Khunjerab Road Update – Live Status for the Hunza–Khunjerab Route

The Highway's Final, Highest Stretch

The road from central Hunza through Gojal — Passu, Sost, and finally Khunjerab Pass — is the highest and most seasonally restricted stretch of the entire Karakoram Highway. This is the section of the KKH most likely to be closed at any given time, simply due to its extreme elevation.

→ Check Today's Live Khunjerab Road Status

Why This Stretch Is Different

Climbing to nearly 4,700 meters at the pass itself, this section experiences a seasonal snow closure that's unrelated to the monsoon-driven disruptions seen further south on the KKH. The pass closes for winter, generally from around November through April, regardless of conditions elsewhere on the highway — meaning this route needs to be checked with a different question in mind: not just "is it clear today" but "is it open for the season at all."

The Route Itself

From Karimabad, the road passes Attabad Lake, continues through Gulmit and Passu, reaches the last major town at Sost, and finally climbs to the border marker at Khunjerab Pass itself, passing through Khunjerab National Park along the way.

Seasonal Access Window

May through October is the general access window for this stretch, with June through August offering the most reliable conditions. Even within this window, temperatures at the pass remain cold, and sudden weather changes at altitude are more common here than on lower stretches of the highway.

Local Tips for This Route

• Confirm Khunjerab Pass is open for the season before building it into your itinerary, particularly for trips planned in early spring or late autumn.
• Fuel up in Sost, as this is the last reliable fuel stop before the pass.
• Carry your CNIC or passport, given routine identification checks on this border-adjacent stretch.
• Mobile signal becomes unreliable well before reaching the pass — see our connectivity guide for what to expect.

For current conditions, check the live Khunjerab road status here before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Khunjerab Pass open year-round? No, it closes for winter, generally from around November through April, due to heavy snow at altitude.

What's the best time to drive this stretch? June through August offers the most reliable conditions within the broader May–October access window.

Does this route require special permits? Standard identification (CNIC or passport) is required given the border-adjacent checkpoints along this stretch; no special advance permit is typically needed for reaching the Pakistani side of the pass.

How is this different from checking the general KKH status? This stretch has its own seasonal snow closure independent of the rest of the highway — always check this specific route rather than assuming the broader KKH status applies here too.

Conclusion

The Hunza–Khunjerab stretch operates on its own seasonal rules, separate from the rest of the KKH — check both whether the pass is open for the year and current day-of conditions before planning this leg of your trip.

→ Check Today's Live Khunjerab Road Status