Pakistan’s High-Altitude Gateway to the World’s Greatest Mountains.
Skardu is the ideal destination for travellers seeking dramatic high-altitude landscapes, world-class trekking, surreal cold deserts, turquoise alpine lakes, and some of the most extraordinary mountain scenery on Earth. Whether you are planning a K2 expedition, a luxury mountain escape, a photography journey, or a private family holiday, Skardu delivers experiences unlike anywhere else in the world.
Whether you are looking for a luxury high-altitude escape, a trekking expedition to K2, a romantic mountain honeymoon, or a family adventure, our featured Skardu journeys are designed to showcase the very best of Gilgit-Baltistan.
07 Days 06 Nights Tour
A curated luxury journey through Skardu’s finest landscapes — Shangrila Lake, Upper Kachura, Shigar Fort Serena, Deosai, and the Cold Desert — with private transport and premium accommodation throughout.
10 Days 09 Nights Tour
Pakistan’s two greatest mountain destinations in one seamless journey. Combine Skardu with Hunza Valley, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, and Baltit Fort.
16 Days 15 Nights Tour
The legendary Baltoro Glacier trek to K2 Base Camp and Concordia. Full expedition support, permits, guides, and all logistics arranged by our team.
07 Days 06 Nights Tour
A deeply romantic private journey — Shangrila Lake at sunrise, Shigar Fort heritage dinner, Upper Kachura at sunset, and Katpana Desert at dawn — designed entirely for couples.
05 Days 04 Nights Tour
A focused exploration of Skardu and Deosai National Park with wildlife guide, comfortable accommodation, and full logistics support.
08 Days 07 Nights Tour
Designed for photographers. Pre-dawn Shangrila and Upper Kachura access, Katpana Desert, Deosai plateau, Sarfaranga jeep safari, and K2 viewpoints — guided by a specialist photography guide.
07 Days 06 Nights Tour
A family-friendly exploration of Skardu’s lakes, forts, jeep tracks, and landscapes — carefully paced for families with private transport and expert local guide.
06 Days 05 Nights Tour
An intimate cultural journey — Shigar Fort Serena, Khaplu Palace, ancient Buddhist rock carvings, Basho Valley, and the Braldu River — with specialist heritage guide.
One of Pakistan’s most photographed destinations. The Shangrila Resort sits beside a brilliant turquoise lake surrounded by mountains — a place of extraordinary natural beauty that has captivated visitors for generations. The resort’s famous crashed seaplane converted into a restaurant is one of Pakistan’s most iconic and unusual landmarks.
At 4,114 metres above sea level, Deosai is one of the world’s highest plateaux. In summer it becomes a vast wildflower meadow carpeted in colour — thousands of acres of open highland stretching to the horizon. It is home to the Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, and golden marmot, making it one of Asia’s most significant high-altitude wildlife habitats.
A pristine alpine lake at 2,500 metres, reached by a short hike from Skardu. The water is a brilliant turquoise and the mountain setting extraordinary. One of Pakistan’s most beautiful and least-crowded lakes — a place where the stillness of the water and the scale of the surrounding peaks create an atmosphere of complete peace.
The 16-day Baltoro Glacier trek to K2 Base Camp and Concordia is widely regarded as one of the greatest treks in the world. From Concordia you can see K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II, and Masherbrum simultaneously. No other viewpoint on Earth places you in the presence of so many 8,000-metre peaks at once.
A 420-year-old royal fort completely restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and converted into Pakistan’s most acclaimed heritage hotel. A UNESCO-awarded restoration project offering 30 rooms of extraordinary Balti craftsmanship, curated heritage dinners, and mountain views that cannot be replicated elsewhere in Pakistan.
The Katpana Cold Desert at 2,226 metres presents surreal golden sand dunes surrounded by snow-capped Karakoram peaks — one of Pakistan’s most unexpected and photogenic landscapes. The adjacent Sarfaranga Desert offers jeep safari experiences across vast sand plains with mountain panoramas. Together they form one of the world’s most dramatic cold desert landscapes, just 20 minutes from Skardu city.
A natural reservoir 9 kilometres from Skardu city. Satpara offers boat rides, trout fishing, and some of the finest mountain-reflection photography in Pakistan. An easily accessible sunrise and sunset favourite for travellers staying in Skardu.
A 60-metre waterfall in the Kharmang district near Skardu — a beautiful half-day excursion combining the waterfall with the ancient Kharpocho Fort above Skardu town. The waterfall is surrounded by lush green landscape that contrasts dramatically with the high-altitude desert terrain nearby.
A 16th-century fort perched on a rocky hill above Skardu town, originally built by Ali Sher Khan Anchan who fought off Mughal invasions. The fort offers commanding views of the Skardu Valley, the Indus River, and the surrounding mountains in every direction.
