Nathia Gali snowfall: first snow of winter draws crowds to Galiyat, rooms at Rs 10,000 to 15,000

Snowfall in Pakistan has begun: the first snow of the winter fell on the Galiyat hills over the weekend, covering the slopes, rooftops and pine forests of Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali and Khanspur in Abbottabad district, The Express Tribune reported. Thousands of families drove up from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the Met Office forecast snow, and hotels, guesthouses and motels in Nathiagali were reported heavily occupied.

Where the snow fell

• Nathiagali: the busiest resort, with the biggest influx of day-trippers and overnight guests.
• Ayubia: families queued for the chairlift for views over the snow-covered ridges.
• Dongagali, Khanspur and Bagnotar: quieter spots that also turned white.

The snow has also brought business to locals: hotel owners, restaurants, horse riders, photographers, drivers and shopkeepers all reported more custom, and some residents opened rooms in their own homes for visitors looking for cheaper beds, ProPakistani reported.

What a night costs

Prices are the main complaint. Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq told the Tribune that private hotels in Nathiagali, Naran-Kaghan and Kalam were charging Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a room per night, and warned that overcharging could put off families on tight budgets. Visitors have asked the Abbottabad district administration to check hotel tariffs and food prices and to arrange more parking at the main spots.

Before you drive up

• Book ahead for weekends, and confirm the price per night in writing.
• Check the weather and road status with the Pakistan Meteorological Department and the motorway police before leaving; fresh snow can close the link roads above Murree and Nathiagali.
• Carry chains or hire a local driver if your car is not used to icy hill roads, and keep the tank full.
• Pack warm layers, gloves and waterproof shoes; temperatures fall well below freezing at night.
• Never run a gas heater in a closed room overnight: ventilate it or switch it off before sleeping.

Working out the trip

Our fuel cost calculator works out what the round trip will cost in petrol at today's price, and the petrol price page carries the latest rate.

The Galiyat season normally peaks from December to February, so more snow is likely in the coming weeks. We will add updates here as the Met Office issues new forecasts.