Gateway to K2 and the world's greatest concentration of high peaks. Ancient forts, cold desert, and the Deosai plateau above the clouds.
Tap markers to explore key sites, day-trip distances, and hidden spots
Skardu sits at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers at 2,228m. It's the largest town in Baltistan and the administrative gateway for all K2 expeditions. But Skardu is far more than a staging post — the district itself contains one of the most varied landscapes in Pakistan.
The Katpana Cold Desert — sand dunes at 2,200m — sits 5km east of town. The Deosai Plains, two hours south by jeep, are a 3,000 km² high-altitude plateau at 4,114m, carpeted in wildflowers in July and patrolled by the rare Himalayan brown bear. Shigar Fort, restored by the Aga Khan Trust and now a heritage hotel, is the finest surviving example of Baltistani architecture. And the Satpara Buddha Rock Carving from the 5th–7th century stands roadside, unguarded, mostly overlooked.
Most trekkers pass through Skardu quickly on the way to K2. That is a mistake. Give it three days minimum, five if you can afford it.
Six sites that make Skardu worth slowing down for — with honest descriptions, entry fees, and what most guides skip.
Built around real driving times and actual opening hours. All assume Skardu as your base.
| By air | Direct flights Islamabad → Skardu (SKT), ~1h 15min. PKR 10,000–20,000 one way. Book 2–4 weeks ahead in June–August. PIA and AirSial both operate this route. |
| By road from Islamabad | Via KKH to Raikot, then south via Chilas to Skardu: approximately 20–24 hours. Break overnight at Chilas (halfway). Buses depart Islamabad's Faizabad terminal. |
| From Gilgit | Shared jeep PKR 700–1,200 (4–5h via Jaglot). Private jeep PKR 12,000–20,000. NATCO bus daily at 6–7am PKR 500–600. |
| From Hunza | Gilgit is the hub: Hunza → Gilgit (~3h) then Gilgit → Skardu (~5h). Full day journey by road. Gilgit–Skardu by air is 20 minutes. |
| Within Skardu | Local rickshaws (PKR 150–400) or taxis (PKR 500–1,500 across town). Jeep hire for day trips PKR 6,000–15,000 depending on destination. NATCO local vans also run to Shigar. |
| Permits | Deosai National Park: entry permit at the gate (PKR 200–500). K2 / Baltoro trek: trekking permit from Ministry of Tourism, Islamabad (apply weeks in advance). No NOC needed for Shigar, Satpara, or Kachura lakes. |
Prices per room per night in peak season. Skardu has good options at every tier — the heritage choices here are some of the best in Pakistan.
The Baltistani version of momo or dumpling. Minced meat (usually mutton or yak) wrapped in thin dough, steamed, and served with a tomato-chilli sauce. The best Mamtu in Skardu is made at small restaurants in the old bazaar — PKR 200–400 for a plate. Don't confuse with the thin soup dumplings served elsewhere in GB.
A thick, hearty stew made with irregularly hand-rolled pasta pieces, root vegetables, and mutton broth. It's a winter staple but available year-round at local restaurants. Warming, filling, and very cheap — PKR 150–250. The texture is unlike anything in mainstream Pakistani cuisine.
Salted, butter-enriched tea made in a wooden churn. An acquired taste for most people — don't judge it on the first sip. Drunk with tsampa (roasted barley flour) by herders. Some guesthouses serve it at breakfast. If offered at a local home, always accept.
Made from dried apricots boiled into a tart, warming broth and often served as a starter. Unique to Baltistan. Found at traditional restaurants in Shigar and Khaplu more reliably than in Skardu town itself.
The Indus and its tributaries around Skardu are trout country. Fresh trout grilled over charcoal or fried in butter is served at restaurants around Satpara Lake and Shangrila. PKR 600–1,200 for a full fish. If you can fish yourself at Satpara (fishing rod hire PKR 500), it tastes better.
| April – May | Blossom season. Cherry, apricot, and almond orchards in flower in Shigar and Khaplu. Cool days (10–18°C), cold nights. K2 trekking expeditions begin arriving. Fewer tourists than summer. |
| June – July | Peak trekking season. Deosai wildflowers at their best in July. Brown bear sightings most likely. Warm days (22–28°C), mild nights. Highest visitor numbers — book flights and mid-range hotels early. |
| August | Apricot and harvest season. Shigar Valley apricot orchards heavy with fruit. Warm and settled. Monsoon occasionally brings afternoon showers. |
| September – October | Autumn gold. Shigar and Khaplu valleys turn amber. Cooler temperatures (8–20°C), fewer tourists, excellent trekking weather. Deosai starts to freeze by mid-October. |
| November – March | Skardu itself stays accessible but cold. Deosai is snowbound and closed. Shigar is quiet. For winter photography or complete solitude only. Flights more prone to cancellation. |
The crown jewel of Karakoram trekking. Baltoro Glacier, Concordia, and four 8,000m peaks visible simultaneously from the same point. Requires trekking permits from Islamabad, a registered licensed guide, and serious physical preparation. Jeep from Skardu to Askole (the trek start) is 3–4 hours on a rough track.
Read full guide →Pakistan's most dramatic high pass. Cross from Hushe Valley over Gondogoro La into the Concordia K2 circuit. The pass itself requires crampons and basic glacier technique. The view from the top — K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum — is one of the most extraordinary mountain panoramas accessible to trekkers anywhere on earth.
Read full guide →Trek across the Deosai Plains from Skardu to the Astore Valley. Himalayan brown bears, wildflowers June–August, and the largest high-altitude plateau in South Asia. No technical difficulty. The 3,000 km² plateau is remarkably flat — the challenge is altitude and weather exposure, not gradient.
Read full guide →