Hunt Astor Markhor in Pakistan

2025 / 2026

Hunt Astor Markhor in Pakistan

Price on Request - Depends on Auction Bid*

THIS HUNT INCLUDES:

• 5 Travel Days / 8 Hunting Days
• 1 Trophy Fee for an Astor Markhor
• Accommodation While in the Field
• Meet and Greet in Islamabad
• Transport on the territory
• Transfer from/to airport
• Guiding by PH
• Field trophy preparation
• Trophy measurement
• Hunting license
• Gun permits
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinners
• Snacks
• Beverages/soft drinks

THIS HUNT EXCLUDES:

• The following insurances: health, life, third-party liability, and cancellation
• International airfare
• Visa costs
• TIPS for Guide(s), porters, cook, driver, villagers
• Hotels before and after the hunt are payable by client(s) directly
• Courier services fee (Shall be Payable after hunt - $800 Total)
  • CITES Quarantine
  • Export Documents
  • Destination Charges
• Extra trophies
• Sightseeing tours

Observers: $800 / Day

Extra Hunting Days: $1,500 / Day

Rifle Rental – Not Available (Bring your own rifle and ammunition)

Hunting Astor Markhor in Pakistan is one of the premier hunts any mountain hunter will undertake! It takes place in the Gilgit/Baltistan region, where the rough terrain and altitudes here will challenge you like no other hunt! This hunt takes you to some of the most remote areas in all of Pakistan in search of one of the most unique trophies you’ll ever harvest! 

The difficulty and remoteness of this hunt are its beauty. The people in these areas live primitively, the terrain is hard to traverse, and the weather is unpredictable and can delay travel. Looking out from the mountaintops and seeing nothing for as far as the eye can see is awe-inspiring. It is all part of the adventure that goes into hunting these magnificent animals. It is guaranteed to be an experience you will never forget!

The outfitter is highly experienced with many years of successful hunts under his belt. The expected success rate on this hunt is 100%.

*The price is this hunt is dependent on how much each tag is auctioned off each year. For this hunt, you will send in your deposit to be held in escrow in the United States. The outfitter will then go to the yearly tag auction on your behalf and bid up to the upper limit price you set. If successful, the balance will be due immediately. If unsuccessful, your deposit will be returned in full to attempt again next year.

The Astor Markhor Hunting Area / Terrain:

Astor Markhor are found most frequently at elevations ranging from 3,500m (11,500 ft) to 4,000m (13,000 ft) above sea level. These markhors are found at a higher elevation than any other markhor, making the hunt a true high-altitude mountain hunt.

You’ll be hunting in the Baltistan region of Pakistan. This is in the northern portion of the disputed Kashmir region. The terrain is difficult and consists of steep mountains and high altitudes. It gets cold on these mountaintops, so you will need to be in a very good  “mountain shape”.

These Astor Markhor live at very high elevations and are an incredible animal to pursue! This is a hunt of a lifetime! While up in the mountains, you may also see some Himalayan Ibex, but because of the elevation, other life is quite sparse.  

About The Astor Markhor:

The Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri) is a wild goat species native to the rugged mountains of northern Pakistan, particularly in the Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan regions. Known for its striking spiral horns, which can grow over a meter long in males, the Astor Markhor is a powerful and agile climber and is perfectly adapted to the steep, rocky terrain it calls home. Their coat changes with the seasons and goes from a thick, shaggy layer in winter to a shorter, sleeker look in summer, providing protection and camouflage in their harsh environment. 

The Astor Markhor used to be on the brink of extinction but has made an incredible comeback in recent decades. Strict legal protections alongside local community-based conservation efforts have seen these animals begin to thrive again in the area. With parts of the trophy fees going toward local villages, the local villagers are very inclined to help protect these animals and help hunters locate a giant trophy when they come hunt in their areas.

 

The Astor Markhor Outfitter:

This outfitter has spent his entire life growing up and hunting in these regions, outfitting in Pakistan, and has a thorough understanding of everything, including:

• Document Preparation
• Bidding for the best hunting areas
• Spending time in the field year-round
• Having contacts in many villages
• Speaking the local dialects
• Glowing references

Astor Markhor Travel:

All areas that will be used for hunting are safe areas and are not in regions with insurgent activity. Over a period of many years, the outfitter has conducted these hunts without any safety issues.

Arrival is at Islamabad International Airport (also known as Benazir International) International flights normally arrive after midnight into the early morning hours. You will meet your representative at the international arrivals area where you will proceed with your firearms clearance. 

Once firearms are cleared, you will get on your domestic one-hour flight to Gilgit. Once you arrive, you’ll begin your drive to one of the villages where the hunt will be taking place and stay there. 

