March in the northern areas is the thaw, not yet spring: snow is melting in the lower valleys, apricot trees start flowering in Hunza from around the middle of the month, and the Ismaili community celebrates Nowruz, the Persian new year, on 21 March. It is also the month when melting snow and unstable slopes raise avalanche risk, and the high passes and Deosai are still firmly closed.
This guide covers the thaw itself, the start of blossom season, Nowruz, and what to know about avalanche risk before you travel.
| At a glance | March |
|---|---|
| Season | Late winter turning to early spring |
| Blossom | Apricot trees begin flowering in lower Hunza from around mid-March |
| Nowruz | 21 March, widely celebrated in Hunza's Ismaili community |
| Babusar Pass, Deosai, Fairy Meadows | Still closed |
| Avalanche risk | Rises through March as snow melts on unstable slopes |
| Roads | Karakoram Highway open; watch for landslide and avalanche warnings |
The thaw: what March weather actually feels like
March sits between winter and spring, and the change happens unevenly across the region. Lower valleys around Gilgit and lower Hunza warm up noticeably through the month, with daytime sun doing real work, while higher villages and anything above around 2,500 metres stay cold, with nights well below freezing throughout. Meltwater from the retreating snow makes riverside paths and orchard tracks muddy, and a clear morning can still turn to rain or fresh snow by afternoon. For where March fits in the wider year, see our guide to the seasons.
Blossom begins: apricot trees in lower Hunza
Apricot is the first tree to flower in Hunza each spring, and it typically starts in the lowest, warmest villages from around the middle of March, with the bloom then moving up the valley through Karimabad and towards Gojal over the following weeks as April arrives. Because any one village is generally at its best for only a week or two, and the timing shifts with how mild or late the preceding winter has been, treat any specific date as a guide rather than something to plan a trip around months in advance; check locally in the week before you travel.
Nowruz: the Ismaili new year
Nowruz, the Persian new year rooted in an older Zoroastrian calendar, falls on 21 March and is celebrated by Nizari Ismaili communities, who make up most of the population in Hunza and are strongly represented across Gilgit-Baltistan. Families mark the occasion with gatherings, traditional food and, in some households, the boiling and colouring of eggs as a symbol of renewal. If your trip lands around this date, expect a warmer, more festive atmosphere in Hunza specifically, though it is a family and community occasion rather than a public spectacle laid on for visitors.
Avalanche risk in March
March is when avalanche risk genuinely rises in the northern mountains, as accumulated winter snow starts to melt and destabilise on steep slopes, and Pakistan's disaster management authorities have flagged an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods and slope failures running from around March through the warmer months as temperatures climb. This is a real seasonal hazard rather than a rare event: sudden slope failures have blocked rivers and roads in Gilgit-Baltistan in past Marches. Stay on maintained roads, follow any local warnings about specific slopes or valleys, and treat a closed road as closed rather than a route to push through.
What's still closed
Winter's closures have not lifted yet in March. Babusar Pass remains shut and typically stays that way until late May or June, Deosai is still under snow until around June, and the Fairy Meadows jeep track generally doesn't reopen until late spring. Our guide to which northern areas are open in winter sets out the picture in more detail, and our post on when Pakistan's mountain passes open has typical opening dates for each route.
Getting there in March
The Karakoram Highway through Abbottabad, Besham, Dasu and Chilas remains the only road into Gilgit-Baltistan in March, since Babusar is closed, and late-season snow or rockfall can still shut sections for hours at a time. Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu run when the weather allows, and can be a useful way to avoid a long, uncertain drive if your dates are fixed, though winter-pattern cancellations are still common this early in the year.
Who March suits
March suits travellers drawn to the idea of catching winter and spring at the same time: apricot blossom just starting in the lowest villages, snow still on the higher ground, and a much quieter Hunza than the summer crowds. It particularly suits anyone whose trip can coincide with Nowruz, or who wants to see the region change before the main tourist season begins.
It doesn't suit anyone set on Deosai, Babusar or Fairy Meadows, all of which stay closed, or travellers uncomfortable with the idea of avalanche and landslide risk on mountain roads. For the full northern circuit, June through September is the reliable season, and our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and Skardu and Deosai tour both run then.
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to see blossom in Hunza?
The start of it. Apricot trees begin flowering in the lowest villages from around mid-March, with the bloom moving up the valley through April, so March gives you the earliest, lowest part of the season rather than its peak.
What is Nowruz and when is it celebrated?
Nowruz is the Persian new year, celebrated on 21 March by the Ismaili communities who form the majority in Hunza and are widely present across Gilgit-Baltistan, with family gatherings and traditional food.
Is Babusar Pass open in March?
No. It typically stays closed until late May or June, so March falls well within the closed period.
Is there avalanche risk in the northern areas in March?
Yes, it is a genuine seasonal hazard as melting snow destabilises slopes, and Pakistani disaster authorities have flagged raised risk from around March onward. Stick to maintained roads and follow local warnings.
Is it safe to travel to the northern areas in March?
Gilgit-Baltistan itself carries no current UK government advisory against travel, but the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas does, and late-winter snow and rockfall add further risk on that stretch. Check current advice and road status before you travel.
