# Hunza or Skardu: which to visit, and how the roads, flights and seasons compare

URL: https://which.pk/travel/guides/hunza-vs-skardu/
Author: Asif
Updated: 15 Oct 2026

## Summary

Choose Skardu if you want to fly: it is the only northern airport that takes large aircraft, and flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were running in March 2026. Choose Hunza for a road trip on the Karakoram Highway, with its forts, Attabad Lake and Khunjerab Pass. Deosai opens June to November. As of October 2026 the UK advises against the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas, and 2026 monsoon floods closed roads to both places, so check before you travel.

## Key facts

- Big jets: Skardu only; Gilgit's runway too short for long-haul
- Jaglot to Skardu road: 167 km, about 4 hours (Jan 2022)
- Khunjerab Pass: 15,500 ft; officially year-round since Dec 2024
- Deosai: Avg 4,114 m; open June to November

Choose **Skardu** if you want to fly: it is the only airport in northern Pakistan that can handle large aircraft, and in March 2026 flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were running. Choose **Hunza** for a road trip: it sits on the Karakoram Highway (KKH), with Baltit and Altit forts, Attabad Lake and Khunjerab Pass on the China border. If Deosai is the reason for your trip, it is open to tourists only from **June to November**.

Both are in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and both lost roads to floods in summer 2026. Check the road and the weather before you set off, whichever you pick.

## Hunza or Skardu: which is best for your trip?

| | Hunza | Skardu |
|---|---|---|
| By air | We found no sourced flight details for Hunza. Gilgit's runway is too short for long-haul flights | The only northern airport for large aircraft; flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi (March 2026) |
| By road | On the KKH, which runs through Hunza to Sost and Khunjerab | Jaglot to Skardu road: 167 km, about 4 hours by bus (Jan 2022) |
| Main sights | Baltit and Altit forts, Attabad Lake, Passu, Gulmit, Borith Lake, Passu Glacier, Khunjerab Pass, Karimabad | Shangrila Lake, Deosai, Sadpara Lake, Katpana cold desert, Kharpocho Fort, Manthal Buddha Rock, Kachura lakes |
| Best for | Road trips, forts and museums, crossing to China | Flying in, high plateau, base for K2 and the Gasherbrums |
| Season limits | Khunjerab officially open all year since Dec 2024, but closes for holidays and landslides | Deosai open June to November |
| 2026 disruptions | KKH Sost to Khunjerab closed by landslides (5 Sep 2026) | Jaglot to Skardu road blocked; curfew in March 2026 |

Sources: GB Tourism Department, Dawn, The Express Tribune and Arab News Pakistan, dated in the sections below.

## Which is more beautiful, Hunza or Skardu?

We don't rank scenery. What we can tell you is what each district offers, from the GB Tourism Department's own lists.

**Hunza** covers 11,695 sq km and was once a princely state. Its two old forts have been restored and are now museums: Baltit Fort in Karimabad (restored in 1996, UNESCO Asia-Pacific award in 2004) and Altit Fort (restored in 2010, UNESCO award in 2011), according to the Aga Khan Development Network. Attabad Lake offers boating, jet skiing and fishing.

**Skardu** sits where the Indus and Shyok rivers meet, and it is the starting point for climbers heading to K2 and the Gasherbrums. It is also the way into **Deosai**, an alpine plain averaging 4,114 m that spans Skardu and Astore districts.

Deosai became a national park in 1993 to protect the Himalayan brown bear, and the GB Tourism Department cites a stable population of 72 bears. Sheosar Lake on the plateau lies at 4,250 m.

**No hotels inside Deosai in 2026:** In December 2025 the GB Forest, Parks and Wildlife Department banned seasonal tourist hotels and other commercial activity inside Deosai National Park for the 2026 season. Plan to stay outside the park.

## Which is easier to reach from Islamabad?

Skardu, if you fly. Skardu is the only airport in northern Pakistan that can handle large aircraft; the runways at Gilgit and Chitral are too short for long-haul flights. On 29 March 2026, Dawn reported that flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to Skardu were running smoothly.

By road, we found **no official distance or drive time** from Islamabad to either Hunza or Skardu. Figures on travel blogs vary widely, so we have left them out. The one sourced leg is the upgraded **Jaglot to Skardu road: 167 km**, about four hours by bus (Arab News Pakistan, January 2022).

You have two road routes north, and the choice matters:

- **Babusar Pass** (about 13,700 ft) links Naran in Kaghan valley with Chilas. In May 2025, Dawn reported the Diamer to Mansehra trip took about **7 hours** via Babusar against **14 hours** via the KKH. It is usually closed by snow from roughly November to late May or June.
- **The KKH** is the other route, but the UK FCDO advises its citizens against all travel on the stretch between Mansehra and Chilas (see the safety section below).

