Friendship Peak is a moderate to challenging expedition that begins and ends in Manali, after travelling overnight from Delhi. The trekking commences in Solang Valley and will gain altitude until reach the base camp. In reaching in Bakarthach individuals will be given the opportunity to practice expedition techniques for two days. The day of summiting Friendship Peak (subject to weather conditions) can take a few hours and will return to the base camp on the same day. Throughout the expedition individuals will be staying in tents and all food will be cooked from fresh with lots of nutritional value to maintain good health and energy.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Overnight bus journey Delhi – Manali
Travelling Distance: 570 km
Travelling Time: 16 hours
Following a full day’s sightseeing in the vibrant Delhi City, we will then transfer you to the bus station. Overnight bus journey, fully air conditioned and comfortable to make the journey more relaxing.
Day 3
Arrival in Manali
Upon arrival in Manali, we will check you into your hotel and let you freshen up and relax. In the afternoon we will visit Hadima Devi Temple and will take a walk around the area to ensure you acclimatise in the evening. We will also check out the equipment. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 4
Drive from Manali - Solang then trek to Bakarthach
Altitude: 3500 m
After breakfast in the morning we will drive to Solang and then trek to Bakarthach. En route we will be trekking through the lush green valley and thick forests. Upon arrival in camp we will have dinner and spend the night in tents.
Day 5
Bakarthach - Expedition Training Techniques (Part 1)
After breakfast in the morning we will begin our training in practicing cramponing, jummaring, rappelling and other techniques of ice craft as well as how to rope up and talking about the various mountaineering techniques which will be used on the day of summiting. Overnight stay in camp.
Day 6
Bakarthach - Expedition Training Techniques (Part 2)
Part 2 of expedition techniques training. Techniques covered in part 1 will be reassessed to ensure you fully understand.
Day 7
Trek from Bakarthach - Base Camp
After breakfast we will be trekking to the base camp of Friendship Peak. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 8
Trek from Base Camp - Summit Camp
Our mountaineering advance team leaders ensure that the route from base camp to summit is fixed with ropes wherever it is required. In the evening we will have a meeting to prepare ourselves for the summit attempt. It is always advisable to check all your mountain gear before the final push e.g. checking shoes with crampons, ice axe, gaiters, snow goggle, water bottle, dry fruits, chocolates, electoral powder etc.
Day 9
Summit attempt to Friendship Peak
The summit day has arrived and we have to get ready with our crampons & headlight. We will depart camp at 2am to make the best of the weather and good views with all team members roped in their groups. The route had already been cleared by the advance recce group; therefore it will be easy for us to scale the peak via south east ridge. Once the peak has been summited you will have the opportunity to have a short rest & photography session, before we start the descent safely back to summit camp, which we will reach by the late afternoon.
Day 10
Trek from Summit Camp - Bakarthach
After breakfast we will pack up and begin trekking back to Bakarthach and spend overnight in tents.
Day 11
Trek from Bakarthach - Solang - Drive to Manali
We will trek to Solang where we will then be driven back to hotel in Manali for overnight stay.
Day 12
Overnight bus journey Manali - New Delhi
Travelling Distance: 570 km
Travelling Time: 16 hours
Morning will be spent looking around Manali before being transferred to AC Volvo bus for overnight journey back to New Delhi.
Day 13
Flight Departure: New Delhi
You will be transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
