The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has announced new fees for climbing and trekking permits, including a significant increase in the cost to climb K2.
For foreign climbers, the fees are now $5,000 for the summer season, $2,500 for autumn, and $1,500 for winter. Pakistani climbers will pay Rs100,000 for summer, Rs50,000 for autumn, and Rs30,000 for winter. There has also been an increase in trekking fees for foreign visitors.
The new rules set a limit of 20 climbers per group. Porters who help climbers must now have insurance to ensure their safety during the expedition.
Another major change is that climbers will need to buy individual permits instead of a group permit. This means each climber will pay separately, which will nearly double the total cost by 2025.
These new regulations aim to better manage mountaineering activities and make expeditions safer and more organized. The changes are effective immediately for both foreign and local climbers.
