Anyone willing to travel to northern areas of Pakistan has Skardu on the top priority list. This is a name that comes to the minds of all those who are thinking of visiting the northern areas of Pakistan. This one of the most important cities of Gilgit-Baltistan is not as popular as Hunza Valley, but it is still one of Pakistan’s major tourist destinations, courtesy of its unique natural sites. It’s a place full of high mountains.
Location
Skardu, the capital of Skardu District, lies east of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Residing right along the Indus River and Shigar River, this one of the major tourist destinations in Pakistan separates the Karakoram range from the Himalayas. In this city, you will see a wide river that stays still.
Best time to visit Skardu
Due to comfortable temperatures from June to September, one should enjoy the beautiful green landscapes of Skardu during these months. What makes the trip to Skardu from June to September even better is the fact that there isn’t much rainfall during these months. October is also a good month to visit Skardu because, in this month, you’ll see the region in golden autumn colors.
How to get to Skardu
From Islamabad to Skardu
By Car
Normally, if the traffic is normal, then it takes 15-16 hours to reach Skardu from Islamabad. It is recommended to take the air route because traveling Skardu from Islamabad can be dangerous.
By Air
There are direct flights from Islamabad to Skardu. A flight from Islamabad to Skardu takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. While travel diaries Skardu from Islamabad by air, if you are sitting right window, you will see beautiful scenes of Lake Saiful-malook, Babusar top, Nanga Parbat, and Deosai plains. From the left window, you’ll see K2.
Where to stay in Skardu?
Following are Skardu’s top 5 hotels where you should consider staying:
Hotel Reego
Featuring a garden and terrace, Hotel Reego is regarded very high by the people who stay in this hotel. Facilities of Hotel Reego include a restaurant, free wife in the whole building, 24-hour front desk service, and room service.
A guest room in Hotel Reego features a TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom, a dining area, and a kitchen.
Types of rooms in Hotel Reego:
- Double room with mountain view
- Deluxe double room
- Quadruple room with garden view
Price starts from 10,600 per night
Contact at: 03355567775
Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu
Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu accompanies a restaurant, a shared lounge, free bikes, a terrace, and a garden. All rooms of Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu have a Tv, a private bathroom, and a desk. Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu offers continental breakfast in the morning.
Types of rooms in Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu:
- Deluxe Double
- Deluxe single room
- Family room with terrace
Price starts from 5,400 per night
Contact at: 05815455494
Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu
Featuring a restaurant, fitness center, free bikes, and a bar, Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu is one of the best places to stay in Skardu. Each accommodation of this hotel provides you with a river view. Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu also offers free wifi, room service, and 24-hour front desk service. Each room of Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu includes a seating area, Tv, and a private bathroom.
Types of rooms in Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu:
- Deluxe single room
- Deluxe double room
- Family room with mountain view
- Deluxe double room with two double beds
Price starts from 5,520 per night
Contact at: 03009091494
Hispar Hotel Skardu
Hispar Hotel Skardu comes with a shared lounge and a terrace. Some of the main features of this hotel are free wifi, room service, and 24-hour front desk service. Hispar Hotel Skardu offers continental breakfast in the morning.
Types of rooms in Hispar Hotel Skardu:
- Deluxe king room
- Family room with mountain view
- Double room
Price starts from 12,000 per night
Contact at: 03444777754
Arish Luxury Suites
Featuring a garden and terrace, Arish Luxury Suites is also one of the best hotels in Skardu. Arish Luxury Suites offer 24-hour front desk service, a restaurant, free wifi, a shared kitchen, and so much more. This one of the best hotels in Skardu offers continental or halal breakfast.
Types of rooms in Arish Luxury Suites:
- Standard Double room
- Deluxe double room
- Executive suite
Price starts from 14,000 per night
Contact at: 03464166614
Things to do in Skardu
Skardu has one of the most mind-blowing sceneries on Earth. That said, the following are the best things you can do when in or around Skardu. Note that we will mention a few things outside Skardu but are close enough to Skardu city.
Check out Marsur Rock
Masrur Rock is considered Skardu’s one of the best day hikes. Walking up to Masrur Rock makes your day. The elevation gain of Masrur Rock is around 600 meters. If you have a decent hiking experience, it will take around a half day to walk up to Masrur Rock. Many people bring along their tents and sleep at Masrur rock at night.
Check out Deosai National Park
If we are talking about how to enjoy Skardu, how can we forget Deosai National Park? Established in 1993, this park aims to secure endangered species such as Snow Leopard. When in Skardu, pay a visit to Deosai National Park, and when you are in Deosai National Park, you can:
- Visit Sheosar Lake
- Fish for Trout
- Do camping
- Cross the bridge at Bara Pani
Interact with wildlife
Enjoy the Organic Forest
In Skardu, you will see a tranquil slice of woods. Residents of Skardu call it “The Organic Forest.” Organic Forest is peaceful enough to make you forget all miseries of life. When in Organic Forest, make sure you wander all the areas to enjoy the serenity. There are many stopping points, so make sure you bring along food at Organic Forest to have yourself a picnic.
Go to Safraranga Desert
Safaranga is a very famous desert near Skardu. Two of the reasons why it is a renowned desert is because it is one of the highest deserts in the world and receives snow in winter. Safaranga desert has beautiful scenery and high dunes, giving you meaningful reasons to visit it.
Languages and Culture
The territory of Gilgit Baltistan is multilingual and multiethnic. In GB, people speak more than six distinct languages. The culture of Gilgit Baltistan draws many visitors from throughout the world.
Aryan Languages
The main Shina-speaking regions are Diamer, Astore, Gilgit, Ghizer, and Nagar. In addition, there are a few Shina speakers in Skardu, Kharmang, and Hunza. Shina is an Indo-Arian language called Dardic.
Tibetan Language
In the Baltistan division, the Balti language is spoken in Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang, and Ghanche. A subgroup of Tibetan is called Balti. Ladakhi is a sister tongue to it. One of the traditional Tibetan languages is balti. In Tibet and Nepal, people speak the Tibetan language. Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, and the western regions of China. Baltistan is often known as Little Tibet because it has a strong Tibetan influence on its arts, architecture, and music.
Tour packages to Skardu
For local and international travelers interested in taking a road trip to Pakistan’s north, the Skardu tour package is developed just for them. The route includes both the Pakistani Karakoram and Himalayan mountain regions. Apricot Tours, a company established in Gilgit-Baltistan, focuses on planning and carrying out all tours inside GB. During Gilgit-Baltistan tours, certain local guides and support workers are able to offer a welcoming host-guest environment that others are unable to do.
Review
In the Baltistan area of northern Pakistan, Skardu is a base and a transportation hub. While I was pursuing my goal of climbing K2, Gondogoro La, many arrived at this settlement. This town has a lot to offer visitors of all types, including hikers, mountaineers, honeymooners, sight-seeing tourists, and cultural enthusiasts.
Trekkers should: From this hamlet, one can access world-famous and top treks, including K2 Gondogoro La and Snow Lake Hispar La. mountain climbers. This area includes K2, Masherbrum, Gasherbrum, Broad Peak, Trango Tower, etc.
The serene and lovely lakes of Shangrila, Satpara, the valleys of Khapulo Shigar, and the Deosai National Park are all within easy reach for honeymooners.
This town is surrounded by sand dunes, an ancient fort, palaces, rivers, and traditional Balti culture in the shape of a cup. People are really kind, pleasant, and accommodating.
