The short answer: foreign tourists with a valid Pakistan visa can travel to the main destinations of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu, Deosai, Fairy Meadows and the Khunjerab Pass, without a separate No Objection Certificate (NOC). Permits come into play for treks in restricted zones near the borders and for climbing high peaks.
Open zone: travel freely
Most sightseeing routes and many classic treks lie in the open zone. Here you need only your passport and visa. Popular open-zone walks include Fairy Meadows, Rakaposhi Base Camp, Patundas, Rush Lake and Rama Lake.
Restricted zone: a permit and a licensed operator
Areas close to international borders and the Line of Control, including the Baltoro Glacier route to Concordia and K2 Base Camp and the Gondogoro La crossing, are restricted zones for foreigners. Trekking there requires a trekking permit issued through a government-licensed tour operator, a licensed guide, and an itinerary agreed in advance. Your operator files the application with your passport and visa details, usually several weeks before departure.
Climbing permits for high peaks
Climbing peaks above 6,500 metres requires an expedition permit and a royalty fee paid to the government, arranged through a licensed operator. Royalties vary by peak height and season, and the 8,000-metre peaks (K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II) carry the highest fees. Smaller trekking peaks in the open zone generally do not need an expedition permit.
What to carry at checkpoints
- Several photocopies of your passport photo page and Pakistan visa, to hand in at police and army checkpoints along the Karakoram Highway and the Skardu road.
- Your hotel names and a rough itinerary; officers sometimes ask where you are staying.
- Your trekking or climbing permit, and your guide's licence details, for restricted-zone routes.
Pakistani citizens
Pakistani nationals travel throughout Gilgit-Baltistan with their CNIC. Some border-adjacent areas still need permission even for locals, and mountaineering expeditions follow the same permit system.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreigners need an NOC to visit Hunza or Skardu?+
No. With a valid Pakistan visa, foreign tourists can visit Hunza, Skardu, Gilgit, Deosai, Fairy Meadows and the Khunjerab Pass without a separate NOC. Carry passport and visa copies for checkpoints.
Do I need a permit for the K2 Base Camp trek?+
Yes. The Baltoro Glacier route to Concordia and K2 Base Camp is in a restricted zone, so foreigners need a trekking permit arranged by a government-licensed tour operator and must trek with a licensed guide.
Do I need a permit for Fairy Meadows?+
No special permit is required for Fairy Meadows or Nanga Parbat (Rakhiot) Base Camp; it is in the open zone. A small local entry or jeep fee is usually paid on the way.
Who issues climbing permits in Pakistan?+
Expedition permits for peaks above 6,500 m are issued by the government and applied for through a licensed tour operator, who also pays the peak royalty on your behalf.
