Himalayan Ibex Hunting Tour
The Himalayan Ibex Hunting Tour is a 10-day mountain hunt in the community conservancies of Gilgit-Baltistan, under a legal government permit, for one of the most sought-after mountain trophies in Asia.
- Duration10 Days
- DifficultyHard
- SpeciesHimalayan ibex
- Best SeasonNovember – April
- PermitGovernment quota
A Classic Karakoram Mountain Hunt
The Himalayan ibex, with its long curved horns, lives on the steep cliffs of the Karakoram and Hindu Kush. In Gilgit-Baltistan, ibex are hunted under the community-based trophy hunting programme, where a limited number of permits are issued each year in community-managed conservancies.
On the Himalayan Ibex Hunting tour we handle the permit process, firearm paperwork and all logistics, and hunt with an experienced professional hunter, local guides and community game guards. Hunting is on foot in steep mountain terrain, usually in winter, when the ibex come down to lower slopes.
Trip Highlights
- Hunt the Himalayan ibex in the Karakoram
- Legal government permit within the official quota
- Community conservancies in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Experienced professional hunter and local game guards
- Help with firearm import, trophy and CITES paperwork
- A large share of the trophy fee supports local communities
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport, clears your firearm with the authorities and transfers you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Permits and travel north
Final permit formalities, then fly or drive towards Gilgit or Skardu.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Drive to the hunting area
Drive to the community conservancy, meet the game guards and check your rifle at the range.
Overnight: CampDay 4–9Hunting days
Daily hunts on foot with the professional hunter and local guides, glassing the slopes and stalking ibex.
Overnight: CampDay 10Return and depart
Return to Islamabad for trophy paperwork and your flight home (extra days may be needed depending on flights).
Overnight: —Hunting days depend on weather, animal movement and the conditions of your government permit. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Islamabad
- Hotels in Islamabad and Gilgit or Skardu
- Domestic flights or road transport to the hunting area
- 4x4 vehicles in the hunting area
- Help with the hunting permit application and government paperwork
- Help with the temporary firearm import permit, or rifle hire where allowed
- Experienced professional hunter, local guides and community game guards
- Hunting camp or local guesthouse, with cook and all meals in the field
- Field preparation of the trophy and help with CITES and export documents
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- Trophy fee / hunting permit fee, set by the government quota or auction system
- International flights and excess baggage or firearm fees
- Pakistan visa fee
- Hunting and travel insurance
- Taxidermy, dipping, packing and international shipping of the trophy
- Ammunition and personal hunting gear
- Tips for hunting staff and porters
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Himalayan Ibex Hunt?
The Himalayan Ibex Hunting tour is the most popular mountain hunt in Pakistan, combining a challenging stalk with some of the most dramatic scenery on earth. Permits are more widely available than for markhor, making it a good first hunt in the Karakoram.
It suits fit, experienced hunters who are comfortable on steep ground in cold weather. Combine it with our Astore Markhor Hunting Tour or the Blue Sheep Hunting Tour for a double hunt.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our trophy hunting tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Legal Permits Only
Every hunt runs under a valid government permit within the official quota of the community-based trophy hunting programme. Permits are limited and are usually allocated through the provincial wildlife department, so early booking is essential.
Fitness
Ibex hunting means long days on foot in steep, rocky terrain at altitude, often in snow. You should be fit and a confident shot at long range.
Conservation
Under Pakistan's community trophy hunting programme, a large share of the trophy fee goes to the local community for conservation and development. This has helped species such as the markhor recover.
Season
The ibex season usually runs through the winter months, roughly November to April, when animals come down to lower ground. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your preferred season, and our team will check permit availability and send you full details and a quote.
