A northern areas trip with pets is realistic if you drive rather than fly and pick your accommodation carefully, but veterinary care thins out fast once you leave Islamabad, and there's no substitute for planning around that gap rather than discovering it on the road.
This is general planning advice, not veterinary advice. Talk to your own vet before a long trip, especially about altitude, your pet's breed and any existing health conditions.
Pet-friendly places to stay
A small but growing number of hotels and guesthouses in Hunza and Skardu list themselves as pet-friendly, usually allowing dogs of any size at no extra charge, though policies vary by property and can change. Don't assume a listing is current: call or message the hotel directly before you book to confirm they still accept pets, ask whether there's a fee, and check whether they have outdoor space where a dog can be walked on a lead.
Away from the handful of towns with an established hotel scene, options are more limited and mostly informal: a guesthouse owner may be happy to have your dog stay, but it's worth asking plainly rather than assuming. Our travel guide has more on booking accommodation in the north generally.
Getting there: car versus flying
By road is the simpler option with a pet. Your dog or cat travels in your own vehicle, on their own schedule, with stops when you need them. Build in more rest stops than you would without a pet, especially on the long stretch of the Karakoram Highway, and keep water available throughout.
By air, PIA's policy on domestic flights is that pets travel in the aircraft hold rather than the cabin (except for a seeing-eye dog accompanying a blind passenger), inside an approved crate, subject to prior booking, paperwork and available capacity. If you're considering flying to Gilgit or Skardu with a pet, contact the airline well ahead of your trip to confirm current requirements, and be aware that flights to both airports are frequently delayed or cancelled by weather, which means longer waits for an animal in a crate.
Cold, altitude and your pet
Nights in the north get cold even in summer, and winter temperatures in Hunza, Skardu and Gilgit regularly drop well below freezing. Short-haired breeds and older or younger animals feel this more than others; bring a coat or blanket for the car and the room, and don't leave a pet in a parked vehicle in cold weather any more than you would in heat.
Altitude affects animals as it does people, though there's little specific research on pets at Pakistan's tourist altitudes. As a general precaution, keep an eye on any dog that seems unusually tired, breathless or reluctant to move once you're above about 2,500 to 3,000 metres, in places such as Khunjerab Pass or Deosai, and don't push a pet that seems unwell to keep going.
Vets and emergencies
Veterinary care in the north is thin. Skardu and Gilgit have some local practitioners, but nothing close to the range of clinics you'd find in Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad, and smaller towns along the way may have none at all. Before you travel:
- Get your pet checked by your own vet and carry a copy of their vaccination and health records.
- Pack a basic pet first-aid kit: any regular medication, something for minor cuts, and your vet's phone number.
- Bring enough of your pet's usual food for the whole trip; specialist pet food is very hard to find outside the big cities.
- Ask your vet in advance what to do for common problems (an upset stomach, a minor injury) so you have a plan if a clinic isn't nearby.
Car travel and jeep tracks
Most of the Karakoram Highway is a smooth paved road, easy for a pet used to car travel. Side trips onto jeep tracks, such as the roads to Fairy Meadows' base or Eagle's Nest above Karimabad, are rougher and longer than they look on a map, so factor in extra time and more frequent stops if your pet gets carsick.
Keep your pet secured, whether on a harness attached to a seatbelt or in a crate, rather than loose in the vehicle, particularly on winding mountain roads.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog to Hunza or Skardu?
Yes, and a number of hotels in both towns list themselves as pet-friendly, though you should confirm directly before you book, since policies and availability change.
Is it better to drive or fly with a pet to the north?
Driving gives you more control over stops, temperature and stress for your pet. Flying is possible on PIA's domestic routes, with pets carried in the hold rather than the cabin, but requires advance booking and approval, and northern flights are prone to weather delays.
Are there vets in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Some local veterinary practitioners work in Skardu and Gilgit, but coverage is limited compared with the major cities. Get your pet checked before you travel and carry a basic first-aid kit and your vet's contact details.
Does altitude affect pets the way it affects people?
There's limited specific research on this, but it's sensible to watch for unusual tiredness or breathlessness in a pet above about 2,500 to 3,000 metres and to avoid pushing an animal that seems unwell.
What should I pack for a pet on a northern trip?
Enough of their usual food for the whole trip, a coat or blanket for cold nights, water, a secure harness or crate for the car, health records, and a basic first-aid kit.
