Babusar Pass: When It Opens, Road Conditions and How to Cross
When Babusar Pass usually opens and closes, what the road from Naran to Chilas is like, which car to take, and how to plan a crossing from Islamabad.
Babusar Pass connects the Kaghan Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan. At about 4,170 m it is one of the highest roads most visitors will ever drive, and it is only open for part of the year.
When is Babusar Pass open?
The pass is closed by snow every winter. In a typical year:
- Opening — between late May and early July, once the National Highway Authority has cleared the snow. Early-season openings are often limited to daylight hours.
- Best window — July to September, when the road is clear and the weather most settled.
- Closing — around mid-October, earlier if the first heavy snow comes early.
Dates move every year with the snowfall. Before you set off, ask us on WhatsApp for the current status — we check with drivers who are on the road that week.
The road from Naran
From Naran the road climbs past Lalusar Lake and Gittidas to Babusar Top, about 65 km. The descent to Chilas on the other side is steep, with tight bends. Allow three to four hours from Naran to Chilas without long stops.
Which car
An SUV — Prado, Fortuner or Land Cruiser — is our recommendation. A sedan can cross in mid-summer, but the clearance, braking and comfort of an SUV make the descent to Chilas easier, and you are covered if the weather turns. Groups use a Hiace or Coaster with an experienced mountain driver.
Why cross Babusar at all?
In summer, Babusar is the scenic and often quicker way to Hunza, Skardu and Fairy Meadows. It avoids the long Besham–Dasu stretch of the Karakoram Highway and gives you a night in Naran on the way.
Practical tips
- Start early. Weather on the pass is usually best in the morning, and you want daylight for the descent.
- Take warm layers. It can be near freezing at the top even in July.
- Altitude. Most visitors are fine for a short stop, but people with heart or breathing conditions should keep the stop brief.
- Do not cross at night. If you are late, stay in Naran or Chilas.
- Fuel. Fill up in Naran; there is nothing on the pass.
