A single line in an official table can tell you a lot, if you know how to read it. This guide takes the Latok-I entry in Pakistan’s List of Peaks for Gilgit-Baltistan and explains each field. We look at what it says, what it leaves out, and how each piece affects your planning.
The source is the Pakistan Online Visa System (NADRA) snapshot dated 2026-08-26, which lists Latok-I at 7,145 metres. We don’t add anything beyond what that record supports. You won’t find route descriptions, grades or ascent history here. Keep the table open beside you as you read, and it’ll make more sense.
Field 1: the name, “Latok-I”
The name is the most important field. It is how your permit, operator contract and insurance identify your objective. The “-I” is part of the official entry, so keep it on every document. Don’t let it be shortened to “Latok” or rewritten another way. If any document uses a different form, ask the issuer to correct it, or to confirm in writing that it refers to the listed Latok-I.
Why it matters: in Gilgit-Baltistan, many peaks share name roots or numbering. A name that is nearly right can lead to confusion at checkpoints, or with insurers.
Field 2: the elevation, 7,145 m
The record gives Latok-I a single figure of 7,145 metres. That places it in the seven-thousand-metre class. For planning, this number tells you:
- Acclimatization: you’ll need a gradual schedule with rotations, not a quick ascent.
- Insurance: your policy must cover climbing to at least 7,145 m, including rescue.
- Experience: operators will want to see a history of climbs at high altitude.
Other sources may give slightly different heights. When you’re dealing with permits, use the official figure.
Field 3: rank, which you can work out from the list
The table doesn’t print a rank, but you can work one out. Of the 104 entries with a listed elevation, 81 are higher than Latok-I and 22 are lower. That puts it in the lower quarter of the list, yet still well above 7,000 m. Rank is useful for context, but it says nothing about difficulty. A lower peak can be much harder technically than a higher one, and the record doesn’t grade routes.
Field 4: the district, which is not assigned
The NADRA table doesn’t assign Latok-I to a district. Don’t fill this gap with guesswork from maps or old articles. Ask your operator and the permit authorities to confirm the administrative area and approach. Those details decide which offices you deal with and which checkpoints you pass.
Fields the record does not have
Some information simply isn’t in the table:
- Coordinates
- Routes and grades
- Season advice
- First-ascent details
- Hazards specific to this peak
This page treats all of these as not given. If you find them elsewhere, check the source carefully and discuss it with your operator before relying on it.
Reading across the rows: neighbours by height
Comparing nearby rows gives Latok-I some context. These are the listed peaks within about a hundred metres of its height:
| Peak | Listed height | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Hachindar Chish – N | 7,233 m | +88 m |
| Golden Throne SE (Baltoro Kangri) | 7,240 / 7,225 m | +80 m or more |
| Golden Throne NE (Baltoro Kangri) | 7,180 m | +35 m |
| Chogolisa | 7,150 m | +5 m |
| Latok-I | 7,145 m | — |
| Gasherbrum-V | 7,133 m | −12 m |
| Bularang Sar | 7,120 m | −25 m |
| Golden Throne NW (Baltoro Kangri) | 7,115 m | −30 m |
| Ghenta Sar | 7,090 m | −55 m |
| Hachindar Chish | 7,080 m | −65 m |
Chogolisa, at 7,150 m, is only 5 metres higher. Climbers comparing seven-thousanders may come across both. These height comparisons don’t tell you how close the peaks are on the ground. Rows in a table aren’t a map.
Worked example: Latok-I and Chogolisa side by side
A useful exercise is to compare two neighbouring records field by field. Latok-I is listed at 7,145 m, and Chogolisa at 7,150 m.
- Name: two separate entries, with nothing in common in their names.
- Elevation: 5 metres apart. That is within the range by which published heights often vary.
- Rank: next to each other in the height order.
- District: not assigned for Latok-I. Check Chogolisa’s own page rather than assuming.
What can you conclude? Only that the two mountains are almost the same height. The record says nothing about whether they are alike in difficulty, access or conditions. A climber who has been up one has not “done the other’s height band” in any meaningful sense. Each mountain needs its own planning.
