SNOWCAP ADVENTURES PAKISTAN

Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: June 2025  |  Last Updated: June 2026  |  Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

 

Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully before making any booking with Snowcap Adventures Pakistan. By booking a tour, trek, expedition, or any service with us, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these terms. These terms apply to all clients, whether booking individually, as a group, or through a third-party travel agent.

 

1. About Snowcap Adventures Pakistan

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan is a licensed adventure tourism company headquartered in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. We specialize in high-altitude trekking, mountaineering expeditions, cultural tours, ski tours, jeep safaris, and customized adventure packages across the Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindukush mountain ranges.

 

Registered Address:

Clifton Bridge, Shahra-E-Quaid-E-Azam, Mehdi Colony, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Email: info@snowcapadventures.com  |  Phone/WhatsApp: +92 313 445 1989

Website: www.snowcapadventures.com

2. Booking & Reservation

2.1 How to Book

All bookings must be made directly with Snowcap Adventures Pakistan via email, WhatsApp, phone, or through our official website. A booking is confirmed only when we issue a written Booking Confirmation to you.

2.2 Booking Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour/trek cost is required at the time of booking to secure your place. Without this deposit, no reservation is guaranteed.

2.3 Final Payment

• For bookings made 30 or more days before departure: full remaining balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to the trip start date.

• For bookings made less than 30 days before departure: full payment is required immediately at the time of booking.

2.4 Accepted Payment Methods

• International bank wire transfer (preferred for international clients)

• PayPal, Western Union, or MoneyGram (subject to availability)

• Cash on arrival in Pakistani Rupees or US Dollars (for local arrangements only)

• Online payment gateways as specified in the booking confirmation

Note: All bank transfer charges, currency conversion fees, or transaction fees are the responsibility of the client.

3. Cancellation & Refund Policy

3.1 Cancellation by the Client

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@snowcapadventures.com. Cancellations communicated verbally will not be accepted. The following refund schedule applies:

 

Cancellation Timeline	Refund Percentage	Remarks
60+ days before departure	90% refund	Processing fee deducted
30–59 days before departure	50% refund	Admin costs retained
15–29 days before departure	25% refund	Logistics costs retained
Less than 14 days	No refund	All costs incurred
Trekking permit obtained	No refund	Govt. non-refundable policy

 

Important: Once trekking or mountaineering permits have been obtained from the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan or the Pakistan Alpine Club on your behalf, permit fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, as this is a government policy beyond our control.

3.2 Cancellation by Snowcap Adventures Pakistan

We reserve the right to cancel or postpone any trip due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters, floods, landslides, avalanches, or extreme weather

• Political unrest, civil disturbance, or government travel advisories

• Minimum group size not being met (where applicable)

• Safety concerns as assessed by our experienced guides and management

 

In the event of cancellation by Snowcap Adventures Pakistan:

• You will receive a full refund of all amounts paid to us (excluding non-recoverable government permit fees)

• Alternatively, you may choose to transfer the full amount to a future trip of your choice

• We will not be liable for any consequential losses including flights, visas, accommodation, or travel insurance costs

3.3 Trip Transfers

If you wish to transfer your booking to another person, you may do so with written consent from both parties at least 15 days before departure. A transfer fee of PKR 5,000 or USD 20 applies.

4. Itinerary Changes & Force Majeure

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan strives to deliver all tours and treks exactly as described. However, given the extreme and unpredictable nature of high-altitude mountain environments in Gilgit-Baltistan, itinerary changes may be necessary due to:

• Adverse or dangerous weather conditions (snowfall, storms, whiteouts)

• Road or trail closures due to landslides, flooding, or avalanches

• Domestic flight delays or cancellations to/from Skardu or Gilgit

• Health emergencies of any client or staff member

• Government-imposed restrictions or permit conditions

 

In such cases, our guides and management will make the safest possible alternative arrangements. Any additional costs incurred due to unforeseen itinerary changes (extra accommodation, meals, transport) shall be borne by the client. Snowcap Adventures Pakistan will not be held liable for any additional expenses or losses.

5. Health, Fitness & Medical Requirements

5.1 Physical Fitness

Adventure trekking and mountaineering in the Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindukush mountain ranges are physically demanding activities. By booking with us, you confirm that:

• You are in good physical health and fit enough to undertake the booked activity

• You have no medical condition that could be aggravated by high-altitude activity

• You have trained or prepared adequately for the level of difficulty of the booked tour

5.2 Medical Disclosure

All clients must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions (heart conditions, respiratory illness, diabetes, epilepsy, blood pressure issues, anxiety disorders, or any other conditions relevant to high-altitude environments) in writing before confirming their booking. Failure to disclose such conditions may result in termination of participation without refund.

