Fareed Hussain
High-Altitude Mountain Guide  ·  Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Fareed Hussain

فرید حسین

A climber from Rahimabad, Gilgit - guiding expeditions and treks across the Karakoram and the peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan. Youngest to summit Spantik. Now on the road to Manaslu.

Plan a climb with Fareed Youngest summit of Spantik · 14 Aug 2024
20+
Summits & high passes
2
8,000 m peaks
8,611 m
High point - K2
2021
Climbing since
Manaslu
Next · 8,163 m, Nepal
About

Born under these mountains. Now he takes people up them.

Fareed Hussain grew up in Rahimabad, Gilgit, within sight of the peaks he now climbs for a living. He started on the trekking peaks and passes around Skardu and Deosai, moved up through the 6,000 m and 7,000 m mountains of the Karakoram, and has since stood on 8,000 m ground on K2 and Gasherbrum I.

In August 2024 he became the youngest mountaineer to summit Spantik (Golden Peak, 7,027 m) - a mountain he has now climbed twice. He has competed at Pakistan’s National Ice Climbing Championship and worked on international expeditions in the high Karakoram. His next objective is Manaslu (8,163 m) in Nepal.

Climbing with a guide who was born in Gilgit-Baltistan means someone who knows the porters by name, reads the local weather and the mountain’s moods first-hand, handles the permit and liaison paperwork, and treats the range as home rather than a season’s work.

Rahimabad, Gilgit Youngest to summit Spantik National Ice Climbing Championship Urdu · English · Shina
Fareed Hussain on a climb, holding an ice axe
Fareed on a Karakoram approach.
Summit Record

From 5,000 m passes to 8,000 m ground.

Peaks and high passes Fareed has climbed, grouped by altitude. Heights are the accepted figures for each mountain; a few of the smaller summits carry local names.

8,000 m peaks
Karakoram · the death zone
K28,611 m · Baltoro Muztagh
Gasherbrum I8,080 m · Hidden Peak
7,000 m peaks
Nagar · Rakaposhi-Haramosh
Spantik / Golden Peak7,027 m · Nagar×2
Diran Peak7,266 m · Nagar
6,000 m peaks
Shigar · Shimshal · Swat
Khusar Gang~6,050 m · Shigar×2
Minglik Sar6,050 m · Shimshal
Falak Sar5,918 m · Swat
5,000 m peaks & passes
Skardu · Deosai · Kaghan
Shatong Peak5,275 m · Deosai
Burji La~4,880 m · pass, K2 view
Bari LaDeosai · Skardu
Moaziz PeakGilgit-Baltistan
Musa ka Musalla~4,060 m · Kaghan
Verified: youngest mountaineer to summit Spantik (Golden Peak, 7,027 m), 14 August 2024.
▲ Currently preparing for Manaslu (8,163 m), the eighth-highest mountain on earth, in Nepal.

Active on the mountains since 2021. A full expedition-by-expedition log is available on request through Vision Pakistan Digital.

Plans

Two ways to climb - national and international.

Pakistan sets climbing permit fees differently for Pakistani nationals and for foreign climbers, and the logistics differ too. Fareed builds each expedition around one of these two plans and confirms the final figure with you.

International expedition plan

Full-service, permit to summit. Priced in USD. Peak royalty is set by the Government of Pakistan - currently USD 3,500 for K2 and USD 2,500 for the other 8,000 m peaks in summer; roughly USD 400-600 for 6,000-7,000 m peaks; several peaks up to 6,500 m in Gilgit-Ghizer carry no royalty.

What it costs: guiding fee and the full package price are quoted per expedition, because peak, team size, season and duration all move the number. Send an enquiry and Fareed prepares a written quote through Vision Pakistan Digital.

