Gilgit: In a move to revitalize adventure tourism in the region, the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government has significantly reduced royalty and permit fees for mountaineering and trekking expeditions for both international and Pakistani climbers.
The revised fee structure, effective immediately for the fiscal year 2024–25, was approved during the 16th cabinet meeting held on May 13, 2025, under the Gilgit-Baltistan Finance Act 2024. A formal notification has been issued by the GB Department of Tourism.
Under the new structure, the royalty fee for foreign climbers attempting to summit K2 — the world’s second-highest peak — during the summer season has been reduced from USD 5,000 to USD 3,500. Even lower rates apply for autumn and winter ascents. Similarly, royalties for other peaks above 7,000 meters have also been slashed by up to 50%, depending on the season.
Pakistani mountaineers will also benefit from the changes. Locals aiming to scale K2 will now pay PKR 50,000 in the summer season and only PKR 30,000 in winter. Trekking permit fees have also been reduced across all seasons for both foreign and domestic adventurers.
The decision follows a stay order by the GB Chief Court against an earlier hike in royalty fees, which had drawn strong criticism from local tour operators and adventure groups. The court directed the government to revise the rates downward, leading to the latest notification.
Officials believe the revised fees will help revive tourism activity in GB, which had slowed due to the previous increase in expedition costs. The new fee schedule has been circulated to all relevant federal and regional authorities, including the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.
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