The next morning you will head into the hunting concession to another village. Here, you’ll meet your field staff and local villagers. The terrain is extremely rugged and difficult on this hunt, and the elevations you’ll be hunting at are quite high. You will be hiking and glassing all day for your trophy. The local villagers will have been monitoring the populations for months before your arrival, and start to pattern the movements of high-end trophies about a week or two before you arrive in the villages. You will be glassing near locations of reported sightings and hiking in areas the locals have been seeing markhor activity. Once a suitable trophy is spotted, you will execute a stalk to get into shooting range. 

After the hunt, you will drive back to Gilgit and stay overnight at a quality hotel, either the Serena or the Ramada.

Sample Itinerary for Hunting Astor Markhor

Day 01- Arrival/Islamabad Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Flights normally arrive in the early morning. After meeting at the international arrivals, you and the outfitter will go directly to the domestic departure to catch your flight to Gilgit. It is a 1hr flight. From there, you will drive to the village and stay overnight at the local guest house. It is a very basic guest house, but it does have heat. 

Day 02 - You’ll head into the hunting area. The field staff will be waiting for your arrival, as will the locals from the village. You’ll meet them all, and you’ll spend the first night in camp here. You’ll be staying in a basic shepherd's hut.

Day 03 - Scout/hunt(camp)

Day 04 - Scout/hunt (camp)

Day 05 - Scout/hunt (camp)

Day 06 - Scout/hunt (camp)

Day 07 - Drive from camp back to Gilgit. You’ll stay overnight at a hotel in Gilgit, either the Ramada or Serena.

Day 08 - Fly back to Islamabad. Overnight at the Pearl Continental.

Day 09 - Recoup at the Pearl Continental for a full day’s rest. Stay overnight at Pearl Continental.  (This also provides an extra day for travel, as travel here is notoriously unreliable)

Day 10 - Late night check out, and drop at the airport for your international flight back home.

The Astor Markhor Hunting Accommodations:

This hunt uses basic accommodations due to the remote nature of hunting an Astor Markhor. This outfitter uses guest houses and shepherd’s huts in the remote villages of the Gilgit/Baltistan region to accommodate you during the trip. 

After the hunt, you will be staying in quality hotels in Gilgit and Islamabad. In Gilgit, you will either be staying at the Ramada or Serena, and in Islamabad you will be staying at the Pearl Continental. 

For this hunt, you should be in good to excellent mountain shape due to the rugged, remote terrain and the thin air at elevation. Hunters should be physically fit and athletically training leading up to beginning this hunt.

 

The Astor Markhor Hunting Season:

The Astor Markhor hunting season opens on the 1st of November and runs to the 25th of April. The season dates are subject to change each year.

 

THE BEST TIMES TO HUNT ASTOR MARKHOR

The months of December and January are the best times to hunt these animals. The rut begins in December, and there is less hunting pressure as it is closer to the beginning of the season.

As you get closer to the end of the season, the Astor Markhor often move to higher elevations to stay cooler, which can make your hunt more difficult.

 

Recommended Firearms and Shooting Distances:

A 300 Win Mag or a similar caliber with two boxes (40 bullets) is recommended. Hunters should be prepared to take shots from 250 to 800 meters.

 

Packing List:

A detailed packing list will be provided to the client after the hunt is booked.

 

Trophy Handling:

The outfitter will dry salt the skin and apply hydrogen peroxide to the skull. They will arrange delivery to the shipping agent who will send the trophies to the client by air. The trophies will typically be delivered within 1-2 days after the hunt.

 

Weather:

The weather varies by month:

• Peak Winter – December through February
• Cool but more comfortable: November, March, and April
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Altitude:

Typical altitudes will range from 3,500 – 4,000 meters (10,000 – 13,000 feet) above sea level.

 

Medications:

Diamox can be used for this hunt due to the altitudes you will likely encounter.

 

Insurance:

Due to the remote location of this hunt, Medical Evac insurance is highly recommended

 

Airfare:

Due to the frequent cancellations of flights due to weather, it is suggested that you book your return flight from Islamabad to your home as a changeable ticket.

 

Deposit Policy:

A deposit of $50,000 is required to book this hunt and send the outfitter to bid on your behalf at the tag auction. This will be held in escrow in the United States until a tag has been successfully purchased.

 

Cancellation Policy:

Deposits are non-refundable, and the balance is non-refundable once a tag has been purchased. Trip insurance is available to cover unforeseen circumstances.

 

Exclusions: International and domestic airfare. Hotels and meals before and after the hunt, Medical, Evacuation, and Trip Insurance, Alcohol, Taxidermy, Shipping of Trophies, Courier Services Fee, Gratuities