When to go
The north is not one destination with one season. What is open in July is under snow in April, and the valley that is at its best in October is quiet in June.
Mar – May
Apricot and cherry blossom moves up the valleys through April. The high passes are still closed and Deosai is under snow, so spring is for the valley floor - Hunza, Skardu, Swat and the lower Neelum.
Valleys open, high passes closed
Best for
Peak
Jun – Aug
Everything that closes in winter is open. Deosai, Khunjerab, Babusar and the high lakes are all reachable, and this is the only window for the trekking routes. It is also the busiest season, so the early starts matter more.
Everything open, including Deosai and Khunjerab
Best for
Sep – Nov
The poplars turn through October and the air is at its clearest all year, which is why photographers pick it. The high passes start closing from late October.
Passes open early, closing from late October
Best for
Dec – Feb
The north narrows to what stays open: Swat, Naltar and the lower Hunza valley. Roads can close at short notice, so winter trips are planned with more slack than the rest of the year.
High passes closed, valley roads weather-dependent
Best for
The year at a glance
Summer is the only window in which Deosai, Khunjerab and the trekking routes are all open. Outside it, the north is still very much worth travelling — it is simply a different north.
Timeless beauty · Serene waters · Living culture
Give us your window and we will tell you honestly what is open, what is not, and where the light will be best.