Frequently Asked Questions

HomeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I book a trip with Apex Karakoram?

Send us an enquiry with your dates and the kind of trip you want — seasonal, private, or a group departure. We reply with what actually fits those dates, confirm the details in writing, and only then take a booking.

When is the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan?

It depends where you are going. Hunza blossom is late March to mid-April; autumn colour is mid-October into November. Skardu, the valleys and Deosai run roughly May to October, with Deosai itself usually clear of snow July to September. Winter Skardu (December–February) is quiet, cold and genuinely beautiful.

Are the trips difficult? Do I need to trek?

Most of our trips are easy to moderate — long drives on mountain roads, comfortable nights, no trekking required. Trekking routes like K2 Base Camp or Rush Lake are separate, and we grade those honestly before you book.

Do I need permits for these areas?

Some border and restricted zones need an NOC or permit — Khunjerab, Deosai and certain trekking areas among them. We arrange what your specific route needs and tell you upfront if anything is restricted.

Do you run fixed departures or only private trips?

Both. Fixed departures run on set dates and are the cheaper way to travel; private trips are built around your dates and pace. Every tour page says which it is.

How far in advance should I book?

For blossom season in Hunza (late March–mid April) and the summer peak, as early as you can — accommodation in the valleys is genuinely limited. Off-peak, a few weeks is usually enough.

Is Gilgit-Baltistan safe for tourists?

Yes, it is one of the most visited parts of Pakistan and tourism is well established. The real risks are altitude, weather and mountain roads — which is what our planning is actually for.

Can solo travellers join a trip?

Yes. Fixed departures are the easiest option for solo travellers, since you share the trip and the cost with others.

What kind of accommodation do you use?

Comfortable hotels and guesthouses in the valleys, twin-share by default. Standards vary by valley — Skardu and Karimabad have good options, while remote valleys are simpler. We tell you which is which before you book.

Are meals included?

Daily breakfast is included on our trips. Lunches and dinners are usually not, so you can eat where you like — the exact inclusions are listed on every tour page.

Can you cater to dietary requirements?

Tell us in advance and we will do what the valley allows. Options are more limited in remote areas than in Skardu or Karimabad, and we would rather set expectations honestly than promise everything.

Is the food safe for foreign travellers?

Generally yes at the places we use. We stick to kitchens we know, and advise bottled water on drive days — which is included on most trips.

Are rooms twin-share or single?

Twin-share by default. Single rooms are usually possible for a supplement — ask when you enquire and we will confirm for your dates.

Is there hot water and electricity?

In Skardu and Karimabad, generally yes. In remote valleys both can be intermittent — we will tell you which nights those are.

Can we camp instead of using hotels?

On some routes, yes. Tell us what you want and we will say honestly where camping works and where it does not.

Is Wi-Fi available?

In main towns usually, in remote valleys often not, and mobile data is patchy once you leave the main roads. Plan for being offline for stretches.

How do I get to Skardu?

Either fly from Islamabad (about an hour) or drive up the Karakoram Highway. The flight is quick but genuinely weather-dependent and cancels often — which is why we build buffer days into fly-in trips.

What happens if my Skardu flight is cancelled?

It happens, especially in winter. That is exactly why we build in buffer time. Depending on your trip we either wait for the next flight or switch you to the road route — we plan for this rather than hoping.

Is airfare included in the tour price?

No. Airfare is excluded on all our tours and listed clearly under Excludes on each tour page, because fares change and many travellers book their own.

How long is the drive if I go by road?

Islamabad to Skardu is a long day — broadly 18–24 hours depending on route and conditions — so road trips are split over two days with an overnight, usually at Chilas.

Which airline flies to Skardu?

PIA operates the Islamabad–Skardu route. Schedules and availability change seasonally, so check current timings when you book.

Should I book flights before confirming the trip?

Confirm your trip dates with us first. Because the Skardu flight cancels often, we would rather advise on timing before you buy non-refundable tickets.

