The best time to visit Skardu is between late spring and early autumn, when the roads, lakes and Deosai are open and days are warm. Winter is a different trip: very cold, with snow that has shut the airport and roads before.
This guide uses Skardu’s published climate data and dated reports to show what each month is like, which sights depend on the season, and how to choose. Last checked: October 2026.
Quick answer: when to visit Skardu
- Best all-round: May, June and September, with daytime highs of about 23 to 29°C and cool nights.
- Hottest and busiest: July and August, with highs above 31°C but very little rain in the climate table.
- Autumn colour and fewer people: October, with 20°C days and near-freezing nights.
- Winter: November to March, with the January mean low at −8°C and a risk of road and flight disruption.
April to October is the main tourist season, so treat this as a general guide.
Skardu weather by month
The table below uses Pakistan Meteorological Department figures. The period is not stated in the table, but the reference points to PMD data for 1961 to 2009, so these are long-term averages.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | Rainfall | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.2°C | −8.0°C | 27.5 mm | Coldest month, snow likely |
| February | 6.1°C | −4.4°C | 25.9 mm | Still winter |
| March | 12.4°C | 1.5°C | 36.9 mm | Thaw begins, wettest month |
| April | 18.8°C | 6.6°C | 31.3 mm | Spring, season opens |
| May | 23.4°C | 9.7°C | 25.3 mm | Pleasant, good for sightseeing |
| June | 28.7°C | 13.4°C | 9.0 mm | Warm and dry |
| July | 31.6°C | 16.4°C | 9.8 mm | Hottest month |
| August | 31.2°C | 16.0°C | 12.2 mm | Hot and dry |
| September | 27.2°C | 11.4°C | 9.3 mm | Warm days, cool nights |
| October | 20.4°C | 4.3°C | 7.3 mm | Cool, clear, autumn colour |
| November | 13.2°C | −1.9°C | 5.6 mm | Cold nights, season over |
| December | 6.5°C | −5.6°C | 16.3 mm | Winter sets in |
Annual rainfall is only about 173 mm, so Skardu is a dry, high-desert climate. The same page lists a record low of −24.1°C on 7 January 1995 and a record high of 41.0°C in July and August. For the cold end of the range, read our guide to the coldest places in Pakistan.
Season by season
Spring (April and May)
Days warm from about 19°C in April to 23°C in May, and nights are still cool. March and April are the wettest months in the table, so expect some showers. This is a good time for the valley and the Kachura lakes before summer crowds arrive.
Summer (June to August)
June to August is the warmest and driest stretch, and highs reach about 31°C in July. Deosai is also open in these months. Our guide to Skardu in summer lists what to do. The monsoon mostly affects the lower valleys and the road in, not Skardu itself, and parts of the Karakoram Highway are prone to landslides, so build spare days into your route.
Early autumn (September and October)
September is warm and dry, with highs near 27°C. October is cooler, at about 20°C by day and 4°C at night, and is a quiet month for photography. Plan Deosai early in the month, because our October guide notes it is generally accessible only until about mid-October.
Winter (November to March)
Mean lows fall below freezing from November, and January and February are the coldest months. The area can be cut off for long periods by snow and freezing weather. On 14 January 2020, ARY News reported that heavy snowfall had disconnected Skardu, halted flights because snow covered the runway, and blocked most roads with landslides and avalanches. If you travel in winter, keep spare days and do not tie the trip to one flight.
When the main sights are open
| Sight | Best time | Seasonal note |
|---|---|---|
| Deosai National Park | Summer | It is only accessible in summer. Our October guide puts the end of access at about mid-October |
| Kachura Lakes and Satpara Lake | May to October | Best in the warm, dry months. Confirm road and boat access if you go outside them |
| Katpana cold desert | Any season | Photographed with snow in December. Winter access depends on road and weather |
| Skardu to Astore via Deosai | Summer only | This route cannot be used from November to June because of snow |
See our Skardu guide and our list of the top 10 places to visit in Skardu for what to see.
Getting to Skardu: season matters
Pakistan International Airlines flies daily from Islamabad, but flights depend on visibility because pilots fly by sight, so they run only on clear days. The same page says the road takes 16 to 20 hours by public transport and warns of landslides on parts of the Karakoram Highway. In winter, snow can close the runway and the roads at the same time, as in January 2020. For a comparison of both options, read Skardu by road or by flight, our domestic flights guide and the Karakoram Highway road trip.
Which month should you choose?
| If you want | Choose | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable sightseeing | May, June, September | Book hotels early for June and weekends |
| Deosai and the lakes | July and August, or June | Hot days, cold nights on the plateau |
| Autumn light and quiet | October | Deosai closing, cold nights |
| Snow and a quiet Skardu | December to February | Flight and road disruption, many services closed |
| Trekking base | June to September | Permits and weather; see our permits guide |
Compare the region with Hunza in Hunza vs Skardu, and see our trekking permits guide if you plan treks.
What to pack
- Layers for big day and night swings, even in July when nights drop to about 16°C
- Sun protection, since the air is dry and the sun is strong at altitude
- Warm winter clothing, gloves and boots from November to March
- A rain jacket for spring and for the road in
Skardu sits at about 2,228 m, so take it easy on arrival. Our altitude sickness guide explains the basics, and our packing list has a longer checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Skardu?
May, June and September give warm days and cool nights. July and August are hotter but dry, and October is quiet with autumn light.
Is Skardu open in winter?
People live and work there year round, but heavy snow can close flights and roads, as reported in January 2020. Winter visits need spare days and flexible plans.
When does Deosai open?
We could not find an official opening date. Deosai is accessible only in summer, and our October guide says access generally ends around mid-October. Ask locally before you go.
Does it rain much in Skardu?
No. The climate table shows about 173 mm a year, with March and April the wettest months.
How cold does Skardu get?
The January mean low is −8.0°C, and the station record low is −24.1°C from 7 January 1995.
Weather, roads and flights change. Confirm current conditions before you travel.
Sources
- Skardu climate table, Wikipedia (PMD data)
- ARY News, Heavy snowfall disconnects Skardu (14 January 2020)