Babusar Top: The Naran-Kaghan Back Route Into Gilgit-Baltistan

An Alternative Way In, Popular With Domestic Road-Trippers

While most Gilgit-Baltistan itineraries default to the Karakoram Highway route via Besham and Chilas, a considerable number of domestic Pakistani travelers, particularly those already road-tripping through Naran and Kaghan Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, use Babusar Top as a direct, scenic alternative entry point into Gilgit-Baltistan, connecting Kaghan Valley directly to Chilas on the KKH.

Sitting at roughly 4,170 meters, Babusar Pass offers dramatic high-altitude scenery in its own right, in addition to functioning as a practical route connector for travelers combining a Kaghan Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan trip into a single extended road journey.

Why Travelers Choose This Route

For domestic travelers already planning a Naran-Kaghan trip, continuing over Babusar Top into Gilgit-Baltistan avoids backtracking to Islamabad and rejoining the KKH from the beginning, instead creating a natural, continuous loop or one-way route through two of northern Pakistan's most popular travel regions in a single trip.

The pass itself, beyond its practical routing value, offers genuinely striking high-altitude scenery, with sweeping views back over Kaghan Valley on one side and a dramatic descent toward Chilas and the Indus valley on the other.

Seasonal Access — The Most Important Thing to Know

Babusar Top is a seasonal route, generally accessible from June through September/October, and closed the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall. This makes it fundamentally different from the year-round (weather permitting) Karakoram Highway route via Besham, and travelers must plan around this seasonal window specifically if hoping to use this route.

Things to Do Along the Babusar Route

Stopping at Babusar Top Itself

The pass offers a worthwhile photo stop and a chance to take in sweeping views in both directions before descending toward Chilas.

Combining With a Naran-Kaghan Visit

Lake Saif-ul-Malook and other Kaghan Valley highlights pair naturally with a Babusar crossing for travelers extending their trip into Gilgit-Baltistan.

Visiting Chilas

On the Gilgit-Baltistan side of the pass, Chilas offers ancient rock carvings along the Indus River, an interesting historical stop for travelers entering the region via this route.

Continuing Onward to Hunza or Skardu

From Chilas, travelers can continue north up the KKH toward Hunza, or in the other direction toward Skardu via the Skardu road.

Best Time to Cross Babusar Top

July and August offer the most reliable access window with the least risk of unexpected weather-related closures, though the broader June through September/October window generally works, with early and late season crossings carrying somewhat higher risk of encountering snow or temporary closures.

How to Reach Babusar Top

• From Naran: Roughly 2–3 hours by road, climbing steadily from Kaghan Valley up to the pass.
• From Chilas (GB side): A similar drive time descending from the pass toward the Karakoram Highway.

A capable vehicle, ideally 4x4 or at minimum high-clearance, is recommended given the pass's unpaved and sometimes rough sections, along with its high-altitude, weather-exposed setting.

Local Tips

• Confirm current road status before attempting this route, given its seasonal and weather-dependent nature — conditions can change even within the main travel season.
• Fuel up in Naran before attempting the crossing, as options become limited along the pass itself.
• Pack warm clothing regardless of season, given the pass's high elevation.
• Start early in the day to allow time for the crossing and avoid any afternoon weather changes at altitude.

Nearby Attractions

• Lake Saif-ul-Malook – a major Kaghan Valley highlight, easily combined with a Babusar crossing itinerary.
• Chilas rock carvings – ancient Indus valley petroglyphs on the Gilgit-Baltistan side of the pass.
• Fairy Meadows – accessible via Raikot Bridge, not far from Chilas, a natural extension for travelers entering via Babusar.
• Karakoram Highway (Hunza-bound) – the natural continuation north from Chilas for travelers heading deeper into Gilgit-Baltistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Babusar Top open year-round? No, it's a seasonal route, generally open from around June through September or October, closed the rest of the year due to snow.

Is this route safe for standard cars, or do I need a 4x4? A 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is recommended given unpaved and occasionally rough sections, though conditions can vary by year and season.

Can I combine a Naran-Kaghan trip with Gilgit-Baltistan using this route? Yes, this is exactly the appeal for many domestic travelers, allowing a continuous road trip through both regions without backtracking through Islamabad.

How does this route compare to the standard KKH route via Besham? Babusar offers a scenic, seasonal alternative particularly useful for travelers already in Kaghan Valley, while the Besham-KKH route remains the more reliable, longer-season option for most travelers heading directly to Gilgit-Baltistan from Islamabad.

Conclusion

For domestic travelers already exploring Naran and Kaghan Valley, Babusar Top offers a genuinely practical and scenic way to continue directly into Gilgit-Baltistan without doubling back — provided the seasonal timing lines up. Check current conditions, start early, and the crossing itself becomes one of the most memorable, high-altitude legs of an already impressive northern Pakistan road trip.