Oct 19, 2026 · @iMusafir.pk
Winter can work for a Skardu honeymoon, but only for couples who fly, want snow and quiet more than green valleys, and can leave a few spare days for weather. If you plan to drive over Babusar Top, visit Deosai or keep a fixed return date, choose another season.
How cold is Skardu in winter?
Skardu sits at about 2,228 m, and from December to February daytime highs stay in single digits while nights fall well below freezing. January is the coldest month, with a mean low of −8.0 °C and a recorded low of −24.1 °C.
| Month | Mean daily high (°C) | Mean daily low (°C) | Record low (°C) | Rainfall/snow (mm) |
| November | 13.2 | −1.9 | −9.5 | 5.6 |
| December | 6.5 | −5.6 | −17.2 | 16.3 |
| January | 3.2 | −8.0 | −24.1 | 27.5 |
| February | 6.1 | −4.4 | −20.0 | 25.9 |
| March | 12.4 | 1.5 | −13.5 | 36.9 |
| July (for comparison) | 31.6 | 16.4 | 7.5 | 9.8 |
Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department figures as listed on Wikipedia’s Skardu page. These are long-term averages, so a given week can be colder or milder.
For a couple, this means warm layers, thermal wear and proper boots are not optional. Daytime sightseeing is comfortable in sun, but evenings are cold and the hotel’s heating matters more than the view.
What is open and what is not in winter
The main limits in winter are the Babusar Top road, Deosai and the weather itself, so plan around these before you pick dates.
- Road from Islamabad via Babusar Top: The pass is normally open only from the end of June to October, as Aaj News reported. It was reported closed in November 2025 during cold weather. Our road honeymoon tour is therefore a summer and early-autumn option.
- Flights: Skardu flights depend on clear weather. After heavy snowfall in January 2020, flights and roads were both disrupted. A delayed or cancelled flight is a normal risk in winter, not a rare one.
- Deosai National Park: The plateau is snowbound in winter and is visited in the summer months, so it should not be part of a winter itinerary. See the Zameen Deosai guide for the season.
- Power and heating: The November 2025 report also mentioned power outages in Skardu. Ask any hotel you book about heating and backup power before you pay.
- Hotels and restaurants: Some places reduce services or close in the coldest weeks. We confirm what is open for your dates before booking, since we could not verify winter operating status for every hotel in advance.
If your plans depend on exact dates, such as a wedding-leave limit or a fixed return flight, winter adds risk that no operator can remove.
What winter does well for couples
Winter’s real advantage is a quiet Skardu with snow on the peaks and very few other visitors. The summer crowds are gone, hotels are easier to book and viewpoints are quieter.
Cold desert near Skardu with snow on the peaks. Photo: Wasif Mehmood / Pexels.
- Snow-covered scenery: The mountains around Skardu usually carry snow through the winter months, and the cold desert looks very different from its summer version.
- Privacy: Fewer tourists means quieter viewpoints, which suits couples who want time together rather than a busy schedule.
- Evenings indoors: A warm room, a candlelight dinner and a hot drink fit the season well. Our honeymoon package already includes room decoration, a cake and one candlelight dinner.
- Photography: Clear winter days give sharp light on snow and rock, though short days limit how much you can fit in.
Cloud and fresh snow over the dunes. Photo: Maihon Hassan / Pexels.
Who should go in winter, and who should wait
Winter suits flexible couples who fly and accept that the schedule may shift. It does not suit couples who need a tight itinerary or who want lakes, meadows and long drives.
Winter is a good fit if you:
- Travel by air and can add one or two spare days at the end of the trip.
- Want snow, quiet and a slower, indoor-friendly honeymoon.
- Are comfortable in cold weather and will pack properly.
- Are happy to book hotels with confirmed heating.
Choose another season if you:
- Want to drive from Islamabad over Babusar Top.
- Want Deosai, boating at the lakes or green valleys.
- Have a fixed return flight or a hard limit on leave.
- Are travelling with elderly relatives or anyone who struggles in the cold.
