Do you know Skardu Pakistan, the capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 meters above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakorams? So, if you are the one who loves mountains and hikers too, Skardu Baltistan is only for you. 

Skardu is a city in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and serves as the capital of the Skardu District. The name “Skardu” is believed to be derived from the Balti word meaning “a low land between two high places.” The two referenced “high places” are Shigar city and the high-altitude Satpara Lake.

Let’s take some sneak peek of its HISTORY

The first mention of Skardu dates to the first half of the 16th century. At that time Mirza Haidar (1499–1551) described Askardu in the 16th-century text Tarikh-i-Rashidi Baltistan as one of the districts of the area. Frenchman François Bernier (1625–1688 mentioned Skardu for the first time in European literature. After that Skardu was quickly drawn into Asian maps produced in Europe and was first mentioned as Eskerdow the map. It was published between 1680–1700.

Skardu is located at

Skardu is located in the 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide by 40 kilometers (25 miles) long Skardu Valley, at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers at an elevation of nearly 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). The city is an important gateway to the eight-thousanders of the nearby Karakoram Mountain range. The town is located on the Indus river, which separates the Karakoram Range from the Himalayas. 

Map Link: Location

Skardu is famous for

It is no doubt that Pakistan’s Tourism has elevated with leaps and bounds in the past years, and Skardu Tourism has played a vital part in it. 

• Skardu valley falls in the province of Gilgit Baltistan and possesses wonders in form of spellbound waterfalls, magnificent lakes, and immense mountain range notable K2, K3, and Gasherbrum. It attracts thousands of climbers from all over the world each year; some have even lost their lives in efforts to summit these steep climbs.

• Undoubtedly, Skardu Pakistan is the paradise for trekkers. Skardu Valley is surrounded by the swirling river of Indus and Braldu where the climate is so unpredictable because of high altitude. There’s so much to explore and is more into it. Let’s begin. 
• Deosai National Park is one of the most undeniably beautiful places at Skardu.

• It was initially made for the preservation of several animal and bird species such as Snow Leopard, Red Fox, Golden eagle, Sparrow Hawk, etc. 
• You can’t ignore the beds of flora and fauna, greenery, and snow-capped mountains. 
• Basho Valley is a lush green beautiful valley located at a distance of 20 Km from Skardu airport. 

• It has a pine forest and an extremely beautiful sight-seeing valley. 
• The main highlights of Basho valley are its green meadows, pine forests, and waterfalls.

• Katpana Cold Desert of Skardu is at a cold region and high altitude, that’s why sand dunes are no less than a wonder. 

• It is also in the list of famous places in Skardu. Sand Dunes in Skardu are located near the Indus River covering the two main deserts; Katpana Desert and Shigar desert. 
• Sand dunes, also known as cold desert, hold a magnetic attraction in itself. So, it’s a must visit place.

• And who can forget the heavenly beautiful Shangrila Resort? 

• It is built on a beautiful lake and is located 35 minutes from Skardu and is surrounded by the fascinating scenery. 
• The best part is its boat riding service. 

• Manthal Buddha Rock Carvings is not known to many but has its vital importance.

• Manthal village is located on the right side on the way to Sadpara Lakeside. Buddhist rock is located in this village which is one of its highlighting points.
• This rock carving came into existence when Buddhist was practiced in Skardu. Buddhist monks of that time craved drawings of their visions, experiences, and images of Buddha with texts written in the Tibetan Language. 
• These Buddhist rocks were the place of their worship till the mid of 14th Century A.D before the advent of Islam in Baltistan.
• One of the most famous places in Skardu i.e., Shigar Valley watered by the Shigar river lies in the mighty Karakoram Mountains. 

• It is 23km away from Skardu. 
• Its beautiful village proliferates with crops and fruits of all sorts such as apricots, walnuts, pears, peaches, and grapes. 
• Shigar Fort in Shigar Valley once was the residence of local Ruler and was recently modernized by Agha Khan. 
• There is also a Wooden Mosque built by Kashmiri Carpenters in the middle of Shigar Valley.
• The bright blue Satpara Lake looks like a fairy tale that lies in the beautiful valley of Skardu. 

• It is surrounded by the glacial mountains and carries an enchanted lake in its middle, which looks like a dream.
• The best highlighting part is fishing and boating.

• Kharpocho Fort is famous for its ancient roots lying under the Indus River. 
• It gives you a hilltop view of the whole town. 

• Upper Kachura Lake

Upper Kachura Lake is the most mesmerizing lake in Skardu valley.

• It has a depth of almost 60 meters and is located 20 Km from Skardu city.
• In the local Balti language, it is called Foroq Tso.
• Nansoq Organic Village

Nansoq is the first organic village in Pakistan. 

