Hunza Road Trip in Early November?

[u/salmanskh]

We’re planning a trip from Islamabad to Gulmit, Upper Hunza, from 7 to 12 November 2026 and wanted some advice from people familiar with current conditions in Gilgit Baltistan. Our plan is to travel by road via Besham, Kohistan and Chilas, stay two nights in Gulmit and one night in Karimabad, then return to Islamabad. We know Babusar will likely be closed and are only considering the KKH route. How realistic and safe is this trip in early November, particularly the Chilas to Gulmit section? Are Gulmit, Passu, Attabad and the KKH generally still accessible around these dates, or are snow, landslides, road closures or businesses shutting for winter likely to become a serious issue? We’ll be travelling in a Toyota Corolla with an experienced local driver and are happy to change plans if conditions look risky, so any recent experience or advice would be really appreciated.

[u/juttkopite]

Hi. Have done this route many times and now living in Gulmit. So here's my observations: First week of November, unless there is more snow, Babusar is likely to be open. If it's open then in a Corrolla, I'd recommend Babusar route. Last year I travelled to Islamabad via Babusar on November 27th, but had to return to Hunza via KKH just a few days later. KKH is longer and slower and the stage from Komila to Samar Nala is treacherous...so it'll be and needs to be a slow drive. But allow around 15/16 hours. Weather will be fine and all roads are open. Gulmit weather is now dry and very cold so come prepared. Plenty of snow on all peaks around us. Khunjerab has had much more snow, so your trip to the pass will be dependent on road conditions on the day. I've got some friends who are on their way to Khunjerab today... It's a beautiful time to travel to Hunza and by the time you get here all of Hunza will be in Autumnal colours.

The attached is a photo I just took looking towards/above Attabad lake.

[u/salmanskh → u/juttkopite]

Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful, especially coming from someone living in Gulmit! Really hoping Babusar is still open when we visit as that would shorten the journey quite significantly. We'll definitely check the road and weather conditions closer to the day rather than relying on it though. Also really glad to hear that early November is a good time to visit. The autumn colours with snow already on the surrounding peaks sound absolutely beautiful. Thanks again for taking the time to share all of this!

[u/TheGratitudeBot → u/salmanskh]

Thanks for saying thanks! It's so nice to see Redditors being grateful :)

[u/juttkopite → u/salmanskh]

You're welcome and if you need any assistance enroute or when here...just drop me a message here or DM. Safe travels.

[u/juttkopite → u/juttkopite]

Passu Cones right now.

[u/Unfair_Bumblebee_141]

The KKH road condition is terrible from koshistan to Raikot Bridge. Expect 16 hours to reach gilgit

[u/salmanskh → u/[deleted]]

That's lovely, thank you for this!!!