Two names on Pakistan’s official List of Peaks look almost the same: Karun Koh and Karun Kuh. They’re separate entries with different listed heights. Karun Koh is given as 7,168 metres and Karun Kuh as 7,350 metres. One vowel changes the objective by 182 metres, and it also changes the permit record you apply for.
It’s the kind of detail that’s easy to miss on a long form. This page is about Karun Koh. It explains what the Pakistan Online Visa System (NADRA) snapshot dated 2026-08-26 says about the peak, how to make sure your paperwork points to the right mountain, and what to plan for. We don’t add details the record doesn’t contain.
Karun Koh in the official record
According to the snapshot, Karun Koh is a seven-thousand-metre peak at 7,168 m. Of the 104 entries that state an elevation, 78 are higher and 25 are lower. That places it in the lower third of the list by height, though still well above 7,000 m. The table gives no district, coordinates, route names or grades.
Koh or Kuh: why the spelling matters
In everyday writing, a single letter can seem trivial. In permit applications, insurance policies and operator contracts, it can decide which mountain you’re legally allowed to climb. Here’s how the two entries compare:
| Karun Koh | Karun Kuh | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed height | 7,168 m | 7,350 m |
| Difference | — | 182 m higher |
| Separate permit record | Yes | Yes |
The record doesn’t say whether the two names refer to related features or entirely separate mountains, and this page won’t speculate. Treat them as two distinct objectives until the permit authorities tell you otherwise.
A simple name-check routine
Before you travel, run every important document through the same check:
- The permit application. Does it say “Karun Koh”, spelled exactly that way?
- Your operator’s itinerary. Does it use the same spelling, and the 7,168 m figure?
- Your insurance. If the policy names the peak or sets a height limit, does it cover 7,168 m?
- Your team’s notes and maps. Has anyone written “Kuh” by mistake?
If you spot a mismatch, ask for a correction in writing. It’s far easier to fix a document at home than at a checkpoint.
When documents disagree
Sometimes the mismatch isn’t a typo. An older guidebook, a foreign-language source or a map might use a different transliteration altogether. Local names in Gilgit-Baltistan can be written in several ways in English, and “Koh” and “Kuh” may both appear in older material. When documents disagree:
- Go back to the official list. The NADRA List of Peaks is the reference for permit purposes.
- Use the height as a tie-breaker. If a document says 7,168 m, it’s most likely referring to Karun Koh.
- Ask the authority. If you’re unsure, ask the permit office or your operator to confirm which entry they’ve recorded.
- Keep the evidence. Save emails or letters confirming the correct entry, and carry copies on the trip.
This takes a little time before departure, but it can save days of disruption later.
Telling your team
Everyone on the expedition should know which peak they’re climbing and how it’s spelled. That sounds obvious, but large teams often include people who joined late, support staff, or relatives at home tracking the trip. Share a one-page summary with the peak name, its listed height, the permit reference and the emergency contacts. If someone needs to call for help, giving the right peak name speeds up any response.
Peaks of similar height
The record lists these entries within a hundred metres of Karun Koh:
- Baltoro Kangri-III — 7,265 m
- Golden Throne SE (Baltoro Kangri) — listed twice, at 7,225 m and 7,240 m
- Golden Throne NE (Baltoro Kangri) — 7,180 m
- Chogolisa — 7,150 m
- Gasherbrum-V — 7,133 m
- Bularang Sar — 7,120 m
- Golden Throne NW (Baltoro Kangri) — 7,115 m
- Ghenta Sar — 7,090 m
- Hachindar Chish — 7,080 m
Notice that Golden Throne SE appears twice with different heights. It’s another example of how closely you need to read the official list.
Locating Karun Koh
The NADRA table doesn’t place Karun Koh in a district, and there are no verified coordinates on record. Map apps and forums sometimes show peaks with similar names in different places, so a quick online search could easily send you to the wrong one. Ask your operator to confirm the approach valley in writing, and check that it matches your permit.
Getting a permit
Karun Koh is an official listed peak, so the usual process applies. You’ll typically work through a registered tour operator. The regional guidance says registered operators appear on NADRA/DTS listings. Follow the steps in our guide to applying for trekking and mountaineering permits, and read the trekking and mountaineering regulations for the rules on registration, guides and porters.