• is located behind the well-known Kharpocho fort, this amazing village has been visited by Prince Charles and Prince of Wales and Duchess Of Cornwall.

Curious, what people in Skardu do?

Skardu Pakistan is one of the most astonishing beauties of nature. It is a place where one can see natural beauty instead of the artificial modifications done to other tourist locations. It is called the land of three ‘S’; sand, snow, and sea. It is also known as Tibet-e-Khurd.

They are hard-working as you will never see a single beggar in the city or the small towns. Every single person has a shelter to cover their heads. They like growing their crops in their gardens or small fields. The female members of the family take the responsibility of planting and harvesting vegetables for daily use.

What about Skardu’s culture?

It is home to several people from different cultural backgrounds. It is rich in culture which can be proved by the number of historic places and remnants of forts located in this region. These regions are greatly influenced by the Buddha as you can see a variety of Buddha inscriptions and remnants. Let’s dig in more.

• Food

• The traditional food is not very spicy and is mostly made up of flour. The Kashmiri Tea, commonly known as ‘namkeen chaaye’, is very popular. 
• The local people normally use country-made butter oil (desi ghee) more frequently and add it in their everyday meals and tea. 
• Some other tasty foods are ‘azokh’ and ‘thaltak’. These are made up of flour and yeast and are eaten with ‘namkeen chaaye’.
• Other famous dishes include ‘Tarespi Balay’, ‘Parappu’ and ‘Mamtu’. Tarespi Balay is noodles made up of flour served in a curry with chicken or beef. Parappu is small ships made up of flour served with chutney made up of almonds, walnuts, and mint whereas Mamtu is made up all-purpose and is filled with beef and fat and served with sauces. The list doesn’t end here.
• How can you forget the amazing Cherries, apricots, and apples over there? Cherry gardens are found in Shigar whereas apricots are found abundantly in Skardu. The residents have grown trees in their gardens and send these fruits as gifts to their relatives living in other regions of the country.
• Last but not the least, Dry fruits are the specialty of all Northern regions. Almonds, walnuts, and dried apricots are widely available and also exported to foreign countries.

• Dress

• The traditional dress of people at Skardu consists of plain shalwar kameez and waistcoat for men and a loose woolen shalwar kameez for women. Both the genders are seen wearing traditional hats of the same shape. The male hats are plain and furry whereas the female hats are mostly black and embroidered at the edges.
• The female likes wearing their traditional jewelry. In some areas, the hats are decorated with jewelry and worn in marriages and other cultural festivals. The female dress depicts their strong religious beliefs. The ladies cover their heads while going out and no adult girl would be seen with her head uncovered.

How are the people in Skardu?

The people are known to be friendly and peace-loving. You will always see a warm smile on their faces. These people are very hospitable. They won’t let you leave without having a proper meal at their houses. They have also proved to be very generous when it comes to giving gifts.

What’s the prevalent language in Skardu?

The Gilgit Baltistan region is populated with people from different cultures so there are several dialects spoken in this region. Urdu is understood widely and English is spoken and understood in the major towns where schools and offices are located. 

The most spoken language is Balti, it is a sub-dialect of Ladakhi language. Initially, the Balti language did not have a script of its own but then in the early 8th century they adopted the Tibetan script, and later in the 17th century, the script was changed to Persian due to the introduction of Islam in the region. So, the present Balti language is highly affected by Turkish and Urdu, and Islamic literature is influenced by Persian literature. Hence it has diverged from its original Tibetan script and dialect.

Other than Balti, Shina and Burushaski are also spoken in the nearby towns of Skardu.

What’s the prevalent religion in Skardu?

The entire region is inhabited with Muslims. A few other religions do exist but they are not permanent residents. The majority of the people are Ithna-Ashri Shia Muslims whereas a significant minority of Sunni Muslims is also present. Other religious sects include Nurbaksh and Ismailis.

Are there any Festivals/ Events in Skardu?

Two types of festivals are celebrated within this region; religious and cultural. The religious festivals include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-e-Ghadir, Eid Milad-un-Nabi (S.A.W.W), and Eid-ul-Azha. Also, the birth and death anniversaries of the Twelve Shia Imams are celebrated with respect and fervor. The cultural festivals include Nauroz, Jashn-e-Baharan, Shab-e-Qadar, Soon Bor, and Shalane. People get together at these festivals and share their strengths and skills.

What is your favorite Sport at Skardu?

Polo is the favorite sport played widely in Baltistan. It is said to be the birthplace of this game. Polo, known as the game of kings and the king of games is still played in its original form.

Other than polo, hunting has also been a favorite sport of the kings and Baltistan supports this game well.

