Summer in the Northern Areas swings between a hot valley floor and a cold mountain pass on the same day, so the short answer for packing a summer trip is layers: light clothes for the day, something warm for the evening, and full winter kit if a pass is on the itinerary. June to August is warm and often over 30°C in Gilgit, Skardu and the lower valleys, while a day trip to Khunjerab, Deosai or Babusar can mean a windy afternoon close to freezing.
This list covers clothing, gear and the things people forget, organised by what actually changes between the valley and the high ground.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Valley daytime | Often 25–32°C, hot sun, cool evenings |
| High passes and plateaus | Can be near freezing with wind, even in July |
| Rain | Possible, especially in Swat, Kaghan and Azad Kashmir |
| Sun | Strong at altitude; burns faster than it feels |
| Roads | Dusty, some unpaved; washable, sturdy clothing works best |
Clothing: build it in layers
- Light, breathable clothes for the valley, such as cotton shirts and loose trousers. Shorts are fine for men in tourist areas but less practical for women; see our guide on what to wear in the Northern Areas.
- A fleece or light jumper for evenings, which cool quickly even after a hot day, especially above 2,000 metres.
- A proper warm jacket, hat and gloves, packed even on a short summer trip, if a high pass such as Khunjerab, Babusar or Deosai is on the route. The wind at altitude is the real cold, and it catches people who packed only for the valley.
- A light rain jacket or poncho, particularly for Swat, Kaghan and Azad Kashmir, where afternoon showers are more common than in Gilgit-Baltistan's drier valleys.
- Sturdy, closed shoes for walking on jeep tracks, riverbanks and uneven ground; trainers are fine, sandals are not, once you're off a paved path.
Sun and altitude
The sun at altitude is stronger than it feels, especially with snow or pale rock reflecting it. Pack:
- Sunscreen, applied more often than you would at home.
- Sunglasses, ideally ones that block UV properly, not just tinted lenses.
- A hat with a brim, for hours spent outdoors on hikes and viewpoints.
- Lip balm with SPF, since lips burn and chap fast in dry mountain air.
What to carry for the road
- A refillable water bottle. Bottled water is sold along the main roads, but a bottle you can top up saves plastic and money over several days.
- Snacks for the car, especially with children, since long drives between towns can run several hours without a food stop.
- A power bank. Charging points thin out between towns, and phones drain faster taking photos and running maps offline.
- A basic first aid kit, with any regular medication kept in the car rather than packed away, plus something for altitude headaches if your route includes Deosai or Khunjerab.
- Cash. Our guide to ATMs and cash in the Northern Areas explains where machines work and where they don't.
Gear for specific trips
- A daypack for short hikes, big enough for water, a layer and snacks.
- Trekking shoes, if your itinerary includes anything beyond a short walk, such as Fairy Meadows or a lake trek.
- A torch or headlamp, for hotel and guesthouse power cuts, which are common in the region even in summer.
- A dust mask or scarf, useful on unpaved jeep tracks such as the road to Fairy Meadows or Deosai.
Insects and monsoon extras
Mosquitoes and other biting insects are more of a nuisance in the lower, greener valleys, such as parts of Swat, Kaghan and the Neelum Valley, than in the drier, higher parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. A small bottle of insect repellent is worth having if your route includes those areas, along with a lightweight, quick-drying set of clothes for anywhere monsoon rain is a real possibility in July and August, mainly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir rather than Gilgit-Baltistan, which sits largely in the Karakoram's rain shadow.
Packing for children
Children need the same layering logic as adults, scaled down, plus a few extras: a change of clothes kept accessible for a messy stop on a long drive, their own small water bottle, and any regular medication carried in your bag rather than theirs. A light long-sleeved layer protects against both sun and evening chill without adding much bulk, and a familiar snack or two helps on the longer legs between towns, where food stops can be hours apart.
What to leave at home
- Heavy suitcases. Soft bags pack more easily into a car boot or onto a jeep roof rack, and are easier to carry over rough ground.
- Anything you can't afford to lose. Roads are bumpy, hotels are simple in some areas, and valuables are safer left behind or kept close, not checked into a jeep's roof rack.
- A single pair of shoes for everything. One pair for walking, one lighter pair for the evening, covers both without carrying too much.
Laundry and packing light
Most guesthouses and mid-range hotels in the main towns offer same-day or next-day laundry, which makes packing for a week-long trip lighter than it sounds: three or four outfits, rotated and washed along the way, generally covers it. Quick-drying fabrics help here too, since a humid evening or an early departure doesn't always leave a full day for something to dry.
A short packing list
- Light clothes for the valley, a fleece for evenings, a warm jacket for any pass on the itinerary
- Rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Sturdy shoes and, if hiking, proper trekking shoes
- Power bank, torch, refillable water bottle
- Cash, ID documents, basic first aid and any regular medication
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
For what changes in the cold months, see our winter packing list for the Northern Areas, and for the rest of what to plan before you go, our travel guide and when to go.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need warm clothes for a summer trip to the Northern Areas?
Yes, if your route includes a high pass, plateau or evening at altitude. Valley towns are warm by day in summer, but the wind at places like Khunjerab or Deosai can feel close to freezing even in July.
Is rain gear necessary in summer?
A light rain jacket is worth packing, especially for Swat, Kaghan and Azad Kashmir, where afternoon showers are more common than in the drier Gilgit-Baltistan valleys.
What shoes are best for the Northern Areas in summer?
Sturdy, closed shoes for general travel and jeep tracks, with proper trekking shoes if a hike such as Fairy Meadows is on the itinerary. Sandals are fine at the hotel, not on the trail.
How do I protect against sunburn at altitude?
Sunscreen reapplied through the day, real UV-blocking sunglasses, and a brimmed hat. The sun burns faster at altitude and near snow than it feels like it should.
Should I pack a power bank?
Yes. Charging points are limited between towns, power cuts happen even in summer, and phones drain quickly running offline maps and taking photos.
