Winter is by far Skardu’s least-visited season — and for travelers who don’t mind the cold, that’s precisely the appeal.
What’s open and what’s not
Deosai National Park is completely closed under heavy snow from around October to May. The Khaplu road can also be affected by snowfall. What remains reliably accessible is Skardu city itself and Shigar Valley, both of which take on a genuinely different character under snow.
Weather
Daytime temperatures typically run -5°C to 8°C, dropping well below freezing at night. Flights become more weather-dependent than usual, so building a buffer day into any winter itinerary is wise.
What makes it worth it
- Snow-dusted Shangrila Resort and a frost-rimmed Kachura Lake, with almost no other visitors
- Empty forts and a quiet Skardu Bazaar
- Genuinely dramatic photography conditions — clear cold air and stark contrast
- Noticeably lower hotel prices than peak season
We built two dedicated packages for this season — the Skardu Winter Snow Tour and the Skardu Winter Photography Expedition — both focused on Skardu city and Shigar rather than the closed high-altitude sights, with heated hotels and a bonfire evening built in.