ATM availability drops off sharply once you leave Skardu and Karimabad's town centres, here's exactly what to expect.
Skardu city: Reliable ATMs are available at several bank branches in the city centre, this is your main opportunity to withdraw cash before heading into the wider region.
Karimabad (Hunza): Similarly has functioning ATMs in the town centre, though with less redundancy than Skardu, if one machine is out of service, options are more limited.
Everywhere else, Shangrila, Shigar, Khaplu, Deosai, Passu, Attabad Lake, and all the smaller valleys: Assume no ATM access. This includes most hotels and guesthouses outside the two main towns.
Practical advice: Withdraw everything you'll need for your entire trip while still in Skardu city or Karimabad, several days' worth of cash at minimum. Card acceptance is limited to international hotel chains and a handful of upscale establishments; assume cash only everywhere else, including most restaurants, guesthouses, local transport and shopping.
See our Pakistan Currency guide and Budget guide for how much to actually carry.
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