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From Islamabad, Skardu is approximately a 700 kilometer drive (680 km) along the Karakoram Highway. The drive takes about 20-22 hours. If you take the more direct flight, it takes just over an hour.
Upon arrival in Skardu, most visitors take day trips to neighboring attractions including the Indus River, Kachura (Shangrila) Lake and Fort, Satpara Lake, and the cold desert of Katpana.
Some travelers have time to go to the Deosai Plateau which is on the border of Pakistan and Skardu and is accessible via Skardu.
Packages are customizable to include as many of the above mentioned sites as time permits.
The bus and accommodation services are also equipped to handle families and larger groups.
The journey from Islamabad to Skardu is roughly 680-700 km and takes about 2 days to complete with most travelers taking an overnight break at Chilas or Gilgit. The road follows the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and connects to the Indus Valley at Skardu. Driving from Jaglot to Skardu also takes several hours. There are a number of beautiful places to see including the town of Chilas and the Conservation Lake.
From Chilas the road to Skardu also passes through the picturesque town of Naran and continues to the Babusar Pass. From there the road rejoins the KKH. The pass is closed from November until June and is full of snow during the other months. Because of the varied landscapes, many travelers take this route if time permits.
PIA has regular flights between Islamabad and Skardu that take approximately 90 minutes. The Skardu airport is at a higher elevation and flights are canceled with clouds obstruct Skardu's views. Travelers should secure PIA's flights to Skardu if they have time sensitive travel plans. Skardu offers many things to do and the flight is the quickest way to get there.
Kharpocho Fort is built on an outcrop above the township and commands a view of the Indus and the Skardu Valley floor. Although the date of its construction is not exactly known, it must have been built several hundred years ago. It has commands a strategic location over the valley and must have witnessed many historical events. The ramp leading to the fort is not very long, but very steep. The view from the top is wonderful and provides a superb layout of the valley.
Satpara Lake is about 9 km from Skardu town. The Satpara Hydroelectric power station, the only power house in the region, is built on the lake. The lake provides good fishing. A paved highway provides an easy access to the lake.
Skardu is famous for its sand dunes and Katpana Cold Desert is a collection of sand dunes at an altitude. The sand dunes offer panoramic view of high altitude peaks. Katpana Cold Desert is about 45 km from Skardu town and may be visited on a day's outing.
Located approximately 35 km from Skardu City, the Shangrila Resort on Lower Kachura Lake is situated on an incline in a valley. Also referred to as the Lake of Heaven, the lower Kachura Lake and resort are some of the more developed tourism facilities in Gilgit-Baltistan. The upper Kachura Lake is a short hike from the lower lake and are both easily accessible from Skardu. Travelers can stay at the Shangrila Resort for a night or two.
Located about 35 km from Skardu, the Shigar Valley boasts the restored Shigar Fort, now operated as a resort by Serena Hotels. Guests and non-guests are welcome to visit the fort. You can also find apricot orchards and the Basha River in the valley. It’s an easy half day trip from Skardu.
About 100 km from Skardu and in the Ghanche District is Khaplu. The restored Khaplu Palace, now a resort operated by Serena Hotels, is the area’s main attraction. You can make the trip from Skardlu in about three hours. Khaplu is a good base for an extended stay.
Also accessed from Khaplu, Hushe Valley offers routes to the base camps of Masherbrum and K6. This area is prime trekking country and offers routes beyond the standard Skardu area trips. You’ll need a local guide and other gear for trekking beyond the villages.
The Skardu area is accessible from road from about February to December. The Indus Valley highway, however, can be cut off during the monsoon, from July to September, due to flooding and landslides. The best time to visit is in the spring and summer, from May to October.
Flowers and clear skies in the early summer draw visitors to Deosai. The plateau opens in late May or early June. Flowers continue to attract visitors through July.
Visitors begin to descend on Skardu in July. The best mid-range and Shangrila hotels become difficult to find if not booked in advance. The best chance to visit Deosai is in August. Even though August is the monsoon month, Skardu and the nearby areas remain accessible.
The Deosai plateau road closes in October, but the Skardu valley remains accessible and comfortable until month end.
Whether a flight leg (and its corresponding road section) is scheduled. A cancelled Islamabad flight means a full day is lost. Accounting for this in the itinerary reduces the need for contingency planning.
Always check the status of the road to Deosai. The road may still be closed in May and also in October when the first snowfall of the season closes the road.
Always check if the Trekking routes require a Restricted Area Permit. If an itinerary includes a route that requires a permit, then the permit must be arranged by the Ministry of the Interior.
Always check the status of Babusar Pass if it is included in the itinerary. The Pass is closed due to snow and may open any time from June to September.
Avoid combining Skardu and Hunza in the same trip. Likewise, an itinerary that includes a full day in Skardu and a full day in Hunza is not realistic.
Avoid adding Deosai to another itinerary. A trip to Deosai from Skardu is a full day trip.
Booking Shangrila Resort for July or August requires no advance confirmations. Rooms are limited at this popular resort and command high demand during the summer months. Availability must be verified and reservations made as soon as possible.
How long is the drive from Islamabad to Skardu?
The distance is approximately 680 to 700 kilometers using the North-South axis of Pakistan (Karakoram Highway and Indus Valley Route). Many travelers take two days to complete the trip. The final, and longest, section from Jaglot to Skardu follows the Indus Valley and can take several hours.
Is there a direct flight from Islamabad to Skardu?
Yes. Flights are operated by the national airline of Pakistan (PIA). Due to the altitude of the Skardu airport, flights are conducted under Visual Flight Rules. Cancellations due to poor weather are common.
What is the best time to visit Skardu?
The main season is from May through to October. The higher altitude areas of Skardu, such as Deosai Plains, are best visited outside of the monsoon season (June and July). Clear skies and less crowd are the attractions of the month of September. July and August are the peak months for Skardu and its accommodation. Winter makes much of Skardu inaccessible, but the city itself is accessible all year round.
What is Deosai National Park?
Deosai is one of the highest plateaus in the world with an average elevation of about 4,000 meters. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and is home to the endangered Himalayan Brown Bear. The plateau can be accessed by jeep from Skardu between the months of June and October.
Can I go to K2 base camp if I take a Skardu tour?
K2 base camp is about 14 days (round trip) from Askole and requires trekking to Concordia via several high camps. These are extremely difficult and dangerous treks. A normal tour package will take you to the standard tourist areas in Skardu including Deosai, Shigar, and Khaplu. A separate tour would be needed to reach K2 base camp.
Do I need a permit to go to Skardu?
Pakistani nationals do not need a permit to go to Skardu. All foreign nationals need permits to go to restricted areas to trek to K2 base camp and other areas near the Indian and Chinese borders. Check with your tour operator for more information.
What are the options for places to stay in Skardu?
There are budget guesthouses, mid-range hotels, Shangrila Resort and the Shigar Fort Residence by Serena Hotels. Khaplu Palace (also operated by Serena) is further away, about 100 km from Skardu. July and August are the peak months. Book in advance for the best chance of staying at the better hotels.
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