FRIENDSHIP PEAK
Expedition OverviewThe climb
Standing at the head of the Solang Valley above Manali, Friendship Peak is the premier introductory summit of the Pir Panjal Range. At 5,289 metres, this glaciated peak provides an ideal transition from valley trekking to open-snow mountaineering without requiring vertical rock climbing. The route suits trekkers who want to learn basic snowcraft, crampon footing, and roped glacier travel. You hike through dense pine forests and high alpine meadows before establishing high camp at Lady Leg beneath the glaciated ridge.
Your itinerary ascends from the Beas River basin through Bakarthach meadow, allowing steady acclimatisation over four days before the final climb. The crux arrives on summit morning with an alpine departure around two in the morning. You climb for eight to ten hours across fractured moraine and sustained thirty-five degree snow slopes, negotiating crevassed terrain under fixed rope safety. Roped teams gain the narrow summit shoulder by sunrise, taking in sweeping views across the Pir Panjal before descending to camp before afternoon solar radiation softens the snow.
Day by day
A compact seven-day alpine progression through the Solang basin, establishing high camp at Lady Leg before the midnight summit push to 5,289 metres.
Sleeping altitude, night by night
Solang Valley progression curve to FRIENDSHIP PEAK summit ridge
Arrive in Manali. Meet your expedition leader for document verification, pulse oximetry baseline measurements, and technical equipment sizing at the local staging depot.
What's included
All logistical, technical, and safety equipment for high-altitude snow operations above 4,000 metres is provided under certified mountain leadership.
Included
- Forest permits & camping royalties:Himachal Pradesh forest department trekking permits, local panchayat environmental fees, and sanctuary access clearance.
- Certified alpine guide leadership:IMF-certified mountain guides and HAWS-trained rescue leaders operating at a strict 1:3 climber ratio.
- High Camp & Base Camp tents:Rugged 4-season alpine expedition dome tents, insulated sub-zero closed-cell foam mattresses, and mess shelter.
- Complete mountain expedition meals:Freshly cooked high-calorie meals, trail snacks, continuous boiled drinking water, and electrolyte beverages.
- Group climbing technical gear:Dynamic climbing ropes, snow stakes, ice screws, carabiners, and collective rescue equipment.
- Medical emergency equipment:Medical-grade oxygen cylinder, comprehensive wilderness trauma kit, pulse oximeters, and satellite communication radio.
Not included
- Mountaineering insurance:Personal travel and medical insurance with specific emergency helicopter evacuation coverage up to 5,500 metres.
- Transport to Manali:Travel arrangements from your home city to Manali via Delhi or Chandigarh (bus or flight to Kullu).
- Personal mountaineering boots & crampons:Semi-rigid or rigid mountaineering boots and 12-point crampons (available to rent from our Leh/Manali locker).
- Personal down clothing & sleeping bag:-15°C rated sleeping bag and insulated alpine down jacket (available for hire from our gear depot).
- Personal climbing hardware:Climbing helmet, mountaineering harness, and walking ice axe (available to rent from our locker).
- Meals in Manali town:Lunches and dinners in Manali restaurants prior to departure and following the return from Dhundi.
What to pack, and what you can rent
Pack personal moisture-wicking base layers, technical alpine outerwear, and cold-weather clothing using our comprehensive kit list. High-grade mountaineering hardware—including 6,000m/8,000m double boots, crampons, ice axes, and sub-zero down sleeping bags—can be fitted and rented directly from our Leh Base HQ locker.
Booking & Cancellation Policies
Payment
A 25% non-refundable deposit secures your place on the expedition roster. The remaining balance of 75% is due exactly 30 days prior to Day 1 arrival in Manali. Payments can be completed by bank transfer or card.
If you cancel
Cancellations made more than 45 days before departure receive a 75% refund of total fee. Between 44 and 30 days, 50% is refunded. Within 30 days of Day 1, fees are non-refundable as permits, rations, and logistics are committed.
If we cancel
If Ridge Recon Unit cancels an expedition before departure due to military border restrictions, force majeure, or regulatory closures, you receive a 100% refund or full transfer to any future expedition within 24 months.
Common questions
Specific operational guidance for Kang Yatse II (6,250m)
You should have completed at least one multi-day Himalayan trek above 4,000 metres, such as Hampta Pass or Rupin Pass. Prior technical ice or rock climbing is not required, as our guides run full snowcraft and crampon drills at Bakarthach before the summit attempt.
Wondering if Friendship Peak is your ideal first summit?
Speak directly with a mountain guide to evaluate your trekking background, boot requirements, and summit timing.
If this one is not right
Compare elevation profiles, duration, and terrain demands across alternative Himalayan itineraries.
UT Kangri
Breaks the six-thousand-metre barrier with a high dry approach from Rumtse. Pick this if you have prior altitude experience and want a true 6,000m test.
Yunam
A rugged scree and snow ascent near Baralacha La reaching 6,111 metres. Offers higher altitude without technical ice climbing.
Kang Yatse II
Combines the full Markha Valley trek with an authentic glaciated 6,250m dome. Offers greater acclimatisation depth and higher altitude.