In 2026, Babusar reopened to tourists on 25 May, and on 31 May the district administration urged travellers to avoid non-essential trips because of persistent snow, with some sections one-way. Authorities advised travelling in daylight, checking the weather first and using a mechanically fit vehicle. They described travel after 6pm as especially risky.

## Can you fly to Skardu?

Yes. Skardu was declared an international airport in December 2021. On 15 August 2023, PIA flight PK234 from Dubai became the first international flight to land there, carrying 79 people. At the time, the Civil Aviation Authority said international flights would run under Visual Flight Rules only, which apply in clear weather without cloud or rain.

We couldn't confirm PIA's 2026 schedules or fares to Skardu or Gilgit: PIA's website blocked our checks, and fares on booking sites weren't dated reliably. We also couldn't confirm whether a direct Dubai to Skardu flight runs in 2026. Check with the airline before you plan around a flight.

**Skardu's busiest day, at the time:** About 12 A320 flights (Arrivals and departures on 20 July 2023, reported by Dawn in August 2023.)

## Is Hunza safe to travel right now?

2026 has brought disruption from both unrest and weather. Here is what we found, with dates, so you can judge for yourself.

**Unrest in March 2026.** On 1 March 2026 the internet was suspended and flights to and from Skardu were halted, after violent protests in Skardu and Gilgit that followed the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. A curfew in Skardu was lifted after 11 days, and mobile, internet and flights were due to resume on 12 March. Section 144, a ban on processions, gatherings and rallies, was still in force in Skardu district on 12 March.

**Foreign advisories.** After the March unrest, a tour operator quoted by Dawn on 29 March 2026 said many countries, including the UK, had advised their citizens not to visit Gilgit-Baltistan. The same report said the KKH was in good condition. As of 15 October 2026, the UK's advice page does not name Gilgit-Baltistan.

**UK advice on the Karakoram Highway:** As of 15 October 2026, the UK FCDO advises against all travel on the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas, via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin. It warns that travelling against its advice may invalidate your travel insurance, so foreign visitors should check their policy. In summer, the Babusar route avoids this stretch.

**Floods and landslides in 2026.** GB's Disaster Management Authority recorded 120 floods from cloudbursts and glacier melt between June and August 2026. The ones that hit these routes:

- **25 July:** the Jaglot to Skardu road was blocked, and the Baltistan Highway had been closed for a third day after a bridge was washed away. Hundreds of tourists were stranded in Astore and Skardu, with food and petrol shortages reported in Skardu. The Astore to Skardu road via Deosai stayed open.
- **4 August:** the KKH was closed near Altashi Nullah in the Gini area of Chilas. Flash floods also blocked the KKH near Gulmit in Upper Hunza for a time.
- **5 September:** landslides closed the KKH between Sost and Khunjerab Top, with no reopening time given. The Murtazaabad to Hassanabad section in Hunza reopened, and tourists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

If you need help in GB, the emergency number is **1122**, and the Tourist Police are on **1422** or 05811-930055 (as listed by the GB Tourism Department in July 2025).

## What is the best time to visit Hunza and Skardu?

The GB tourism season usually starts in **May**. Blossom-season visitors peak in late April, and the climbing and trekking season runs from June to mid-August, according to Dawn.

Each part of the year has a catch:

| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late April | Blossom season peak |
| Late May to June | Babusar Pass reopens (25 May in 2026, 23 May in 2025) |
| June to mid-August | Climbing and trekking season; also the flood months in 2026 |
| June to November | Deosai open to tourists, per Dawn (GB Tourism says summer only) |
| Early September | Babusar Top had its first snow of the season on 5 Sep 2026 |
| Winter | In late January 2026, temperatures fell below minus 15°C in upper GB, and snow blocked the KKH and the Baltistan road |

Sources disagree on how long Deosai stays open: Dawn says June to November, while the GB Tourism Department says only "summer". We follow Dawn, but treat late autumn as uncertain. We found no official climate averages for Hunza or Skardu.

## What is the distance between Skardu and Hunza?

We couldn't find an official road distance or drive time between Skardu and Hunza. If you are planning a Skardu and Hunza trip in one go, ask a local transport operator for the current route and time, and check that both roads are open.

## When is Khunjerab Pass open?

Khunjerab Pass, at about 15,500 ft, links Gilgit-Baltistan with China's Xinjiang region. Dawn calls it the highest paved international border crossing in the world. Under a 1985 agreement it was open only from 1 April to 30 November.

In December 2024 China agreed to keep the Khunjerab to Sost crossing open all year, and year-round trade and travel was formally inaugurated on 22 April 2025. It still closes at times: trade and travel stopped from 1 to 5 October 2026 for China's National Day, and landslides closed the road to Khunjerab Top on 5 September 2026. Check before you drive up.

