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Pakistan
Skardu Travel Guide
Skardu is the main town of Baltistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, set in a wide valley where the Indus River meets the Shigar. It is the gateway to the Karakoram expeditions to K2 and the Baltoro Glacier, and a base for lakes, cold deserts and high plateaus that can be reached as day trips.
- Best time: May to October
- Airport: KDU / ISB
- Pakistani rupee
Overview
About Skardu
Skardu is the main town of Baltistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, set in a wide valley where the Indus River meets the Shigar. It is the gateway to the Karakoram expeditions to K2 and the Baltoro Glacier, and a base for lakes, cold deserts and high plateaus that can be reached as day trips.
Popular sights include Upper and Lower Kachura lakes, the Shigar Fort, a restored 17th-century palace, the sand dunes of the Katpana cold desert and, in summer, the high-altitude Deosai National Park, one of the highest plateaus in the world.
- Best time to visit
- May to October
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (PKR)
- Time zone
- Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5), no daylight saving
- Language
- Balti is spoken locally; Urdu and English are understood in hotels
Hotels in Skardu
Where to stay in Skardu
Each area links to places to stay on our Skardu hotels page.
- Skardu townHotels in and around the bazaar, close to Kharpocho Fort and the road to the lakes, Katpana and Deosai.
- Kachura lakesResorts on Upper and Lower Kachura lakes, around 30 minutes from town, including the Shangrila Resort on Lower Kachura.
- ShigarA green side valley north of Skardu, home to the restored Shigar Fort, now a heritage hotel, and the route towards K2.
Getting there
Flights to Skardu
Skardu International Airport (KDU) has flights from Islamabad and other Pakistani cities, plus some Gulf routes. Flights are weather-dependent; the road from Islamabad takes most of two days.
- KDU
- Skardu International Airport
- ISB
- Islamabad International Airport
Things to do
Things to do in Skardu
Popular tours and tickets from our activity partner.
Popular attractions
- Shangrila Resort & Lower Kachura Lake
- Upper Kachura Lake
- Shigar Fort
- Deosai National Park
- Katpana cold desert
- Manthokha Waterfall
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When to go
Best time to visit Skardu
May to October is the main season. Deosai is usually accessible only from around June to September, when the snow has cleared. Winters are very cold, but the town remains accessible by air.
Transport
Getting around Skardu
Hire a car or jeep with a driver for the lakes, Shigar and Deosai โ tracks to Deosai need a 4x4. Roads can be affected by landslides, so keep plans flexible.
Travel tips
Skardu travel tips
- Keep a spare day either side of flights to Skardu โ they are cancelled when mountain weather closes in.
- Take warm clothing even in summer; Deosai sits around 4,000 metres and temperatures fall quickly in the afternoon.
- A 4x4 with a local driver is the practical way to reach Deosai and the side valleys.
- Carry cash, as ATMs outside Skardu town are few.
Skardu essentials
Skardu travel FAQs
How do I get to Skardu?
Fly to Skardu International Airport (KDU) from Islamabad or other Pakistani cities, weather permitting. By road it takes most of two days from Islamabad.
When is Deosai National Park open?
Deosai is usually accessible from around June to September, when the snow has melted and the tracks reopen.
What is the best time to visit Skardu?
May to October, with June to September best for Deosai and trekking. Winters are very cold.
Plan your trip
Plan your Skardu trip
- Hotels in SkarduExplore hotels in Skardu town and Kachura lakes and more.
- Things to do in SkarduExplore Shangrila Resort & Lower Kachura Lake, Upper Kachura Lake and other experiences.
- Pakistan travel guidePakistan travel guide: Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, plus Hunza and Skardu in the northern mountains โ when to go, where to stay and getting around.
Nearby and related destinations
- Hunza, PakistanHunza Valley travel guide: Karimabad, Baltit and Altit forts, Attabad Lake and the Karakoram Highway, the best months to visit and getting there.
- Islamabad, PakistanIslamabad travel guide: Faisal Mosque, the Margalla Hills, where to stay, the best time to visit, the new airport and things to do.
- Lahore, PakistanLahore travel guide: the Walled City, Gulberg and DHA, the best time to visit, Allama Iqbal airport and things to do.
Facts last reviewed 27 September 2026. Hotel, flight and activity availability is provided live by our booking partners, and bookings are completed with them.