Khunjerab Pass Opening Guide

Travel PlanningHunza Travel Guide

✍ Written by: Hunza-Tours.com Editorial Team ✔ Reviewed by: Amir Hussain, Operations Manager 📅 Last updated: July 2026 ⛰ Field experience: Local ground team, resident in Gilgit-Baltistan

In short: Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) — the China border — typically opens for tourism from May through late November, weather depending. The gate day-trip runs from Hunza year-round when open; through-traffic to China follows the official bilateral schedule.

Typical Dates

Tourist visits: ~1 May to ~30 November most years, with occasional short weather closures any month. December–April the road beyond Sost closes under snow; itineraries substitute Naltar Valley automatically.

Visiting Well

Start early from Gulmit/Sost for calm winds and wildlife (ibex, marmots, occasionally more), carry passports for checkpoints, pay the national-park fee near Sost, dress for winter regardless of month, and keep summit time to 1–2 comfortable hours — full detail in the Khunjerab guide. Full gate-day detail in the Pak-China Border guide.

Crossing to China

Through-crossing needs a Chinese visa and runs on the joint schedule (roughly May–November) — our China–Hunza Overland Tour handles both sides.

Official Sources & References

Pass opening dates follow official Pakistan–China schedules and road-authority status. Always confirm time-sensitive details (visa rules, pass openings, flight schedules) with the official source before travel: