How to Obtain a Climbing Permit in Pakistan?

There are two types of permits issued by Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat (a government organization designated for this job) to foreign tourists for climbing and trekking trails located in restricted areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The two types of permits are given below.

1. Climbing Permit
2. Trekking Permit

Note: No trekking permit is required from Gilgit-Baltistan Council to visit Open Areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, all Peaks above 6,500 meters require Permit from Gilgit-Baltistan Council whether in Open Area or Restricted Area.

Documents Required for Permits 2024-25

All applications (for climbing or trekking) of foreign tourists for the Peaks/Treks located in Gilgit-Baltistan are submitted in Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat (in Islamabad) through designated tour operators registered with Department of Tourist Services, Government of Pakistan including 7 sets of following documents:

1. Application from tour operator on their letterhead
2. Application form for a mountaineering expedition
3. Name list of members of the expedition
4. Route map of proposed peak/trek
5. Passport copies of members of the expedition
6. Visa application form (duly filled) of foreign climbers/trekkers
7. CV of Expedition members
8. Copy of license of tour operator company
9. Copy of Paid Royalty Fee Receipt
10. Copy of Paid Trekking Fee Receipt
11. Copy of Waste Management Fee Receipt

Procedure and Process

• After receipt of a complete application from Tour Operator/Company, the same is forwarded by Gilgit-Baltistan Council to other concerned government departments/agencies for obtaining requisite clearances.
• The time required is 4-6 weeks as per existing Pak Visa Regime.

Royalty Fees for Mountains and Peaks in Pakistan

1. 1. Zero royalty fee for peak up to 6,500 meters
   2. 10% royalty fee on mountains situated in Gilgit, and Ghizer except on Spantik/Golden Peak.
   3. 05% royalty fee on all peaks during the winter season (December-February)
   4. 40% Discount on royalty fee on all peaks except as mentioned in (i) & (ii) above as detailed below:-

Payments of Royalty Fees in Pakistan

Deposit Royalty Fees in Gilgit-Baltistan Council’s bank account as per following detail:

• • Account Title: Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat
  • Account # 1975-7
  • Bank: National Bank of Pakistan
  • Address of Bank: S Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad

Trekking Fee

Trekking fee will be charged not only from trekkers but also mountaineers who will trek to the base camp of the mountains. The trekking fee will be US$ 50 per person for one month for treks situated in restricted areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, US$50 will also be charged as Waste Management Fee per person for one month to be deposited in the account of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Payment of Trekking Fees

Deposit trekking fees in Gilgit-Baltistan Council Account as per following detail:

• • Account Title: Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat
  • Account # 1975-7
  • Bank: National Bank of Pakistan
  • Address of Bank: S Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad

Waste Management Fee

This CKNP waste management fee will be 68 US$ for each member of the mountaineering expedition in case the area is located in Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP).

Payments of Waste Management Fees in Pakistan

Deposit Waste Management Fees in the bank account of CKNP as per following detail:

• • Account Title: Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP)
  • Habib Metropolitan Bank, Jutial Branch, Gilgit
  • Account #: 6-02-86-20311-714-104814
  • IBAN Account #: PK91MPBL0286027140104814

Issuance of Trekking Permit

• After receipt of all clearances from concerned departments, Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat issues trekking permit after completion of following codal formalities by the concerned tour operator:
  • Depositing of prescribed royalty fee
  • Application to issue climbing permit
  • Expedition members insurance/ undertaking by tour operator assuring rescue operation funds
  • Tourist guide / Liaison Officer insurance and porter insurance
• Information regarding status of application, while they are being processed can be obtained from Tourism Section of Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat.