A winter itinerary for Pakistan works by going south and low, not north and high. From December to February the passes are shut, Deosai and Fairy Meadows are under snow and northern flights are unreliable, but Karachi, Sindh, Bahawalpur and Cholistan, Lahore and Islamabad are at their most comfortable. Add a day of snow at Murree if you want it, and you have a plan that fits ten to twelve days.
This page sets out what closes, a route that follows the warm places, and how to keep the snow day safe. For a month-by-month view, see our when to go guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best bets | Karachi, Thatta, Bahawalpur, Cholistan, Lahore, Islamabad |
| Snow | Murree and the Galiyat, with road risks in heavy falls |
| Closed | Babusar Top (roughly November to June), Khunjerab for visitors, Deosai and the high valleys |
| Lahore in winter | Cool, but smog season runs roughly October to February |
| Suggested length | 10 to 12 days |
What is closed from December to February
Plan around these before anything else.
- Babusar Pass is normally closed to vehicles from about November to June, with night temperatures below -15 C at the top. That means the road between Naran and Chilas is not a winter option. See our note on Babusar Top open or closed.
- Khunjerab Pass is closed to visitors by snow through the winter months. The road up is not a winter day trip.
- Deosai opens only in summer. In 2026 it opened on 10 June and was due to close around the end of October.
- Northern side valleys such as Fairy Meadows, Naltar and Kumrat are largely inaccessible or reduced to a few local guesthouses.
- Flights to Skardu and Gilgit are cancelled often in winter, with delays of one to three days common, according to travel operators. Nothing in a winter plan should depend on them.
The Karakoram Highway itself usually stays passable, but it can be blocked by snow and landslides for a day or more. The Besham route is the winter road to Gilgit, and the UK advises against all travel on the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas. See below.
A winter route through the south and the capital
This plan is 10 to 12 days and flows from warm to cool. You can shorten it by dropping Bahawalpur, or reverse it if you land in Islamabad.
Days 1 to 3: Karachi and Thatta
Karachi is mild in winter and at its best for walking, eating and the seafront. Spend two days in the old city, at the museums and on the seafront. Then take a day out to Thatta for Makli Necropolis, a UNESCO site, and Shah Jahan Mosque. Thatta is around 1.5 to 2 hours by road, so it fits a single day. Our guide to a day trip to Thatta has the details.
Days 4 to 6: Bahawalpur and Cholistan
Fly or travel to Bahawalpur, where the Noor Mahal, Darbar Mahal and the old bazaar are worth a day. The Cholistan Desert, with Derawar Fort about 95 km south of the city, is at its most pleasant in winter, when days are warm and nights are cold. The Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is held around February; the 21st edition was rescheduled to 11 to 15 February 2026, and dates change each year. See our Bahawalpur itinerary and Cholistan desert safari.
Days 7 to 9: Lahore
Lahore has the best food in the country, and winter is when the walled city is most comfortable on foot. The catch is smog. Air quality in Lahore is typically at its worst from October to February, and levels have hit hazardous readings in recent Novembers and Decembers. Check the air quality index on the morning you plan a walking day, carry a mask, and keep museum time in reserve. Our page on the Lahore smog covers it, and Lahore in winter covers what to do.
Days 10 to 12: Islamabad and Murree
Islamabad is clear and cool in winter, ideal for the Margalla trails, Faisal Mosque and Taxila. On one day, go up to Murree if snow is forecast.
Murree and the snow day
Murree's official snowfall season is from around 15 December to 25 February, and the town and the Galiyat get their busiest weekends during it. Take this seriously. In January 2022 a snowstorm trapped thousands of vehicles and killed 23 people. In January 2026 the local administration temporarily banned tourist entry during heavy snowfall, and Punjab ministers urged people to stay away because roads and hotels were full.
- Go on a weekday, not a weekend or holiday.
- Use a 4x4 vehicle, or a car with proper winter tyres and chains, keep the tank full and carry warm clothing and food.
- Check road status and any entry restrictions the morning you go.
- Book a hotel in advance; do not plan to sleep in the car.
Our guide to Murree in winter goes into detail.
What to pack
Winter in the plains is not the same everywhere. Karachi wants a light jacket in the evening. Bahawalpur and Cholistan are warm by day and cold at night, so carry layers. Lahore and Islamabad need a proper coat for mornings and evenings. For Murree, add waterproof boots, gloves and a hat, and keep them in the car, not in the hotel.
Is it safe?
The south, Lahore and Islamabad are not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against visiting. Parts of Sindh north of Nawabshah, which include Larkana and Mohenjo-daro, are covered by advice against all but essential travel, so check before adding them. Balochistan, including the Makran coast, is covered by advice against all travel. The Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas is also on that list, as is much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, so the winter route above avoids them.
Pakistani travellers still visit these places. Check local news and current police advice in the week you travel. Foreign-passport holders should read their own government's advice, because it can void travel insurance.
Who is this itinerary for?
It suits people with dates that fall in December to February, such as students, families on school holidays and travellers escaping northern winters. It does not suit anyone who wants to see the high mountains, and the northern valleys are better left to June to September. If snow is the point, a single Murree day beats a long journey to the north.
Frequently asked questions
Which places can you visit in Pakistan in winter?
Karachi, Thatta, Bahawalpur and Cholistan, Lahore and Islamabad are all comfortable in winter. Murree and the Galiyat offer snow. Most of the far north is closed or difficult.
Is Hunza open in winter?
The valley itself can be reached by road, but Khunjerab is closed, many hotels shut and flights are unreliable. It is a winter trip for people who accept the cold and delays.
Is Lahore worth visiting in winter?
Yes for temperature and food, but the smog from about October to February can make walking days unpleasant. Check air quality and keep indoor plans ready.
Is Murree safe in winter?
It can be, on weekdays with the right vehicle and advance hotel booking. Heavy snowfall has caused closures and, in January 2022, fatalities, so check the road status before you go.
What is the best month for a winter trip in Pakistan?
Late February and early March, when the smog eases and days warm up, though the north remains closed. December and January are coldest.
