General
Banak Pass Trek (2024-25)
Explore the Banak Pass Trek, an exciting adventure across Skardu’s Shagarthang and Astore’s Gutumsar. This excursion is intended for experienced hikers and includes breathtaking snow-capped peaks, verdant valleys, and tranquil lakes. In one of Pakistan’s most pristine places, you may experience the rich local culture while also seeing various animals.
Dates & Cost – Banak Pass Trek
Summers are ideal for the Banak Pass 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 Karakoram region of Pakistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for the thek are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jun-2024 | 29-Jun-2024 | US$ 1,300 | Limited Space | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| 20-Jun-2025 | 29-Jun-2025 | US$ 1,300 | Available | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
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 Pass Trek
The itinerary for the Banak Pass Trek is given below.
Day 02: Fly to Skardu, Karakoram
Day 03: Enjoy a free day in Skardu
Day 04: Drive to Kachura – Stakchun
Day 05: Trek to Shepherds’ Settlement
Day 06: Trek to Base Camp
Day 08: Return to Astore - Chilas
Day 09: Drive to Islamabad
Day 10: 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 Pass Trek
The Banak Pass Trek, which begins in the awe-inspiring Shagarthang district of Skardu and ends in Gutumsar in the Astore Valley, is a tough route ideal for experienced trekkers looking for an ambitious challenge. The pass, also known as Branak Khund, is a challenging journey that requires expert mountaineering abilities and equipment like ropes, crampons, and ice axes. This walk takes you through some of northern Pakistan’s most beautiful and undisturbed landscapes, where snow-capped peaks dominate the skyline in winter and green, lush meadows bloom in the warmer summer months.
As trekkers cross the tough terrain, they are welcomed by a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains and calm valleys, adding to the charm of the journey. The route takes you past charming communities with traditional cottages nestled among sprawling fields and grazing cattle. The locals, whose predominant language is Shina but Urdu is also widely spoken, are recognized for their warm hospitality and friendly disposition, which adds a rich cultural component to the walk.
The location is not only physically spectacular, but also environmentally significant, with a rich wildlife population including ibex, musk deer, snow leopards, and rock partridges, as well as medicinal plants that thrive in the lush surroundings. The serene Urdoung Lake is a highlight, providing a quiet place to meditate amidst the majesty of nature. The walk across the Banak Pass brings travelers into the heart of the Gutumsar Valley, which is famed for its dense forests of juniper and cedar trees, as well as the lush summer meadows that add to its picturesque beauty. This adventure offers a profound connection with nature and a genuinely immersive trekking experience, making it a remarkable challenge for those up to the task.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
