Lowari Tunnel Timings Just Changed — Here's the Full New Schedule
District Lower Chitral Police have issued a new opening schedule for Lowari Tunnel. Here's the full timetable, exempted and prohibited vehicles, and what it means for your travel plans.
New Schedule Issued for Lowari Tunnel
The Public Relations Department of District Lower Chitral Police, in coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA), has issued an important notice for the public: a new timing schedule is now in effect for traffic passing through Lowari Tunnel, the key route connecting Chitral to Dir and the rest of Pakistan. All travelers are advised to plan their journeys according to the new schedule to avoid delays or inconvenience.
Lowari Tunnel matters well beyond Chitral itself — it's a significant route for travelers combining a Chitral visit with onward travel toward Gilgit-Baltistan via Ghizer district and Shandur Pass, so anyone planning that kind of route should build this schedule into their trip timing.
Full Opening Timetable
The tunnel now opens to traffic in three-hour blocks, separated by two-hour breaks, with a longer overnight closure:
| From | To | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 3 hours | Tunnel Open |
| 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 2 hours | Break (Closed) |
| 9:00 AM | 12:00 PM | 3 hours | Tunnel Open |
| 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 2 hours | Break (Closed) |
| 2:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 3 hours | Tunnel Open |
| 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 2 hours | Break (Closed) |
| 7:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 3 hours | Tunnel Open |
| 10:00 PM | 4:00 AM | 6 hours | Closed (Overnight) |
In short: the tunnel opens for three-hour windows roughly every two hours through the day, with a full six-hour overnight closure from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
Vehicles Exempted From the Schedule
The following vehicles are permitted to pass through the tunnel at any time, regardless of the posted schedule:
- Ambulances
- Vehicles carrying patients or transporting deceased persons
- Emergency service vehicles, including Rescue, District Administration, Police, and other law enforcement agencies, NHA, and NHMP (National Highways & Motorway Police)
Vehicles Prohibited From Using the Tunnel
The following are not permitted to use Lowari Tunnel at all:
- Bikes and cycles
- Smoke-emitting vehicles
- Vehicles carrying fuel, explosives, or other combustible materials
What This Means for Your Trip
If you're planning to cross Lowari Tunnel as part of a trip to or from Chitral, timing your arrival to coincide with one of the four daily opening windows is essential — arriving during a break period or the overnight closure means a wait of up to two hours (or considerably longer overnight). Build this into your itinerary rather than assuming the tunnel is open on demand.
Local Tips
- Check for any further schedule updates closer to your travel date, since timings can be revised.
- If traveling overnight, plan to reach the tunnel before 10:00 PM or be prepared to wait until 4:00 AM.
- Motorcyclists and cyclists should plan an alternate route, since two-wheelers are not permitted through the tunnel at all.
- Vehicles carrying fuel or hazardous materials should arrange alternate routing in advance, given the outright prohibition on this schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Lowari Tunnel at night? No, the tunnel is closed overnight from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM, except for exempted emergency and ambulance vehicles.
Are motorcycles allowed through the tunnel? No, bikes and cycles are prohibited from using Lowari Tunnel under the current rules.
What if I arrive during a break period? You'll need to wait until the next opening window; breaks last two hours between each three-hour opening period.
Is this schedule permanent? Schedules for tunnels like this can be revised based on traffic, maintenance, or seasonal conditions — always check for the latest notice before traveling if possible.
Conclusion
This new Lowari Tunnel schedule is a meaningful planning factor for anyone traveling between Chitral and the rest of Pakistan, including travelers combining a Chitral trip with a route toward Gilgit-Baltistan via Ghizer and Shandur. Time your journey around the four daily opening windows, and you'll avoid an unnecessary wait at one of the most important mountain crossings in the region.
Source: Public Relations Department, District Lower Chitral Police, in coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA).