January in the northern areas is the coldest month of the year: Skardu averages around -3°C by day and drops to about -12°C overnight, and Hunza and Gilgit see hard frost most nights too. The reward for the cold is a version of the region almost nobody sees in summer: Attabad Lake frozen over for skating, orchards and rooftops under snow, and roads with almost no other traffic on them.
This guide covers how cold it really gets, what freezes and what stays open, the winter events worth timing a trip around, and who January genuinely suits.
| At a glance | January |
|---|---|
| Skardu | About -3°C by day, -12°C at night on average |
| Hunza and Gilgit | Hard frost most nights, -10°C or colder is common |
| Attabad Lake | Freezes from late December into January, ice conditions vary by year |
| Roads in | Karakoram Highway via Chilas only; Babusar and Deosai closed |
| Passes and plateaus | Babusar, Deosai, Khunjerab summit and the Fairy Meadows track all closed |
| Power | Long outages are common in smaller towns |
How cold does it actually get?
Skardu is the coldest of the main tourist towns in January, with an average high of around -3°C and lows near -12°C, and a hard cold spell can push it further down. Hunza and Gilgit are milder in the day when the sun is out, but nights fall well below freezing across the valley, with -10°C to -20°C reported in the coldest stretches of a Hunza winter. Whatever the daytime forecast says, plan for a properly cold night everywhere in the region.
Skies are often clear between snowfalls, so January can be a good month for photography, but the short days mean less daylight to work with than any other time of year. For how January compares with the rest of the year, see our guide to the seasons.
Frozen lakes and winter events
The best-known January sight in the region is Attabad Lake in Hunza, which typically freezes over from late December into January, though how solid and how long the ice holds varies from year to year with the winter's severity. When conditions allow, it becomes a stage for the Hunza Winter Festival, held at the lake with ice hockey and ice skating tournaments involving teams from across Gilgit-Baltistan. Check locally in Karimabad or Aliabad before you travel, since a mild spell can leave the ice too thin to use safely, and exact festival dates move from year to year.
Naltar, near Gilgit, and Malam Jabba, in Swat, both run through the ski season at this time of year; see our guide to where to see snow in Pakistan for what a snow-focused winter trip looks like across the country.
What's open and what's closed
January strips the region down to its lower-altitude core, in the same pattern as the rest of the winter. Gilgit, Hunza as far as Sost, and Skardu are reachable, mainly by the Karakoram Highway or by flight when the road is affected by weather. Babusar Pass, Deosai, the Fairy Meadows jeep track and Khunjerab Pass for visitors are all closed and will stay that way until spring or early summer. Our guide to which northern areas are open in winter sets out the picture valley by valley, and our post on off-season travel weighs up the trade-offs of visiting at all in this window.
Power cuts are also worse in January than at almost any other point in the year, since the region's hydropower generation depends on river flow that slows to its lowest in deep winter. Our guide to load shedding in the northern areas covers what to expect and how to keep devices charged through it.
Getting there in January
The only road route into Gilgit-Baltistan in January is the Karakoram Highway through Abbottabad, Besham, Dasu and Chilas, a long two days from Islamabad to Gilgit, and it can close for hours or more after heavy snow or rockfall. Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu run when the weather allows, but winter cancellations are more frequent than at any other time of year, so build a spare day into the schedule either way and avoid a same-day onward connection.
Who January suits
January suits travellers who want a genuinely quiet Hunza or Skardu, are prepared for serious cold, and are drawn to the idea of a frozen lake, snow-covered orchards and empty roads rather than a full sightseeing itinerary. It works well for photography and for anyone who has already seen the region in summer and wants the opposite version of it.
It does not suit anyone hoping for Deosai, Khunjerab, Fairy Meadows or Babusar, since all four are shut, or families who need reliable heating and power without having to ask. For a trip built around the high country, June through September is the season to plan around, and our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and Skardu and Deosai tour both run in that window.
What to pack for January
- A serious winter jacket, thermal base layers, a hat and gloves, and warm, waterproof boots with grip for icy pavements
- Hand and foot warmers, useful in a room with intermittent heating or on a long day of driving
- A torch and a fully charged power bank, given how common power cuts are
- Snow chains if you are self-driving, or a driver experienced with winter mountain roads
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth visiting the northern areas in January?
Yes, if you want a quiet, snow-covered Hunza or Skardu and don't mind serious cold and short days. It is not the month for Deosai, Khunjerab, Babusar or Fairy Meadows, since all are closed.
Is Attabad Lake frozen in January?
Often, from late December into January, but how thick and reliable the ice is varies by year, so check locally before assuming it will hold for skating.
How cold does Skardu get in January?
Around -3°C by day and -12°C at night on average, with a cold spell pushing it lower still. Hunza and Gilgit are similarly cold at night even when days feel milder.
Is the Karakoram Highway open in January?
Generally yes, since it is the only road into Gilgit-Baltistan once Babusar is closed, but it does close for periods after heavy snow or rockfall, so build a spare day into any January road trip.
Is it safe to travel to the northern areas in January?
Gilgit-Baltistan itself carries no current UK government advisory against travel, but the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas does, and winter snow and rockfall add further risk on that stretch. Check current advice and road status before you travel, and avoid driving after dark.
