Himachal: Mount Friendship Trekking Peak

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  • Duration
    13 Days
  • Region
  • Category
    Adventure
  • Best Time
    • May - June
    • October - November

Introduction

Trek Grade: Moderate

The expedition to climb Mt. Friendship is a beautiful adventure in the Himalayas, which are the greatest perennial snows on Earth outside of the Polar Circles, in fact the Himalayas have even been called the third pole on Earth! The Himalayas get their name from the two Sanskrit words: "him", meaning snow, and "alaya", which means abode, thus being understood as home to the snows of India. Mt. Friendship sits at the heart of the Dhauladhar Range, one of the many ranges of the Himalayas, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, which itself means the lap of the perennial snows.

This region with its rushing streams and rivers, which flow amidst the verdant green hills dotted with apple orchards and the towering snow covered mountains alike, is indeed an extraordinary destination for an adventurer. However that's not it, for as alluring as it might be for a nature loving traveller, it has as much to offer in the way of religious sites to a pilgrim, through the many small and large Hindu temples and sacred sites to which devotees from all over journey to. One of these, Beaskund, is where we shall be trekking to before starting up the mountain.

Setting out from Manali, after a short drive we shall start trekking, up toward Beaskund, from the trail head at Dhundi Thatch. Beaskund is where the river Beas originates from, with its tumbling white waters it flows through the Himalayas and into the plains of Punjab, as one of the five rivers responsible for giving the land its name of Punjab, meaning the land of five waters. After having acclimatised through this trek, we shall begin the ascent up the snowy slopes to the summit of Mt. Friendship, at an altitude of 5,287 meters for stunning views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Ranges, which are part of the Greater Himalayas and the Great Himalayan Divide, beyond which lie the mighty Karakoram Ranges.  

Tour Highlights

  • 13 days adventure with the climb of the 5,287 meters Mount Friendship taking one week of climbing with sepctacular views of the surrounding Dhauladhar Range mountains
  • Accompanying experienced mountain guides on the climb with all climbing gear
  • Ponnies during the trek and high altitude porters during the climb
  • Trek to the Beaskund before the climb
  • Camping in tents for one week while on the mountains and hotels in Delhi and Manali
  • Visit to Old and New Delhi as gateway city
  • Prices on request
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Destinations Covered

Delhi

Delhi

The City of Glory

Delhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.

History and Culture

Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha. 

Manali, himachal by Aniket431 / CC BY

Manali

Himachal Pradesh covers the north front of the country, offering the tourists with some of the most wonderful hill stations in the world and Manali is undoubtedly one of the most visited one. The main credit goes to its snow-covered peaks, alluring ambience, gorgeous valleys and lush greenery. It is a charming slope station located at the reservoir of the River Beas. The tourists from all parts of the world, look for the best tour packages for Manali, every year, as it is the most appreciated getaway in India.

Wikimedia-BakarThach,Teaser
Val Fedoz by Markus Bernet / CC BY

Bakar Thach

Bakar Thach is a high altitude 'shepherd field', a marvellous expanse of greenery all around, where the shepherds let their cattle and bovines graze during summers and a majority part of the monsoons.

Wikimedia - Beas kund, Teaser
Beas kund by Gaurav Dhingra / CC BY

Beas Kund

Beas Kund is a thousand-year-old alpine lake that sits royally amidst the mountains of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,810 meters.

Advance Base Camp

advance base camp is breathtaking with beautiful views of the entire Dhauladhar ranges surrounding us in Western direction and looking up till the preliminary summit of Mount Friendship itself. The climb will be on snow and morraine slopes in which some patches will be a little steep.

Solang

Solang Valley derives its name from combination of the words Solang and Nallah. It is a side valley at the top of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India 14 km northwest of the resort town Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass, and is known for its summer and winter sports conditions.

Detailed Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

    Delhi

    After clearing Customs and Immigration, step into the receiving area, where our representative will meet you and escort you to the hotel.

    On arrival, check into the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (No Meals)

  2. Day 2 Delhi

    Delhi

    Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.

    On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).

    Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.

    Thereafter, visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, a 17th century Indian ruler. It is open to people of all faiths, castes or creeds. The premises house a sacred pond in which devotees bathe. They believe that this would wash off their misdeeds and thus allow them to attain peace of mind. The 'Langars' or the community kitchen proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal irrespective of caste, color or class.

