Skardu Valley Tour
Altitude
2,300m
Duration
10-15 Days
Best Season
N/A
Overview
Located at approximately 2,300m, Skardu serves as the gateway to some of the world's highest peaks, including K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I & II, and Masherbrum. The tour takes visitors through picturesque valleys, ancient forts, and along the historic Karakoram Highway, providing panoramic views of the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges. Travelers experience the rich culture, traditions, and hospitality of the Baltistan region, while enjoying access to alpine landscapes, glaciers, and trekking routes that have made this area a renowned destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Highlights
Arrival in Islamabad
Welcome to Pakistan. Upon your arrival at Islamabad International Airport, your guide will meet you and provide a transfer to the group hotel. The day is yours to recover from your journey. In the evening, we will convene for a group briefing regarding the Skardu Tour. Depending on the schedule, optional sightseeing in Islamabad—the purpose-built capital established in 1961—may be available. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Flight to Skardu: The Gateway to the Karakoram
We transfer to the airport for a spectacular 45-minute flight to Skardu, offering aerial views of K2, Nanga Parbat, and the Karakoram giants. Upon arrival in Skardu, the historical capital of Baltistan (often called 'Little Tibet'), you will be escorted to the hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the town and its unique Tibetan-influenced culture. Note: In the rare event of a flight cancellation, we travel by road via the Karakoram Highway with an overnight stay in Naran. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Shigar Valley and the Cold Desert
After a luxury breakfast, we travel to the picturesque Shigar Valley, the gateway to the world's highest peaks. We visit the 17th-century Shigar Fort, a masterfully restored heritage site, and the 14th-century Amburiq Masjid, the first mosque built in the valley. The day includes a visit to the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, a high-altitude landscape of sand dunes framed by snow-capped mountains. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Skardu Sightseeing: Lakes and Ancient History
Today's exploration begins with a drive to the turquoise Satpara Lake, the primary water source for Skardu. We then visit the 8th-century Manthal Buddha Rock, an ancient granite carving testifying to the region's Buddhist history. In the afternoon, we visit the Kachura village to see the serene Upper Kachura Lake and the famous Shangrila Resort (Lower Kachura Lake). The evening is free to explore the local markets. Altitude: 2,230m. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Journey to Khaplu Valley
We continue our tour toward Khaplu, following the Indus and Shyok Rivers. Khaplu was the second-largest kingdom in old Baltistan and served as a crucial guardian of the trade route to Ladakh. Today, it remains the administrative capital of the Ghanche District and a primary base for trekkers heading toward Masherbrum and the Hushe Valley. Distance: 103km. Duration: 2-3 hours. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Khaplu Heritage: Palace and Chaqchan Mosque
We spend the day exploring Khaplu’s rich heritage. We visit the 700-year-old Chaqchan Mosque, one of the region's oldest mosques dating back to the mass conversion from Buddhism to Islam. We also tour the iconic Khaplu Palace (Yabgo Khar), a four-story architectural marvel built in 1840 that blends Tibetan, Kashmiri, and Central Asian influences, now serving as a museum and heritage hotel. Altitude: 2,600m. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Return to Skardu
We begin our return journey to Skardu, winding through picturesque valleys and traditional Balti villages along the Shyok River. The drive offers a stunning contrast between the lush green fields of the valley and the rugged, arid terrain as we approach the wider Skardu Valley. This scenic transfer provides ample opportunities to witness local life and the constant backdrop of the Karakoram Range. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Deosai Plateau to Astore
We embark on a scenic drive to Astore via the Deosai Plateau, the world's second-highest plateau at 4,111m. This 'Land of Giants' is a vast wilderness home to the Himalayan brown bear and unique flora. Though the road is rugged and bumpy, the landscape of open grasslands and alpine lakes is unparalleled. We stop for lunch on the plateau before descending into the Astore Valley. Distance: 152km. Duration: 6 hours. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Astore to Naran via Babusar Pass
Today’s drive follows the Astore River to the junction of the Karakoram Highway, where we catch glimpses of the mighty Nanga Parbat (8,126m). We then ascend the Babusar Pass (4,173m), the highest point of our road journey, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. From the pass, we descend into the lush Kaghan Valley to reach Naran. Distance: 210km. Duration: 6 hours. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Return to Islamabad via Taxila
We travel from Naran back to Islamabad, rejoining the Karakoram Highway at Mansehra. The route passes through the colonial-era hill station of Abbottabad and the historical town of Hasan Abdal. Before reaching the capital, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Taxila, an ancient center of learning and Gandharan civilization. Distance: 280km. Duration: 6 hours. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Contingency and Exploration in Islamabad
This is a free day in Islamabad to ensure flexibility in our itinerary. You can relax at the hotel or visit the city’s landmarks, including the Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh viewpoint, the Pakistan Monument, and the Lok Virsa Museum. It is an ideal time for souvenir shopping or enjoying a peaceful afternoon at Rawal Lake. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Final Departure
After breakfast, we provide a final transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your return flight, marking the conclusion of our Skardu Valley Tour. Meals: Breakfast.
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