things to do in Skardu
Skardu is a raw and dusty town in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region with some truly amazing tourist attractions. Situated in northern Pakistan, Skardu is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and trekkers. It is hard to describe a landscape as diverse as Skardu. You can find a desert between valleys, tall mountains, glacial lakes, and pristine rivers. With a diverse landscape, several tourist attractions, rich culture, hospitable locals, and delicious Balti food, Skardu is a city of unspoiled nature.
Moreover, it serves as a base point for K2 and other major expeditions heading to the mountain area between Gilgit and Skardu, commonly known as Central Karakoram National Park. Besides trekking, there are plenty of things to do in this mountainous town. If you are wondering what to do in Skardu, then take a look at the best things to do in Skardu –from the touristy must-dos to some unusual things that you might have otherwise missed. Are you ready? Let’s delve into it!
Katpana and Safaranga Desert are two high-altitude deserts near Skardu, which are included in the list of the world’s highest high-altitude deserts. Katpana desert is significantly closer to Skardu than Safaranga desert and is easily accessible, thanks to its proximity to Skardu Airport. That’s why it is more frequented by tourists. A beautiful Katpana Lake in the center, sand dunes, and the Indus River make it an otherworldly place. All this scenery is framed by tall mountains. This desert landscape is covered by a smooth blanket of snow in winter, turning it into a white wonderland.
On the other hand, the Safaranga Desert or Skardu Cold Desert is located in Shigar Valley along the banks of the Shigar River. Safaranga receives fewer visitors than Katpana Desert, making it a peaceful place that makes solitude more magical. Its scenery is better, and the sand dunes are taller compared to the Katpana desert. Enjoy the silky soft sand barefooted and try climbing the tall sand dunes, which can be a bit challenging due to chilly winds. In addition, the Milky Way galaxy can be seen over sand dunes of both deserts, offering the visitors an out-of-this-world experience.
2-Hiking to the Marsur Rock
Hiking to the Marsur Rock is often considered one of the best activities in Skardu. Marsur Rock is often regarded as the Trolltunga Rock of Pakistan because it resembles the Nordic icon, Trolltunga. Marsur Rock is located in Hussainabad, a small village near Skardu that is more than half an hour from downtown Skardu.
You have first to get there and start your journey from there. It is the best day hike in Skardu and takes around 6 hours for a round trip, including the 3 hours of uphill trekking. The rock is 38 feet long, and its elevation gain is about 600m. Once you arrive there, you will witness the majestic bird’s eye view of Skardu.
Plus, you can also view the famous Katpana Desert from its top. Tourists can hike to the Marsur Rock on any snow-free day of the year. The trail offers no shade, and the temperature rises to 35 degrees during the day. So be sure to start early in the morning. Also, remember to bring water and snacks with you as the trek is relatively new, and you don’t have access to amenities once you begin your journey.
Skardu, Pakistan, is famous not only for its mountainous beauty but also for its local cuisines. So when you visit this city, don’t forget to try local food. Skardu food is not as spicy as in other parts of the country. Balti cuisines are made with goat or yak meat, local spices, wheat, and apricot oil. Most dishes call for apricot oil, giving them a distinguished taste.
Some essential Balti foods that you must try include mamtu (dumpling stuffed with minced meat and vegetables), Gyal (a buckwheat cake cooked on a wood burner), and butter tea (a hot beverage made with yak butter, milk, and tea leaves). There are many other dishes that you can try, such as Chapshoro (a famous dish in Hunza Valley, too), Prapu, trout fish, and more. There are plenty of the best places to eat in Skardu Bazaar and its surrounding area, like Shahi Dewan in Huassaini Chowk and Dewan-e-Khas restaurant near Skardu Bazaar.
Visiting historic Kharpocho Fort is unarguably one of the best activities in Skardu, thanks to its geographic location and unbeatable views of the whole of Skardu city and the Indus River Valley. Located in the city’s center above the trek of Organic Orchard, this centuries-old fort was originally built to keep a watch on the invaders. The trek is easy and rewarding, and it takes around 20 minutes to climb up to the fort from the base point.
Once you arrive, you will witness the expansive views of the surrounding landscape from its balcony. You can visit it at any time of the day, but try visiting it before sunset when the sun dips below the horizon and the sky above the gigantic mountains is set ablaze with colors. It creates a perfect blend of relaxation and nature, inviting you to pause, breathe, and immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of nature.
Shigar Valley lies northeast of Skardu city, which is famous as a gateway to the K2 base camp trek. This valley is located in the Shigar District, which is part of the disputed Kashmir region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. You might see a military checkpoint set up before crossing into the town of Shigar. Ensure you carry your national ID card (or passport if you are a foreign tourist) in case you are required to show it.
Shigar Valley is 19 miles away from Skardu, and it takes more than one hour to get there. The scenery of Shigar is slightly better than Skardu. Once you have entered the valley, you will witness the majestic mountain peaks, an oasis of green fields, and the braided Shigar River. The most notable tourist attraction of this valley is Shigar Fort – a 17th-century palace that was converted into a luxury hotel and museum after restoration.
Visit the museum or book a room in this resorted heritage hotel and experience the lifestyle of emperors of the 17th century while enjoying the modern-day amenities. Spend some time in its spacious gardens and admire its architectural beauty. Visiting Shigar Valley also allows visitors to witness the traditional Balti village life, visit the 400-year-old wooden Khilangrong Mosque, and enjoy juicy apricots when they drive past apricot orchids.
Boating on the Kachura lakes is one of the best things to do in Skardu, especially if you visit it with your family. Both upper and lower Kachura Lake are located in the Kachura village of Skardu, about 45 minutes away from downtown Skardu by car. Kachura Lakes are the most visited and famous places to visit in Skardu, probably due to the presence of the famous Red Hut resort – Shangri-La Resort.
