Logistical Services for Expeditions
Climbing permits, liaison officers, cargo, base camp staff and porters — we handle the logistics so you can focus on the mountain.
From permit to base camp
A climbing permit is required for all peaks above 6,000 meters. We hold details of every peak and the rules and regulations for climbing them, and the first step towards your expedition is applying for that permit.
You can apply through the Pakistan High Commission in your home country, or send the application to us and we will follow it up. If you are unsure how to fill in any item on the form, leave it — we will complete it in line with the rules. We keep you updated throughout, and don’t charge for this.
The permit process
Send your application at least three months before you arrive. Clearance by all the authorities takes about a month, and our expedition department follows it up until the Ministry of Tourism issues the permit. The application must name the route you will attempt — ask us if you need help.
A royalty fee is paid to obtain the permit, either at a Pakistan embassy or through us into the Government of Pakistan treasury. Send particulars of all expedition members at least a month in advance; members added later can be cleared urgently up to a week before arrival, so no time is lost in Islamabad. Please confirm your arrival date so that the liaison officer can be requested.
If an expedition is cancelled or postponed, the royalty is forfeited and cannot be refunded or carried forward — unless the government itself cancels the permit.
Rules for expeditions
The Government of Pakistan sends a liaison officer with every expedition to peaks between 6,000 and 8,611 meters; the expedition covers his food, accommodation, transport and a standard kit. We arrange the expedition leader’s meeting with the liaison officer and the Ministry of Tourism.
A helicopter rescue bond is required from the aviation authority, or a guarantee from your embassy, and a refundable environment bond is returned once the liaison officer certifies that the team has left the mountain clean.
Walkie-talkies and radios may be used in the mountains; satellite phones need a prior licence. Aerial photography is allowed after informing the pilot, and video and still cameras may be used in the mountains — except at forbidden zones and buildings. Commercial filming needs prior permission. Please do not photograph women.
Equipment sent as cargo must be declared in triplicate with values. Non-consumable equipment is duty-free as long as you take it home, and consumables are duty-free when used for their intended purpose; anything unused must be re-exported.
What we arrange
Permits & formalities
Climbing permit and all documentation with the Ministry of Tourism, briefing and de-briefing, and the liaison officer’s food, insurance and hotels. Invitation letters for your visa if needed.
Hotels & transport
Hotels in Islamabad, Chilas and Skardu; airport transfers; buses, vans and 4×4 jeeps with all expedition luggage; and the domestic flight between Islamabad and Skardu, weather permitting.
Camp & kitchen
Two-person tents on the trek and at base camp, mattresses, toilet tent, mess tent with tables and chairs, cooking pots, utensils and lamps — with breakfast, lunch and dinner, soup, dessert and hot drinks.
Staff & porters
A guide all the way to base camp who deals with porters and local help; a head cook, assistant and helpers (for a typical 10–15 member team) and a base camp manager for larger groups; and porters for food, camping and climbing gear. High-altitude porters on request.
Cargo & luggage
Cargo cleared before you arrive, stored in our logistics store, and documented for export after the expedition.
Complimentary extras
Mail delivery to base camp, reconfirmation of international flights, and processing of a satellite phone permit if required.
Not included
International flights and airport taxes, cargo and customs charges, helicopter rescue, beverages and laundry, sleeping bags, high-altitude porters and food above base camp, and climbing equipment. Some of these can be arranged on request — ask us before you arrive.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: The Baltoro glacier from Urdukas — Shikari7, CC BY-SA 3.0
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