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Because Skardu and Hunza have more developed accommodation sectors, Shigar Valley has fewer options. Searching for accommodation in Shigar Valley can be frustrating, as many are unaware of the limited options. The Serena Hotels chain owns and operates the only prominent hotel in the valley, the Shigar Fort Residence. Other available options are basic guesthouses located in and around Shigar town. A majority of visitors wishing to explore the valley stay in Skardu town and make excursions to Shigar Valley. Whether you stay in Skardu and make excursions to the valley, or stay in Shigar affects your overall experience of the valley.
The valley has very few accommodation facilities outside the Shigar Fort Residence. Shigar town has very few facilities to host visitors for a long time, as for a long time, it was a day trip destination from Skardu. Restoration of the Fort also meant that other facilities in the valley could not match the standards set.
As a visitor, you have the option of staying at the Shigar Fort Residence, other basic guesthouses in Shigar, or at hotels in Skardu. Each facility caters to a specific clientele.
When traveling in the Shigar Valley, most visitors stay at the Shigar Fort Residence. The fort was built in the 17th century and was the home of the Raja of Shigar. It has been restored, and in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Serena Hotels group runs it.
The fort and the outlying buildings have a limited number of rooms. Rooms located in the fort have thick stone walls and have decorative elements of the Balti culture. A stayed at the fort is much more pleasant than staying in a modern hotel. The guesthouse rooms are more like a hotel room, but the guests of the guesthouse also get access to the beautiful garden and other, more secluded, areas of the property.
The garden and other outlying areas are a major reason to stay at the fort, and add to the overall experience. The property limits access to the grounds, and during high season the fort can be very crowded.
During the high season (July-August), the fort is already fully booked months in advance. Travelers looking to stay at the fort during these months should have already made arrangements through a reliable tour operator. Waiting to make a reservation that close to the travel date is not recommended.
Availability depends on the month. The best months to go are April, June, and October. Staying in September, after the peak months, means you don’t have to share the valley with big crowds and you get better rates.
The facilities are basic. The food and other services are geared toward the needs of the guests and staff of the fort. Compared to a city branch of the Serena Hotel, guests have described the fort as rustic. The fort is exactly what guests expect and hope for when they plan to stay in a 17th century fort.
Staying the night gives you special access to the building and other areas at sunrise and sunset when other day visitors are leaving. Many guests use the fort as a quick stop on the way to somewhere else and don’t appreciate the experience like they should.
The Shigar Fort Residence is the only major tourist attraction in the area. Other, less developed guesthouses in the area provide basic accommodations for trekkers.
There is functional accommodation in Skardu (a clean room, meal, and an early start) and varies in terms of the availability of hot water. Older guesthouses have shared facilities. Accommodation in Skardu is basic, but satisfactory for travelers who use it as a base to explore other areas of the Upper Basha valley.
It is difficult to verify the names of guesthouses in Shigar. This is because management changes and standards of smaller guesthouses vary. The guesthouses recommended by HospitalityTours.com.pk have satisfactory standards. It is best to verify listings online, because smaller guesthouses in the area can change or go out of business.
Staying in Skardu City means that travelers do not have to drive as far to reach Shigar. However, it is not possible to see everything that Shigar has to offer in just one day. Many travelers combine other areas in Skardu District with Shigar in one itinerary and use Skardu City as their base.
Skardu has a wider range of lodging options including mid-range to high-end hotels with attached bathrooms and restaurants, as well as budget guesthouses. A good option outside Skardu is Shangrila Resort at Kachura Lake. From any of these places, a day trip to Shigar can be easily arranged.
Of course, a bigger portion of the day will have to be spent in the Shigar valley if you choose lodging outside Skardu. The Fort offers a different experience. Overnight guests of the fort have private access to all areas, including the rooms, during off hours. These are things to consider if you want to plan your time in Shigar in a particular way.
Heritage stay vs Function
If the main purpose of the trip is to experience the cultural heritage of the area, Shigar Fort Residency is the best place to stay in the area. If the purpose of the trip is to spend time in the beautiful Shigar valley and take in the many scenic attractions there, the fort stay is entirely optional.