5.3 Right to Refuse Participation

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan reserves the right to refuse participation or remove any client from a tour or trek at any point if, in the reasonable assessment of our guide or management, the client's health or fitness poses a risk to themselves or others. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

5.4 Altitude Sickness

High-altitude trekking carries inherent risks of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Our guides are trained to recognize symptoms and take appropriate action. Clients must follow all guide instructions regarding acclimatization, rest, hydration, and descent. Ignoring guide instructions regarding altitude sickness is done entirely at the client's own risk.

6. Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

Comprehensive travel insurance is MANDATORY for all participants on all Snowcap Adventures Pakistan tours, treks, and expeditions. Your insurance policy must cover, at minimum:

• Emergency helicopter rescue and evacuation from remote mountain areas

• Medical treatment and hospitalization costs in Pakistan

• Trip cancellation and curtailment due to illness or emergency

• Personal accident, injury, and death coverage

• Loss or damage to personal belongings and baggage

• Repatriation costs to your home country

 

Proof of valid insurance (policy document with coverage details) must be provided to Snowcap Adventures Pakistan before the start of your trip. We strongly recommend obtaining insurance that specifically covers trekking at altitudes above 5,000m / 16,400ft and mountaineering expeditions, where applicable. Clients without valid insurance may be refused participation without refund.

7. Assumption of Risk & Liability Waiver

7.1 Acknowledgment of Risk

By booking with Snowcap Adventures Pakistan, you expressly acknowledge and accept that adventure tourism activities including trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, glacier travel, jeep safari, skiing, and paragliding involve significant inherent risks, including but not limited to:

• Physical injury, permanent disability, or death

• Altitude sickness, frostbite, hypothermia, or sunstroke

• Falling rocks, avalanches, glacial crevasses, or ice falls

• River crossings, unstable terrain, or difficult weather

• Remoteness from emergency medical services

• Delayed or cancelled rescue operations due to weather or logistics

7.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Pakistani law, Snowcap Adventures Pakistan, its owners, directors, guides, staff, agents, and partner organizations shall not be liable for any injury, illness, death, property loss or damage, delays, additional expenses, or consequential losses suffered by any client during a tour or expedition. This includes events caused by negligence, accident, or unforeseen circumstances.

 

By making a booking, the client and all members of their party voluntarily assume all risks associated with the activities undertaken and release Snowcap Adventures Pakistan from all claims, demands, and liabilities arising from participation.

 

8. Safety & Conduct

8.1 Guide Authority

The lead guide appointed by Snowcap Adventures Pakistan has full and final authority over all safety decisions during a tour or trek. All clients must follow guide instructions without exception. This includes decisions regarding route selection, pace, rest days, descent, and emergency procedures.

8.2 Code of Conduct

All clients are expected to behave in a respectful, cooperative, and responsible manner throughout the trip. The following will not be tolerated:

• Behavior that endangers the safety of other group members, guides, or local staff

• Verbal or physical abuse directed at staff, guides, porters, or local communities

• Disregarding safety protocols or guide instructions

• Possession or use of illegal substances

• Disrespectful behavior toward local cultural, religious, or social practices

 

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan reserves the right to terminate the participation of any client whose behavior is deemed dangerous or disruptive, without refund and at the client's own expense for return travel arrangements.

8.3 Porters & Local Staff Welfare

We adhere to the principles of fair and ethical treatment of all porters, cooks, guides, and local staff. Our porters are provided with proper gear, shelter, food, insurance, and fair wages in accordance with the Gilgit-Baltistan Porter Welfare Regulations. Clients are encouraged to treat all local staff with respect and dignity.

9. Equipment & Gear

Clients are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing and gear as specified in the detailed equipment list provided upon booking confirmation. For mountaineering expeditions, specialized high-altitude equipment can be rented from us, subject to availability and payment of applicable rental fees. In the event of damage or loss of rented equipment due to client negligence, the full replacement cost will be charged to the client.

 

We provide the following group equipment on all tours and treks:

• High-quality expedition-grade camping tents

• Cooking equipment, stoves, and fuel

• First aid kit and basic medical supplies

• Ropes and group safety equipment (for technical routes)

• Satellite communication device (Garmin inReach or Thuraya satellite phone for emergencies)

10. Permits, Visas & Documentation

10.1 Client Responsibilities

Each client is solely responsible for ensuring they hold a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity beyond the return travel date), the appropriate Pakistani visa, and any required trekking or expedition permits. Snowcap Adventures Pakistan will assist with:

• Providing invitation or support letters for Pakistani visa applications

• Obtaining trekking permits for restricted zones (Central Karakoram National Park, Baltoro, Deosai, etc.)

