The best places to visit in Pakistan in the monsoon are the ones that either get little of it or look better for it: Skardu and Deosai on the dry side of the mountains, the Thar desert and Nagarparkar, which turn green after rain, and Islamabad's Margalla Hills for a short break between showers. The monsoon in Pakistan runs roughly from late June to early September, and the hardest part is not the rain you see but the roads and rivers it affects. Landslides, flash floods and glacial lake outbursts in the north are the reason to plan flexibly.
This guide picks places by how they behave in July and August, says what to check before you go, and lists what to avoid. Read the safety section first if you are travelling with children.
| Place | Monsoon character | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Skardu and Deosai | Drier than the foothills; Deosai open from mid-June | Landslides on the road, flight cancellations |
| Upper Hunza | Less rain; roads and rivers are the problem | Landslides and floods on the Karakoram Highway |
| Thar and Nagarparkar | Turns green after rain | Muddy tracks, heat and humidity |
| Islamabad and Margalla | Rain in short heavy bursts | Urban flooding, slippery trails |
| Murree and Galiyat | Cloud, mist and green slopes | Landslides, road closures |
| Swat and rivers in KPK | Rivers rise very fast | River deaths, security advice |
What the monsoon does in Pakistan
The monsoon arrives from the southeast and is heaviest over the Punjab plains, the foothills, Kashmir and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The high Karakoram, including Skardu and much of Hunza, sits behind the main ranges and gets far less rain, though it is not immune: cloudbursts, glacial floods and landslides still happen there, and NDMA alerts in 2026 named Hunza, Skardu, Astore, Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer and Shigar as at risk of flash floods.
The scale is real. NDMA figures for 2025 counted 929 monsoon-related deaths between 26 June and 10 September, with 480 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 41 in Gilgit-Baltistan. In 2026 the Karakoram Highway and the Astore road were both temporarily blocked by landslides. Those numbers are not a reason to stay home, but they are a reason to check the forecast and road status each day.
Skardu and Deosai: the dry side
If you want the north in July or August, this is where we would start. Deosai National Park is normally open from mid-June to about October, and the plateau is at its greenest and most flower-covered in July and August. Skardu itself sits in the rain shadow, so daytime is usually dry and sunny.
The risk is getting there. Flights from Islamabad are weather-dependent and are often delayed in the monsoon, so build spare days into both ends. If you drive, the road from Gilgit and the Karakoram Highway can be blocked for hours or days by landslides. See our Skardu in summer guide and the monsoon in Gilgit-Baltistan guide.
Upper Hunza and the Khunjerab side
Hunza is greener and mostly dry in July and August. The problem is the road. The Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Gilgit passes through known landslide areas, and glacial floods have cut sections repeatedly. Flying to Gilgit avoids most of it.
A note on the wider route: the UK government advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, through Besham, Dasu and Sazin. Foreign-passport holders should check their own advice, which can affect travel insurance. The Babusar route avoids that stretch in summer, but Babusar Top is a high pass that can close in bad weather. See northern areas in monsoon and our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour.
Thar and Nagarparkar: green after the rain
For a very different monsoon, go south. The Thar desert and the Karoonjhar hills near Nagarparkar turn green after the rains, and travel writers generally rate the weeks after the monsoon, September and early October, as the best time when the land is fresh and the rain has eased. In the peak of July and August the tracks can be muddy and the air humid.
This is a good option for people who want to avoid the northern roads entirely. Check the current advice for the area near the Indian border before you go, as the UK advises against travel within five miles of it. Our Tharparkar in monsoon guide covers what to expect.
Islamabad and the Margalla Hills
The capital gets short, heavy bursts of rain in July and August, and the hills turn very green. It works well for a few days of walking and eating between showers, with sensible caution. Heavy rain can cause urban flooding in low-lying streets and make hiking trails slippery, and the trails are not places to be in a thunderstorm. Keep an eye on NDMA and Met Department alerts.
Murree and the Galiyat: green but risky
Murree, Nathia Gali and the Galiyat are misty, green and cool in the monsoon, and many families go anyway. The hazard is the road. Rain triggers landslides, and traffic on the single road up is dangerous if a section closes. Book a room rather than planning to drive back late, and leave early in the day. See Murree in monsoon and Nathia Gali in monsoon.
Rivers and Swat: the monsoon danger people underestimate
On 27 June 2025 the Swat River rose from about 6,700 to about 77,800 cusecs within a few hours and swept away 19 tourists, including women and children, who had been standing on a rocky area by the bank. Only three were rescued. The lesson is general. In any northern valley, do not stand, picnic or paddle in or beside a river during monsoon season, even if the sky above you is clear, because rain upstream can raise the water within minutes.
Swat also carries a security warning. The UK government advises against all travel to Swat, and on 2 August 2026 a suicide bomber killed 17 at a police station in Kabal. Pakistani visitors still go, but read local news and check police advice before setting out. Our monsoon travel safety guide for KPK has more.
What we would avoid
- Neelum valley and the rest of Azad Kashmir. Rain and landslides come on top of the security situation: the UK advises against travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, and AJK saw serious unrest in 2026.
- Kaghan, Fairy Meadows and other mountain roads in a heavy spell, where landslides are common.
- Anything that involves crossing a river by jeep or on foot during rain.
- Long drives with no slack: leave one or two spare days on any northern trip.
Which place suits you?
For families who want a low-risk trip, choose Islamabad and a few nights in a hotel in the Galiyat with spare time. For adults comfortable with delays, Skardu and Deosai are the best of the north in July and August. For those who would rather avoid the mountains altogether, choose Thar in September or a city break. Our landslides guide helps you understand the risk on the road.
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel to northern Pakistan in the monsoon?
Yes, but with flexibility. Skardu, Deosai and Hunza get less rain than the foothills, but landslides and floods can block roads, so keep spare days and check road and weather updates daily.
When does the monsoon start in Pakistan?
Usually in the last week of June and it lasts until about early to mid-September, with the heaviest rain in July and August. The exact start and end change every year.
Which places in Pakistan are best in the monsoon?
Skardu and Deosai, Nagarparkar and the Thar after the rain, and Islamabad's hills between showers.
Is Murree safe in the monsoon?
It is popular, but landslides can close the road. Travel early in the day, avoid heavy-rain warnings and book a hotel rather than planning to drive back late.
Is it safe to swim or sit by rivers in monsoon season?
No. Rivers can rise very fast after rain upstream, as the Swat River did on 27 June 2025. Stay off riverbanks and out of the water.