Can I fly one way and drive the other?

Yes — fly-in, drive-out (or the reverse) is a common and sensible option, and it reduces the risk of a cancelled flight derailing the whole trip.

Is there a baggage limit on the Skardu flight?

Domestic flights have limits that are tighter than international ones. Check with the airline for current allowances before you pack.

Do I need a visa for Pakistan?

Most foreign nationals do. Pakistan offers an online visa system for many countries. Requirements depend on your nationality, so check the official portal for your case — we can tell you what we know but we are not a visa agency.

Can you help with the visa application?

We can provide the trip documentation operators are normally asked for. The application itself is yours to submit, and approval is always the authorities’ decision, never ours to promise.

How far ahead should I apply?

Apply well before you book non-refundable flights. Processing times vary by nationality and season, so give yourself margin.

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly recommend it, and for trekking or high-altitude trips you should make sure your policy actually covers the altitude and activity involved. Insurance is not included in our prices.

Do I need a permit as well as a visa?

Possibly. A visa covers entry to Pakistan; some border and restricted zones inside Gilgit-Baltistan need a separate NOC or permit, which we arrange for your route.

Can I get a visa on arrival?

Policies vary by nationality and change. Check the official Pakistani visa portal for your passport rather than relying on second-hand information.

Do I need vaccinations?

There are no special vaccination requirements we impose. Check current health advice for Pakistan with your doctor or travel clinic before you go.

What documents should I bring?

Your passport and visa, travel insurance details, and any permit paperwork we send you. Bring photocopies — they are useful at checkposts.

Can you build a private trip just for us?

Yes — private and custom trips are one of the three ways we run everything. Tell us your dates, pace and interests and we will build the route around you rather than fitting you into a fixed departure.

Can we combine Skardu and Hunza in one trip?

Yes. Our Grand Circuit does exactly that over twelve days, and we can shorten or extend it. It is the most complete way to see Gilgit-Baltistan in a single trip.

Do you run trips for families and honeymooners?

Yes — we have specific family and honeymoon itineraries, paced differently from a standard tour. Families get shorter drives and safe walks; honeymoon trips are private and slower.

Can you arrange corporate or group retreats?

Yes. We run private group trips including corporate retreats. Tell us your group size and what you need on the ground and we will tell you honestly what is possible where.

Can we change an existing itinerary?

Yes — any of our published trips can be shortened, extended or reordered. Tell us what you want to change and we will tell you what the roads and seasons allow.

Can you plan around a specific date or festival?

Yes. Shandur Polo is usually July and the Hunza autumn festival is typically early November, though exact dates shift each year and we confirm them closer to the time.

Do you arrange photography-focused trips?

Yes. That mostly means changing the timing rather than the route — being at the right places at sunrise and sunset instead of the middle of the day.

Can you handle a mixed-ability group?

Usually yes. We build the route around the least mobile person in the group and offer optional harder add-ons for the rest.

How do I pay for a trip?

A 30% deposit confirms your booking and the remaining 70% is due 14 days before departure. If you book within 14 days of departure, the full amount is payable at confirmation.

Is a deposit required to confirm a booking?

Yes — 30% of the total trip cost. Until that deposit is received, dates are held as an enquiry only, not a confirmed booking.

What currency are prices in?

All prices are in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), quoted per person on twin-share unless a tour page says otherwise.

Do the listed prices cover everything?

No — each tour page has its own Includes and Excludes list. Airfare, lunches and dinners, insurance and personal expenses are excluded unless stated.

Do you accept international payments?

Yes. Tell us which country you are paying from when you enquire and we will confirm the workable method before you commit.

Will I get an invoice and written confirmation?

Yes. You receive written confirmation of the itinerary, price and terms before any payment is due, and that confirmation governs your trip.

Are prices per person or per group?

Tour page prices are per person on twin-share. Private and group trips are quoted for the whole party.

Can the price change after I book?

