Rising above the Solang Valley, Friendship Peak (5,289 m) is one of the most popular introductions to high-altitude mountaineering in the Indian Himalayas. This climb bridges the gap between trekking and true expedition-style climbing, offering snow, altitude, and a genuine summit experience.
The approach takes you through forests and alpine meadows before the terrain turns rocky and glaciated near base camp. As altitude increases, the environment becomes harsher and more serious. Summit day is the real test — an early start, steep snow slopes, biting cold, and thin air demand discipline, endurance, and mental focus. The final push on snow using crampons and ice axe delivers a strong adrenaline rush and a deep sense of achievement.
Friendship Peak is ideal for trekkers ready to step into mountaineering and experience what it truly means to climb a Himalayan peak. It rewards preparation, patience, and perseverance with panoramic views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges.
Note: Prices mentioned are applicable for Indian passport holders. For foreign passport holders, the cost may vary. Please connect with the Boots & Crampons team for clarity.
Note: An indemnity document will be shared before the trek. Signing it is mandatory.
Arrive in Manali and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The day is kept relaxed to help the body recover from travel and begin adjusting to the mountain environment. In the afternoon, we go for a short acclimatization walk around Manali, allowing participants to stretch their legs and ease into the altitude. In the evening, the trek leader conducts an introductory briefing covering the route, safety guidelines, and equipment check for the Friendship Peak expedition. Overnight stay at the hotel in Manali.
After an early breakfast, we drive to Dhundi, the road-head of the trek, passing through Solang Valley and along the banks of the Beas River. From Dhundi, we begin our trek toward Bakarthach, following a well-marked trail through open alpine meadows and glacial terrain. The gradual ascent helps with acclimatization and offers scenic views of the surrounding peaks. The trek takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. Upon reaching Bakarthach, we set up camp and rest for the evening. Overnight stay in tents at Bakarthach.
Today’s trek takes us higher into the alpine zone as we ascend from Bakarthach to Lady Leg. The landscape becomes more rugged, with moraines, rocky stretches, and expansive views of Friendship Peak and nearby ridges. The steady climb allows the body to adapt to the increasing altitude. The trek takes around 4 to 5 hours. After arriving at Lady Leg, we establish camp and spend the remainder of the day resting and hydrating. Overnight stay in tents at Lady Leg.
This day is dedicated to acclimatization and preparation for the summit attempt. After breakfast, we carry essential supplies and equipment toward the summit camp, ferrying loads to higher altitude. This activity helps in acclimatization and prepares the route for the upcoming move. After depositing supplies, we descend back to Lady Leg. The rest of the day is spent resting, hydrating, and attending technical briefings as required. Overnight stay in tents at Lady Leg.
After an early start, we move from Lady Leg to the Summit Camp. The trail involves a gradual but steady ascent over snowfields and glacial terrain, requiring careful footing. The climb is relatively short and takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. Upon reaching Summit Camp, we set up tents and prepare for the summit push. A detailed summit briefing is conducted, followed by an early dinner and rest. Overnight stay in tents at Summit Camp.
We begin our summit attempt in the early hours of the morning. The ascent to Friendship Peak involves climbing snow and ice slopes, demanding steady pacing and focused movement. After several hours, we reach the summit of Friendship Peak (5,289m), where we are rewarded with panoramic views of the Pir Panjal range and surrounding Himalayan peaks. After spending a short time at the summit, we carefully descend back via the Summit Camp and continue down to Lady Leg. The total duration for the round trip is approximately 8 to 9 hours. Overnight stay in tents at Lady Leg.
After breakfast, we begin our descent from Lady Leg to Dhundi, retracing our steps through alpine meadows and glacial valleys. Upon reaching the road-head, we drive back to Manali. After hotel check-in, the evening is reserved for a well-earned expedition celebration, marking the successful completion of the Friendship Peak climb. Overnight stay at the hotel in Manali.
After breakfast, we check out from the hotel. The trek officially concludes, and participants depart for their onward journey with unforgettable memories of their Friendship Peak summit experience.
Please read carefully before registering
At Boots & Crampons, preparation is not optional. The level of training required depends on the duration, altitude, and technical difficulty of the trek or expedition you are signing up for.
Proper preparation increases not just your chances of success, but also your safety and enjoyment in the mountains.
Travel & Transportation Outside Trek Itinerary
Personal Equipment & Gear
Personal Expenses
Insurance & Medical
Miscellaneous
Please read carefully before registering
At Boots & Crampons, preparation is not optional. The level of training required depends on the duration, altitude, and technical difficulty of the trek or expedition you are signing up for.
Proper preparation increases not just your chances of success, but also your safety and enjoyment in the mountains.
*Rental Gears Required*
Visit our Contracted Business Partner website – Summit Yak
for details on trek-specific rental gears and rates.
The route includes well-defined trekking trails, rocky terrain, scree slopes, and snow-covered slopes near the summit. The final section involves steeper snow walking where crampons and an ice axe are used.
The summit of Friendship Peak is approximately 5,289 m (17,350 ft) — a classic high-altitude climb in the Himachal region with strong views of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges.
This is a moderate technical high-altitude climb. While it does not require advanced technical climbing skills, the summit push involves:
It’s tougher than standard treks but achievable with proper preparation.
You do not need previous rock or ice climbing experience, but you must be familiar with:
Training in these skills ahead of time improves confidence and safety.
The most suitable climbing windows are:
Typical itineraries are 4–6 days, including approach trek, acclimatization, summit attempt, and descent.
Participants must have:
➡️ Detailed fitness and training expectations are available in the Preparation Guide.
Key gear includes:
A full gear checklist is included in the Preparation Guide.
Water is obtained from glacial streams and snow melt. The expedition team treats water, but climbers should carry personal purification tablets or filer water bottles as backup
Friendship Peak is an amazing introduction to high-altitude mountaineering in the Indian Himalayas — demanding enough to test your endurance, yet incredibly rewarding in scenery and summit experience. Proper preparation and respect for conditions make this climb accessible and fulfilling.
Boots & Crampons staff of highly trained professional guides is here to make your journey as safe and secure as possible. All of our trekking guides are medically certified and have abundant experience using their training in mountainous environments.
Our safety standards are based on the experiences of our founder, managing risk in some of the world’s most hostile environments.
While we advise our trekkers to carry light, our guides are always prepared with:
Be it queries about the trek, customization or anything else, our team is eager to assist you.
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