Included in a full plan

  • Peak royalty & climbing permit
  • Gilgit-Baltistan & national park entry fees
  • Liaison officer - fee, kit, insurance (6,500 m+)
  • Fareed as your mountain guide
  • High-altitude porters
  • Trekking porters & pack animals to base camp
  • Base-camp cook & kitchen crew
  • All base-camp tents & equipment (dining, kitchen, toilet)
  • High-altitude tents for Camps 1-4
  • All meals - base camp and on the mountain
  • Group climbing hardware & fixed rope
  • Bottled oxygen, mask & regulator (8,000 m, on request)
  • Satellite phone & daily weather forecast
  • Jeep transport: Islamabad ↔ Skardu / Gilgit ↔ roadhead
  • Islamabad-Skardu flights (on request)
  • Hotels in Islamabad, Skardu / Gilgit before & after
  • Staff wages & porter insurance per government schedule
  • Helicopter-rescue coordination (Askari Aviation)
  • Garbage management & environmental deposit
  • Welcome & farewell dinner, and all government taxes

Not included: international airfare, Pakistan visa, personal climbing gear & clothing, personal travel / medical / evacuation insurance, summit bonus & tips, helicopter evacuation actual cost, extra hotel nights, drinks and personal expenses.

Pakistani climbers plan

Priced in PKR. Pakistani nationals pay a heavily reduced peak royalty (a fraction of the foreign fee), and on many Gilgit-Baltistan and Ghizer peaks up to 6,500 m there is no royalty at all. A liaison officer is usually not required. You can also take a lighter, self-supported style if you have the experience.

What it costs: because the permit side is so much cheaper for nationals, most of your budget is transport, porters, food and Fareed’s guiding fee. Tell him the peak and your dates and he sends a plain PKR breakdown through Vision Pakistan Digital.

Typically included

  • Climbing permit & national-park fees (national rate)
  • Fareed as your mountain guide
  • High-altitude & trekking porters
  • Base-camp cook & kitchen crew
  • Base-camp & high-altitude tents and group equipment
  • All meals - base camp and on the mountain
  • Group climbing hardware & fixed rope
  • Jeep transport from Skardu / Gilgit to the roadhead
  • Staff wages & porter insurance per government schedule
  • Helicopter-rescue coordination (Askari Aviation)
  • Garbage management & environmental deposit
  • Liaison officer (only if the peak requires one)
  • Bottled oxygen (8,000 m, on request)
  • Hotels & domestic flights (on request)

Not included: travel to Skardu / Gilgit, personal climbing gear & clothing, personal insurance, summit bonus & tips, helicopter evacuation actual cost, drinks and personal expenses.

How an Expedition Works

What Fareed handles so you can climb.

Permits & liaison officer

Peak royalty, the Alpine Club of Pakistan paperwork, and the liaison officer for 6,500 m+ peaks - all arranged before you land.

Porters & wages

Local porters hired and paid to the official Gilgit-Baltistan wage and load schedule, with insurance - the people, not just the price.

Getting there

Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit by air or the Karakoram Highway, then jeep to the roadhead and the walk in to base camp.

Acclimatisation

A rotation plan built around the peak and your background, so you go high with the altitude behind you, not ahead of you.

Safety & rescue

Weather calls, turnaround discipline, and a rescue plan with Askari Aviation on file. Personal evacuation insurance is required.

Before & after

Hotels, gear checks and a briefing in Islamabad or Skardu on the way in; a debrief, storage and onward help on the way out.

Objective Best window Notes
K2, Gasherbrum I & II, Broad PeakLate June - AugustKarakoram summer; jet stream permitting
Spantik (Golden Peak), DiranJune - AugustClassic first 7,000 m objectives
6,000 m peaks - Khusar Gang, Minglik SarJune - SeptemberGood for a first Karakoram summit
Trekking peaks & passes - Deosai, SkarduMay - OctoberSnow-dependent early and late
Winter attemptsDecember - FebruaryReduced royalty; serious undertaking
Plan a Climb

Tell Fareed what you want to climb.

Every climb with Fareed is arranged and handled through Vision Pakistan Digital. Send the details below and the team will come back to you with a written plan and a quote - and put you in direct touch with Fareed for the expedition itself.

Enquiries go to support@visionpakistan.digital

Prefer to browse first? Visit visionpakistan.digital.

▲  Plan a climb