Gilgit-Baltistan
Skardu
Region
Gilgit-Baltistan
Best Visit
May to October
Highlight
Mountains
Access
Open to All
Skardu
— at a glance
Skardu sits at 2,228 metres on the Indus River in Baltistan, the eastern half of Gilgit-Baltistan and the gateway to four of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, K2 among them. Where Hunza is Wakhi and Burushaski, Skardu is Balti, with a Tibetan-rooted culture, language and cuisine that feels closer to Ladakh than to the rest of Pakistan. The valley is a launchpad for the Deosai Plains, the world's second-highest plateau at 4,100 metres, the turquoise Kachura and Satpara lakes, the Katpana and Sarfaranga cold deserts, and the restored Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace. A 45-minute flight from Islamabad reaches it, or a 5 to 7 hour drive from Gilgit along the Indus. Plan five to seven days, since the headline sights like Deosai and Khaplu are long jeep days out from Skardu town. The best months are late May to early October, with autumn the most beautiful and least crowded.
What to expect
MountainsLakesCold DesertsTrekkingBalti Heritage
Frequently asked questions
- What is Skardu famous for?
- Skardu is the gateway to K2 and the Karakoram's 8,000-metre peaks, the Deosai Plains, the Kachura and Satpara lakes, the Katpana and Sarfaranga cold deserts, and the restored Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace. Its Balti, Tibetan-rooted culture sets it apart from the rest of Pakistan.
- How do you get to Skardu?
- The quickest way is a 45-minute flight from Islamabad, though mountain flights cancel often in bad weather. Overland, Skardu is a 5 to 7 hour drive from Gilgit along the Indus River, or a long two-day road trip from Islamabad on the Karakoram Highway.
- What is the elevation of Skardu?
- Skardu town sits at about 2,228 metres (7,300 feet). The Deosai Plains nearby reach 4,100 metres, so acclimatize before heading up there and take altitude seriously on the high day trips.
- Is Skardu better than Hunza?
- They are different. Hunza has easier access, better hotels and village culture along the Karakoram Highway. Skardu is wilder, the base for Deosai, the cold deserts and K2-region treks, with deep Balti heritage. With a week or more, many travelers combine both.
- What is the best time to visit Skardu?
- Late May to early October. June to September is peak season with the bluest lakes and open trails, while autumn brings golden valleys and thinner crowds. Winter is harsh, with unreliable flights and many places closed.
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