|
 |
 | | |||||||
|
Karakoram Peak Fee Hike 03 OCT 2000
Pakistan's Ministry of Tourism has increased peak royalty fees beginning in 2001, as follows:
K2 (8,611 meters): US $12,000 and US $2,000 for each additional member over seven 8,001 - 8,500 meters: US $9,500 and US $1,500 for each additional member over seven 7,501 - 8,000 meters: US $4,000 and US $500 for each additional member over seven 7,001 - 7,500 meters: US $2,500 and US $300 for each additional member over seven 6,000 - 7,000 meters: US $1,500 and US $200 for each additional member over seven Under 6,000 meters: No permit needed in open zones. Trekking fees due if permit is in restricted or closed zones.
Generally, permits are issued before December 31st the year before the expedition occurs. Peak royalty fees must first be deposited in a Pakistan embassy or with the Ministry. However, latecomers have been accommodated. Peak royalty fees are reduced and pro-rated if any expedition members are Pakistani citizens. All foreign expeditions must now also provide Pakistan's Ministry of Tourism with evidence of $20,000 evacuation insurance or guarantee of a $6,000 bond deposited with an embassy, travel agent or traveler's checks held in lieu.
This year, additional changes were also made to include doubling porter's life insurance to Pakistan Rupees 100,000 (about $1,880).
Trekking fees were doubled to $40 per person in 1999. Trekking and climbing permits must be obtained through a licensed Pakistani tour operator, but do not need advance registration. Permits can be obtained in one day in Islamabad.
The Ministry has moved as of 2000. The Ministry is open Monday - Friday and half days on Saturday. Also note, as of September 2000, Islamabad and Rawalpindi have separate telephone prefixes: Rawalpindi 551 and Islamabad 251. Previously, both cities had a prefix of 51.
Mr. Afridi or Aziz Ahmed Public Relations Office Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture Sports Complex Building near Abbpara market Islamabad, Pakistan Phone: 011 - 92 - 251 - 9203509 Fax: 011 - 92 - 251 - 9202347
— Greg Mortenson, Central Asia Institute
CHECK OUT: The Eiger
|
|
|
|||||||