If you are still deciding between destinations, our Hunza vs Skardu honeymoon comparison and the best time to visit Hunza guide cover the seasons in more detail.
What we recommend booking
For a winter honeymoon we suggest the 5-day Skardu honeymoon package by air, because it avoids the Babusar road and includes air tickets from Islamabad. The tour page does not give winter-specific guidance, so we confirm availability, hotel heating and a flexible return date with you at booking.
| Package | Hotel | Price per couple |
| Standard | Al Noor Hotel | ₨312,000 |
| Deluxe | Reego Hotel | ₨392,000 |
| Luxury | Himmle or Khoj Resort | ₨435,000 |
Included: air tickets from Islamabad, private vehicle, 4 hotel nights with breakfast, room decoration, bouquet, honeymoon cake, one candlelight dinner, a coffee date at Upper Kachura, and a bonfire evening if available.
Not included: lunches and dinners, entry tickets, boating, photographer, insurance, and extra costs from weather delays, flight cancellations, road blockages or landslides.
That last point matters in winter. Keep a small cash and time buffer for delays, and check the cancellation and refund policy before you pay.
The five days cover Shangrila Resort, Upper Kachura, Shigar Fort, Sarfaranga Cold Desert, Khaplu Valley and Palace, Chaqchan Mosque, Manthokha Waterfall, Kharpocho Fort and Katpana sunset. In winter, some outdoor stops may be cut short or skipped depending on snow, and we adjust the order on the day. For other options, see our full Skardu tour packages, the 5-day by-air tour and Skardu hotels.
If winter feels too risky: the milder months
April and October are gentler options, with mean daily highs of 18.8 °C and 20.4 °C against 3.2 °C in January. Snow is still possible on the high peaks, and the lakes and valleys are easier to enjoy. October is the last month the Babusar road is normally open, so check the pass status before planning a road trip.
The same area in a greener season, for comparison with the winter photos above. Photo: Arif Esapzai / Pexels.
Whichever month you choose, ask the hotel three questions before paying:
- Is room heating working, and is it included or charged separately?
- Is there backup power if the grid fails?
- What is the policy if a flight is cancelled and you need extra nights?
Our Skardu honeymoon guide and the honeymoon cost breakdown help with planning the budget for the season you pick.
Frequently asked questions
Is winter a good time to visit Skardu for a honeymoon?
It can be, if you fly, want snow and quiet, and accept that weather may change the plan. It is a poor choice if you need fixed dates or want lakes and Deosai.
Is Skardu open for tourists in winter?
Yes, the town and hotels operate, but services can be reduced and weather can interrupt travel. Confirm your hotel’s heating and power backup before booking.
Can we drive from Islamabad to Skardu in winter?
The usual route over Babusar Top is normally open only from the end of June to October. For winter we recommend flying.
How cold does Skardu get?
January has a mean daily high of 3.2 °C and a mean low of −8.0 °C. December and February are slightly milder.
Can we visit Deosai in winter?
No. Deosai is snowbound in winter and is a summer destination.
Are flights to Skardu reliable in winter?
Not always. Flights depend on clear weather, so delays and cancellations happen after snow or cloud. Keep at least one spare day in your plan.
What does the winter honeymoon package cost?
Our 5-day honeymoon package by air is ₨312,000 (Standard), ₨392,000 (Deluxe) or ₨435,000 (Luxury) per couple, including air tickets from Islamabad. Please confirm winter availability with us before booking.
Is it better to choose Hunza or Skardu in winter?
Both are cold and weather-dependent in winter. Our Hunza vs Skardu comparison lists the differences.
Plan your Skardu honeymoon with iMusafir
Tell us your dates and budget and we will confirm winter availability, hotel heating and a realistic schedule. You can contact our team directly.
- Skardu tour packages
- 5-day Skardu honeymoon by air
- 5-day Skardu honeymoon by road (summer and early autumn)
- 3-day Skardu tour from Karachi by air
- Pakistan honeymoon tour packages
- Hunza tours and Naran Kaghan tours
- Hotels in Pakistan and car hire
- More guides on the iMusafir blog
