The layering rule
Northern weather is altitude weather. Karimabad at 2,400 m can be t-shirt warm at noon while Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m — two hours away — is below freezing with wind. Dress so you can add or remove a layer every hour:
- Base: thermal or quick-dry top (merino if you have it)
- Mid: fleece or light down jacket — this does most of the work
- Shell: waterproof, windproof jacket for pass days and boat rides
- Legs: comfortable trousers plus thermal leggings in autumn/winter
- Feet: broken-in walking shoes with grip; sandals for hotels and bazaars
Documents, money and connectivity
Bring your CNIC (passport for international guests) — you’ll need it at checkpoints on the KKH and at Khunjerab. Carry cash in rupees: card machines exist in Karimabad and Skardu town but fail often enough that cash is king for cafés, crafts and tips.
Mobile coverage is SCOM-heavy in Gilgit-Baltistan; other networks roam patchily. Download offline maps before you leave Islamabad, and tell family the honest truth: you’ll have Wi-Fi at most hotels, and some of the best days will be off-grid.
Health and comfort at altitude
Most travellers feel the altitude mildly at Khunjerab (4,693 m) — a headache or breathlessness on the walk from the vehicle to the gate is normal and passes on descent. Our itineraries approach it after days at moderate altitude, which helps.
Pack sunscreen and lip balm (UV is fierce at altitude, even in cold wind), sunglasses, any personal medication in hand luggage, and a refillable bottle — hotels provide filtered water, and single-use plastic is something the valleys are trying to reduce.
- Sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses, lip balm
- Personal medication in your daypack, never in checked luggage
- Refillable water bottle
- Power bank — long road days drain phones before they drain you
What to leave behind
Formal clothes (nowhere on any itinerary needs them), heavy trekking boots for sightseeing tours (walking shoes are enough unless your plan includes a real trek), and a big hard suitcase — vehicle space on mountain roads is real, and a soft duffel is kinder to everyone. Hairdryers and irons are in most hotels; drones need permits in several areas, so ask us before you pack one.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pack for a northern areas trip?
Pack in layers — an insulated jacket, a waterproof shell, fleece mid-layers, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection and a small daypack cover almost every trip on this site. Altitude, not the calendar, sets the temperature: Khunjerab at 4,693 m can be below freezing on a warm valley day.
What is the best time to visit Pakistan?
For the northern areas: spring for blossom (mid-March to mid-April), May to September for the green main season with every pass open, and mid-October to mid-November for autumn colour and the clearest skies. Your packing changes with each — thermals matter most outside the summer window.
How many days are required for this tour?
For Skardu & Hunza together: eight days by road, or five days if you fly to Skardu. The longer your trip, the more the packing list tilts to comfort — a medium soft bag per person fits northern vehicles best, with the day’s layers kept in your daypack.