Top Places to Visit in Skardu

Skardu is in Gilgit-Baltistan. The elevation of Skardu is 2,438 metres (7,999 feet) above sea level. It lies at the foot of the Karakoram Mountain Range. It is 10 kilometres (6 miles) wide and 40 kilometres (25 miles) long. Skardu is located along the Indus river, which flows from Tibet through Ladakh before entering Baltistan and join the Shigar river.

Balti people are of Tibetan and Caucasian origin. They communicate in Balti language, an ancient Tibetan dialect. Baltistan’s culture, lifestyle and architecture are similar to Tibet that’s why it is often referred to as “Tibet-e-Khurd” (Mini Tibet).

It shares borders with the Chinese province of Xinjiang as well as the Indian state of Kashmir (IHK). The tourist season begins in April and lasts until October.

If you have never been to Skardu, Adventure Planners has the best tour packages to help you discover the true beauty of the region.
I’m going to introduce you to some notable locations in Skardu. So that you can visit and take advantage of our affordable Skardu packages.

Let’s explore some exotic places in the land of monarchs, Skardu.

Khaplu Valley

The beautiful Khaplu valley is located along the Shyok river. It is 103 kilometres East of Skardu. Majority of trekking and climbing expeditions begin from Khaplu. Masherbrum, Saltoro, Sia Kangri, K-6, K-7 and other well known mountains can be seen there. Chaqchan is the oldest Masjid of Baltistan, built in 1504 AD by Syed Ali Hamdani. Palace of Raja of Khaplu and the remains of Thors are also worth visiting.

Basho Valley

Bashu valley is almost a two hour drive from the main city of Skardu. The atmosphere of the valley remains pleasant even on hot summer days because of the vast green plains and streams. The site is best for camping and hiking. At night the weather gets colder yet starry nights mesmerise the tourists.

Nansoq Village

A stroll around the Skardu rock’s eastern end will take you to the nearby village of Nansoq. Nansoq village is just behind the Kharpocho Fort. It is an historical site that has been designated as an organic village by the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP). Prince Aga Khan and Prince Charles visited this place.

Kharpocho Fort

Gilgit-Baltistan is rich in natural beauty. You can also visit some monuments of historical significance like Kharpocho Fort. The pattern of Kharpocho or Skardu Fort is similar to that of Leh Palace and the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Kharpoche means “Great Fort”. Khar means castle or fort and Chhe means big, in Tibetan language.

Shigar Fort

Shigar Fort or Fong Khar is in Skardu. “Fong-Khar” means the “Palace on the Rock”. The architecture is 400 years old with two latest buildings, the “Old House” and the “Garden House”. Former was the Palace of Raja of Shigar and it used to have 20 rooms. The Palace has been transformed into a heritage guest house. Its grand hall serves as a museum of Balti culture and displays selected samples of wood carvings.

Roundu Valley

Roundu, also Rong Yul in Balti, is the 4th largest valley of Baltistan, followed by Skardu, Khaplu and Shigar. It is called the gateway to Baltistan. The Roundu valley consists of Balti and Shina speaking. 75% of people speak Balti, while the remaining speak Shina. Roundu is a subdivision of Skardu and about 70 kilometres from Skardu District. Dambudas is its headquarters. The people of the valley are mainly Shia. Literacy rate of Roundu is nearly 90%.

Significant areas of Roundu are as follows.

• Dambud
• Istak (commonly known as Staq)
• Tormik
• Bilamik
• Gunji
• Yaulbu
• Baghicha
• Talu
• Tallu Broq
• Manndi
• Shout
• Harpo

Mindoq-Khar

Mindoq-Khar are the ruins of an ancient Palace, built by Gul Khatoon or Mindoq Gialmo and named after her as ‘Mindoq-Khar’ meaning ‘The Flower Palace’. It is located on the same hill where Kharpocho Fort lies. Sikh ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh invaded Skardu in 1840 A.D, and destroyed the Palace.

Shangri-la Resorts

The magnificent Shangri-la Resorts are only a 35-minute drive from Skardu. Its lies beautifully along lower Kachura lake, the most enthralling and captivating scenic beauty of the Skardu valley. So many tourists come to enjoy their long vacations by strolling around the city at their leisure. They can take a boat ride or go hiking in the nearby hills and return with long-lasting memories of the dreamland.

Kharmang

Madhupur village and Manthoka waterfall are two breathtaking attractions in Kharmang. Manthoka waterfall is about 70 kilometres away from Skardu, in the Kharmang valley. This massive waterfall stands 180 feet tall. Madhupur is 40 kilometres from Skardu, and is a popular tourist destination. Both places have breathtaking scenery and are ideal for camping and fishing.

Deosai

The Deosai is the second highest plateau in the world, after Tibet’s Chang Tang, at the elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 feet) above sea level. Deosai translates to ‘the summer place’ in Balti. It covers an area of 3,000 square kilometres (1,158 square miles). The Plateau extends all the way to Ladakh. It is home to snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan blue bears and wild horses.

Deosai National Park was established in 1993 to protect the dwindling Himalayan Brown Bear as well as more than 124 migratory and local rare species such as Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Marmot, Gray Wolf, Ladakh Urial, Snow Leopard, Golden Eagle, Lammergeyer, Griffon Vulture, Laggard Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Sparrow hawk, and Snow cock.

Other than the places mentioned above, there are many more to be discovered. Simply come forward, book a tour to Skardu with Adventure Planners and get prepared for an exciting adventure.