No. A confirmed written price for confirmed dates is held. If you later change the trip, we requote and confirm again in writing.

What is your cancellation policy?

Counted from your departure date: 30 days or more, the 30% deposit is retained and the balance refunded. 15–29 days, 50% of the total is retained. 7–14 days, 75%. Within 6 days or a no-show, 100%.

What if the weather cancels part of my trip?

We re-route or substitute an equivalent day wherever possible. Where costs for that day are already committed to hotels, permits or transport, they are not refundable in cash — we substitute or credit where we can.

What if a road or pass is closed?

We re-route. Babusar closes in winter, Deosai is snowbound roughly November to May, and Khunjerab shuts in deep winter — we plan around those windows rather than sell a route that will not be open.

Can I change my dates after booking?

Changes 30 or more days before departure are free subject to availability. Inside 30 days they are subject to whatever the hotels and suppliers charge us.

What if I cancel because of a visa refusal?

The standard cancellation scale still applies, since our costs are committed on the same timeline. This is exactly what travel insurance is for — apply for your visa before booking non-refundable flights.

Do you ever cancel a trip?

Only if conditions make it genuinely unsafe or a route is closed. If we cancel for reasons within our control, you choose a full refund or alternative dates at no extra cost.

Is Deosai guaranteed on my itinerary?

No — and we will not pretend otherwise. Deosai is usually accessible July to September and snowbound outside it. If it is not open we substitute an alternative day at no extra cost.

What if I am late or miss the start of the trip?

Tell us immediately and we will do what we can to get you onto the itinerary. Costs already committed for missed days cannot be recovered.

Do you handle large groups?

Yes. We run group departures and private group trips, including corporate and incentive travel. Tell us your group size and dates and we will tell you what is realistic.

Is there a group discount?

Group pricing depends on size, season and route. Send us the details and we will quote properly rather than advertise a number that may not apply to you.

What is the maximum group size you can handle?

It depends on the route and season — remote valleys have genuinely limited accommodation and vehicle capacity. We will tell you honestly what a given valley can absorb.

Can you arrange separate vehicles for a large group?

Yes, we run multiple vehicles for larger groups. This is confirmed as part of your quote.

Do you handle university or student groups?

Yes. Tell us numbers, dates and budget and we will quote realistically for what the valleys can actually accommodate.

Can you invoice a company directly?

Yes — corporate and group bookings can be invoiced to the organisation. The same 30% deposit and 14-day balance schedule applies unless we agree otherwise in writing.

Do group leaders travel free?

It depends on group size and trip length. Ask us and we will tell you what applies to your group rather than quote a blanket rule.

How far ahead do large groups need to book?

As early as possible. Valley accommodation and vehicle capacity are the real constraint, especially in peak season.

How do refunds work?

Any refund due under the cancellation scale is processed within 14 working days of agreement, back to the original payment method.

Do I get a refund if the Skardu flight is cancelled?

Airfare is not included in our prices, so airline tickets follow the airline’s own policy. On our side we build in buffer days and re-route the ground itinerary where possible.

What if I need to cut my trip short?

Contact us and your guide immediately. Days already committed to hotels, permits and transport are not recoverable, but we will be straight with you about what is.

Who do I contact about a refund?

Email info@apexkarakoram.com with your booking reference. Anything agreed is confirmed back to you in writing.

How long do refunds take?

Within 14 working days of the refund being agreed, to the original payment method.

What if part of my itinerary could not run?

If it was within our control, we refund or substitute that portion. If weather or a closure caused it, we substitute or credit where costs allow — see our Terms.

Are permit and park fees refundable?

No. Government permits, NOC fees and national park entry fees are non-refundable once issued or paid to the authority, because they are paid on your behalf.

Who confirms my refund in writing?

We do — every agreed refund is confirmed to you by email, with the amount and the timeline.

Still have a question? Email us and a member of the Skardu team will get back to you.

Follow Us -
Ig