Things to Do in Skardu: 15 Experiences Worth Planning Around

Skardu has more to offer than most travellers expect, and it is spread across a wider area than most people plan for. The city itself is a base: the real attractions are 20 to 90 minutes out in every direction. This guide organises everything worth doing by type, so you can build a realistic itinerary rather than a wishlist that requires being in two places at once.

Kharpocho Fort

Kharpocho Fort sits on a granite outcrop above Skardu at around 2,500 metres. The fort dates to the 16th century and was the seat of the Balti kings who ruled this valley for centuries. The climb from the base takes 20 to 30 minutes on a rocky path; the views from the top, the Indus snaking through the valley, the Karakoram on all sides, are the best free panorama in the region. Go in the late afternoon for the light. This is the one activity that should be on every Skardu itinerary regardless of how short your stay.

The Kachura Lakes

Two glacial lakes 25 to 35 kilometres from Skardu, set in side valleys above the Indus. Upper Kachura Lake is the more dramatic: a tight bowl of turquoise water with the Karakoram directly above it. Lower Kachura Lake (Shangrila) is more developed, with the Shangrila Resort and its famous DC-3 fuselage restaurant on the shore. Both in one half-day trip. The morning light is best for Upper Kachura; Lower Kachura photographs well at any time.

Sarfaranga Cold Desert

The Sarfaranga Cold Desert is one of the more disorienting landscapes in Pakistan: sand dunes at 2,500 metres with permanent snowfields above them and the Karakoram as a backdrop. It sits in Shigar Valley, 30 minutes from Skardu. ATV and jeep rides across the dunes are available at the entry point and are the standard way to experience the desert, the scale becomes clear once you are moving through it. Combine with Shigar Fort Palace in the same day.

Deosai National Park day trip

Deosai is a full day from Skardu: two hours each way on a rough mountain road, plus 4 to 5 hours on the plateau. At 4,100 metres, it is the second-highest plateau in the world, and in summer it is carpeted in wildflowers with Sheosar Lake at its centre. Himalayan brown bears are regularly spotted. The night sky from Deosai, if you stay overnight at the park rest house, is among the finest in South Asia. Open mid-June to mid-October only.

Shigar Valley day trip

Shigar Valley is 30 minutes from Skardu and packs more history into a short drive than anywhere else in Baltistan. Shigar Fort Palace (now a Serena Heritage Hotel) is the anchor: a 17th-century royal palace built at the mouth of a gorge, restored to extraordinary condition. The Manthal Rock Buddha, a 7th-century carving above the Indus, is 10 minutes from the fort. The Sarfaranga Cold Desert is at the far end of the valley. A full day covers all three.

Satpara Lake

A glacial lake 10 kilometres south of Skardu city, one of the closest natural attractions to the town. The lake sits at the base of Satpara village and is used as a reservoir for Skardu's water supply, which means motorised boats are prohibited, it stays quiet. The short drive along the Satpara River is itself pleasant. Good for a morning or afternoon add-on when other activities don't fill the day.

Khaplu and Hushe Valley

A full-day or overnight trip to eastern Baltistan. Khaplu is 3 hours east of Skardu along the Shyok River: the Khaplu Palace heritage hotel, the Chaqchan Mosque (one of Pakistan's oldest), and almost no other tourists. From Khaplu, the Hushe Valley drive, 25 kilometres south toward K6 and K7, is worth the extra hour even for non-trekkers. Best done as an overnight.

Skardu bazaar and old town

The central bazaar runs along the main road through town and sells everything from mountaineering gear to dried apricots. The old bazaar area near the polo ground is quieter and more atmospheric. Worth an evening walk rather than a dedicated half-day. Look for the carved wooden balconies on the older buildings, they are a distinctive feature of Balti architecture and mostly disappearing as old structures are replaced.

Stargazing

Skardu sits at 2,228 metres with minimal light pollution and exceptionally dry air. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible from your hotel roof. For a more deliberate experience, a drive to any of the lake viewpoints or up toward Kharpocho Fort gives you darkness and altitude. The best conditions are mid-week when less traffic is on the roads. For serious stargazing, Deosai overnight at 4,100 metres is in a different category entirely.

Paragliding from Pari Mahal

Tandem paragliding launches from the Pari Mahal area above Skardu city, with flights over the Indus valley and views of the Karakoram peaks. Seasonal operators run flights from April to October. Quality varies year to year, ask your hotel for current recommendations. Not the main reason to visit Skardu, but a memorable addition if the conditions are right and you have a spare half-morning.

Polo at Skardu Polo Ground

If you are in Skardu in summer (particularly July and August), check whether any polo matches are scheduled. The Skardu polo ground sits below Kharpocho Fort with mountain views on all sides. Polo in Baltistan is played in the traditional style, fast, informal, and often accompanied by music. Entry is free or minimal. It is not something you plan a trip around, but if a match is on, it is worth an afternoon.

Planning the days

Three days covers the core circuit: Day 1, Kharpocho Fort and Kachura Lakes. Day 2, Shigar Valley (fort, cold desert, Manthal). Day 3, Deosai National Park. Five days allows Khaplu and Hushe Valley as an overnight, plus a slower pace throughout. See our 5-day Skardu itinerary for the sequenced version, or our 7-day itinerary if you have more time. All Raahi Skardu tours are private, with a dedicated 4x4 and driver, the vehicle is what makes most of this list possible. Get in touch with your dates and we will build the itinerary around them.