Gorakh Hill weather is far cooler than the rest of Sindh because the plateau sits at about 1,734 metres. Winter days are around 12 to 16 °C, with nights near or below freezing and snow in some years. Summer afternoons reach the low 30s °C, while the plains below pass 40 °C, and the nights stay mild. July and August bring most of the year's rain. For camping, the best window is October to mid-November and March, when days are warm and nights cool but not freezing.
Below is a month-by-month table, then what each season is like on the plateau, how cold the nights really get, and what to pack.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 1,734 m (5,688 ft) |
| Coldest months | December and January: days 12 to 14 °C, nights around 1 to 2 °C |
| Warmest months | May and June: days around 32 to 33 °C, nights 18 to 20 °C |
| Wettest months | July and August |
| Frost | Common on December and January nights |
| Snow | Occasional, in January; not every year |
| Best for camping | October to mid-November, and March |
| Best escape from the heat | May to September |
Gorakh Hill temperatures by month
There is no official weather station on the plateau, so the figures below are rounded averages for its height from reanalysis weather data for 2014 to 2025, checked against long-term records from Khuzdar and Kalat, weather stations across the border in Balochistan at 1,237 and 2,007 metres, either side of Gorakh's height. Treat them as a guide. On the exposed edge of the plateau, with wind, it will feel colder than the numbers suggest.
| Month | Average day high | Average night low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12 °C | 1 °C | The coldest month; frost on many nights; snow in some years |
| February | 16 °C | 4 °C | Cold nights, sunny days, occasional frost early in the month |
| March | 21 °C | 9 °C | Pleasant days, cool nights; a good camping month |
| April | 28 °C | 15 °C | Warm days, mild nights |
| May | 32 °C | 18 °C | Hot afternoons; still far cooler than the plains |
| June | 33 °C | 20 °C | The hottest month; comfortable nights |
| July | 30 °C | 20 °C | Monsoon arrives; cloud, humidity and showers |
| August | 28 °C | 19 °C | The wettest month; the track can be slippery |
| September | 28 °C | 17 °C | Drying out; warm days, mild nights |
| October | 25 °C | 13 °C | Clear, settled and one of the best months |
| November | 19 °C | 7 °C | Crisp days, cold nights by the end of the month |
| December | 14 °C | 2 °C | Cold; frost on clear nights |
For comparison, Dadu, below in the Indus plain, is one of the hottest places in Pakistan. Summer highs there regularly pass 40 °C and can exceed 50 °C in a heatwave. That difference of 10 °C or more is why people from all over Sindh make the climb in summer.
Winter: December to February
Winter on the plateau is sunny and cold. Days are clear and fresh, around 12 to 16 °C in the afternoon sun, but once the sun goes down the temperature drops fast. In December and January frost forms on roughly a quarter to a third of nights, and on the coldest nights the temperature can fall to -4 or -5 °C.
Some winters bring snow. Gorakh had snowfall in January 2023, when the development authority's chairman reported a low of -8 °C, and again in late January 2026, when the temperature fell to -2 °C after the snow. Many winters pass without any. Snow cannot be forecast far ahead, so a trip timed for it is a gamble; if it matters to you, watch the forecasts and go at short notice.
Winter is a good time for a short, well-prepared visit with proper warm clothing. It is not the time for a first camping trip. A night in a tent at below-freezing temperatures needs a sleeping bag rated well below zero, insulation under you, and dry warm layers to sleep in.
Spring: March and April
March is one of the best months at Gorakh. The days are warm, around 20 °C, and the nights cool, around 9 °C, cold enough for a jacket by the fire but comfortable in a good sleeping bag. The air is usually clear, which makes for good views and sunrises.
April warms up quickly, with afternoons in the high 20s °C, and by the end of the month the plains below are already hot. Nights are mild, which makes late April easy for camping, if a little warm in a tent in the afternoon.
Summer: May and June
This is the season most visitors from Sindh choose, to get out of the heat. It is not cool on the plateau in the way the northern hill stations are. Afternoons reach the low 30s °C, and the sun is strong. But while Sehwan and Dadu are baking in the 40s, a night at 18 to 20 °C feels like a different world, and early mornings and evenings are pleasant.
