Where to see snow in Pakistan in summer, without a trekking trip? Khunjerab Pass, at 4,693 metres, can see snowfall in any month of the year, Babusar Top regularly gets unseasonal summer snow that closes the road for a few hours, and Deosai's plateau still carries snow patches into June. All three are reachable by ordinary road travel, no trekking required, which makes them the realistic places to plan a summer snow trip around.
This guide covers each of these, plus a couple of glaciers you can reach with a short jeep drive rather than a multi-day trek, and how to plan around snow that arrives unpredictably even in July and August.
| Place | Altitude | Getting there | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khunjerab Pass | 4,693 m | Paved road from Hunza, about 3.5–4 hours from Karimabad | Cold year-round; snow possible even in July and August |
| Babusar Top | About 4,170 m | Paved and jeep-track road from Kaghan or Chilas | Roadside snowbanks common; occasional summer snowfall closures |
| Deosai plateau | Around 4,100–4,300 m | Jeep or 4x4 from Skardu, road opens around June | Snow patches linger into June around the lakes |
| Hopper Glacier viewpoint | Nagar valley | About 40–50 minutes by jeep from Karimabad | Glacier views from a roadside viewpoint, no trek needed |
| Passu Glacier area | Upper Hunza | Just off the Karakoram Highway near Passu | Glacier visible from the road and nearby viewpoints |
Khunjerab Pass: snow at any time of year
Khunjerab, the Pakistan–China border crossing at 4,693 metres, is one of the few places in the country where snow is a possibility in every month, including the height of summer. Daytime temperatures at the top typically sit around 5 to 15°C in July and August, but cloud and wind can drop that close to freezing within minutes, and the pass has recorded genuine summer snowfall, including a well-documented snowy day in July. July and August still have the most reliable road conditions and the lowest chance of a closure, so they remain the best months to plan the trip, but pack as if you were heading somewhere far colder than Hunza regardless of the season. Our guide to Khunjerab Pass covers timings, the border checkpoint and altitude precautions in full.
Babusar Top: unseasonal snow on a summer road
Babusar Top, at around 4,170 metres on the road between the Kaghan valley and Chilas, is the other realistic summer snow spot reachable in an ordinary car once the pass has opened for the season. Roadside snowbanks often linger well into summer even in a normal year, and unseasonal snowfall has closed the road for a few hours at a time in recent Junes and Julys, drawing crowds of tourists out to see snow in the middle of summer. Treat any such snowfall as temporary and follow local authorities' instructions if the road is closed; don't attempt to push through snow-covered switchbacks in a vehicle without the clearance or tyres for it.
Deosai: snow patches into June
Deosai National Park, the high plateau above Skardu, typically opens to visitors around early to mid-June, but snow doesn't disappear the moment the road reopens. Sheosar Lake and the surrounding ground can carry snow patches well into June as the winter's accumulation melts, giving early-season visitors both green plains and lingering snow in the same view. By July the plateau is usually clear and at its greenest, so early June is the window if snow alongside Deosai's open grassland is specifically what you want.
Glaciers you can reach without trekking
A handful of Gilgit-Baltistan's glaciers are visible from a road or a short jeep drive rather than requiring a multi-day trek. The Hopper Glacier viewpoint, in the Nagar valley, is reached by a roughly 40 to 50 minute jeep drive from Karimabad and gives a clear view of the glacier from the roadside. Near Passu, in upper Hunza, the glacier is visible from the Karakoram Highway itself and from nearby viewpoints a short walk from the road, without the longer approach that glaciers like Batura require. Neither of these puts you on the ice itself, but both deliver genuine glacier scenery for the cost of a short drive.
Planning a summer snow trip
Snow in summer is a bonus you find along a route rather than something you can schedule to the day, since unseasonal falls at Babusar and Khunjerab arrive with little warning. Build any of these into a wider Hunza or Skardu itinerary rather than a dedicated trip, check the current road status the morning you plan to travel, and carry warm layers regardless of how hot it is in the valley below. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour includes the Khunjerab day trip, and our Skardu and Deosai tour covers the plateau, both timed for the June-to-September window when the roads to all of these places are open.
Who this suits
This suits travellers who want a taste of high-altitude cold and snow without committing to a trek, and who are already planning a Hunza or Skardu trip in summer where Khunjerab, Babusar or Deosai fit naturally into the route. It doesn't suit anyone hoping for deep, reliable snow cover to play in, since summer snow at these altitudes is thin, patchy and temporary rather than a proper winter landscape; for that, a winter trip is the better fit, covered in our guide to where to see snow in Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snow in Pakistan in July and August?
Yes, at high altitude. Khunjerab Pass can receive snowfall in any month, and Babusar Top has had unseasonal summer snow close the road for a few hours in recent years.
Do I need to trek to see snow in summer?
No. Khunjerab Pass and Babusar Top are both reached by road, Deosai by jeep, and glacier viewpoints near Passu and Hopper in the Nagar valley need only a short walk or drive from the road.
Is Deosai still snowy in June?
Partly. The plateau usually opens in early to mid-June, and snow patches, especially around Sheosar Lake, can linger for the first few weeks before the plains turn fully green by July.
How cold does it get at Khunjerab Pass in summer?
Daytime temperatures typically sit around 5 to 15°C in July and August, but wind and cloud can push it close to freezing quickly, so pack warm layers even for a midsummer visit.
Is it safe to drive to Babusar Top if it snows in summer?
Only if the road is officially open. Follow local authorities' instructions during an unseasonal snowfall, and don't attempt a snow-covered stretch without suitable tyres and ground clearance.