Fishing is also famous near the banks of the Indus River. Some of the very renowned fish species are found in Deosai plains, Kachura, and Sadpara lakes.

What’s the Climate look like?

Skardu weather has a cold and semi-dry climate. The climate of Skardu during the summer is moderated by its mountain setting; the intense heat of lowland Pakistan does not reach it. The mountains block out the summer monsoon, and summer rainfall is thus quite low. However, these mountains result in very severe winter weather. 

Best months to visit:

The tourist season is from April to October. 

Where to stay at Skardu?

As you already know, Skardu is an all-in-one package. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s discuss some of the credible hotels in Astore Valley Pakistan.

• Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu 

Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu features a restaurant, free bikes, a fitness centre and bar in Skardu. Very nice place with beautiful stunning views of Skardu valley. Cannot comment on the Hotel Mountain lodge itself but went up here for the tea and views. Owner was really sweet and treated us to tea. The property is extensive and looks to have a lot of facilities. Views are magnificent. The hotel is located right on top with eagles nest mountains.

• Hotel Dewanekhas Skardu 

Best part of this hotel is its restaurant offering scrumptious food especially its soup, free bikes, a shared lounge and a beautiful garden-view in Skardu. Not only this, but the open terrace view is worth visiting.

• Hotel Graceland 

Featuring a garden, Hotel Graceland is set in Skardu. Best room service, this property also provides guests with an open terrace. Free WiFi is available. At the hotel, every room includes a balcony.

• Punar Inn Hotel 

Located in Skardu, Punar Inn Hotel provides 2-star accommodation with private balconies. Featuring good room service, this property also has a restaurant and a terrace.

• Tibet Motel Shangrila

With a very serene and calm garden and free WiFi, Tibet motel shangrila is set in Skardu. This 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. At the hotel, the rooms are equipped with a wide area for wardrobe.

• Mondoq Palace Hotel Skardu

Mondoq Palace Hotel Skardu has a garden, BBQ facilities and terrace. What else you want!

• Himalaya Hotel Skardu

Himalaya Hotel Skardu is situated in Skardu and has a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi.

• Sehrish Guest House Skardu

Located in Skardu, Sehrish Guest House Skardu features a shared lounge, garden, terrace, and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. The best part is that from there you can view kharpocho and other mountains from the roof of the guest house. And how one can forget the beautiful gardens with apricots, berries and cherries trees. Also the guest house can arrange transport facilities for picnic areas on demand.

• Decent Baltistan Guest House

Situated in Skardu, Decent Baltistan Guest House has a luscious garden. This property features both free WiFi and private parking free of charge. All rooms in the guest house are fitted with a flat-screen TV.

Where to Eat at Skardu?

The traditional food of Skardu Pakistan includes several unique dishes that you won’t experience anywhere else. 

Let’s have a look at some of the options.

• Food Street Api Xhoq Skardu
• City Inn Restaurant
• Al-Yusuf Banquet
• Dewanekhas Restaurant Skardu
• Hotel Summit & Restaurant
• Baltistan village Guest House & Restaurant Quaidabad Skardu

How to get there

By Road

The normal road route into Skardu is via the Karakoram Highway and a Skardu Road (S1) into the Skardu Valley from it. Roads once linked Skardu to Srinagar and Leh, though none are open for cross-LoC travel.

Skardu‘s weather can have adverse effects on transport in and out of the region, as Skardu is often snowbound during the winter months. Roads in and out of Skardu can be blocked for extended periods of time, sometimes leaving air travel as the only feasible alternative.

By Air

Skardu Airport is served by a daily direct flight from Islamabad. Air travel in winter is subject to disruption due to the unpredictable winter weather.

Information you should know:

• PTDC Motel, Gilgit. Tel: (92-0572) 2562
• Travel Walji’s, Airport Road, Gilgit
• Pamir Tours, JSR, Gilgit. Tel: (92-0572) 4100
• Chief Secretary, Northern Areas Tel: (92-0572) 2501
• Deputy Commissioner Tel: (92-0572) 2521
• I.G. Police Tel: (92-0572) 2403
• A.I.G. Tel: (92-0572) 2366
• S.S.P. Tel: (92-0572) 2502
• Airport Police Station el: (92-0572) 3266
• Special Branch Police el: (92-0572) 3356
• Intelligence Bureau Police Tel: (92-0572)2496
• PIA Booking Tel: (92-0572) 3390
• PIA Tower Tel: (92-0572) 3947
• Airport Manager Tel: (92-0572) 2333
• Airport Security Tel: (92-0572) 3852
• Habib Bank Tel: (92-0572) 3884
• National Bank Tel (92-0572) 2556
• Muslim Commercial Bank Tel: (92-0572) 2349
• Soneri Bank Tel: (92-0572) 3650