Common misreadings to avoid
People often draw the wrong conclusions from an official table. Watch out for these:
- “Close in height means close on the ground.” It doesn’t. The table is sorted by name and height, not by location.
- “A lower rank means an easier climb.” Rank reflects height only. It doesn’t measure difficulty.
- “No district means no rules.” Every listed peak still needs the proper permits.
- “Missing data means nobody knows.” It only means this record doesn’t include it. Other verified sources may, so ask your operator.
- “The height is exact to the metre.” Treat it as the official figure for paperwork. Survey methods differ.
Keep your own record sheet
Before you contact operators, make a one-page sheet for your objective. Put the official fields first:
- Name: Latok-I
- Height: 7,145 m
- Source and date: NADRA list, 2026-08-26
- District: not assigned
Below that, add a separate section for information you’ve verified elsewhere. For each item, note the source and who confirmed it. Bring the sheet to meetings with operators and use it to check their quotes. It keeps official facts and second-hand claims apart, which is the whole point of reading the record carefully.
Turning the record into a permit application
Once you understand the entry, the permit process is straightforward:
- Hire 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.
- Read the trekking and mountaineering regulations on registration, guides and porters.
- Check guide licences. Our page on registering as a tour guide explains how licensing works.
- Confirm fees officially. This page doesn’t quote royalties.
Copy “Latok-I, 7,145 m” exactly as it appears in the official record.
Practical travel notes
Gilgit Airport and Skardu International Airport are the usual air gateways. The Karakoram Highway is the main road route, with Babusar Pass and Shandur Pass as alternatives. See our guide to getting to Gilgit-Baltistan. The approach to the mountain isn’t in the record, so agree it with your operator.
For timing, the record gives no season. Use our guide to the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan as a starting point, and confirm dates with your operator and official weather advisories.
Gear, safety and conduct
Start with the regional packing basics: warm clothes, sturdy shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, first-aid supplies, water and energy bars. Then add the technical kit your operator recommends. Our packing guide can help.
On the mountain, plan for altitude illness, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall and sudden storms. Agree turnaround times, and make sure everyone knows how to call for help. The Tourist Police can be reached on 1422 within Gilgit-Baltistan, or 05811-930055 from outside GB.
Camp only in designated areas with a permit, and follow Leave No Trace principles. See the camping regulations. Respect local customs, and follow the photography restrictions, especially near sensitive areas.
A habit worth keeping
Reading a peak record field by field is a habit worth carrying to every expedition. Ask three questions of any figure you rely on:
- Where did it come from?
- When was it recorded?
- What does it leave out?
For Latok-I, the answers are simple. The figures come from the NADRA list, dated 2026-08-26, and much is left out. Planning with those limits in mind makes a climb safer, and paperwork smoother.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Latok-I?
The NADRA List of Peaks gives Latok-I 7,145 metres, in the snapshot dated 2026-08-26.
Where does Latok-I rank among the listed peaks?
Of 104 peaks with a listed elevation, 81 are higher and 22 are lower.
Which listed peak is closest in height?
Chogolisa, at 7,150 m, is 5 m higher. Gasherbrum-V, at 7,133 m, is 12 m lower.
Which district is Latok-I in?
The NADRA table doesn’t assign a district. Confirm with your operator and the permit authorities.
Does the official record list routes or grades?
No. Routes, grades and ascent details are not given.
Do I need a permit for Latok-I?
Yes. It’s an official listed peak, so the NADRA and Tourism Department/DTS processes apply.
Should I write “Latok” or “Latok-I” on documents?
Write “Latok-I”, exactly as it appears in the official record, together with its listed height.
When is the best season to climb?
The record doesn’t say. Plan with your operator and official weather advisories.
How do I reach Gilgit-Baltistan?
Fly to Gilgit or Skardu, or travel by road on the Karakoram Highway. Babusar Pass and Shandur Pass are alternative routes.
What is 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