LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
When to Go
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Climate is the key factor in deciding when and where to travel in Pakistan. There are generally three seasons: cool (autumn to winter, around October to February), hot (spring to summer, around March to June) and wet/monsoon (summer, around July to September). There are, however, distinct regional variations.
In all seasons, the ‘continental’ climate can mean big day-to-night temperature differences. Roughly speaking, Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and the south of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) are most pleasant to visit from around November to February (it can get chilly at night, particularly in December and January), but can get uncomfortably hot during summer. Note that Balochistan gets bitterly cold at the height of winter and may even see snow in January. Northern NWFP, the Northern Areas and Azad Jammu & Kashmir are generally at their best from around May to October (although occasionally stormy), but are more or less snowbound in winter, when accessibility can be difficult. The monsoon sweeps in from around July through September, bringing bouts of heavy rain and oppressive sauna-like humidity. The tail end of the southwest monsoon dumps steady rain across the central and eastern plains and as far north as Swat, Indus Kohistan, the Kaghan Valley and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. But the monsoon doesn’t reach much further and, despite random thunderstorms, this is not a bad time to go north. The trekking season is from late April to late October, peaking from mid-June to mid-September.
Summer (particularly July and August) is the high season for domestic tourists, with many flocking to the summer resort towns in northern Pakistan to escape the sweltering heat of the plains. Three very popular areas – the Kaghan Valley, Upper Swat and the Galis – can get unbearably crowded at this time. For those travelling to or from China, be aware that the Khunjerab Pass is officially closed to travellers from 15 November until 1 May. Heavy snow may even close it sooner and longer.
You may like to work festivals into your itinerary. Many travellers prefer not to visit during the holy month of Ramazan (Ramadan), when business hours can be affected and when the majority of eateries (except in some Ismaili areas) are closed during the daytime .
It’s probably best to defer travel to Pakistan during the country’s major national election campaigns, as travel routes may experience disruptions and political expression can sometimes take a volatile turn.
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