Trekking

Pakistan is a paradise for trekkers. Most of the trekking routes lies in the northern mountains of the Hindukush, the Karakorams and the Himalayas. For most of the treks, trekking season is between May to October. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, has defined trekking as walking below 6000 m. It has designated three zones for trekking; open, restricted and closed. Foreigners may trek anywhere in open zone without a permit or services of a licensed mountain guide. For trekking in restricted zone, foreigners must pay a fee of US$ 20 per person per trek to obtain a trekking permit from the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of Pakistan Islamabad. It also requires to hire a licensed mountain guide; buy a personal accident insurance policy for the guide and the porters and to attend mandatory briefing and de-briefing at the Ministry of Tourism, on the beginning and end of the trekking trip. No trekking is allowed in closed zones which are the areas near Pak-Afghan border and near the Line of Control with Indian-held Kashmir.

Following regions/treks are located in open zone;

- District Chitral: treks in Kalash valleys, Chitral Gol National Park, Shishi Gol & Golen Gol, Lutkhu valley, Laspur valley and Bashqar Gol. However, a permission from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Chitral is required.
- District Ghizer: treks in upper Ghizer River Valley, Yasin Valley to Yarkhun Valley and Yasin Valley to Ishkoman Valley.
- District Gilgit: Bagrot & Haramosh Valleys, Naltar & Pakora Valleys.
- Diamer District: Nanga Parbat region.
- Hunza Valley: Nagar, Hunza proper, Gojal.
- Baltistan: Basha, Tormik & Stak Valleys, Deosai Mountains and Plains, Biafo Hispar traverse, Thalle La & Tusserpo La and Aling Glacier & K-6 Base Camp.

Following regions/treks are located in restricted zone;

- Chitral District: Turikho Valley and upper Yarkhun Valley.
- Hunza: Chapursan Valley
- Baltistan: Ashkoli to Concordia, Masherbrum Base Camp, Gondogoro Valley and K-7 Base Camp.


Mountaineering in Pakistan

Northern Pakistan has the greatest concentration of the highest peaks of the world. It has 05 peaks over 8,000 meters including the world’s second highest, K-2 (Chogori, 8616 m), 157 peaks over 7,000 meters. Hundreds of peaks are still lying un-climbed. This, is a great challenge for the mountaineers and mountain climbers the world over.

All peaks/routes for mountaineering have been designated as open zone or restricted zone. Permits for climbing peaks in open zone, are issued by the Ministry of Tourism, within 24 hours of the receipt of application. However, for peaks/routes in restricted zone, permit is issued within 14 days form the date of receipt of the application in Ministry of Tourism, Islamabad. Pakistani Liaison Officer would accompany all mountaineering expeditions. The Government of Pakistan has fixed following rate or royalty for climbing peaks in Pakistan;

S. | Heights | Royalty (US$) | Additional Member

1. K-2 (8,616 m) 12,000 3,000
2. 8,001 - 8,500 m 9,000 3,000
3. 7,501 - 8,000 m 4,000 1,000
4. 7,001 - 7,500 m 2,500 500
5. 6,500 - 7,000 m 1,500 300
royalty for a climbing party of 7 members or less

White Water Sports

The rivers of Pakistan, spread like a net through its length and breadth. Right from the heights of the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindukush, Pakistan’s rivers change its courses and flows until they all meet the mighty Indus, at different points, which ultimately falls into the Arabian Sea. These rivers are ideal for all types of water sports like, rafting, canoeing, boating and sailing. Following rivers in the Northern Pakistan, are open for water sports, besides the Indus, the Ravi and the Chenab in NWFP, Punjab and Sindh provinces;

1. Indus (from Jaglot to Thakot)
2. Kunhar (from Naran to Kaghan)
3. Swat (from Bahrain to Saidu Sharif)
4. Panjkora (from Dir to Batkhela)
5. Hunza (from Aliabad to Gilgit)