Similar to GB’s apricot and cherry blossom season, autumn in Gilgit Baltistan is also a great time to visit this region and enjoy fall foliage. As the weather gets colder in autumn, the leaves of poplar, apricot, mulberry, peach, apple, and plum trees change from green to shades of gold, orange, and red, creating a stunning display of nature’s artistry.
The autumn season in Gilgit Baltistan lasts roughly from mid-September through November. However, mid-October is the best time to see the epic fall foliage in Hunza and Skardu District. Our Gilgit Baltistan autumn guide includes the best places to visit during fall in Gilgit, with a map of Gilgit Baltistan and estimated peak foliage times.
Read on to discover the best destinations to see the best of Gilgit Baltistan in autumn.
Autumn in Gilgit Baltistan: Where & When to see Fall Foliage in Gilgit Baltistan
Like Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Swat Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan is also the best region to witness the stunning autumn season in Pakistan, with its vibrant fall foliage and breathtaking landscapes. Here are the best places to visit during autumn in Gilgit Baltistan to see autumn leaves.
1: Phander Valley
Best time to visit in autumn: At the end of September and October.
Located in the Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Phander Valley is renowned for its azure lake, tranquil surroundings, and the slower pace of mountain life. As summer gives way to fall, temperature drops, and trees change colors. You can expect 10-15°C in September, and autumn foliage typically peaks at the end of September and October.
2: Hunza
Best time to visit Hunza Valley in autumn: Mid October
Hunza Valley is the iconic spot to see fall foliage in beautiful Gilgit Baltistan. Gojal, Ganish Village, Gulmit, Paasu, Karimabad, and Hassanabad are some of the best places in Hunza District to enjoy this seasonal spectacle.
Not just autumn leaves, Hunza Gilgit Baltistan also features historically significant places and natural wonders in the country, which puts it on our list of must-visit and beautiful places in Pakistan. The autumn colors reach their zenith in mid-October. So book your Hunza autumn tour around this time.
3: Nagar Valley
Best time to visit Nagar Valley in autumn: End of October to early November
Like autumn in Hunza Valley, Nagar Valley has truly lovely places to see the autumn scenery. Sky-soaring mountain peaks like Spantik (also known as Golden Peak) and the majestic Rakaposhi, along with alpine lakes, glaciers, and mountain passes, dominate its landscape.
The most famous fall foliage spots in Nagar Valley are Hopper Valley, Chalt Valley, Minapin Valley, Nagar Khan, Ghulmet Valley, and Rakaposhi View Point.
As locals say, “In fall, every leaf turns into a flower,” autumn colors in Nagar paint landscapes with breathtaking red, yellow, and orange shades. The autumn foliage against the majestic backdrop of snow-capped mountains is a sight to behold here from the end of October to early November in Nagar.
4: Khaplu Valley
Best time to visit Khaplu Valley in autumn: Early October to mid-October
Located in the Ghanche District of Gilgit Baltistan, Khaplu is home to some of the highest peaks and glaciers and an idyllic spot to catch the autumn colors. In fall, green leaves turn shades of yellow, copper brown, and vibrant red. Ghuwari Road is the most famous fall foliage spot in Khaplu.
Autumn in Khaplu spans from October to November. However, early to mid-October is the best time to visit Khaplu in autumn, with cool temperatures ranging from 1°C to as high as 17°C during the day. So, be sure to bring a sweater or Sherpa jacket for the cooler evenings.
5: Skardu
Best time to visit Skardu Valley in autumn: Mid-October
While Skardu Valley is breathtaking throughout the year, nothing beats Skardu in autumn. It is a favorite with photographers in autumn for its breathtaking landscape. Fiery foliage and great weather make autumn in Skardu a prime time to visit.
If you prefer to stay in Skardu on your trip to Gilgit Baltistan, there are many destinations to catch the seasonal foliage. Chunda Valley, Bashu Valley, Sooq Valley, and the famous Deosai National Park are great spots to see Skardu’s fall foliage in its prime.
You can enjoy the autumn leaves as early as late September in some parts of Skardu, often peaking in the second week of October.