• Arranging mountaineering expedition permits from the Tourism Department of Pakistan

• Registering the expedition with the relevant Pakistani government authorities

10.2 Permit Fees

Government-mandated permit fees (trekking permits, national park fees, mountaineering royalties) are either included in the tour price or billed separately as stated in your booking confirmation. These fees are set by the Government of Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan and are subject to change without prior notice. Any increase in government fees after booking confirmation will be passed on to the client.

10.3 Restricted Areas

Trekking in certain restricted zones of Gilgit-Baltistan (Baltoro Glacier, Central Karakoram National Park, Shimshal, Deosai, etc.) requires special permits for both foreign nationals and Pakistani nationals. Clients must not enter restricted areas without the appropriate permits. Violations of permit conditions are the sole responsibility of the client.

11. Domestic Flights & Transportation

Domestic flights (e.g., PIA, Air Sial) between Islamabad and Skardu or Gilgit are subject to frequent delays and cancellations due to unpredictable mountain weather, which can render Skardu Airport inoperable for days at a time. Snowcap Adventures Pakistan is not responsible for such delays and will not reimburse additional accommodation, meal, or transport costs arising from flight disruptions.

 

In the event of a flight cancellation, we will arrange the best available alternative (road transport via Karakoram Highway or rescheduled flight). Additional days caused by flight delays are not included in standard tour pricing and will be charged at cost. Clients should plan their international return flights with at least 3–5 buffer days after their scheduled trek end date to account for potential delays.

12. Environmental Responsibility & Eco-Tourism

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan is committed to responsible and sustainable adventure tourism. All clients must adhere to the following environmental guidelines:

• No littering on any trail, campsite, glacier, or natural area — carry all waste out

• Do not disturb wildlife or damage vegetation

• Use designated toilet areas and waste disposal points at campsites

• Do not remove natural objects (rocks, fossils, plants) from national parks or protected areas

• Respect and follow the rules of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP)

• Minimize plastic use — carry reusable water bottles and containers

 

Clients who willfully damage the natural environment may be removed from the tour and reported to relevant authorities.

13. Photography & Media

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan reserves the right to use photographs, videos, or testimonials captured during tours and expeditions for promotional, marketing, and educational purposes across our website, social media, and printed materials. If you do not consent to the use of your image, you must notify us in writing before the start of your trip.

 

When photographing local people, villages, or religious sites, clients must always ask for permission first and respect local customs regarding photography. Photographing military installations, border areas, or sensitive infrastructure is strictly prohibited under Pakistani law.

14. Personal Belongings & Valuables

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan takes all reasonable precautions to maintain security during tours. However, we are not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings, luggage, equipment, electronics, cash, or valuables at any point during the trip — including at hotels, campsites, during transport, or on trail. We strongly recommend:

• Keeping valuables (passport, cash, camera, phone) on your person at all times

• Using hotel safes or lockboxes where available

• Keeping a photocopy of your passport and travel documents separately

• Ensuring your travel insurance covers baggage loss and theft

15. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan is committed to providing the highest quality of service. If you experience any issue during your trip, we strongly encourage you to raise it immediately with your guide or our office so that we can resolve it promptly on the ground.

Post-trip complaints must be submitted in writing to info@snowcapadventures.com within 14 days of the trip conclusion. We will acknowledge all complaints within 5 business days and aim to resolve them within 30 days.

In the event of an unresolved dispute, both parties agree to first attempt good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be submitted to mediation under Pakistani law before any legal proceedings are initiated. The courts of Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising from these Terms & Conditions.

16. Intellectual Property

All content on the Snowcap Adventures Pakistan website (www.snowcapadventures.com), including text, photographs, itineraries, branding, logos, maps, and videos, is the intellectual property of Snowcap Adventures Pakistan and is protected under Pakistani copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of our content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

17. Privacy & Data Protection

Your personal data is collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms & Conditions. By booking with us, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy, available at www.snowcapadventures.com/privacy-policy.

18. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, the Contract Act 1872, and relevant tourism regulations issued by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

19. Amendments to These Terms

Snowcap Adventures Pakistan reserves the right to update or amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes take effect from the date of publication on our website. Clients who have already confirmed bookings at the time of an amendment will be governed by the terms in effect at the time of their booking.

20. Contact Us

For any questions, clarifications, or concerns regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us.

—  Adventure is our promise. Safety is our priority. Your trust is our greatest achievement.  —