Trophy Hunting Tour — Himalayan Ibex (Official Permit)
Overview
Pakistan runs one of the world's most respected community-based trophy hunting programmes: a limited number of government permits are issued each season, roughly 80% of fees go directly to the local conservancies, and populations of ibex and markhor have grown measurably since it began. We operate fully within this system: official Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Department permits, designated community hunting areas in upper Hunza and Nagar, experienced local guides and spotters who know every ridge, and complete trophy documentation for export.
Plan the journey with our Hunza Valley tour packages, Hunza hotel options, private transport in Hunza, trekking packages and tours for foreign travellers.
Trip Highlights
- Official GB Wildlife Department permit included
- Community conservancy hunt areas (Hunza / Nagar / Shimshal)
- Himalayan Ibex: season November to April
- Professional guides, spotters and field crew
- Trophy field preparation and export documentation support
- Blue Sheep and Astore Markhor (auction permit) on request
- Non-hunting companions welcome on the same trip
Day by Day Itinerary
7-day planArrive Islamabad
Day 1 follows the Arrive Islamabad stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Review government permits, the approved community-conservation quota and equipment formalities; no hunting activity begins before written clearance. This arrival day is deliberately paced for comfort. After the scheduled pickup, the team assists with the hotel transfer, confirms room arrangements and provides a practical briefing covering communication, expected weather, clothing and the following morning’s plan. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 540 mIslamabad to Chilas / Gilgit
Day 2 follows the Islamabad to Chilas / Gilgit stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Travel north; permits verified with the department. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 1,500 mArrive conservancy area
Day 3 follows the Arrive conservancy area stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Meet community guides; glassing from the road; camp or lodge setup. This arrival day is deliberately paced for comfort. After the scheduled pickup, the team assists with the hotel transfer, confirms room arrangements and provides a practical briefing covering communication, expected weather, clothing and the following morning’s plan. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 3,000 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 3,000 mHunting days (3 to 4 days)
Day 4 follows the Hunting days (3 to 4 days) stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Conduct guided field days only within the approved conservancy, quota, species, dates and permit conditions; success is never guaranteed. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 4,000 m+, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 4,000 m+Trophy preparation day
Day 5 follows the Trophy preparation day stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Complete lawful field preparation, official measurements and documentation with the authorised conservancy and wildlife representatives. Today’s programme follows a measured pace, giving proper time to the principal experience instead of filling the schedule with brief stops. The guide confirms access, expected conditions and any suitable adjustments before the group leaves the hotel or meeting point. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 3,000 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 3,000 mReturn leg + Hunza sightseeing
Day 6 follows the Return leg + Hunza sightseeing stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Descend via Karimabad: forts and Attabad for companions. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 2,438 mIslamabad: export paperwork
Day 7 follows the Islamabad: export paperwork stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Trophy export documentation support; departure transfers. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. At the end of the tour, the guide confirms the agreed drop off or departure arrangements and remains available for final practical questions about the journey.
What’s Included
Included
- Licensed local mountain guide
- Porters and camping equipment where required
- All meals on trek days
- Islamabad pickup and drop (private transport)
- Hotel nights before/after trek
- First-aid kit and oximeter
- Government hunting permit & conservancy fees (Ibex)
- Professional hunting guides & spotters
- Trophy field preparation
- Firearms permit assistance / outfitter rifle
- Airport transfers & visa support
Not included
- Sleeping bag (rentable)
- Personal trekking gear and boots
- Lunches/dinners on non-trek days
- Tips and personal expenses
- International flights
- Taxidermy & shipping (arranged at cost)
- Markhor/Blue Sheep permit surcharges (quoted per season)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this legal and ethical?
Fully: hunts run only on official permits under the government's community conservation programme; quotas are science-based, ~80% of fees fund the local conservancies, and the model is credited with recovering ibex and markhor populations.
When is the season?
November to April, with December to February offering the best trophy visibility on the winter ranges.
Can I bring my own rifle?
Yes with advance temporary import permits, which we arrange: or hunt with quality outfitter rifles available locally.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes: your own vehicle, your own driver and guide, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Gilgit Airport?
Yes: fly Islamabad to Gilgit (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
What happens if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Mountain weather cancels a share of Gilgit and Skardu flights, so every fly-based plan carries a costed road backup that activates automatically: you may lose a day, never the trip. Road-based itineraries are unaffected.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Not in the standard plan: this itinerary focuses elsewhere: but a Khunjerab day (4,693 m, open ~May to Nov) can be added to any private booking; ask for the extended quote.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect well-reviewed standard hotels, with deluxe and luxury upgrades available at booking. See our Hotels page for the full 65-hotel partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Not for young children: this is a demanding route; we advise 16+ with genuine trekking fitness.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
This route’s altitude and daily effort make it unsuitable for most senior travellers; see our Luxury or By-Air plans instead.