Plan the day around the heat: be out at sunrise and in the late afternoon, and rest in the shade in between. Carry more water than you think you need, since there is little on the plateau.
Monsoon: July to September
The southwest monsoon reaches the Kirthar in July. July and August bring more than half the year's rain, often as heavy showers and thunderstorms, and August is the wettest month. The amount varies enormously: some years are nearly dry, while in 2022 the rains were exceptional and the plains around Dadu flooded badly.
Rain matters most on the jeep track. The unmade stretches turn muddy and slippery, and a heavy storm can make the climb dangerous or impossible for a day. If rain is forecast, ask in Wahi Pandhi before you go up, and be ready to wait. Our Karachi to Gorakh Hill route guide covers the track in detail.
By September the rain has usually eased. Days are warm, nights mild, and the hills can still be greener than at any other time of year.
Autumn: October and November
October is Gorakh at its most reliable: settled weather, clear skies, warm days in the mid-20s °C and nights around 13 °C. It is the best single month for camping, walking to the viewpoints and watching the sunset.
November is cooler, with days around 19 °C and nights around 7 °C, dropping further as the month goes on. The first half of the month is still very good for camping with warm sleeping bags; by the end of November, nights are close to winter.
Wind and cold nights
Gorakh sits on the crest of the range, with open drops on both sides, so there is little shelter from the wind. A breeze on the edge of the plateau makes a night at 5 °C feel several degrees colder, and it is often the wind, not the temperature, that makes people cold at the viewpoints.
- Pitch tents in a sheltered spot, away from the cliff edges, with the door facing away from the wind.
- Keep a warm layer with you at sunrise and sunset, even in summer.
- Don't rely on a bonfire to stay warm all night. A fire dies down long before dawn, the coldest hour, and is no substitute for proper clothing and bedding.
The best window for camping
For most groups, the best camping months are October to mid-November and March. The days are warm enough to be outside all day, the nights are cool but not freezing, rain is unlikely, and the skies are clear for stars.
Late February and late November also work for groups with proper cold-weather sleeping bags. May to September is fine for camping at night, but the afternoons are hot and July and August bring the risk of storms. December and January are for experienced campers with winter gear.
If you are planning the rest of the trip, our Gorakh Hill Station guide covers the facilities and viewpoints, and our trip planning page sets out how we plan trips. For seasons elsewhere in Pakistan, see our guide to when to go.
What to pack by season
- December to February: a down or heavy jacket, thermal layers, a warm hat, gloves, thick socks, and a sleeping bag rated below 0 °C if you are camping.
- March, April, October and November: a fleece and a windproof jacket for the evenings, a warm hat, and a three-season sleeping bag.
- May to September: light clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for the day, a warm layer for the night, and a rain jacket in July and August.
- All year: plenty of drinking water, a torch or head torch, a power bank, and sturdy shoes for the rocky paths.
Frequently asked questions
How cold does Gorakh Hill get?
In December and January nights are usually around 1 to 2 °C and often below freezing, and on the coldest nights they can fall to -4 or -5 °C. In January 2023 the development authority reported -8 °C during a snowfall.
Does it snow at Gorakh Hill?
Sometimes, in winter, usually in January. Snow fell in January 2023 and January 2026, but many winters have none, and it cannot be predicted far in advance.
Is Gorakh Hill cool in summer?
Cooler than the plains, not cold. Afternoons reach the low 30s °C in May and June, while Dadu and Sehwan are often above 40 °C, and nights on the plateau stay around 18 to 20 °C.
What is the best month to visit Gorakh Hill?
October is the most reliable month, with warm days, cool nights and settled weather. March is almost as good. For escaping the heat, May and June.
Does it rain at Gorakh Hill?
Most of the year's rain falls in July and August with the monsoon. The rest of the year is mostly dry, with occasional winter showers.
When is the best time for camping at Gorakh Hill?
October to mid-November and March, when nights are cool but not freezing and rain is unlikely. Winter camping is possible only with proper cold-weather gear.
