General
Banak La Trek (2024-25)
The Banak La Trek is an exciting high-altitude excursion that connects Astore Valley and Skardu over the spectacular Karakoram Range. Standing at 4,964 meters, this difficult approach provides stunning views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and towering peaks, including glimpses of Nanga Parbat. The trek is ideal for both experienced and non-experienced trekkers and promises a memorable adventure through some of northern Pakistan’s most desolate and beautiful scenery.
Dates & Cost – Banak La Trek
Summers are ideal for the Banak La Trek. The start and end dates in the table below are your arrival and departure dates from Pakistan. The months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in the Hindukush region of Pakistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for the trek are given below.
| Season | Months | Tour Start Date | Price Per Person (USD) | Minimum Travellers Required | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Mid-November to February, 2025 | Daily | 1600 | 1 pax | BOOK NOW |
| Spring | March to May, 2025 | Daily | 1600 | 1 pax | BOOK NOW |
| Summer | June to Mid- September, 2025 | Daily | 1600 | 1 pax | BOOK NOW |
| Autumn | Mid-September to Mid November, 2025 | Daily | 1600 | 1 pax | BOOK NOW |
| Season | Months | Tour Start Date | Price Per Person (USD) | Minimum Travellers Required | Register |
Holiday Information
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- All road transport in Pakistan
- Hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing rooms)
- Trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing tents)
- Hotel meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipments and tools)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- Porters for trekking equipments, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipments, crockery, gas) and personal luggage
- Travel Insurance (recommendations only)
- Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request)
- Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
- Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
Itinerary – Banak La Trek
The itinerary for the Banak La Trek is given below.
Day 02: Islamabad to Astore
Day 03: Explore Astore Valley
Day 05: Trek to Shai Mose - HoroChar
Day 06: Trek to Banak Pass Basecamp
Day 08: Stakchin Valley - Skardu
Day 10: Travel Skardu to Deosai - Skardu
Day 11: Fly to Islamabad
Day 12: Fly to home country
Why Register Early?
1. Early Bird Discount: The given prices for the holiday are limited-time discount offers and are subject to change. Service providers including (but not limited) to airlines and hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season.
2. Limited Flight Seats: Domestic flight seats to the Karakorams and Himalayas are sold out way ahead of time because there are only two daily flights during peak season. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.
3. Pay Balance after arrival in Pakistan: In these unusual times, we appreciate that paying the final balance for your trip may cause concern. Our policy is to only receive your final balance once you arrive in Pakistan. The only payment before arrival is the deposit.
4. Deposit valid for 3 years: We understand the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic (Covid-19). As part of our relaxed booking conditions following Covid-19, deposits are valid for 2 years.
6. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change accordingly:
- 1st October: USD 190
- 1st November: USD 290
- 1st January: USD 350
- 15th February: USD 400
- 1st March: USD 450
- 1st May: USD 490
Note: The same dates above apply to next season's deposits.
Refund Policy for All
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable (but valid for 2 years) as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements.
Balance: Pay the balance only after arrival in Pakistan on the first day. Payment guidelines will be shared timely.
Currency
All international travelers can pay in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in Euros (EUR) or Pound Sterling (GBP). Pakistani travelers are charged the equivalent in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).
Single Supplement
Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost an additional USD 290. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance upon arrival.
Separate tents (single tent) will cost an additional USD 180. This includes the cost of additional porterage. This payment should also be made with the balance in Pakistan.
As Featured In:
| Apricot Tours' Social Responsibility |
| 1 foreign trekker = 5 trees |
| Apricot Tours will plant five trees for every foreign trekker who visits Pakistan for trekking to Nanga Parbat. The trees will be planted in the northern areas of Pakistan starting from 2019 as part of our CSR initiative. We aim to contribute to "Goal 13: Climate Action" of UN's Sustainable Development Goals by taking part in the massive government campaign to plant 10 billion trees during the next five years to tackle climate change. Pakistan's adverse climate impacts are very much visible through changing temperatures, prolonged droughts, increased floods and extreme weather conditions especially in Pakistan's mountain regions. Pakistan stands 7th on the list of countries that are mostly likely to be affected by global warming and has one of the highest deforestation rates in Asia. Decades of tree felling have reduced the country's forests to less than 3 percent of its total land area. How planting trees will make a difference? Planting trees will help save energy and money, cool our cities, reduce carbon emissions, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for species of many kinds, provide clean water and add to the beauty of Pakistan's mountain region by simply being there. Our participants can also donate separately. Details on this initiative can be requested. |
Overview – Banak La Trek
Banak La, at an elevation of 4,964 meters, is a prominent high-altitude pass that connects Astore Valley with Skardu in northern Pakistan. The pass is located in the mountainous surroundings of Astor’s Perishing Gutumsar Valley and provides a tough yet rewarding trekking route. The trek offers an adventure journey across inaccessible territory, complete with steep ascents, rocky roads, and probable snowfields, making it a perfect expedition for experienced trekkers seeking a challenging experience. The path not only connects Astore and Skardu, but it also offers breathtaking vistas of the Karakoram Range’s towering peaks, including Nanga Parbat, the “Killer Mountain.”
Trekking across Banak La immerses visitors in the region’s natural grandeur, with alpine meadows, glaciers, and bleak landscapes opening along the way. The path frequently goes through scenic valleys studded with wildflowers and streams, with the surrounding peaks providing a dramatic backdrop. The trek’s high altitude and secluded location add to its attractiveness, providing a retreat into the harsh nature of northern Pakistan. For those who make the journey, crossing Banak La is more than just arriving at a destination; it is an examination of nature’s immaculate majesty and the sheer fortitude required to overcome the hard yet mesmerizing landscape.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
