New Climbing Fees and Rules for K2 Announced by Gilgit-Baltistan Government
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has unveiled new permit fees and regulations for climbing K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. The changes were announced by the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology, and Museum Department.
Permit Fees for Foreign Climbers
| Season | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Summer (April-September) | 5,000 |
| Autumn (October-November) | 2,500 |
| Winter (December-March) | 1,500 |
Permit Fees for Pakistani Climbers
| Season | Fee (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Summer | 100,000 |
| Autumn | 50,000 |
| Winter | 30,000 |
Trekking Fees
Foreigners will now pay USD 300 for summer, USD 200 for autumn, and USD 100 for winter. Pakistani climbers will pay PKR 10,000 for summer, PKR 5,000 for autumn, and PKR 2,500 for winter.
New Regulations
- Climbers can only scale one peak per permit.
- Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 members.
The changes are effective immediately, and environmental fees will be deposited into the GB Adventure Tourism Account. All expedition briefings and debriefings will be conducted at the tourism offices in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The new fee structure and regulations aim to boost the region’s revenue and promote responsible and sustainable mountaineering.
About K2
K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth after Mount Everest, is located in the Baltistan Region of Pakistan, administered by Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the highest point of the Karakoram Range and the highest point in Pakistan, standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet).
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in northern Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and is a popular place for climbers and trekkers.
K2 -: K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world. It is located in the Karakoram Range and is very challenging to climb.
USD -: USD stands for United States Dollar, which is the currency used in the United States. It is often used internationally for pricing.
PKR -: PKR stands for Pakistani Rupee, which is the currency used in Pakistan.
Permit fees -: Permit fees are charges that climbers have to pay to get permission to climb a mountain. These fees help manage and maintain the climbing areas.
Sustainable mountaineering -: Sustainable mountaineering means climbing in a way that does not harm the environment. It includes practices that protect nature and ensure that future generations can also enjoy the mountains.