Upper Kachura Lake is accessible through a 15-minute walk through the forest, while the lower Kachura Lake is located within walking distance of Upper Kachura Lake. Once you arrive, there are several boats waiting for you. Embark on a boat ride through the deep blue waters of Kachura Lake and immerse yourself in the serenity of the surroundings. Besides boating, you can swim, enjoy freshly caught grilled trout, or just lay on the shores.
Skardu is home to some beautiful valleys that are not often visited due to its rough route; one such valley is Bashu Valley, located around 45 km away from Skardu. Reaching Bashu Valley is a bit of a challenge as the road up the valley is not in good condition – just prepare for potholes and dirt. Bashu Valley is definitely worth a visit and feels like a hidden heaven due to its vast green pastures, waterfalls, and pine forest, all set against the towering granite mountainous backdrop.
Visiting Bashu meadows, Bashu waterfall, and Chocolate Rocks near Bashu Bridge are some of the best things to do in Bashu Valley. Bashu Meadows is the best site for camping, enjoying a starry sky, and basking in the most epic views. It is recommended that you bring your own equipment, food, and bedding for camping.
While Skardu offers plenty of activities, real adventure can be found outside of Skardu. Making a day trip to Deosai National Park is one of the best things to do outside of Skardu. Deosai National Park is a massive alpine plateau situated at an elevation of 13,497 feet above sea level. Often referred to as the roof of the world, the plateau is the world’s second-highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau. It is only accessible between June and September and can be accessed by a terrible road.
Vast grassland, blue lakes, endless sky, and a ring of snow-capped towering mountains around the plains greet visitors who make the journey to the Deosai National Park. This vast and empty landscape lets the visitors feel their emptiness. Himalayan Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Himalayan marmot, and Kashmir Musk deer call Deosai their home.
You might be able to see them while visiting this insanely beautiful place in Skardu. Bara Pani, Sheosar Lake and KalaPani are popular places to stay in Deosai. Visitors can enjoy the view of Nanga Parbat from the hill behind the Barapani campground. The end of July is the absolute best time to visit Deosai National Park when the wildflower season reaches its peak.
Spending a day at Manthoka Waterfall is another best thing to do in Skardu. Located in Kharmang Valley, Manthoka Waterfall is the most visited tourist place about two hours southeast of Skardu. Manthoka Waterfall is so tall, cascading 180 feet over a cliff. Green pastures below the fall, streams, rugged mountains of the Karakorum, and poplar trees make it the best tourist spot to visit with families near Skardu.
Some restaurants near the Manthoka Waterfall serve trout fish. You can enjoy local food, cool off at the falls, visit nearby fish farms, and take photos of rainbows and streams. Many local hotels along the way and across from the falls accommodate visitors if they might consider staying the night.
Many relics of Buddha can be found in northern Pakistan, which was once the cradle of Buddhism before the arrival of Islam in Gilgit Baltistan. The stupas, old inscriptions, and relics still remain in this region. One such relic is a Manthal Buddha Rock located in Manthal village from south of Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan. It is a giant granite rock featuring a relief sculpture of Buddha that is believed to be 1200 years old.
This ancient Buddhist monument can be a great addition to your Skardu itinerary as it is easily accessible from the Skardu downtown. You can also visit Manthal Buddha Rock on your trip to Kharpocho Fort as it lies a few kilometers away from this fort. Try to visit it in the morning when the temperature is cooler.
Skardu lies east of the Gilgit Baltistan region at an average elevation of about 2,500 meters above sea level. It serves as the capital of the Baltistan division and is situated at the confluence of the Indus River and Shigar River. Skardu is a gateway to major climbs and treks in this region, offering endless trekking opportunities.
Skardu has its own airport, unlike other places in northern Pakistan. There are two options to get to Skardu: by road or by air.
Getting to Skardu by air is the most convenient way and takes about 80 minutes from Lahore and 1 hour from Islamabad. There are daily direct flights from all major cities of Pakistan to Skardu, which are operated by PIA and Air Blue. The average ticket price is around 26,000 thousand rupees per one-way flight from Islamabad. However, bad weather is the main cause of these flights being canceled or delayed.
Alternatively, Skardu can be reached by road, which is much cheaper than flying. You can take a public bus from Islamabad or hire an experienced private driver to reach Skardu by road. The road connecting to Skardu is not in good condition and has been undergoing renovations for the past several years. It is not recommended to drive on this unpaved and scariest road yourself.
Skardu is a small city with several amazing tourist destinations in and around the city. Bashu Valley, Shigar Valley, K2 museum, Manthoka Waterfall, Katpana and Sarfarangah Desert, Kachura Lake, Satpara Lake, and Deosai National Park are some of the best places to visit in Skardu.
The most popular time to visit Skardu is between June and September. Temperature is comfortable in these months without much rainfall, and you can enjoy the green landscape. However, if you want to enjoy cherry blossom season in Skardu, try visiting it during April and May. October is also a great time to visit Skardu and see the region’s colorful autumn. Heavy snowfall makes it difficult to access Skardu in winter.
There are several hotels in the middle of Skardu City that are equipped with modern amenities and first-rate facilities. These hotels are close to the main Bazaar, where you will find plenty of places to eat in Skardu. If you want to stay in a quieter place, consider checking in somewhere a little bit outside of the city.
Serena Shigar Fort Hotel, Mashabrum Hotel, Hotel One, Hotel Reego, and Shangrila Resort Skardu are some of the best places to stay in Skardu. If you want to know about the facilities, tariffs, and nearby attractions of these hotels, be sure to read this larger post on the best hotels in Skardu.
About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.
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