A magnificent 19th-century royal palace in the Ghanche district — another jewel of Aga Khan Trust restoration, now operating as a heritage hotel. The adjacent Khaplu Fort, perched dramatically on a cliff above the town, completes one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s finest heritage experiences combining luxury accommodation with extraordinary historical significance.
A hidden gem just 40 km from Skardu — a lush green valley of extraordinary natural beauty with waterfalls, alpine meadows, fruit orchards, and traditional Balti villages. The contrast between Basho’s vivid greenery and the surrounding high-altitude desert is one of Skardu’s most surprising and rewarding discoveries.
A remote and pristine valley accessible from Skardu by jeep, offering wild mountain scenery, glacial streams, and dramatic rock formations largely unknown to international visitors. One of Skardu’s finest off-the-beaten-track destinations for travellers wanting to experience the region beyond the established circuit.
A remote high-altitude lake near Skardu, known locally as the Blind Lake for its perfectly still, mirror-like surface that reflects the surrounding peaks with extraordinary clarity. Accessible by jeep and a short trek — one of Skardu’s most rewarding hidden discoveries for those willing to explore beyond the main tourist route.
Shigar Fort Serena, Khaplu Palace, and premium mountain lodges have made Skardu a genuine luxury destination. Our guests travel in private vehicles, stay in Pakistan’s finest properties, and experience the region with expert guides.
Domestic flights from Islamabad make arrival simple. The lakes, jeep safaris, Shigar Fort, and accessible day trips make Skardu an excellent family destination.
Cold deserts, turquoise lakes, 8,000-metre peaks, ancient rock carvings, Balti culture, and high-altitude plateaux make Skardu arguably the most photogenic destination in Pakistan.
Skardu is the world’s most important staging post for Karakoram treks. K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Concordia — all begin here. For serious trekkers and mountaineers, there is no more significant location on Earth.
Deosai National Park is one of the most accessible high-altitude wildlife habitats in Asia — home to the Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, and golden marmot.
Spring Arrival
Peak Mountain Season
Autumn Gold
A glimpse of the landscapes, culture, and experiences that make Hunza Valley one of Pakistan’s most extraordinary destinations.
Skardu is famous as the gateway to K2 — the world’s second highest mountain — and for extraordinary landscapes including Deosai National Park, Shangrila Lake, Shigar Fort, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Katpana and Sarfaranga cold deserts.
Via a 55-minute domestic flight from Islamabad (weather permitting) or a scenic 2-day drive along the Karakoram Highway. ToursDePakistan arranges both options for all guests.
Yes. Skardu has exceptional luxury options including Shigar Fort Serena Hotel and Khaplu Palace — two of Pakistan’s finest heritage properties. ToursDePakistan specialises in private luxury Skardu itineraries.
June to September for trekking and all attractions. April–May for spring scenery. October–November for stunning autumn colours with fewer visitors.
Yes. The K2 Base Camp trek begins from Askole, reached from Skardu. The Baltoro trek takes approximately 14–18 days round trip. ToursDePakistan arranges permits, guide, and full expedition support.
One of the world’s highest plateaux at 4,114 metres, between Skardu and Astore. A protected park home to the Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, and golden marmot — carpeted in wildflowers in summer. Accessible by jeep from Skardu.
5–7 days for Skardu’s core attractions — Shangrila, Deosai, Shigar Fort, Upper Kachura, and the Cold Desert. 14–18 additional days for the Baltoro/K2 trek.
A lush green valley 40 km from Skardu with waterfalls, alpine meadows, fruit orchards, and traditional Balti villages. The contrast between Basho’s vivid greenery and the surrounding desert is one of Skardu’s most surprising discoveries.
A high-altitude desert adjacent to the Katpana Cold Desert near Skardu, offering jeep safari experiences across wide sand plains with Karakoram mountain panoramas in every direction. One of Pakistan’s most extraordinary and unusual landscapes.
Absolutely. Skardu and Hunza are frequently combined in a 10–14 day northern Pakistan itinerary. ToursDePakistan arranges the journey by road, flight, or a scenic combination.
A historic town in the Ghanche district with Khaplu Palace (now a heritage hotel), Khaplu Fort, and the beautiful Shyok Valley. Accessible from Skardu by a scenic mountain road — an excellent 1–2 day extension to any Skardu itinerary.
Known locally as Jarba Zhou, Blind Lake is a high-altitude mirror lake near Skardu famous for its perfectly still, reflective surface. Accessible by jeep and short trek — one of Skardu’s finest hidden discoveries.
Yes. Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan are considered safe for tourists. The UK Foreign Office advises normal travel precautions — the same guidance given for most of Europe.
Pakistani Rupee. Cash is recommended for Skardu and beyond. Mobile connectivity (Jazz/Zong) is available in Skardu city; limited to none in remote valleys and high-altitude areas.
Yes. We specialise in private, customised Skardu itineraries for individuals, couples, families, and groups — flights, accommodation, private vehicles, expert guides, and permits all arranged.
