The best time to visit northern Pakistan, month by month
Which valleys are open, which are closed and which are worth it in every month — Babusar Pass, Deosai, Fairy Meadows, blossom and autumn colours.
Updated
Northern Pakistan has a short main season and a long winter. Summer is when everything is open and everyone goes; spring and autumn are quieter and often more beautiful; winter closes the high passes and many hotels. This is what each month looks like.
| Month | In season | Open, off season | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Murree & Galiyat | Hunza, Skardu, Swat & Kalam, Chitral & Kalash | Naran & Kaghan, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley |
| February | — | Hunza, Skardu, Swat & Kalam, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | Naran & Kaghan, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley |
| March | — | Hunza, Skardu, Swat & Kalam, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | Naran & Kaghan, Fairy Meadows |
| April | Hunza, Skardu, Swat & Kalam, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | Naran & Kaghan, Fairy Meadows |
| May | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| June | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| July | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| August | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| September | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| October | Hunza, Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | — | — |
| November | Hunza | Skardu, Naran & Kaghan, Swat & Kalam, Neelum Valley, Murree & Galiyat, Chitral & Kalash | Fairy Meadows |
| December | Murree & Galiyat | Hunza, Skardu, Swat & Kalam, Chitral & Kalash | Naran & Kaghan, Fairy Meadows, Neelum Valley |
The dates that matter
- Babusar Pass: usually open June to October. It is the fast road to Hunza, Skardu and Fairy Meadows; outside those months you take the Karakoram Highway via Besham, which adds several hours.
- Deosai Plains: July to September only. This is the main reason to visit Skardu in summer.
- Fairy Meadows: roughly May to October. The jeep track and huts close for winter.
- Naran: the road and hotels open around May and shut by November.
- Blossom: April in Hunza for cherry and apricot blossom.
- Autumn colours: late October in Hunza — now almost as busy as summer.
Summer: June to August
Everything is open, the weather is warm, and prices are at their highest. Eid and school holidays bring the biggest crowds; Naran and the Karakoram Highway can gridlock on long weekends. Book rooms ahead.
Autumn: September to October
For many people the best time to go. September is clear and quiet with summer roads still open, and hotel prices start to fall. October brings the colours in Hunza and the first cold nights.
Winter: November to March
Hunza, Skardu and Swat stay reachable, and Malam Jabba and Murree get snow. But many hotels close, Naran and Fairy Meadows are shut, and road travel is slow. Murree in heavy snowfall needs a weather check before you set off.
Spring: April to May
Blossom in Hunza, green valleys in Swat and quiet roads. Higher places are still opening up, so check that the specific valley you want is open before you go.
Pick your month in the calculator and it will warn you if a road is closed or a sight is out of season.