Himalayan Ibex Hunting Tour: Chasing the Trophy

IMPORTANT NOTE: This tour offers one permit per booking.

Himalayan Ibex hunting tour - Trophy hunting in the oldest sport in which wild animal are valued as trophies. Join us for trophy hunting tour to the Himalayas. In the Northern Part of Pakistan, where the Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindukush and Pamir meet. It is a natural habitat for a number of species of rare wildlife.

Join us to hunt Himalayan Ibex “Capra ibex sibirica”

The Home to Trophy Hunting, Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan Parks and Wildlife Department introduced trophy hunting program with the involvement of the community of Bar Valley in 1990.

Wild Life Act

Trophy hunting of Markhor, Blue Sheep and Ibex is permissible in the Gilgit Baltistan (Pakistan). It is subject to such rules and regulations as are provided in the Gilgit Baltistan Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1975. The hunting of Markhor , Blue sheep and Ibex is otherwise prohibited under the general ban imposed by the Govt. of Pakistan and their hunting in Gilgit Baltistan is allowed, as a special case, only in the Community Managed Conservation Areas.

The Trophy Hunting Initiative is a source of revenue for both the locals of the Community Controlled Hunting Areas  (CMHA’s)/Community Managed Conservation Areas (CMA’s) and the supervising government department.

Presently, 47 CMHA’s/CMA’s have been notified in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Trophy-hunting was introduced in Gilgit-Baltistan as part of a number of activities for Natural Resource Management (NRM). This is introduced in collaboration with Aga Khan Rural Support Program, local communities, WWF and Gilgit-Baltistan government’s Wildlife Conservation Department. The main objective was to protect wildlife in Gilgit-Baltistan.  Particularly those species which are proven to be extinct because of excessive hunting by local hunters and security personell along the border regions.

Wild Life Conservation Program

In order to involve local communities for this conservation and rehabilitation program, community game watchers have been appointed.  Those individuals are trained professionals whom are given the full authority to prevent illegal hunting. Further technical equipments are provided to watch closely the movements of wildlife and keep the close records of population of various species, within the territories, assigned to them. Various regions like Khunjerab area in upper Hunza, Shimshal and Deosai plateau were declared National Parks and minimised the human interaction to wildlife at a lowest level possible.

Trophy Hunting Season in Gilgit Baltistan

The hunting season for Markhor, Ibex, and Blue Sheep continues from 1st November till 31st April. December and January are most suitable months for trophy hunting of Markhor and Ibex in the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan . Number of hunting days in the hunting field are specified separately according to the type of permit availed.

Why to go for Trophy Hunting!

The second phase of this conservation program is trophy hunting. So many questions arise that why should we go for trophy hunting? Trophy hunting is done when the population of various species reached to a satisfactory and a sustainable level. Technically a limited number of permits are auctioned every year to international hunters and hunting outfitters during the specified hunting season. Furthermore the proceeds from these permits are distributed between the local community organisations and the government, with the ratio of sixty  and forty percent respectively.

This program benefited all three parties involved, wildlife conservation, local communities and the government.  Furthermore based on the statistics of Gilgit Baltistan wild life department, the wildlife species are increasing remarkably every year. As local community are not allowed to do trophy hunting however they get benefit from sale of these permits. The amount is then invested back to improve the quality of life of the local community.  It is spent on public projects like schools, drinking water and building and repairing water channels etc. Government organisations get extra funds through the permit fees to pay the game watchers well and provide professional trainings and technical equipments, to its field staff and game watchers.

About the Tour

This Himalayan Ibex hunting tour offers rugged terrain of the Karakoram Range and witness breathtaking landscapes while searching the elusive Ibex.

You will fly to Pakistan from your home country. On arrival your host will welcome you at the airport and you will shift to Serena Hotel Islamabad for a night stay.

The second day you will take first flight for Gilgit. Additionally you will capture the beautiful view of Nanaga Parbat while flying to Gilgit. However the flight may get cancelled subject to the weather at Nanaga Parbat. In case the flight get cancelled, you will travel by road to Gilgit. You will travel by the Karakoram Highway.

While traveling by road you will witness the junction point of the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindukush range in Chillas Gilgit.

You will spend 5 days in Gilgit. Three or more days would be dedicated to trophy hunting, that can be extended further. After successful hunting you will fly back to Islamabad from Gilgit airport.

NOTE: This is a tentative itinerary.  For the enjoyment of your trip a ‘go with the flow’ attitude is necessary.  Kindly keep in mind that though we try our best to adhere to the scheduled itinerary but many unforeseen factors could influence your trip, such as weather conditions, health, route conditions, etc.  Alternative means are sought in such circumstances and the trip modified accordingly.

Usually we Include Services included in this Cost:

• Assistance in obtaining Pakistani Visa.
• Airport transfers in Islamabad.
• Domestic airfare as per itinerary, Road transportation by a comfortable 4 x 4 vehicle for the entire programme.
• Hotel accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary on Full board meal plan (breakfast, lunch and dinner. when staying at the hotels outside Islamabad and during hunt.
• Sightseeing at Islamabad/ Rawal[indi.
• Bottle water (Treated boiled water will be given at camp during hunt).
• Sleeping mattresses, kitchen equipment, Cutlery etc. (emergency sleeping tent with lightweight essential equipment will be taken along as a precaution for use on the hunt)
• Experienced, licensed English speaking guide/coordinator throughout the trip, Shikar guide, cook etc.
• Wages for government and Community representative
• Road tool, entry fees and parking charges etc.
• First aid medical kit.
• Essential mountain safety equipment during hunt.
• All official formalities & fees to obtain trophy hunting permit, (Except Gun import/export, trophy export/shipping and Trophy care).

Services Not Included:

• Personal Insurance & medication.
• Rescue Ground or Helicopter coverage.
• Personal clothing and equipment (sleeping bags & trekking/hunting gear).
• Telephone calls, laundry, room service and other items of personal nature not accounted for in the included section.
• Tips at hotel and staff etc during the trip.
• Any service not mentioned in the services included list.