Friendship Peak Expiditions

Day 01 — Manali to Dhundi (Drive) & Trek to Bakarthach

Drive Distance / Time Required: ~21 km / approx. 1.5 hours

Trek Distance / Time Required: ~5 km / approx. 3–4 hours

Altitude Gain: 3,300 m

The Journey: Your expedition begins with a gorgeous mountain drive that transitions quickly into a lush trek alongside the Beas River. Drive via Solang Valley to Dhundi. Then, a trek to Bakarthach.

Meal: Hot breakfast in Manali, packed lunch on the trail and a warm dinner at camp.

Camp Stay: Alpine tents at Bakarthach—a stunning, high-altitude shepherd’s meadow surrounded by birch trees.

Day 02 — Bakarthach to Lady Leg Camp (Base Camp)

Trek Distance: ~3–4 km hiking

Time Required: roughly 3-4 hours

Altitude Gain: 3,900 m

The Journey: A short but relentlessly steep climb out of the tree line and onto a grassy ridge line known affectionately as "Lady Leg."

Meal: Fresh breakfast at Bakarthach, hot lunch at the base camp, evening tea and dinner.

Camp Stay: Mountaineering tents at Lady Leg Base Camp.

Highlights: The first clear, imposing look at Friendship Peak, alongside neighbor summits like Shiti Dhar and Ladakhi Peak.

Day 03 — Technical Training & Load Ferry to Summit Camp

Trek Distance: ~4 km round trip

Time Required: approx. 4 hours of climbing and descending

Altitude Gain: 4,400 m

The Journey: A crucial preparation day designed to adapt your lungs to the thinning air and teach you how to survive on ice.

Meal: Full hot meals served at Lady Leg Base Camp.

Camp Stay: Second consecutive night at Lady Leg Base Camp.

Activity: You will carry a portion of your summit gear up the trail (load ferry) to help your body acclimatize. In the afternoon, guides conduct Snow Craft Training—learning how to walk with heavy mountaineering boots, fixing crampons, roping up and mastering ice axe self-arrest techniques.

Day 04 — Move to Summit Camp (Advanced Base Camp)

Trek Distance: ~2 km

Time Required: roughly 2-3 hours of steady, calculated climbing.

Altitude Gain: 4,400 m

The Journey: A brief but challenging push over glacial moraine to establish a launching pad for the summit.

Meal: Hot breakfast, early afternoon lunch and a very early "pre-summit dinner" around 5:00 PM.

Camp Stay: High-altitude glacier camping.

Highlights: Sleeping directly on the snow or cold moraine, right underneath the massive shoulder of Friendship Peak.

Day 05 — Summit Push: Summit Camp to Friendship Peak & Back to Base Camp

Trek Distance: ~12 km ascent to the peak and descent back to Lady Leg

Time Required: 12–14 hours of continuous physical exertion

Altitude Gain: 5,289 m

The Journey: The ultimate test. You will wake up around midnight (11:30 PM–1:00 AM) to begin climbing under the stars while the snow is at its hardest and safest.

Meal: Mid-night tea/light snacks, packed summit rations (energy bars, chocolates, juice) and a celebratory warm dinner at Base Camp.

Camp Stay: Overnight at Lady Leg Base Camp to safely recover.

Highlights: Negotiating steep 60 to 70-degree snow walls while fully roped up. Reaching the summit at sunrise rewards you with an unmatched, breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the entire Dhauladhar and Great Himalayan ranges.

Day 06 — Lady Leg Camp to Dhundi & Drive back to Manali

Trek Distance / Time Required: ~7–8 km downhill hike / 4–5 hours

Drive Distance / Time Required: 21 km / 1.5 hours

The Journey: A swift, knee-jarring downhill trek tracing your steps back to the road-head to celebrate your achievement.

Transport: Private trekker vehicle pickup at Dhundi dropping you off at your hotel in Manali.

Meal: Breakfast at camp, a light trail snack, and a celebratory farewell dinner in Manali.

Tour ends here with happy memories.