May

May

May opens the mountain season, and the best places to visit in Pakistan in May are the Kalash valleys for the Chilam Joshi spring festival, the orchards of Hunza and Skardu and the green valleys of Swat, while the plains turn very hot. We run small-group and private May tours with local guides.

Pakistan in May at a glance

May is often the hottest month in Lahore, with daytime temperatures that can reach 40°C to 45°C, and Sindh is hotter still. Most travellers spend it in the mountains, where Hunza, Skardu and Chitral have warm days and cool nights, and the higher orchards of Khaplu and Hushe are still in flower early in the month.

High roads open late in May or in June, depending on the winter's snow. The Babusar Pass reopened on 27 May in 2026 but not until 10 June in 2024. The Deosai Plains and the jeep road to Fairy Meadows usually follow in late May or June. Lower down, the Kaghan Valley road is normally cleared as far as Naran by early May, well before the pass itself opens.

Chilam Joshi festival in May

Chilam Joshi, the Kalash spring festival, is held from 13 to 16 May each year in the valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir near Chitral. It welcomes the new season with dancing, songs and ceremonies at sacred sites. Our 8D 7N Chilam Joshi Festival tour is timed around it.

Chitral is reachable by road all year through the Lowari Tunnel. Rooms in the Kalash valleys are limited, so festival trips are best booked early.

Best places to visit in Pakistan in May

  • Hunza and Nagar: fresh green fields and clear views of Rakaposhi. The 12D 11N The Karakoram Crown Rakaposhi Hunza Skardu tour runs in May.
  • Skardu: Shigar Fort, the Khaplu palace and the Upper Kachura and Shangrila lakes near town.
  • Swat: a green, cooler escape from the plains, a few hours' drive from Islamabad.
  • Walking and trekking: lower-level routes in the north are in good condition, and our 11 Days Hiking and Trekking Adventure starts its season this month.

What to pack for May

  • Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, since the sun is strong at altitude.
  • Layers: light clothing for the day and a warm fleece for mountain evenings.
  • City days: if your trip starts in Lahore or Islamabad, plan sightseeing for early morning and evening.
  • Festival etiquette: modest dress, and ask before photographing people during Kalash ceremonies.

Plan your May trip

Tell us your dates and we will fit the festival, the valleys and the road openings into one plan. Compare April and June, or learn more about the Kalash valleys.