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Small-group treks across the KarakoramLocal hosts, real hospitalityFree date changes up to 30 days outLetter of Invitation for Pakistan — under a minutePlan your private or custom tripNew: Kalash Valleys cultural trekBook now, pay later on selected tripsSmall-group treks across the KarakoramLocal hosts, real hospitalityFree date changes up to 30 days outLetter of Invitation for Pakistan — under a minutePlan your private or custom tripNew: Kalash Valleys cultural trekBook now, pay later on selected trips
Wandering Yaks
wanderingyaks
Mountain trail and high peaks in northern Pakistan — Wandering Yaks FAQ

FAQ

Questions we get most often.

Booking, altitude, permits, insurance, and who our trips are for - answered by the team on the ground in Hunza.

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  • Booking & payments
  • Altitude & safety
  • Permits & visas

Read booking conditions

Straight answers before you book

Wandering Yaks runs small-group, host-led journeys from Hunza, Pakistan across the Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalayas, and Pamir. This page covers the questions travelers ask most — deposits, refunds, insurance, altitude safety, permits, and group logistics — so you can decide with clear facts, not marketing fluff.

Booking & payments

How deposits, balances, and currencies work when you book a journey.

How does the deposit work?
Every journey books with a $400 USD deposit per traveler — the same amount for a shared or single room. You can also pay the trip in full at checkout. The remaining balance is due closer to departure; we send a payment link and a reminder. Payment is via Stripe (card) in USD.
What currencies can I pay in?
We charge in USD by default via Stripe. Stripe also lets you pay in EUR, GBP, AUD, and CAD — conversion happens at Stripe's spot rate at checkout. All prices displayed on the site are in USD unless you switch currency in the header.
Where can I see trip dates and availability?
Open the trip calendar for upcoming departures, or browse all trips and open a journey page for the next confirmed date, price from, and room options. If a private departure fits better, contact us and we will quote dates that work for your group.

Cancellations & insurance

What happens if plans change, and what cover you need before you fly.

What happens if I need to cancel?
If you cancel, we keep 15% of the amount you have paid and refund the remaining 85% to the original payment method. That 15% fee applies to every refund, including deposits. Exact terms are on the Booking Conditions page.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. For any journey involving trekking above 3,000 m your policy must explicitly cover trekking to that altitude plus helicopter evacuation. World Nomads, SafetyWing, and Battleface all offer suitable cover — check the exclusion list carefully. We do not sell insurance ourselves.

Altitude & safety on the trail

How we handle high altitude, AMS, and emergency kit on Karakoram and Himalaya routes.

How does altitude sickness get handled?
Every trek above 4,000 m carries an oximeter with twice-daily readings, a portable altitude chamber (Gamow bag) on treks above 4,500 m, and bottled oxygen on expeditions. Our leaders are trained in AMS, HAPE, and HACE recognition. We build in acclimatisation days by default; you can add extra ones on request.
What is the group size on Wandering Yaks trips?
Small. Minimum 4 travelers, maximum 12. On technical expeditions we cap at 10; on cultural and homestay journeys we can go to 14 if a private group asks.

Visas & permits

What we arrange in Pakistan and neighbouring ranges, and what remains on you.

Which permits do you handle?
Most of them. NoC for Gilgit-Baltistan, Central Karakoram National Park, Inner Line for Ladakh, and Wakhan Corridor access — all handled by us on your behalf. You provide a passport scan four weeks before departure. Pakistan tourist visa, Indian tourist visa, and Tajik visa are your responsibility; we send a letter of invitation on request.
Can Wandering Yaks help with a Pakistan letter of invitation?
Yes. For travelers who need a letter of invitation for a Pakistan tourist visa, use our letter of invitation page or email contact@wanderingyaks.com with your passport details and intended travel dates. We also publish guidance on visas and permits for the regions we operate in.

Families, solos & women-only trips

Who our journeys are designed for — and how we accommodate different travelers.

Are kids welcome?
Yes, on cultural and homestay journeys with a recommended minimum age of 8. Treks and expeditions have per-journey minimum ages listed on the detail page. Private family departures are always possible — talk to us.
Do you run trips just for women? For solo travelers?
Women-only departures on selected journeys twice a year, led by our Ladakhi and Chitrali women guides. Solo travelers are welcome on any journey — twin-share is the default, with a single-supplement option. Roommate matching for solos is planned in a later release.

Getting in touch

How to reach a coordinator or guide in Hunza, Gilgit, or Skardu.

How do I reach a real human at Wandering Yaks?
Email contact@wanderingyaks.com, message us on WhatsApp, or use the contact page. Our team in Hunza and Gilgit answers most enquiries within a day. In peak summer (June–September) trail teams may reply a little slower.
Where is Wandering Yaks based?
Head office is in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, with seasonal field presence in Skardu and Chitral. Journeys run across the Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalayas, and Pamir with crew local to each region.

Still stuck?

Prefer a conversation? Email or WhatsApp our coordinators in Hunza and Gilgit — usually within a day. Or browse host-led trips and the departure calendar when you are ready to pick dates.

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Related: Letter of invitation · Booking conditions · About us