Why visit Skardu
Skardu sits at about 2,228 metres where the Shigar River meets the Indus, in a broad valley ringed by bare granite mountains. It is the base for expeditions to K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums, and for treks onto the Baltoro Glacier. Travellers who are not climbing come for its lakes, dunes and forts, and for a Buddhist rock carving thought to date from the 8th century. Most people here speak Balti, a language related to Tibetan.
Things to do in Skardu
- Kachura lakes: Lower Kachura, better known as Shangrila Lake, and the quieter Upper Kachura, about half an hour's walk uphill.
- Shigar Fort: a 17th-century palace built on a boulder, restored under the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme and now a museum and heritage hotel.
- Cold desert: the pale dunes of Katpana and Sarfaranga beside the Indus, with snow peaks behind.
- Manthal Buddha Rock: a large granite boulder carved with a relief of the Buddha.
- Kharpocho Fort: the old fort of the Maqpon rulers on the ridge above town, with views across the valley.
- Satpara Lake and Deosai: the road south climbs past Satpara Lake to the Deosai Plains, a plateau averaging about 4,114 metres.
Best time to visit Skardu
April to October is the main season. April brings blossom to the orchards, and mid-June to September is the window for Deosai, which lies under snow for most of the year. October is dry and golden, with sharp nights. Skardu weather in winter is very cold and the high country beyond the valley closes, so winter trips stay close to town.
How to reach Skardu from Islamabad
Airblue, AirSial and PIA fly from Islamabad to Skardu International Airport, a trip of about an hour, though mountain weather can delay departures. By road the journey is roughly 640 km: the Karakoram Highway to near Gilgit, then the S-1 road along the Indus for about four hours. Most people split the drive over two days. Flying one way and driving the other is a good way to see the gorge without doing the long drive twice.
Skardu tour packages
Skardu features on several of our northern routes. The 12D 11N The Karakoram Crown Rakaposhi Hunza Skardu pairs it with Hunza and Rakaposhi, and the 11D 10N Buddhist Heritage Journey in Pakistan suits travellers drawn to the region's Buddhist past. To see more of the north, look at Hunza and the wider Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Plan your trip to Skardu
Choose a tour above, or tell us your dates and we will plan a private Skardu trip with a driver, a local guide and stays in Skardu and Shigar, arriving by road or by air.
Small Group Tour