6: Astore Valley
Best time to visit Astore Valley in autumn: Late September
Best known as a trekking paradise, Astore Valley is located in the Astore District of GB and is an equally great place to see the fall leaves change colors. Trees shift to vibrant oranges, fiery reds, and bright yellows from September to November, setting this beautiful valley ablaze.
Late September is an ideal time to see the rugged beauty of Astore Valley, illuminated with vivid colors of trees in the fall. October is usually not the best time to visit Astore Valley in autumn as the temperature drops to as low as -3°C in October, and all the roads are blocked due to heavy snowfall in winter, which starts at the end of October.
7: Gupis valley
Best time to visit Gupis Valley in autumn: End of September
Located on the River Gilgit, Gupis or Goopechh Valley is the best place to take in the autumn’s vibrant yellows, copper browns, oranges, and reds. Blue water Khalti Lake and Gilgit River are home to beautiful autumn colors.
To enjoy the vibrant foliage, visit Gupis Valley at the end of September, as October is the colder month with average highs of 6 °C and lows of -5°C. So don’t forget to pack a variety of layers for your autumn trip to Gupis Valley.
8: Yasin Valley
Best time to visit Gupis Valley in autumn: Mid-October
If you are in Ghizar District, be sure to head to Yasin Valley for striking autumn views. Situated around 92 miles from the city of Gilgit, it is a scenic valley that connects to Broghil Valley in Chitral through Darkut Pass.
September starts with high daytime temperatures, gradually transitioning to cooler temperatures by the end of the month. By October, the temperatures continue to drop in Yasin Valley, with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Mid-October is an ideal time to see the fiery shades of autumn.
9: Naltar Valley
Best time to visit Naltar Valley in autumn: Late October
Famed for its frozen lakes and ski resort, Naltar Valley is the crown jewel of Gilgit Baltistan and famous travel destination in northern areas of Pakistan. Autumn in Naltar Valley is delightful, with stunning mountain scenery and moderately chilly weather.
The best time to see autumn color in Gilgit Baltistan is between mid-October and mid-November, but the window to see the fall foliage in Naltar Valley is brief due to cooler temperatures in November.
Fall foliage peaks in late October, with green trees standing out among the vibrant gold, red, and orange hues.
When is the autumn season in Gilgit Baltistan?
October and November are the autumn months in Pakistan. Temperatures become more comfortable in cities like Lahore and Islamabad, while it gets cooler in the mountainous regions during autumn in the country.
In northern Pakistan, autumn arrives early, typically starting in September. In Gilgit-Baltistan, autumn usually spans from early September to late November.
The peak time to enjoy fall foliage across Gilgit-Baltistan is generally late October, though this can vary by region and weather conditions. Some areas, such as Astore Valley, may become inaccessible in late October due to heavy snowfall.
Find out what to do in Lahore with a complete things to do in Lahore guide.
What to wear in Gilgit Baltistan in autumn?
Temperatures begin to fall in the autumn months in Gilgit Baltistan. Expect crisp mountain air, chilly mornings, and cooler evenings during autumn in the GB region. The average temperature in Gilgit Baltistan in fall ranges from 3° C to 20° C (38-68° F). So be sure to pack woolen sweaters, wool or cashmere scarves, shawls, fleece jackets, hoodies, beanies, down jackets, and ankle boots.
When to See Fall Colors in Hunza Skardu Valley?
The fall foliage in Hunza and Skardu Valley starts in September and is often at its peak during mid-October. The top places to catch the peak foliage in Hunza and Skardu Valley include Altit and Baltit Forts, the Karakoram Highway, Passu Cones, Upper Kachura Lake, Satpara Lake, and Deosai National Park.
What are the best things to do in Gilgit Baltistan in autumn?
Gilgit Baltistan is filled with beautiful destinations that offer breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences. The opportunities are endless if you are wondering how to leaf peep like a local.
Rent a bike and ride along the Karakoram Highway, explore the serene valleys of Gilgit Baltistan, enjoy boating at lower Kachura Lake, visit Passu Village to enjoy the autumn leaves and marvel at the majestic Passu Cones, try Balti food, and rent a bicycle to explore the region in your own pace.
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About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.