October is autumn in the northern areas: poplars and orchards turning gold against bare mountains, cold clear nights, and roads and hotels far quieter than the summer months. It is also the month the season starts closing down, with Deosai, Babusar and the Fairy Meadows track all liable to shut at any point once the first heavy snow arrives. For most people, the trade-off is worth it: October is one of the most photogenic months of the year, if you plan around what may already be closed.
This guide covers where the colour peaks, what the weather and roads are like, what starts shutting, and what quieter travel means for hotels and prices.
| At a glance | October |
|---|---|
| Colour peak | Varies by valley; roughly mid-October to early November |
| Skardu | Around 17 °C by day, 6 °C at night |
| Fairy Meadows | Around 7 °C by day, near 0 °C at night |
| Deosai | Usually closes with the first heavy snow, most often in October |
| Babusar Pass | Can close from mid-October onward; unpredictable by year |
| Crowds | Light; a good month for value |
Where the colour peaks
Autumn colour reaches the northern areas from the higher, colder places downward, so the peak week is different in different valleys.
- Upper Ghizer, around Phander, and Gojal in upper Hunza, around Passu and Gulmit, tend to turn first, usually in the middle of October.
- Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu follow in the second half of the month, with poplars along the Indus and around the Kachura lakes turning gold.
- Central Hunza, around Karimabad and Altit, is often at its best in the last week of October and the first days of November.
Because the window in any one place is only a week or two, chasing the colour means being willing to move: starting in Gojal or Ghizer early in the month and following it down towards Karimabad and Skardu as October goes on, rather than fixing a single base for the whole trip.
What is the weather like in October?
October cools quickly as the month goes on.
- Skardu averages around 17 °C by day and 6 °C at night early in the month, dropping further by late October.
- Gilgit and Hunza are mild by day but distinctly cold at night by the second half of the month.
- Fairy Meadows turns properly cold, averaging around 7 °C by day and close to freezing at night, with the first snow possible at any point.
Days are shorter than in summer, and the air is usually dry and clear, which is a large part of why October photographs so well. For the full seasonal picture, see our guide to the seasons.
What starts closing
October is the month the summer season winds down, and none of the closing dates are fixed; they follow the snow.
- Deosai usually closes to visitors with the first heavy snowfall, most often some time in October, though it can hold on longer in a mild year.
- Babusar Pass can close from about mid-October onward, and the closing date has varied by several weeks between recent years.
- The Fairy Meadows jeep track and most of its lodges typically start closing around the middle of the month as the first snow arrives.
- Khunjerab Pass for visitors usually stays open longest of the high routes, often into November, though this too depends on snow.
If your trip includes any of these, build in a plan B, and check the current status in Skardu, Chilas or Astore rather than assuming last year's dates will repeat.
Quiet roads and off-peak rates
By October, the summer crowds have largely gone. Hotels in Hunza, Skardu and along the Karakoram Highway that were full or near capacity through July and August have plenty of rooms, and rates are typically lower than peak season. Roads are quieter too, which makes October a comfortable month for a slower, photography-focused trip.
The trade-off is that some smaller guesthouses, particularly in higher villages, reduce their hours or close for the season as October goes on, so confirm a booking is genuinely open before you rely on it late in the month.
Getting there in October
The Karakoram Highway through Besham, Dasu and Chilas is normally open and clear of the summer's landslide risk by October, making it a comfortable month for the road journey. Babusar remains an option for at least part of the month, but since its closing date varies by year, don't plan a one-way crossing over the pass without a fallback route back via the highway. Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu run through October and can be a useful way to save a day if the road is uncertain.
Who October suits
October suits travellers who want autumn colour, don't mind cold nights, and are happy to build flexibility into a trip in case a pass closes early. It's a strong month for photography, for couples and for anyone who prefers quiet roads to summer crowds.
It suits fewer people if Deosai, Fairy Meadows or a specific pass crossing is essential to the plan, since all three can close with little notice from the middle of the month. If any of those matter more than autumn colour, June through September is the safer choice. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and Skardu and Deosai tour can be timed for early October while the odds of everything still being open are better.
What to pack for October
- A proper winter jacket, hat and gloves, not just a fleece, for evenings anywhere in the region.
- Layers for the day, since afternoons can still be mild even as mornings and evenings turn cold.
- Warm sleeping layers if staying at Fairy Meadows or anywhere near Deosai, where indoor heating may be basic.
- A torch and a power bank, since some higher villages reduce services as the season winds down.
- A flexible return date, if possible, in case an early snowfall changes your plans partway through the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is October a good time to visit the northern areas?
Yes, for autumn colour and quiet travel, but it is a month of shrinking options. Check the current status of any pass or plateau you're relying on before you commit to a route.
When does autumn colour peak in Hunza?
Usually the last week of October into the first days of November in central Hunza, with Gojal, further up the valley, turning about two weeks earlier.
Is Deosai open in October?
Sometimes, especially early in the month, but it closes with the first heavy snowfall, which most often arrives in October. Treat an October visit to Deosai as a possibility rather than a certainty.
How cold does it get at Fairy Meadows in October?
Around 7 °C by day and close to freezing at night early in the month, colder as October goes on. Most lodges close around the middle of the month.
Is it safe to travel to the northern areas in October?
Gilgit-Baltistan itself carries no current UK government advisory against travel, but the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas does. Early snow can also affect that route later in October, so check current advice and road status before you travel.