## Do foreigners need an NOC for Hunza or Skardu?

No, not for general travel. In March 2019 the Interior Ministry ended the no-objection certificate (NOC) requirement for foreigners, and Gilgit-Baltistan became non-restricted.

Some strips are still restricted: 10 miles along the Pakistan to China border, 5 miles along the Line of Control in GB and AJK, and 10 miles along the Line of Actual Contact at Siachen. Foreign climbers and trekkers apply for permits: the GB tourism department had received over 1,000 foreign applications by March 2026, against 850 by March 2025.

More guides: [travel insurance for Pakistanis](/money/guides/travel-insurance-pakistan/), [sending money to Pakistan](/money/guides/send-money-to-pakistan/), [using Wise in Pakistan](/money/guides/wise-in-pakistan/), [all Where to Go guides](/travel/destinations/).

## Questions people ask

### Is Hunza safe to travel right now?

On 5 September 2026 landslides closed the Karakoram Highway between Sost and Khunjerab Top and tourists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, while the Murtazaabad to Hassanabad section in Hunza had reopened. As of October 2026 the UK FCDO advises against all travel on the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas. Check GB police and tourism updates before you set off.

### Can you fly to Skardu?

Yes. Skardu is the only airport in northern Pakistan that can handle large aircraft, and in March 2026 flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were reported running. We couldn't confirm 2026 schedules or fares.

### When is Khunjerab Pass open?

Since December 2024 the Khunjerab to Sost crossing has officially been open all year, replacing the old 1 April to 30 November season. It still closes at times, such as 1 to 5 October 2026 for China's National Day and after landslides in September 2026.

### When can you visit Deosai?

Dawn reports Deosai is open to tourists from June to November each year. For the 2026 season the GB government banned seasonal hotels and other commercial activity inside the park.

### Do foreigners need an NOC to visit Hunza or Skardu?

No, not for general travel. Since March 2019 Gilgit-Baltistan has been non-restricted for foreigners, but strips remain restricted, including 10 miles along the China border and 5 miles along the Line of Control in GB.

## Sources

- [Pakistan travel advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/pakistan), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [District Hunza](https://visitgilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/district/id/8), Tourism Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [District Skardu](https://visitgilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/district/id/3), Tourism Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Deosai National Park](https://visitgilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/categories/posts/1/2), Tourism Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [KKH landslides advisory](https://visitgilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/pages/news/43), Tourism Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Conservation and development in Gilgit-Baltistan](https://the.akdn/en/where-we-work/south-asia/pakistan/conservation-and-development-in-gilgit-baltistan-pakistan), Aga Khan Development Network (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [First international flight lands at Skardu](https://www.dawn.com/news/1770212), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Gilgit-Baltistan tourism bounces back despite Middle East war](https://www.dawn.com/news/1986387/gilgit-baltistan-tourism-bounces-back-despite-middle-east-war), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Curfew lifted in Skardu after 11 days](https://www.dawn.com/news/1981059), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Cloudburst-induced floods disrupt life in Gilgit-Baltistan's Ghizer, Hunza](https://www.dawn.com/news/2027786), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Karakoram Highway closed, Ghizer worst hit by more flash floods](https://www.dawn.com/news/2020690), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Monsoon fury isolates Baltistan region](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620146/monsoon-fury-isolates-baltistan-region), The Express Tribune (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Freezing temperatures make life difficult in snow-hit areas](https://www.dawn.com/news/1969493), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Khunjerab Pass to remain open round the year](https://www.dawn.com/news/1876341), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Khunjerab Pass opens for year-round trade and travel](https://www.dawn.com/news/1906063/khunjerab-pass-opens-for-year-round-trade-and-travel), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [China's National Day celebrated at Khunjerab Top](https://www.dawn.com/news/2034582/chinas-national-day-celebrated-at-khunjerab-top), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [NOC requirements for foreigners visiting Pakistan abolished](https://www.dawn.com/news/1471984), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Babusar Road reopens to traffic after seven months](https://www.dawn.com/news/1912925), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Babusar Pass reopens for tourists after seasonal closure](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/05/25/babusar-pass-opens-for-tourists-after-seasonal-closure), Pakistan Today (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Babusar Top travel advisory issued amid snowfall](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/05/31/travellers-urged-to-avoid-non-essential-trips-to-babusar-top-amid-persistent-snowfall), Pakistan Today (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Once a 'well of death,' upgraded road sparks hope in Pakistan's remote north](https://www.arabnews.pk/pakistan/once-a-well-of-death-upgraded-road-sparks-hope-in-pakistans-remote-north-1996296), Arab News Pakistan (accessed 15 Oct 2026)
- [Gilgit-Baltistan bans commercial activities in Deosai park](https://www.dawn.com/news/1961742), Dawn (accessed 15 Oct 2026)