    Conclude the day by visiting the Delhi's most striking monument, The Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed in 1192 by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) and contains 379 stairs. A Soaring conical tower, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and is the tallest minaret in India.

    Lunch at a local restaurant and Welcome dinner at the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

  3. Day 3 Fly Delhi To Kullu and Drive To Manali

    Manali

    (Flight: AI 9805: Delhi-Chandigrh-Kullu- 0640/0740 - 0810/0900 Hrs.)

    Today early morning, transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight to Kullu, flying through the green valleys with the snowy peaks towering above, landing at the airstrip located next to the rushing white waters of the Beas River.

    On arrival at Kullu airport, drive for another couple of hours to the alpine township of Manali which is very famous amongst Indian tourists as a cool getaway from the heat of the summers in the plains of North India. The township is located in the midst of beautiful pine and deodhar forests and is indeed pretty. Ahead one can see the snow covered peaks of the Shitidhar Ridge with the most prominent being Mount Friendship. Shitidhar Ridge is a part of the Dhauladhar ranges which in turn is part of the Himalayas.

    Rest of the day is at leisure and will help in overcoming the flight fatigue in a nice alpine location.

    Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

  4. Day 4 Manali

    Manali

    After breakfast proceed to visit the Hadimba temple located in the midst of the Deodhar forest where the four storied temple towers into the high trees. The sanctum has the footprint of Devi Hadimba who is associated with the Hindu epic of the Mahabharata, the greatest ancient battle between good and evil ever as per Hindu literature and mythology. This is a holy pilgrimage place where most of the Hindus coming to Manali go to offer their prayers.

    After lunch, proceed for a 22 kms drive to visit the 500 year old Naggar Castle located towards the town of Kullu on the otherside of the Beas river. The castle is well preserved and offers a glimpse into the beautiful wooden carvings, stone and metal works of the times. Located close by is the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery. Roerich was a Russian count and artist who made Kullu Valley his home in the early 20th century.

    Evening return to the hotel in Manali.

    Dinner in the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

  5. Day 5 Manali To Dhundi Thach Drive & Trek To Bakar Thach

    Bakar Thach

    After breakfast at the hotel, drive for 3 hours along the Beas river entering the beautiful lush green Solang Valley, which is a famous ski destination in the winter months. The valley is very scenic and you can see the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Hannuman Tibba (5,982 meters) while driving through the ancient pine and deodhar forests.

    On arrival at the alpine meadow of Dhundi Thach located at the base of the massif that goes up-to the Shitidhar Ridge and Mount Friendship, start to load the pack horses and porters.

    After an early lunch, start the short trek to the alpine meadow near the morraine located at Bakar Thach (3,270 meters). From Dhundi to Bakar Thach is a five kilometers trek directly under the massif of the Mount Hannuman Tibba and through a lush trail with great Himalayan peaks like seven sisters visible on one side. It is a high-altitude meadow and Bakar Thach literally means 'shepherd's field', a marvelous expanse of greenery all around.

    Reach the campsite in the late afternoon.

    Dinner at the campsite.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

    Accomodation
  6. Day 6 Trek Bakar Thach To Beas Kund And Climb Up To Base Camp

    Beas Kund

    Today we climb towards Beas-Kund (3550 meters), It is a little stiff climb and the route is through boulders and rocks in summers & through snows in spring times. After a trek of 4-5 hours we will see the beautiful lake of Beas Kund. This lake is believed to be the source of River Beas. Beas Kund is also the base camp for summit peaks like Mount Friendship, Mount Ladakhi and Mount Shitidhar.

    Continue the afternoon climb post lunch to reach the Base Camp at Lady’s Leg (3,840 meters). The climb for another couple of hours along the green grassy spur will take us to the base camp where we will stay for a couple of days to acclimatize and then move to a higher summit camp. The views of Mount Hannuman Tibba on the opposite side of the valley are breathtaking as are the views of the other surrounding peaks of Mount Ladakhi, Mount Shitidhar, etc.