If you hire a guide, confirm they’re licensed. Our page on registering as a tour guide explains the system. Confirm any royalty through official channels, because this page doesn’t quote fees.
Seasons
The record doesn’t give a season for Karun Koh. Our guide to the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan describes broad regional patterns. Your operator and official weather advisories should guide the exact dates. Leave plenty of spare days, because waiting for a weather window is a normal part of climbing at this height.
Reaching the region
Gilgit Airport and Skardu International Airport are the usual air gateways. By road, the Karakoram Highway is the main route, with Babusar Pass and Shandur Pass as alternatives. Our guide to getting to Gilgit-Baltistan covers each option. The route from the road head to Karun Koh isn’t in the record, so plan it with your operator.
Preparing body and kit
A 7,168 m summit asks a lot of both. Build endurance in the months before the trip, and practise glacier and rope skills if they’re rusty. For equipment, the regional FAQ list (warm clothes, sturdy shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, first-aid supplies, water and energy bars) is only a base. Our packing guide can help, but agree the technical list with your operator.
Fitting the expedition into your calendar
Expeditions to peaks above 7,000 m usually take longer than first-timers expect. Each stage takes time: travel into the region, the approach, setting up base camp, acclimatization rotations, waiting for a summit window, and the walk out. The record doesn’t give a duration for Karun Koh, so ask your operator for a realistic estimate and add a margin on top. A schedule with no slack puts pressure on the team to climb in poor conditions, and that’s exactly the pressure you want to avoid.
Hazards to plan for
The record doesn’t describe hazards specific to Karun Koh, so plan for the full range found on high Karakoram peaks: altitude illness, crevasses, avalanches, rockfall and sudden weather changes. Ascend gradually, agree on turnaround times, and make sure everyone knows the descent plan. On mountain roads, travel with experienced local drivers.
The Tourist Police can be reached on 1422 within Gilgit-Baltistan, or 05811-930055 from outside GB.
Camping, culture and photography
Camping is allowed in designated areas with a tourism-department permit, and Leave No Trace principles and proper waste disposal apply. See our camping regulations. In villages along the way, dress modestly, respect local customs, and remove shoes before entering a mosque or a home. Ask before photographing people, and follow the photography restrictions in border areas.
Researching Karun Koh further
Because the names are so alike, published material about “Karun Koh” may actually describe Karun Kuh, or the other way round. When you read trip reports or articles, check which height they quote. A source that gives 7,350 m is probably describing Karun Kuh. Keep a list of the sources you trust, and note the date you read each one. Share anything useful with your operator so they can confirm or correct it.
What we’ve left out
This page doesn’t include route names, grades, ascent history or business recommendations for Karun Koh, because the verified record doesn’t contain them. Treat any such claims you find elsewhere with care until they’re confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Karun Koh?
The NADRA List of Peaks gives Karun Koh 7,168 metres, in the snapshot dated 2026-08-26.
Is Karun Koh the same as Karun Kuh?
They’re separate entries on the official list. Karun Kuh is listed at 7,350 m, 182 m higher than Karun Koh.
How does Karun Koh rank?
Of the 104 peaks with a listed elevation, 78 are higher and 25 are lower.
Which peak is closest in height to Karun Koh?
Golden Throne NE (Baltoro Kangri), at 7,180 m, is just 12 m higher. Chogolisa, at 7,150 m, is 18 m lower.
Which district is Karun Koh in?
The NADRA table doesn’t give one. Confirm with your operator and the permit authorities.
How do I make sure my permit is for the right peak?
Check that every document says “Karun Koh” and the 7,168 m figure. Ask for written corrections if anything doesn’t match.
Do I need a registered operator?
The regional guidance points expeditions to registered operators on NADRA/DTS listings. Check the current rules before you apply.
Are routes listed for Karun Koh?
No. Routes and grades are left out until verified records exist.
When should I climb Karun Koh?
The record doesn’t give a season. Plan with your operator and official weather advisories.
What’s the emergency number?
Call the Tourist Police on 1422 within Gilgit-Baltistan, or 05811-930055 from outside GB.
Source
List of Peaks (Gilgit-Baltistan) · Pakistan Online Visa System (NADRA) · Accessed 2026-08-26