The altitude of northern areas destinations ranges from about 1,500 metres in Gilgit town to 4,693 metres at Khunjerab Pass, with several lakes, meadows and mountain passes in between. Knowing the numbers matters more than it sounds: a jump of 1,500 metres or more in a single day, which several popular day trips involve, is where altitude actually starts to affect people.
This is a reference table for planning, not a full guide to altitude sickness. For that, and for how to acclimatise properly on a Skardu or Deosai trip, see our Skardu guide.
| Place | Altitude (metres) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chitral town | 1,494 | Valley town |
| Gilgit | 1,500 | Valley town |
| Naran | 2,409 | Valley town |
| Skardu | About 2,230 | Valley town |
| Karimabad, Hunza | About 2,500 | Valley town |
| Attabad Lake | About 2,560 | Lake |
| Fairy Meadows | About 3,300 | Meadow |
| Shandur Pass | 3,720 | Mountain pass |
| Babusar Pass | 4,173 | Mountain pass |
| Deosai Plains | 4,114 (average) | Plateau |
| Concordia | About 4,690 | Glacier confluence |
| Khunjerab Pass | 4,693 | Border pass |
| K2 (summit) | 8,611 | Peak |
Figures are rounded to the nearest useful number and vary slightly between sources depending on exactly where they are measured; treat them as a guide rather than a survey reading.
Why the jump matters more than the peak number
Altitude sickness is caused less by how high you end up than by how fast you get there. Islamabad sits at around 500 metres. Someone flying into Skardu is already at over 2,000 metres within an hour, and if they then drive up to Deosai the same day, they have gained close to 4,000 metres since breakfast with no time to adjust.
That is the pattern behind most altitude problems on a northern areas trip: a fast gain, not a high final number. Karimabad, Skardu and Naran are all low enough that almost nobody feels anything. It is the same-day excursions above them, to Khunjerab, Deosai, Babusar or Fairy Meadows, that catch people out.
The towns: comfortable for most people
Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral, Karimabad and Naran sit between about 1,500 and 2,500 metres. This is the range where most people feel nothing beyond perhaps a slightly better appetite and sleep in the mountain air. Children, older travellers and people with heart or lung conditions can generally stay in these towns without special precautions, though it is still sensible to drink more water than usual and take the first evening gently after a long drive or flight.
The passes and plateaus: where to be careful
Khunjerab Pass, Babusar Pass, Deosai and Concordia all sit above 4,000 metres, and the way most visitors reach them is the problem: a car ride of a few hours straight up from a town at half that height.
- Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) is usually a single-day round trip from Karimabad or Sost. Most people feel breathless or slightly light-headed at the top and are fine again on the way down. Keep the visit to about an hour.
- Babusar Pass (4,173 m) is normally crossed rather than lingered at, as part of a drive between Naran and Chilas.
- Deosai Plains (4,114 m average) are usually visited over one or two nights, which gives a little more time to settle than a same-day pass crossing.
- Concordia (about 4,690 m), reached only on the multi-day K2 base camp trek, is approached gradually on foot over a week or more, which is a genuinely different situation from driving straight up.
Who should be more careful
Anyone with a heart or lung condition, anyone pregnant, and anyone who has had altitude sickness before should talk to a doctor before a trip that includes Khunjerab, Deosai or Babusar. Children usually tolerate these day trips well, but watch for irritability, poor appetite or headache, which can be harder to read in a young child than in an adult.
The basic response to any altitude symptoms, whatever the number on this table, is the same: stop pushing higher, rest, drink water, and go back down if a headache, nausea or dizziness does not ease.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point tourists normally visit in Pakistan by road?
Khunjerab Pass, at 4,693 metres, is the highest point most visitors reach, usually as a day trip from Hunza.
Is Skardu high enough to cause altitude sickness?
Not usually. At around 2,230 metres, Skardu itself rarely causes problems. It is the trips up from Skardu, to Deosai in particular, where altitude becomes a real consideration.
Which is higher, Khunjerab Pass or Babusar Pass?
Khunjerab Pass, at 4,693 metres, is about 500 metres higher than Babusar Pass at 4,173 metres.
Do I need to acclimatise before visiting Deosai or Khunjerab?
There is no formal acclimatisation stop most people make for these day trips, since they are short visits followed by a return to lower altitude. The precaution that matters most is keeping the time spent at the top short and turning back if anyone feels unwell.
