Plan your trip · Guide
India
What to know before travelling to the Indian Himalaya, in Himachal Pradesh: getting to Manali, visa, money, health and the season for Friendship Peak.
01 · The basics
Before you go
The trip starts in Manali, in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | International flight to Delhi, then on to Manali by plane (to Bhuntar airport, in Kullu) or by bus. |
| Visa | Apply for the e-Visa in advance on the Government of India’s official website, indianvisaonline.gov.in. The fee depends on your nationality. |
| Arrival forms | India asks you to fill in an arrival card online in the days before your flight. Check the latest on the official website before you travel. |
| Currency | Indian rupee. You can’t take it out of the country, so change any you have left before you leave. There are ATMs in Manali; on the mountain, there are none. |
| Permits | We take care of the trip’s mountain permits. |
| Weather | In Manali, pleasant temperatures in May and September. At the high camps, cold and snow. |
| Plugs | Types D and M, 230 V. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
02 · The trip
Friendship Peak
Friendship Peak
Best time: May or September. Summer is monsoon season.
A first high-altitude peak, at 5,289 m, with no previous technical experience needed: you learn to use crampons and an ice axe along the way. We provide helmets, ropes, carabiners and crampons.
All dates are in the departure calendar.
03 · Health and insurance
Health, altitude and insurance
- Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
- Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
- Vaccines and malaria: requirements such as a yellow fever certificate, and malaria prevention, depend on the country you’re travelling from. Check the latest on your country’s official health website or with a travel health clinic, or ask us
- Physical preparation: you don’t need to be an athlete, but arriving prepared means you’ll enjoy the trip much more. If you need it, we can help with a training and nutrition plan tailored to you. See how it works
Questions?
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about Friendship Peak or the Indian Himalaya, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
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