Skardu Travel Guide 2026: Gateway to K2, Shangrila and Deosai

Skardu is where the really big mountains live. This is the capital of Baltistan, sitting on the Indus at 2,230 m, and it is the jumping-off point for K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums, the greatest cluster of high peaks anywhere on earth. But you do not need to be a climber to fall for Skardu. Between the cold deserts, the mirror lakes and the 400-year-old forts, it is one of the most rewarding trips in Pakistan. Here is how to do it properly.

Get your bearings

Skardu town sits in a wide valley where the Shigar River meets the Indus, and most of the good stuff spreads out from there. The Kachura Lakes and Shangrila are a short drive west, the Katpana cold desert and Kharpocho Fort are right on the edge of town, the green Shigar Valley is to the north, Khaplu is a couple of hours east, and the enormous Deosai Plains climb south toward Astore.

When to go

May to October is the window. Days are mild, roads are open and flights actually run. Spring brings blossom to Shigar and Khaplu, summer is peak season, and September and October give you crisp air and gold foliage. One important thing: Deosai only opens once the snow melts, roughly late June to mid-October, and it peaks in July and August when the wildflowers are out and the brown bears are active.

Fly or drive?

The Islamabad to Skardu flight takes about 45 minutes and banks right past Nanga Parbat. It is one of the best short flights anywhere, but it is weather-dependent, so keep a buffer day at both ends. The road option is an 18 to 22 hour drive via the Karakoram Highway and Gilgit, then along the Indus gorge. It is spectacular but long, so most people fly at least one way and keep their sanity.

What to see and do

• Kachura Lakes and Shangrila. The famous heart-shaped resort sits on Lower Kachura, and just up the hill is Upper Kachura Lake, all clear water and mountain reflections. Rent a little boat and take it slow.
• Katpana Cold Desert. One of the highest cold deserts in the world, silver dunes against snow peaks. It is magic at sunset and unreal under a full moon.
• Shigar Fort. A restored 400-year-old raja's palace, now a Serena heritage hotel, sitting among orchards in the Shigar Valley. Even if you do not stay, go for a look.
• Kharpocho Fort. Perched above town with big views over the Indus and the whole Skardu basin.
• Khaplu. A valley a couple of hours east with its own gorgeous restored palace and a slower, older feel. It is also the gateway to the Hushe valleys and Masherbrum.
• Deosai. A full day out on the world's second-highest plateau. We wrote a whole Deosai guide because it deserves one.

The gateway to K2

This is where the great Karakoram expeditions begin. The trek to K2 Base Camp goes up the Baltoro Glacier through Askole, Paiju, Concordia and the ring of eight-thousanders, and it is roughly a 19-day round trip. Make no mistake, this is a real expedition, not a hike. It needs permits, a licensed guide and porters. But even if you never attempt it, standing at Concordia surrounded by four of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks is the kind of thing you plan a life around.

How many days

Three or four days covers the town, the Kachura Lakes, Kharpocho and the cold desert, with a half-day at Shigar. Give it five to seven and you can add a full day across Deosai, plus Khaplu and a green valley like Basho or Manthokha. The K2 trek is a separate 15 to 21 day mission of its own.

Where to stay

Skardu has the full range. There are the heritage forts at Shigar and Khaplu (Serena), the iconic lakeside Shangrila, plenty of solid mid-range hotels in town, and simple guesthouses for tighter budgets. Katpana now has a few desert glamping camps if you want a night under the stars.

What to eat

Balti food is hearty and grown right there: apricots, buckwheat, barley, and above all Indus trout. Do not leave without grilled trout at Shangrila, proper Balti dishes at Dewane Khas, the breakfast buffet at Mount Feast, or a meal at the much-loved Rafsal Restaurant in town. Try balay (buckwheat noodles) and apricot soup, and grab dried apricots and apricot-kernel oil from the bazaar to take home.

What it costs

Backpackers manage on under PKR 5,000 a day, and a comfortable trip runs PKR 8,000 to 15,000 a day per person. Air packages of 4 to 6 days from Islamabad usually start around PKR 45,000 to 60,000 per person depending on group size. Road tours cost less but eat more days. Budget a bit extra for the Deosai 4x4, it is worth every rupee.

Permits, SIMs and cash

No permit for Skardu or Deosai, though foreigners should carry a passport for checkpoints. K2 and the Baltoro treks do need permits, a guide and porters, so arrange those through a licensed operator. On phones, same story as the rest of GB: SCOM is the reliable network, Zong works in Skardu town, and you buy the SIM in Skardu or Gilgit bazaar with your passport and visa. There are ATMs in Skardu City, but they thin out fast beyond it, so carry cash for Deosai, Khaplu and the villages.

Safety and altitude

Skardu is safe and friendly. Town is a comfortable 2,230 m, but Deosai (4,114 m) and the high treks need real acclimatisation, so go up slowly, drink lots of water, and come down if altitude sickness hits. The Deosai road is rough 4x4 country with no fuel or signal, so go prepared and travel by day.

Quick answers

Fly or drive to Skardu? Fly at least one way. The 45-minute flight past Nanga Parbat saves you a full day, just keep a buffer for weather.

How many days? Four for the town, five to seven with Deosai and Khaplu.

When is Deosai open? Late June to mid-October, best in July and August.

Do you need a permit for K2 Base Camp? Yes, plus a registered guide and porters through a licensed operator.

Ready to plan the trip? Browse experiences and stays around Skardu or all of Gilgit-Baltistan on Pakistan Locals. Next, read our Hunza guide and the Deosai guide.