peak looming at an elevation of 5,289 metres in the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh is a trekker’s paradise. From the summit, one can feast his eyes on the panoramic view of the Pir Panjal range, against the back of silver horizons formed by the Dhauladhar and Great Himalayan ranges. The Friendship Peak Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Himachal Pradesh and before trekking here, one should have prior high experience of travelling at high altitudes. The journey passes through the beautiful Solang Valley, featuring several alpine meadows, thick forest dotted with varied species of alpine trees, colourful orchards and crisscrossed by numerous small and gushing streams. The trail will start throwing challenges, when at a high altitude, tourists will have to climb over the thick bed of snow, and trek over glaciated tracks and narrow ridges. Other than the breathtaking horizon, the major attractions on the Friendship Peak Trek are Hadimba Temple in Manali, hot water springs of Vashisht and Naggar Roerich Art Gallery.
The Friendship Peak trek commences from Solang, a valley which is a couple of hours drive from Manali, located at an elevation of 2,050 metres. From Solang, one will have to trek uphill till Bakarthach (3050 m), after passing through the lush green valley and thick forest. Further, the trek will continue to the base camps- I & II of the Friendship peak. All the action starts on the trail from base camp II as trekking will have to climb over the thick bed of snow and follows to the summit. After that, the journey follows a gradual trek downhill towards Bakarthach and further leads down to Solang and ends at Manali.
Since it is a trek, located at a high elevation, it requires acclimatisation at certain altitudes and fitness on the part of the trek. June, July, September and October are the best time of the year to go for the Friendship Peak Trek.
Friendship Peak Trekking Tour Highlights
- Solang Valley
- Trek from Advanced Base Camp (ABC) to Bakarthach
- Hadimba Devi Temple
- Lush green valleys and Forests
Best Time to Visit Friendship Peak Trek
Mid June- Mid October
June – JulyThe temperature during the afternoon: 12-20 °C
The temperature during the evening and night: (-2) to 6 °C
September – OctoberThe temperature during the afternoon: 12-18°C
The temperature during the evening and night: (-6) to 4 °C
Where is the Friendship Peak Trek ?
Located at an elevation of 5289 m in Pir Panjal Range, a trek to friendship peak is ideal for amateur and budding mountaineers. The Friendship peak is in the Beas Kund area and to reach here; one will have pass through glaciers, rocky moraines, lush green valleys and forest. Trek to friendship peak, commences from the Solang-Nalla Valley and after passing through the thrilling ascends and descends, it leads to Friendships peak via Bakarthach. The peak is considered to be among the easiest climb, in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh and can be attempted by even by laypersons with sufficient endurance and proper guidance.
How to Reach Friendship Peak Trek ?
Nearest Airport:Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Manali Airport or Kullu Airport is the nearest airport, which is around 10 km from the South Kullu. But due to bad visibility, flights from Bhuntar Airports often get cancelled. In such case, tourist can go to the second closest, Chandigarh International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station:Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station, around 166 km from Manali. Other convenient railway stations are in Chandigarh and Pathankot.
By Road:Manali is well connected with all the neighbouring towns – Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie through a network of state owned and private buses. The area remains connected with Leh during July to October.
Friendship Peak Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
AC Volvo from the meeting points in Delhi will start at 6 in the evening. Within 12-13 hours, you will reach Manali. Overnight journey in AC Volvo.
After 12-13 hours arduous Volvo journey, tourists will reach Manali by morning. On arrival, tourists will be transferred to the hotel. On this day, you can explore Manali. Overnight stay at the hotel.
This exciting trek to Friend peak will begin with a trek through one of the most popular trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh. Early morning, a jeep will transfer you to Solang Valley, where you will check in a hotel. After breakfast in the Solang Valley hotel, you will load your baggage into vehicles, followed by a departure to the starting point of the trek, Dundi. On the third day, you will travel till Bakerthach via Palchani Tach. Trekkers can use the rest of the day to explore Bakerthach. Dinner is served in the Bakerthach camps.
After breakfast, trekkers will start their trek to the first basecamp, Beas Kund, a holy river of Himachal Pradesh. Beas Kund is a known stopover point for many other trekking trails like Shitidhar, Ladakhi, Manali. The trek takes you to the Base camp while passing by the Beas Kund Glacier. Lunch and dinner will be served at the camp in Beas Kund. Overnight stay at the camp.
After breakfast, tourists will attend a training session in which they will be told about equipment and their usage. In this training course, guides will prepare you to brave to the snow glaciers, which you might cross in coming days. Time is allowed to get used to the climbing gear including harness, crampons and climbing boots. You get familiar with your equipment and you learn how to arrest properly slope falls. After the training sessions, tourist will go for lunch, followed by packing for the advance camping. Dinner and overnight stay in the Beaskund camp.
After breakfast, you will trek uphill for approximately 4-5 hours to the advance base camp. Amidst the mountain ranges, the location of the advanced base camp is picturesque. While relishing, the view of the hills, trekkers will set their tents. From the advanced base camp site, one can see the view of the beautiful ranges like Hanuman Tibba, Maker Beh, Shiker Beh and the grandest Friendship peak. Dinner and overnight stay in the advanced base camp.
Early morning, around 3 AM, the journey to the peak will start. From the base camp, you will have to walk for 6 hours to the reach the summit. It will be a steep trek; you will pass through glaciers, snow peak and cross various crevasses. If everything goes as planned, trekkers will be able to reach the summit by 9 in the morning. From the top of the hill, tourists will be able to see the uninterrupted view of neighbouring mountains, towns like Lahaul & Spiti and Manali. After spending some time at the summit, tourist will go back to the advanced base camp for lunch. Following lunch, they will trek downhill till Bakarthach camp. Overnight stay in Bakarthach camp.
Return the same way to civilisation. On the eighth day, after the breakfast trekkers will descend to the starting point of the trek, Dhundi. From Dhundi, a four tyre vehicle will take you to Manali. After lunch, you will get an opportunity to explore Manali. Make sure that you take a look at Hadimba, the hot water springs of Vashisht and maybe even the Naggar Roerich Art Gallery. A dinner is arranged at the Manali hotel where you are staying.
On a ninth day, tourist can explore Manali. At 04:30 PM, AC Volvo will arrive at the hotel, which will take you back to Delhi. Overnight journey in Volvo.
Arrival in Delhi in the early morning, the adventure of the Friend’s peak trekking comes to an end.
Things to Carry for Friendship Peak Trek
- Duffel bag Down/synthetic camp booties
- Sunglasses, Light gloves
- Sleeping bag
- Flashlight/Headlamp with extra batteries
- Daypack
- One liter water bottles wide mouthed
- Trekking Boots
- Water purification/filter
- Camp shoes/sneakers
- Walking stick/Trekking pole
- Cotton socks
- Note book with pens and pencils
- Gore-Tex jacket
- Lip balm
- Light wind jacket Sunscreen / Moisturiser
- Down jacket/vest
- Camp towel/towel/sarong
- Fleece jacket/vest
- Personal toiletries
- T-shirts
- Personal medicines
- Underwear
- Money pouch/belt
- Trekking pants
- Energy bars
- Thermal tops
- Vitamin tablets
- Thermal bottom
- Extra passport photos
- Warm hat and Bandana/scarf
- Sun hat/baseball cap
- Wind- and rain-gear with hood
- Swiss Army Knives (Classic pocket tool)
- One pair cotton trousers or shorts
- Two cotton shirts/T-Shirts One warmer (jacket with hood)
