Introduction
The Northern Areas of Pakistan comprises of the most rugged mountain terrain in the world. 

Situated at the meeting point of the three greatest mountain ranges in the world ( The Himalayas, the Hindu Kush and the Karakorams ) this region covers an area greater than the Austria and Switzerland together. Which is nestled between Afghanistan, China, Ladakh and India this is the remotest and most inaccessible mountain region in the world. 

With over 460 mountains higher than 6000m, and five of the world’s fourteen highest peaks this rugged region offers a sanctury to some of the rare and most prized species of wildlife.  

There are several species of Urial, Ibex and Markhor found all over this vast mountain region. with the strict control on hunting some of them reaching phenomenal sizes offering rewarding trophies to the daring hunters who venture in this great wilderness.

Any hunting trip in this inaccessible area needs careful planning. A number of permits from the local and federal authorities, special import and re-export licenses for the firearms as well as permits to carry and use these inside the country are required. The export of trophy requires a special export licence. These often take several weeks to process and most of these permits must be obtained before the arrival of hunting party in the country. 

Due to non availability of food and shelter as well as scarecity of fuel and strict control on logging everything needs to be acquired in advance and transported on difficult mountain trails by porters to the base camp.  This makes professional planning of the hunting expedition a necessity.

Special camping equipment, tents, mess tent, utencils, kitchen, food and fuel is carefully selected by professionals to withstand extreme climatic conditions and to last the duration of the hunting expedition.

Experienced mountain guides, hunting scouts, cooks and bearers accompany the expedition to ensure a smooth and efficient operation as well as maximum welbeing and comfort of the hunters even in the most remote locations.

From the base camp hunting scouts and mountain guides assist the hunters in making hunting plans and to establish advance camps closer to the ibex habitat from where scouting and stalking of the trophy animals is done.

Markhor hunting is a very demanding venture and due to the ruggedness of the terrain and remoteness of this region huters must be in top form.

All this requires advance prepration. The hunt organizers must know that altogather only six (06) hunting permits for Markhors are issued each year for the entire Northern Pakistan. The organizers must contact us well in advance with details of their plans so that the required number of permits could be acquired in advance.

Emergency Evacuation
In the event of an accident or illness helicopters can be acquired for evacuation of casuality. A helicopter bond is procured in advance from the concerned authorities.

The typical helicopter evacuation costs between US$6000 and US$18000 depending on the duration of helicoter use as well as distance of the evacuation site from the helicopter base.

Species of Markhor Found in Northern Areas
There are two species of Markhor found in the Northern areas of Pakistan. These are:

FLARED HORN MARKHOR

CAPRA FALCONERI FALCONERI

STREIGHT HORN MARKHOR

CARRA FALCONERI MEGACEROS

Regions For Markhor Hunting
Markhor is found all over the Northern Areas of Pakistan in small scattered groups. The hunting of Markhor is allowed only in the areas where community based trophy hunting projects have been based. 

Currently you can get permits to Hunt Flared horn Markhor in;

-          Astor area of Nanga Parbat
-    Bashu Valley in Baltistan.
    

Hunting Season and Climate
The hunting is only permitted during the period between 15^th November till 31^st March.

Typical Hunting Expedition Program
The typical Markhor hunting expedition in Pakistan takes upto one month. Following are the usual steps an expedition follows. However due to the nature of hunt the final itinerary is kept flexible to give maximum freedom to the hunter.

List

Program 

02

ARRIVAL OF HUNTERS & FINAL PAPER WORK 

03

TRANSPORT TO TREK HEAD BY 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES 

04

TREK TO THE BASE CAMP WITH PORTERS CARRYING ALL SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 

05

SCOUTING AND RECONNEISENCE 

06

MOVING TO ADVANCE CAMPS IN CURRENT MARKHOR HABITAT  

07

HUNTING EXCURSIONS FROM THE ADVANCE CAMP 

08

KILL AND TROPHY PREPRATION 

09

TREK BACK TO THE ROAD 

10

TRANSPORT BACK TO ISLAMABAD 

11

EXPORT LICENCE FOR THE TROPHY 

12

ARMS RE-EXPORT PAPER WORK  

13

DEPARTURE FOR HOME COUNTRY

Markhor Hunting Permits
Only six (06) permits for hunting Markhor in Pakistan are issued each year. These must be obtained well in advance of the expected arrival of the hunters.

Fees & Costs Involved in a Hunting Expedition

The above information have give you a brief introduction of the complex but fascinating sport of Markhor hunting. Further details can be provided upon request.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL is operating in the Northern Areas of Pakistan since 1986 with the highest standards of service and an immaculate safety record in the mountains.

Saadat Nawaz Malik
Chief Executive

ADVENTURE TRAVEL

P.O.Box 2062, G.P.O. Islamabad, Pakistan.
Kachura, Skardu (Northern Area), Pakistan.
E-Mail: adventur@isb.comsats.net.pk, K2wala@yahoo.com

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