Knowing when Pakistan's high mountain passes open matters more than almost any other detail when you're planning a northern trip, because the roads open once winter snow is cleared, usually from late April into June, and close again with the first heavy snowfall, usually between October and December. The exact dates move every year and differ pass by pass, so a trip built around Babusar, Khunjerab, Shandur or Deosai needs a plan that survives the actual date shifting by a few weeks.
This guide sets out the general opening and closing window for each of the main passes, and what determines it, so you know which months are realistic and which are a gamble.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Khunjerab Pass | Roughly early May to November for visitors |
| Babusar Top | Roughly late May/June to November |
| Shandur Pass | Roughly late April to early November |
| Deosai plateau | Roughly June to late October |
| Burzil Pass | Roughly June to September, restricted access |
| What decides it | Snowfall and clearance, not a fixed calendar date |
Why there's no fixed date
None of these passes open on a set date. Provincial and district authorities clear the roads once conditions allow, and that depends on how much snow fell the previous winter, how quickly it melts, and how much labour and machinery is available to clear it. A light winter can mean an early opening; a heavy one can push it back by weeks. The same is true in reverse at the end of the season: an early snowstorm in October can close a pass earlier than usual, then it can reopen briefly before shutting for good.
Treat every date below as a typical range, not a promise, and check current status close to your travel date rather than relying on last year's dates or a fixed figure you saw online.
Khunjerab Pass
The Pakistan-China border crossing at 4,693 metres, at the top of the Karakoram Highway above Hunza, is usually open to visitors from early May into November, with June to September the most reliable stretch. A December 2024 announcement about keeping Khunjerab open year-round for trade between Pakistan and China does not mean tourist access in winter; the road above Sost is under snow for long periods between December and April. Our Khunjerab Pass guide covers the drive, timings and what to expect at the top in full.
Babusar Top
Babusar, connecting the Kaghan valley to Chilas and the Karakoram Highway, closes by winter snowfall, typically around late November, and reopens once the road is cleared, typically in the second half of May, though the exact date shifts from year to year depending on snow. In 2026, for example, it closed in late November 2025 and reopened in the last week of May 2026. Even within the open season, spells of snow can close the top for a day or two, so check locally in Naran or Chilas before driving up, particularly early or late in the season.
Is it safe? The UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated September 2026) advises against all travel to the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, which affects the Chilas-side approach to Babusar. Pakistani travellers use this route regularly; check current advisories and local police guidance before you go, and be aware that your own government's advice can affect travel insurance if you are visiting from abroad.
Shandur Pass
Shandur, at around 3,720 metres and famous for its polo ground, links Chitral to Gilgit and is generally passable from late April into early November, with harsher weather closing it by mid-December at the latest. It carries less traffic than Babusar or Khunjerab and is rougher going, so treat "open" as meaning passable by a capable vehicle and an experienced driver rather than a smooth, paved road.
Deosai plateau
The road onto the Deosai plateau, the high-altitude national park between Skardu and Astore, typically opens in June and closes again in late October as snow returns. Within that window, June through September is the most reliable stretch for a day trip or overnight camp; late September and October can still be beautiful but carry more risk of an early closure.
Burzil Pass
Burzil, connecting Astore towards Minimarg and onward, has a shorter and more restricted season than the other passes, generally June to September. Beyond parts of this route, Pakistani citizens need NOC or army clearance, and foreign nationals are generally not permitted past Chillam because of its proximity to the Line of Control, so check current permit rules before planning a trip here.
Lowari Pass: the one exception
Lowari, the old route between Dir and Chitral, used to close for up to five months of the year and cut Chitral off from the rest of Pakistan every winter. That changed with the Lowari Tunnel, completed in 2017, which bypasses the pass itself and keeps Chitral connected by road throughout the year. If your trip depends on reaching Chitral or the Kalash valleys, this is the one route on this list that doesn't need a seasonal opening date at all.
How to check before you travel
- Ask locally, in Naran, Chilas, Skardu or Chitral depending on the pass, the evening before you plan to go up. Hotel staff and drivers usually know the current status better than any website.
- Build in a spare day if a pass is central to your plan, especially in May, October and November, when a single snowfall can close a road for a day or two even inside the official season.
- Don't rely on a single online source, including this one, for an exact date. Cross-check anything you read against recent local reports before committing to non-refundable bookings.
- For a route like Khunjerab that's also a tour stop, our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour builds the seasonal timing into the itinerary so you aren't guessing.
Frequently asked questions
What month do most mountain passes in Pakistan open?
Most open between late April and June, with Khunjerab and Shandur typically first and Babusar and Deosai following in late May and June. All dates shift year to year with the winter snowfall.
Is Khunjerab Pass open in winter?
Not for tourists. A 2024 announcement about year-round trade access does not extend to visitor traffic; the road above Sost is under heavy snow for long stretches from December to April.
When does Babusar Top usually close for winter?
Typically by late November, though an early snowstorm can close it sooner. It generally does not reopen until mid-to-late May the following year.
Can I drive to Deosai in October?
Often yes, into the last week of the month in a normal year, but the risk of an early closure rises through October. Check current status before committing, and don't treat late October as a safe default.
Do I need a permit to cross these passes?
Khunjerab, Babusar, Shandur and Deosai need only standard identification, a CNIC for Pakistanis or a passport and visa for foreign nationals. Burzil and the route beyond it towards the Line of Control require NOC or army clearance, and foreign nationals are generally restricted past Chillam.
What happens if a pass closes while I'm already up there?
Local authorities generally give warning of an approaching closure and will turn traffic back at a checkpoint before the road becomes impassable. It's rare to be trapped on the wrong side without notice, but it's still sensible to leave a pass before mid-afternoon and not linger if snow starts falling.