Skardu, the crown of Gilgit Baltistan– Pakistan, is a place gifted with natural beauty, culture, and adventures. Located within the Central Karakoram Range, Skardu is the frontline to some of the world’s highest peaks and most beautiful valleys and lakes.
Regardless of whether you love hiking or love nature, or history, there are numerous activities you can do in Skardu. In this article, we reveal the most popular attractions in Skardu, including geographical marvels, historical monuments, and other sights to see.
The Kachura Lake are Lower Kachura Lake, also known as Shangrila Lake, is getting promoted nowadays in Skardu. It is situated in the Shangrila Resort, where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, a relaxing bar, crystalline water, and the environment. Located between rolling green hills and snow-clad mountains, Shangrila Lake remains one of the most beautiful places for tourists in Skardu.
• Scenic boat rides
• The hotel and resort facilities of Shangrila Resort
• Mirrored image of mountains in the water.
Three kilometres from Shangrila Lake lies the spectacular Upper Kachura Lake, which also goes unnoticed most of the time. It is not as advanced as the lower lake but is an excellent area for those looking for a wilder experience. Crystal clear waters and access to it is through steep rocks; tourists are given the raw experience of nature.
• Camping, fishing, kayaking, boating and other water-related activities
• Trekking and nature walks
• Fabulous impressions of the Karakoram Range
For history lovers, Skardu Fort, also known as Kharpocho Fort, is one of the most attractive sites in the region. Established during the 16th century by the kings of Skardu, this fort is also on a hilltop with a full view of Skardu city, the Indus River, and the other valleys.
• How it was built and who built it; beautiful scenes of the Indus River up to the last evening were seen.
• More details about the historical background of Skardu through architectural designs of the ancient citadel.
Also called the Land of Giants, Deosai National Park is a high-altitude plateau occupying an area of over 3000 sq km. Deosai is about 30 km away from Skardu and is famous for its biosphere, resulting from the luxurious vegetation and wildlife.
The plateau is full of beautiful wildflowers in spring and summer that attract photographers and nature lovers. Other animals include the Himalayan brown bear, golden marmot and various birds.
• Sightseeing Himalayan brown bears and other related wildlife
• Terrific vistas of the plateau are made up of wild, flat grounds occasionally disrupted by ranges and lovely views of the mountains around.
• Another beautiful place of interest, Deosai Lake, is in the park.
Satpara Lake is another beautiful natural lake, which, being a Glacial Lake, is bigger than the comparatively known Shangrila Lake at approximately 10 km North of Skardu city. It provides water for the nearby territory, and it is an essential source of electricity in the form of hydroelectric power.
Nestled between towering hills, Satpara Lake is a beautiful lake with impossibly blue waters ideal for a day trip. Those who want to look closer can rent boats or marvel at the scenery from the bank’s side.
• Fine boating for holidays and sport fishing.
• Scenic picnic spots
• Mountains towering high in the sky at the edges of the lake
Sheosar Lake is among the world’s highest-altitude lakes in the Deosai National Park. Like Nanga Parbat, it is famous for its clear waters and mirror-like covering over the mountains. Sheosar Lake is comparatively difficult to trek, but due to its splendid view, it is among the must-go places for whenever in Skardu.
• It also provides ample platform for trekking in Deosai National Park.
• Mirror-like image of Nanga Parbat on clear mornings Perfect for naturalists
You read it right, there is a desert in the middle of the mountain ranges! Located in Skardu, Katpana Desert, more commonly known as the Cold Desert, offers a unique thrill. A remarkable view envelopes the dunes of Katpana, which lies amidst the towering snow-clad peaks. The desert can be most beautiful at dusk when the sunlight penetrates through the yellow desert haze, giving pleasant colours to sand and mountains.
• Sunset views and photography
• Some of them are dune bashing, which includes both thrilling and bashing, and camel riding activities.
• Rare opposition between sand and snow in the dunes and hills
Shigar Fort is located approximately 32 km away from Skardu, The reconstructed historical place from where the Raja of Shigar used to live. Shigar Fort has been restored and transformed into a museum and a hotel run by the Aga Khan Cultural Service; therefore, it is a place worth visiting if you are interested in the history and culture of Old Pakistan.
• Local History Museum Tour where tourists are taken around the building Housing local Museum by steeped guides
• The fusion of Tibetan and Islamic spans characterizes its striking structure.
• Spend your holidays at the heritage hotel for royalty feel
For those adventurers who always look for untouched destinations, Basho Valley is somewhat of a secret tucked at about 45 kilometres from Skardu. The valley is also characterized by thick forest cover, alpine tracts, and crystal clear flowing streams, which make the place a natural vantage point for hiking and camping activities.
Compared to other tourist attraction centres, Basho Valley has relatively few visitors who would wish to spend their vacation time in nature.
• Untouched natural beauty Popular attractions are hiking trails and camping sites.
• Chance to taste the customs and warmth of the people of the given country
One of the least explored regions near Skardu is Chunda Valley. Here, you can find beautiful colours and splendid views in the valley. It is filled with fruit plantations and lovely flowers, and there are many streams and brooks in the valley, making it suitable for a quiet communion with nature.
Autumn turns the valley into heaven-textured gold and makes Skardu Valley one of the best places to visit in the fall season.
• High mountain meadows and rubble, especially in the autumn.
• Quiet place suitable for nature walks and taking nature shots on camera. T
• he local architectural wooden houses build with traditional techniques.
One of the most attractive natural sights in the region, Manthokha Waterfall, is in Kharmang Valley, 80 km away from Skardu. The serene waterfalls drop from a large cliff nestled in green vegetation and are commonly used for picnicking by community persons and tourists.
• Arab village, hiking around a waterfall, picnicking areas, Sstunningviews of the magnificent waterfall.
• Great place for taking photos and resting
The Hussainabad Valley is just a few kilometres from Skardu and presents an attractive area for tourists interested in nature.
Designed in terrace fashion, the valley boasts beautiful aesthetics from the farming fields and the tribal standard of fruit production. That is a good place to take a casual walk and not forget the great experience with the people you meet.
• Rich curvilinear plantations and garden lands
• The mountains surrounding this place are breathtaking.
• An isolated, quiet place to be for some time without several people.
But if you don’t mind going a little further away, there is another marvellous palace called Khaplu Palace, which is 100 kilometres from Skardu. As Shigar Fort, this place was also repaired and repurposed to turn it into a museum and a luxurious hotel. The palace is an architectural beauty of Tibetan, Kashmir and Balti architecture and has a great view of the valleys.
• Spend a night at this heritage hotel to have a luxurious experience.
• Local history & cultural interpretation tours and walks featuring historical sites & the museum.
• Khaplu Valley is astounding, and the view of the valley is eye-popping.
Skardu is a paradise on earth where you can find natural sightseeing, history, and culture. From hiking the beautiful and serene lakes such as Shangri la and Satpara lakes, visiting the Deosai National Park or exploring the magnificent strongholds of Skardu and Shigar, this area presents a vast array of tourism products that can suit any tourist.
Skardu is a perfect destination because it offers the adventurous traveller opportunities to take in the natural beauty of Pakistan and see the best points of interest throughout the area. It is essential to place these best tourist destinations in Skardu on your checklist and be assured of having the best time in your lifetime.