You can always stay in Skardu and make the day trips to Shigar to see everything the Shigar valley has to offer.
What to ask, what to check, what to avoid
The Shigar Fort Residence has an in-house restaurant. Be sure to verify the types and timings of the meals offered as well as any dietary restriction cases in advance. Once again, Shigar town has no other restaurant options. Thus, guests of the fort have no restaurant option other than the hotel restaurant.
If one books a simple guesthouse in Shigar town, local meals may be offered. Make sure to verify before you make assumptions.
The mobile telephone network coverage in Shigar town is spotty. The fort may have Wi-Fi, however, Skardu city has better telephone and mobile data connectivity. If one needs better mobile data connectivity, staying in Skardu city may be a better alternative.
Does the rate include breakfast? The property has a restaurant, but guests may eat there only if they’re staying at the property and their reservation includes meals. Check about this specifically.
Will the fort be open to day visitors during your stay? If so, when? Having a general sense of day visitor hours can help guests plan the best times to use the common areas.
During the night, is the fort powered by a generator? Like other places in the Skardu District, the fort may experience load shedding. Check about this specifically.
When confirming your reservation, be sure to ask for a written guarantee.
What is the condition of the road from Skardu to Shigar? There may be seasonal differences that effect the road.
If you wish to visit during July or August, you should make your reservation well in advance.
If you're staying in Shigar, consider the choices you've made regarding your reservations. It's possible that, based on outdated information, you've made a reservation at a lower-tier guesthouse.
I spent just 1 night at each fort (as a logistics stop). The point of staying at the fort is to be at the fort when the day visitors are not (e.g. overnight to have the place to yourself). Otherwise, you're paying for a stay and not using the fort.
The Shigar Valley is just starting to develop tourism. Therefore, the facilities available in Shigar are quite basic (i.e. guesthouses and basic inns). The only real ‘tourist facility’ in the valley is the Shigar Fort Residence (Serena Hotels). Being a restored 17th century fort, the Serena Hotels property is also the only heritage hotel in the entire region. Therefore, most travelers spend a night in Shigar to be able to stay at this hotel.
The Serena Shigar Fort residence has a restricted number of rooms in the main fort building and a guesthouse. The actual number of rooms is subject to change, based on Serena Hotel’s management and restoration activities. Best inquire at the time of your booking.
Non-staying visitors are allowed during visiting hours to tour the fort and its grounds. Visiting hours change based on the season. Best to confirm visiting hours from your tour operator or with the hotel prior to planning your visit.
Are there other places to stay in Shigar Valley besides the fort?
There are other places to stay in Shigar Valley. The town itself has basic accommodations. These are mostly used by travelers trekking to Basha Valley. These places are not worth staying at. For travelers who do not want to stay at the fort, the other accommodation options in Skardu are not bad either.
Is the Shigar Fort Residence good for couples and honeymoons?
Couples and honeymooners enjoy staying at the fort. The accommodation options in the area are mostly resorts. The fort is a unique option and gives a more peaceful experience compared to the other accommodations. Booking in advance is always recommended. The fort building is much nicer than the guest house and should be requested specifically.
Is the Shigar Fort Residence good for families?
Again, the fort is good for couples and families. There are no activities on site for families to enjoy, but the grounds are nice and peaceful. Families with young children should talk with their travel operator to see if the fort is good for families with young kids.
What is the process for booking the Shigar Fort Residence through HospitalityTours.com.pk?
Their staff books the Shigar Fort Residence through Skardu District packages, as well as through other reservation packages, individually. They check on the availability of different room types, meals, and other amenities offered by the fort. They then give this information to their clients. Their staff is able to show their clients the options that are available to them during the peak season. This is more convenient than searching for available options themselves.
The staff of HospitalityTours.com.pk requires your travel dates and the names and ages of travelers to create an itinerary. There is no obligation or charge until you approve the itinerary.
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