November is the last month of autumn in the northern areas, and the one where the season closes down around you. Autumn colour, at its best through central Hunza in late October, is largely faded by November, Babusar Pass typically closes for winter during the month, and the first proper snow can arrive at any point. What's left is a quieter, cheaper version of Gilgit-Baltistan for anyone happy to travel with a flexible plan.
This guide covers what's left of the colour, which routes are closing, what the weather is like, and what off-season rates actually mean this late in the year.
| At a glance | November |
|---|---|
| Autumn colour | Largely faded by November after peaking in late October |
| Gilgit | Average high around 18°C, but nights near or below freezing |
| Babusar Pass | Typically closes for the winter during November |
| Deosai | Already closed since around October |
| Hotel rates | Lower than peak season, and falling further as the month goes on |
| Roads | Karakoram Highway open; watch for early snow closures |
Is there still autumn colour in November?
Not much, in most places. Central Hunza, around Karimabad, is usually at its best in the last week of October and first days of November, after which leaves fade and drop through the rest of the month. By the time November is properly under way, the poplars and orchards that made October photogenic have largely shed their colour, leaving a barer, more wintry look to the valley. If autumn colour is the main reason for a trip, late October to the very first days of November is a better target than the rest of the month; see our guide to autumn in Pakistan for the fuller picture of how the season unfolds.
Weather: the cold sets in properly
November brings a real drop in temperature across the region. Gilgit still sees a mild average daytime high of around 18°C early in the month, but nights fall close to or below freezing throughout, and the gap between a sunny afternoon and a cold evening widens as November goes on. Hunza and Skardu follow the same pattern, with the first hard frosts of the winter becoming routine rather than occasional. Rain and snow both become more likely as the month progresses, particularly at higher elevations. For how November compares with the rest of the year, see our guide to the seasons.
Passes closing: Babusar and what follows
Babusar Pass, the road link between the Kaghan valley and Chilas, typically closes for the winter at some point in November once heavy snowfall makes it impassable, though the exact date varies by year and has come as early as the last week of the month in recent winters. Deosai has usually already closed by this point, generally shutting with the first heavy snowfall in October. Once Babusar closes, the Karakoram Highway through Chilas becomes the only road route into Gilgit-Baltistan until the pass reopens the following spring. Our guide to when Pakistan's mountain passes open has more detail on typical dates for each route, and our post on which northern areas are open in winter covers what stays reachable once the closures set in.
If you are planning a loop that depends on crossing Babusar, build a fallback route via the highway into the plan, since a November crossing can close with only a day or two of warning.
Off-season rates and quiet roads
Hotel rates in Hunza, Skardu and along the Karakoram Highway fall well below their summer and early-autumn levels by November, as the last of the season's visitors leave and demand drops sharply. Roads are correspondingly quiet, and popular viewpoints that were crowded in August are easy to have to yourself. Some smaller guesthouses, particularly in higher villages, reduce their hours or close for the winter as the month goes on, so confirm any booking is genuinely open rather than assuming it. Our post on off-season travel in the northern areas sets out the trade-offs of travelling this late in more depth.
Getting there in November
Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu run through November when the weather allows, and become more valuable as a backup once winter-style cancellations start to pick up. By road, the Karakoram Highway through Besham, Dasu and Chilas is the reliable route, since Babusar is closing or closed for most of the month; allow two long days from Islamabad to Gilgit and keep a spare day in the schedule in case of an early snow closure.
Who November suits
November suits travellers who want a quieter, cheaper Hunza or Skardu, don't mind cold nights and the risk of an early snowfall, and are not chasing the last of the autumn colour, which has usually gone by the time the month is a week or two old. It's a reasonable month for a short, flexible trip rather than a long fixed itinerary.
It doesn't suit anyone hoping to cross Babusar, reach Deosai, or catch autumn colour at its best, since all three are unreliable or already over by November. For a trip built around the full circuit, June through September is the season to plan for, and our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and Skardu and Deosai tour both run then.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still autumn colour in the northern areas in November?
Very little. Central Hunza usually peaks in the last week of October and first days of November, after which the colour fades quickly through the rest of the month.
When does Babusar Pass close for winter?
Usually at some point in November, though the exact date depends on when heavy snowfall makes the road impassable and has varied by several weeks between recent years.
Is Deosai open in November?
No. It normally closes with the first heavy snowfall in October and stays shut until the following June.
Are hotel rates lower in the northern areas in November?
Yes, generally well below summer and early-autumn levels, and falling further as the month goes on, though some smaller guesthouses also start closing for the winter.
Is it safe to travel to the northern areas in November?
Gilgit-Baltistan itself carries no current UK government advisory against travel, but the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas does, and early winter snow adds further risk on that stretch. Check current advice and road status before you travel.
