The best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan is from late spring to early autumn, with different sweet spots by region: April to May and September to October for Hunza, May to October for Skardu and Deosai, and May to September for Fairy Meadows. Winter closes many high places and can disrupt flights and the Karakoram Highway.
This guide combines Pakistan Meteorological Department climate tables for Gilgit and Skardu with our regional guides, so you can pick a month and a base. Last checked: October 2026.
Quick answer: when to go
- Best overall: May, June and September, when days are warm, nights are cool and most roads are open.
- Blossom and spring light: April and early May in Hunza. Our guides place cherry blossom in March and April.
- Autumn colour: Late September to early November in Hunza and the lower valleys.
- Trekking and high plateaus: June to September, with Deosai generally accessible only in summer.
- Winter: Quiet and cold. Flights are often delayed by several days in winter.
Weather by month: Gilgit and Skardu
These are PMD figures. Gilgit sits at about 1,500 m and Skardu at about 2,228 m, so Skardu is cooler all year. Neither table states a period, so treat them as long-term averages.
| Month | Gilgit high / low | Skardu high / low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9.6 / −2.7°C | 3.2 / −8.0°C |
| February | 12.6 / 0.4°C | 6.1 / −4.4°C |
| March | 18.4 / 5.4°C | 12.4 / 1.5°C |
| April | 24.2 / 9.2°C | 18.8 / 6.6°C |
| May | 29.0 / 11.8°C | 23.4 / 9.7°C |
| June | 34.2 / 14.9°C | 28.7 / 13.4°C |
| July | 36.2 / 18.2°C | 31.6 / 16.4°C |
| August | 35.3 / 17.5°C | 31.2 / 16.0°C |
| September | 31.8 / 12.4°C | 27.2 / 11.4°C |
| October | 25.6 / 6.3°C | 20.4 / 4.3°C |
| November | 18.4 / 0.4°C | 13.2 / −1.9°C |
| December | 11.6 / −2.3°C | 6.5 / −5.6°C |
Gilgit and Chilas are very hot on summer days but cold at night, while Astore, Khaplu, Yasin, Hunza and Nagar are cold even in summer. It also notes that the region becomes drier toward the Karakoram and Hindu Kush. For the cold extreme, see our guide to the coldest places in Pakistan.
Best time by region
| Region or sight | Best months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunza | April to May, September to October | Roads are usually open from April to November; in winter only lower Hunza is easily accessible |
| Skardu | May to October | April to October is the tourist season |
| Deosai | Summer | Generally accessible until about mid-October |
| Fairy Meadows | May to September | Closed to tourists in winter |
| Gilgit and Chilas | March to May, September to November | Summer days are very hot; winter days stay mild in town |
| High treks and base camps | June to September | Permits may be needed; see our permits guide |
Season by season
Spring (March to May)
Valleys warm quickly and blossom arrives in lower Hunza. Gilgit climbs from about 18°C in March to 29°C in May, and Skardu from 12°C to 23°C. Higher passes and plateaus are still snow-bound, so keep expectations modest for Deosai and treks.
Summer (June to August)
This is the main season for lakes, Deosai and trekking. Gilgit is hot, with mean highs around 34 to 36°C, while Hunza and Skardu are more comfortable. The monsoon mostly affects the lower valleys and the roads in, and landslides on the Karakoram Highway are very common. Read our August guide and keep spare days.
Autumn (September to November)
Clear skies, cooler days and autumn colour make this a favourite for photography. Nights drop below freezing in Skardu by November. Read spring vs autumn in Hunza for a closer comparison.
Winter (December to February)
Mean lows fall to about −3°C in Gilgit and −8°C in Skardu in January. Many high places close, and flights and roads can be disrupted. Only go if you want a quiet trip and can keep your plans flexible.
Practical tips
- Keep flight buffers. Weather can delay flights for days. See our domestic flights guide and Karakoram Highway road trip.
- Check permits for treks. Most tourist routes need none, but restricted zones do. See trekking permits in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Plan for altitude. Read our altitude sickness guide.
- Compare bases. Hunza vs Skardu helps you choose where to stay.
Which month should you choose?
| If you want | Choose | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| The easiest all-round trip | May, June or September | Book hotels early for June |
| Blossom | April | Cold nights, snow on high passes |
| Autumn colour | October | Deosai closing, near-freezing nights |
| Trekking | July to early September | Permits, weather, altitude |
| A quiet winter trip | December to February | Closures, flight delays |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Gilgit-Baltistan?
May, June and September suit most travellers. Choose April for blossom or October for autumn colour.
Is Gilgit-Baltistan open in winter?
Towns are, but many high places close and flights can be delayed for days.
When is Deosai open?
It is generally accessible only in summer, and our October guide says access usually ends around mid-October.
Is Gilgit hotter than Skardu?
Yes. In July the PMD table shows a mean high of 36.2°C in Gilgit and 31.6°C in Skardu.
Weather, roads, flights and permit rules change. Confirm them locally before you travel.