    Dinner at the campsite.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

  7. Day 7 Rest Day For Training At Base Camp

    Beas Kund

    This is a day when we will learn all required basic mountain skills and about usage of the equipment required to reach the summit. How to rope up, how to use an ice axe and how to put on crampons over the climbing boots, etc. It will be a fun learning experience with some basic techniques including knots and rope management. Some practical practice sessions with the equipment and techniques can be done on the surrounding snow slopes.

    Lunch and dinner at the campsite.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

  8. Day 8 Ferry To Advance Base Camp

    Advance Base Camp

    After an early morning breakfast load up and take a climb up to the advance base camp at 4,200 meters. The climb up to to the advance base camp is breathtaking with beautiful views of the entire Dhauladhar ranges surrounding us in Western direction and looking up till the preliminary summit of Mount Friendship itself. The climb will be on snow and morraine slopes in which some patches will be a little steep.

    After a packed lunch, return back to sleep at the base camp located at Lady’s Leg.

    Dinner at the campsite.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

  9. Day 9 Climb From Base Camp To Advance Base Camp

    Advance Base Camp

    Move up to the advance base camp which will also be our summit camp to reach the summit of Mount Friendship. The sunset views over peaks like Mount Deo Tibba (6,001 meters), Mount Hannuman Tibba (5,982 meters) and many more surrounding on all sides are really spectacular.

    Tonight will be an early night with a very early morning start the next day so that the walk through the snows to the mountain top is mainly done while the snows are firm as climbing uphill in soft snows can be tiring, especially at higher altitudes.

    Today an early dinner at camp.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

  10. Day 10 Summit Climb Of Mount Friendship (5,287 Meters)

    Mount Friendship

    Early morning, around 2 AM, the journey to the peak will start. From the advanced base camp, you will have to walk for 6 hours to the reach the summit. We will start out walking up a ridge from the Advanced Base Camp enroute we will be passing by a few crevasses. We shall keep the ridge on our right for most of the climb. After getting to a col we shall get a view of glittering Manali lights from high on the mountain. While climbing up you shall see a brilliant mixture of hues fill up the sky that will preceed the sun rise which shall offer some relief from the cold. The final climb to the summit is a short but somewhat steep ascent.

    If everything goes as planned, trekkers will be able to reach the summit by 8 AM in the morning walking along the top of the ridge that leads to the summit. From the top of the mountain, climbers will be able to see the uninterrupted view of neighbouring mountains across the Dhauladhar Range and into the Pir Panjal Range of the Lahaul and Spiti region. One can also see the distant townships and villages of Lahaul and Spiti and closerby, that of Manali. After spending some time at the summit soaking in the great Himalayan views, the trekkers will go back to the advanced base camp for lunch. Following lunch, they will trek further downhill till the base camp at Lady’s Leg.

    After eating lunch at the Advanced Base Camp, we shall pack up and walk down to the base camp where we shall celebrate having successfully summited a Himalayan peak and enjoy hot drinks, as we close the trekking for the day. Arrive back at the base camp by late afternoon and join into the celebrations for a successful climb.

    Dinner at the campsite.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)

  11. Day 11 Base Camp Trek To Dhundi Thach And Drive To Solang For The Night

    Solang

    After a leisurely breakfast, we shall start heading down toward Dhundi Thach, enroute stopping by at a meadow for an early lunch we shall continue our short climb downhill on the trail through the forest to the roadhead at Dhundi Thach meadows and board our waiting vehicles to drive to the resort at Solang for the night.

    Dinner at the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

  12. Day 12 Drive Solang To Kullu and Fly To Delhi

    Delhi

    (Flight: AI 9806: Delhi-Chandigarh-Kullu - 0930/1020 - 1050/1150 Hrs.)

    Today early morning, we will have a 3 hour drive to Kullu airport to connect with a flight to Delhi.

    Arrive Delhi by afternoon and transfer to the airport hotel.

    Rest of the day is at leisure.

    Lunch and dinner in the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

  13. Day 13 Delhi To Agra And Back Optional Excursion

    Delhi

    This is a day that is kept as a buffer day in case the mountain flight from Kullu to Delhi is cancelled due to bad weather and one needs to undertake a surface transport to reach Delhi. However, if the flight does operate then an optional excursion can be taken to visit the Taj Mahal at Agra or, an additional optional sightseeing of Delhi can be taken to explore the city a little more.

    After dinner transfer to the airport to connect with the departure international flight.

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