Journey
Skardu
Baltistan Heritage: Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu
- Duration
- 8 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- Apr–Oct
Price to be confirmed
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Journey · Skardu, Shigar
Skardu Short Break
A five-day fly-in break in Baltistan: lakes, a cold desert, a hilltop fort and a day in Shigar.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- April–October
- Price
- Price to be confirmed
Photo: MBurch · CC0
Overview
Skardu is one of the few places in the high Karakoram that can be reached by a short flight, which makes a brief visit realistic. Within easy reach of town are lakes, sand dunes, an ancient Buddhist carving and a fort above the Indus.
This compact break keeps to one hotel in Skardu, with a day trip north to Shigar Fort, and builds in flexibility in case flights are disrupted.
- Kharpocho Fort and views of the Indus
- Satpara Lake and the Manthal Buddha rock
- Sunset on the Katpana cold desert
- Shigar Fort
- The Kachura lakes
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Skardu
Arrival and a gentle walk up to Kharpocho Fort.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 2
Satpara and Manthal
Satpara Lake, the Manthal Buddha rock and evening on the Katpana dunes.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 3
Shigar
Day trip to Shigar Fort and village.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 4
Kachura lakes
The Kachura lakes, with an optional summer drive up to the edge of Deosai.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 5
Fly from Skardu
Flight onward, weather permitting.
Practical information
- Suitable for
- Culture travellers, Families, Corporate groups, Private groups, Photographers
What’s included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Private vehicle with driver
- Guide for sightseeing days
- Hotel accommodation in Skardu
- Breakfast daily
- Entry to Shigar Fort
Not included
- Flights to and from Skardu
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional Deosai excursion
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
What to bring
Essential
- Light layers and a warm evening jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Scarf against dust on the dunes
- Modest clothing
- Passport and copies
Optional and useful
- Compact camera or phone gimbal
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
- Flexible onward plans in case of flight changes
Good to know
Important notes and restrictions
- Flights to Gilgit and Skardu depend on weather and visibility, and cancellations happen; a spare day or a road alternative is sensible.
- Skardu is a high mountain town; a slow first day helps with the altitude.
- Deosai is only reachable in summer.
Photos
Route and region
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