Most people land in Skardu, step out of the small airport, and just stand there for a minute. The Indus runs milky turquoise below, bare brown mountains rise on every side, and somewhere behind them sit four of the fourteen highest peaks on Earth. Skardu is the gateway to Gilgit-Baltistan’s giants — K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums — but you don’t need to be a mountaineer to love it here. Give it four or five days and it will quietly become a favourite.
Best Places to Visit in Skardu
Shangrila Lake (Lower Kachura Lake)
This is the lake on every postcard, and for once the postcard doesn’t lie. Lower Kachura, better known as Shangrila Lake, sits about 20 minutes from town and is famous for the red-roofed cottages of the Shangrila Resort reflected in still, green water, with orchards all around. Entry costs a few hundred rupees if you’re not staying at the resort. Come early, before the day-trippers arrive, when the surface is glassy and all you can hear is birdsong.
Upper Kachura Lake
A short drive and a ten-minute walk past Lower Kachura brings you to its wilder, quieter sibling. Upper Kachura has no resort — just a few small restaurants on its shore, wooden boats for hire, and water so clear you can see trout below the surface. A 30–45 minute boat ride costs around PKR 3,000–5,000 for the whole boat. It’s the lake locals actually prefer, and after an hour here you’ll understand why.
Satpara Lake
Only 15–20 minutes from town on the Deosai road, Satpara is a large, deep-blue lake that supplies Skardu’s drinking water. A dam has raised its level over the years, but the setting — ringed by dry, dramatic mountains — is still beautiful, especially in late afternoon. It’s worth a quick stop for photos and tea on the way to Deosai.
Deosai Plains
If you do one big day trip from Skardu, make it Deosai. At around 4,100 metres, it’s one of the highest plateaus in the world — an ocean of grassland and wildflowers stretching to the horizon. In June and July the plains are carpeted with flowers; by September they turn gold. Look out for Himalayan brown bears (from a distance) and mirror-still Sheosar Lake at the far end. You’ll need a 4×4 and a full day — a hired jeep costs roughly PKR 18,000–25,000. The altitude is real, so take it slow and keep drinking water.
Shigar Fort
About an hour’s drive from Skardu through the wide Shigar Valley, this 400-year-old fort-palace of the Raja of Shigar has been restored as a small heritage hotel and museum. Even if you’re not staying, the guided tour is worth it: carved wooden balconies, an old mosque nearby, and a garden restaurant where lunch by the river is hard to beat. The drive through the poplar-lined valley is half the pleasure.
Khaplu
Khaplu is a longer excursion — 2.5 to 3 hours each way — but many travellers call it the highlight of their trip. The town feels gentler and greener than Skardu, with an elegant old palace (Khaplu Palace, now a Serena hotel), the centuries-old, Tibetan-style Chaqchan Mosque, and views towards Masherbrum peak. If you can, stay a night.
Manthokha Waterfall
Roughly an hour from Skardu, this tall waterfall crashes down a rocky face into a cold, clear pool. The small café beside it serves fresh trout, and eating grilled fish with the spray of the falls in the air is a simple pleasure. The water is glacial, so most visitors just dip their feet in and cool off.
Katpana Cold Desert
Minutes from town lies one of Pakistan’s strangest landscapes: giant rolling sand dunes at nearly 2,200 metres, surrounded by snow peaks. The Katpana Cold Desert is best at sunset, when the dunes turn gold and the temperature drops fast. Walk the dunes, ride a camel or ATV, or simply watch the light change. In winter the dunes are sometimes dusted with snow — a sight you won’t forget.
How to Reach Skardu
You have two real options. By air, direct flights from Islamabad take about an hour, with staggering views of Nanga Parbat on clear days. Book early — seats fill fast, flights are weather-dependent, and a buffer day is wise. A return ticket typically costs PKR 35,000–55,000. By road, the journey via the Karakoram Highway and Skardu Road takes 18–22 hours: long, winding and occasionally delayed by landslides, but the scenery through the Indus gorges is unforgettable.
Best Time to Visit Skardu
The main season runs from May to October. May and June bring blossom and green valleys; July and August are warmest and best for Deosai, though busier; September and early October are arguably perfect — golden poplars, clear skies, thinner crowds. From November to March, temperatures drop well below freezing, many hotels close, and Deosai is cut off by snow.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
- Acclimatise gently. Skardu town sits at about 2,200 metres and Deosai much higher, so take your first day easy.
- Carry cash. ATMs in the main bazaar can run dry, and cards are rarely accepted outside bigger hotels. A mid-range trip runs roughly PKR 25,000–40,000 per person per day, less if you share transport.
- Book transport locally. A local driver with a jeep, arranged through your hotel, is better value and far safer on mountain roads than self-driving.
- Pack layers. Even in July, evenings are cold, Deosai can be near freezing at midday, and the sun is fierce at altitude.
- Mobile signals work in town (SCO has the best coverage) but fade in the valleys — download offline maps first.
- Respect local culture. Baltistan is conservative and famously hospitable; modest dress, and asking before photographing people, goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for Skardu?
Four to five days is ideal: a day for the Kachura lakes and Cold Desert, a full day for Deosai, a day for Shigar and Manthokha, and time for Khaplu.
Is Skardu safe for tourists?
Yes — Skardu and wider Baltistan are considered among the safest areas in Pakistan for travellers, including solo and female travellers. The real risks are road conditions and altitude, not crime.
Can I visit Skardu in winter?
You can, and the frozen lakes and snow-dusted dunes are spectacular, but be prepared: temperatures fall below −10°C, flights are cancelled more often, and Deosai closes. Many hotels shut for the season, so book one with heating.