SKARDU TRAVEL GUIDE

Skardu is the main town of Baltistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, set in a wide valley where the Shigar River meets the Indus. It is a place of contrasts — clear blue lakes, sand dunes under snowy peaks, old forts and the high plains of Deosai — and the starting point for expeditions to K2 and the great peaks of the Karakoram.

Skardu town sits at about 2,228 metres. Most visitors stay in or near the town and take day trips to the lakes at Kachura, the Shigar Valley, Katpana and Deosai. Balti is the local language, and Urdu is widely spoken.

Getting There

The quickest way is to fly. Flights from Islamabad take about an hour, weather permitting, and there are sometimes direct flights from Lahore and Karachi. Flights can be cancelled in bad weather, so keep a spare day in your plans.

By road, Skardu is a long, scenic drive of two days from Islamabad. The year-round route follows the Karakoram Highway via Besham and Chilas, then the Skardu road along the Indus. In summer you can also go via Naran and Babusar Top, with a night in Naran or Chilas on the way.

Road Conditions

The road from the Karakoram Highway to Skardu runs through a deep gorge beside the Indus. It is narrow in places, and rain can bring landslides, so an experienced driver and a comfortable vehicle make a real difference. Deosai and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert are best reached by jeep, which can be hired locally in Skardu.

Skardu Weather

Summer days are warm and sunny, but nights are cool, and Deosai is cold even in July. Spring brings cherry and apricot blossom, and autumn turns the trees gold. Winters are very cold, with snow on the hills and frozen lakes — Deosai and the Naran route close, but Skardu is still open by air and by the Karakoram Highway.

Things to Do in Skardu

• Go boating and walk around Upper Kachura Lake and Shangri-La
• Take a jeep ride across the Deosai Plains in summer
• See the sand dunes of the Katpana and Sarfaranga cold deserts
• Visit Shigar Fort and Kharpocho Fort above Skardu town
• Take a day trip to Manthoka Waterfall in Kharmang
• Add Khaplu, Basho Valley or Soq Valley on a longer trip

Where to Stay

Skardu town has hotels from budget-friendly to luxury, and there are lakeside resorts at Kachura and heritage stays in Shigar. Book early for June to August and the autumn season. Our tour packages include your hotel stays, chosen to suit your budget.

Plan Your Trip

See our Skardu tour packages — private trips by air or by road for families and honeymoon couples, with transport, hotels and an experienced driver — or rent a car with driver in Skardu. For routes and places, read how to reach Skardu and our guide to the top places to visit in Skardu.