Hunt Kashmir Markhor in Pakistan

2025 / 2026

Hunt Kashmir Markhor in Pakistan

Price on Request - Depends on Auction Bid*

THIS HUNT INCLUDES:

• 5 Travel Days / 5 Hunting Days
• 1 Trophy Fee for a Kashmir 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 the client directly ($300 / day)
• Courier services fee (Shall be Payable after hunt - $1200 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)

A Kashmir Markhor hunt in Pakistan is one of the most exclusive and awe-inspiring mountain hunting experiences in the world. These magnificent animals are native to the steep, forested slopes of the Chitral and Kohistan regions, where sheer cliffs and dense scrub forests combine to create beautiful yet difficult-to-traverse areas. Known for their striking, flaring spiral horns that sweep outward and upward, the Kashmir Markhor is a world-class trophy. Successfully harvesting this trophy is an incredible feat reserved for the select few who are tough enough to take on this challenge.

*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 Kashmir Markhor Hunting Area / Terrain:

There are three places where Kashmir Markhors are found where a permit may be given. The first area, Toshi, is easier to access at 1,200m (4,000 ft) to 3,000m (10,000 ft) above sea level and does not require nearly as much physical exertion as the other hunting areas. If given a permit for this area, you’ll be staying at the Hindukush Heights Hotel, a very comfortable and well-appointed hotel in the area. The second area, Gahirat, is between 2,000m (6,000 ft) to just under 3,500m (11,500 ft) above sea level. This area consists of much steeper cliffs and much more rugged terrain.  If given a permit for this area, you’ll be staying at the Gahirat Castle, another high-quality hotel in the area. The last area, Kaigah, is 3,000m (10,000 ft) to 4,000m (13,000 ft) above sea level. This is the hardest and most demanding area to hunt in. If given a permit for this area, you’ll be staying at a local villager’s house with very basic amenities. You should be in very good and very healthy mountain shape to attempt to hunt in either of these three areas. 

These hunts take place in the Chitral region of northern Pakistan, which is a remote and rugged area nestled in the shadow of the towering Hindu Kush mountains. Characterized by breathtaking valleys, snow-capped peaks, and steep, rocky ridgelines, the terrain here is both beautiful and unforgiving. The landscape is a mix of alpine meadows, pine forests, and sheer cliffs, cut through by glacial rivers and narrow mountain trails. The region’s extreme terrain and isolation have helped preserve a rich biodiversity, including Himalayan Ibex and snow leopards. You’ll be accessing many of the deeper and most remote parts of Chitral in search of your trophy, with some lookouts and glassing locations only accessible by trails that are little more than goat paths.

While Himalayan Ibex also reside in these mountains, their trophy quality is relatively low compared to other hunting areas in the country. For this reason, this hunt is solely a Kashmir Markhor hunt and cannot be made a combo hunt. 

About The Kashmir Markhor:

The Kashmir Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) is one of the most majestic and sought-after trophies in the world, known for its wide-flaring spiral horns and regal appearance. It is native to the remote mountains of northern Pakistan and is well adapted to living in the steep, forested cliffs and rocky ridges where its camouflage and agility make it a master of survival. Males grow horns that curl in a wide spiral, which sets them apart from other markhor subspecies.

This remarkable animal is perfectly adapted to the harsh mountain environment, thriving in elevations from 1,500 to over 4,000 meters, where terrain can shift quickly from wooded valleys to sheer rock faces. Their coats change with the seasons—dense and shaggy in winter for insulation against the cold, and sleek in the summer months. The Kashmir Markhor's elusive nature, combined with the demanding terrain it inhabits, makes it one of the most challenging animals in the world to hunt or even observe in the wild. The Kashmir Markhor is the biggest markhor in Pakistan, and you can expect your trophy to measure over 38”, but with a bit of luck and a lot of hunting, it's possible to harvest a Kashmir Markhor 45”+. 

The Kashmir 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

Kashmir 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 begin your drive to Chitral. Once there, you’ll stay overnight in a basic but comfortable guest house.

The next morning, you will head to the area of your permit. You’ll settle into your accommodations, which can range from a luxury hotel to a very basic shared home, and begin your hunt! You can expect to be doing lots of day hiking and glassing for a trophy, while your field scouts and the local villagers also take part in searching for a trophy. The locals will have been keeping an eye out for months prior, keeping tabs on trophy quality and the movements of the animals, to help give you a leg up when you arrive.

After the hunt, you will drive back to Islamabad and stay overnight at the Pearl Continental.

Sample Itinerary for Hunting Kashmir Markhor

Day 01 - Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. International flights typically arrive in the early morning. After meeting your outfitter at the international arrivals terminal, you’ll begin the drive north to Chitral, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. Upon arrival in Chitral, you’ll overnight at a local guest house. Accommodations here are basic, but heating will be available.

Day 02 –  You’ll make your way into the hunting area and where you will be staying for the rest of your hunt. Most of the hunting will be done on foot during day hikes from the base camp or village. Overnight in hotel or guest house.

Day 03 – Scout / Hunt
Day 04 – Scout / Hunt
Day 05 – Scout / Hunt
Day 06 – Scout / Hunt
Each night, you’ll return to the hotel or home you are staying in.

Day 07 – Depart the hunting area and begin the return drive to Islamabad. Overnight at the Pearl Continental Hotel.

Day 08 –  Spend a full day recovering at the Pearl Continental. This day also serves as a buffer for potential travel delays. Overnight at Pearl Continental.

Day 09 – Another full day at the Pearl Continental. This extra day is built into the schedule to accommodate any unexpected (but common) travel issues. Overnight at Pearl Continental.

Day 10 – Late night check-out and transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your international departure.

*note that since hunting permits may cover multiple villages and that permits are issued for different areas, a fixed itinerary is not possible. The permit locations are scattered throughout the region, so the following represents a typical itinerary, subject to change based on the assigned hunting area.

The Kashmir Markhor Hunting Accommodations:

Because this hunt assigns permits to different areas, you may be staying at one of three different locations based on your permit assignment. If assigned the first area, Toshi, you’ll be staying at the luxury Hindukush Heights Hotel. If assigned the second area, Gahirat, you’ll be staying at the luxury Gahirat Castle Hotel. If assigned the third area, Kaghan, you will be staying in a local villager’s home. Below are examples of the two hotels:

In Islamabad, you will be staying in the luxury Pearl Continental Hotel. 

Even in the easier-to-hunt Toshi area, hunters are STRONGLY recommended to be in full mountain shape for this hunt. If hunting in the Kaghan or Gahirat areas, hunters MUST be in full mountain shape to undertake this hunt. Here, there is thin air, high elevations, and potentially very cold temperatures. Diamox can be used for this hunt if needed. 

The Kashmir Markhor Hunting Season:

The Kashmir Markhor hunting season opens on the 1st of December and runs to the end of March. The season dates are subject to change each year.

THE BEST TIMES TO HUNT KASHMIR MARKHOR

The months of December and January are the best times to hunt a Kashmir Markhor in these areas. The animals tend to stay at lower elevations while the temperature is cooler. This makes them easier to spot and easier to stalk. Once the season begins to end and temperatures warm up, they begin to move back toward higher elevations, which can make an already demanding hunt even 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

Altitude:

Typical altitudes will range from 1,200 – 4,000 meters (4,000 – 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

Hunt # PAM-KM-PAK