Northern Pakistan, answered.

When is the best time to visit northern Pakistan?

May to October is the best time for most of northern Pakistan: every road is open, including Babusar Top, and days are mild. Hunza and Swat stay good from April to November, and Deosai Plains is open only from June to September.

Spring (April–May) brings cherry and apricot blossom in Hunza and Skardu. Autumn (October–early November) has golden poplars and clear skies. Winter is possible in Hunza, Skardu and Swat, but high passes and jeep tracks close.

How far is northern Pakistan from Lahore and Islamabad?

By road, Naran & Kaghan is the closest at about 616 km from Lahore (around 10 hours of driving), and Skardu is the farthest at about 985 km (around 22 hours). Starting from Islamabad saves about 330 km and 3½–4 hours.

Billman splits long drives over days with hotel stops on the way, so no day is a marathon. Distances are for the summer route over Babusar Top.

Is Babusar Pass open, and what happens when it is closed?

Babusar Top (4,173 m) is usually open from June to October. When it is closed by snow, trips to Hunza, Skardu and Fairy Meadows take the Karakoram Highway via Besham instead, which adds a few hours of driving.

Billman's trip calculator switches to the winter route automatically when you pick a date outside June–October.

How many days do I need for a northern Pakistan trip?

Plan 4 days for Naran, Swat or Neelum, 5 days for Fairy Meadows, 7 days for Hunza or Skardu, and 10 days to see Hunza and Skardu together, starting from Lahore.

How high are the places, and should I worry about altitude?

Most valley towns sit between 2,000 and 2,600 m. The highest stops are Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), Deosai Plains (4,250 m), Babusar Top (4,173 m). Visits that high are short; go slowly, drink water, and sleep lower down.

Do I need a 4×4 or a jeep?

Not for the main roads: a car, van or coaster reaches every valley town. Local jeeps are needed for Fairy Meadows (Raikot Bridge to Tato), Deosai Plains, Saiful Muluk Lake and Mahodand Lake, and Billman includes them in trips that go there.

What does a Billman trip include?

Hotels with breakfast, your own vehicle with an experienced driver for the whole trip, local jeeps where the road ends, and a day-by-day plan. Dinners, a tour guide and a honeymoon setup can be added.

Who are Billman's trips for?

Families, couples and honeymooners, friends, schools and colleges, and companies. Every trip is private and built around your group: you choose the dates, pace, hotels and stops.

How do I book a trip with Billman?

Get an instant price range in the trip calculator at billman.pk/plan, then send the plan to Billman on WhatsApp. Billman confirms the exact price, hotels and dates, and picks you up in Lahore or Islamabad.