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N 35°18′ · E 75°37′
Before You Book
Skardu & Hunza: Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by the people who run the trips. No scripts, no disclaimers.
When is the best time to visit Skardu?
The main travel window is April through October. April and May bring spring blooms and snowmelt rivers but some high-altitude roads may still be closed. June through August is peak season: roads are open, weather is warm and predictable, and all destinations including Deosai are accessible. September and October offer the best of both worlds: cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, harvest-season colours, and excellent visibility for mountain photography. We actively recommend September as our favourite month. November through March is winter: Skardu gets cold and some routes become hazardous, though a winter trip is possible with careful planning.
How do we get to Skardu?
The easiest way is to fly. PIA operates daily flights from Islamabad (Islamabad International Airport) to Skardu Airport (SKT). The flight takes about 1 hour 10 minutes and the views of the Karakoram range on approach are extraordinary. The catch: mountain weather makes these flights vulnerable to cancellations. Always build a buffer day into your schedule. Alternatively, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) road journey from Islamabad takes 14-18 hours depending on conditions and is an experience in itself: if you have time and stamina, it's worth doing at least one way. Raahi Retreats can arrange private road transfers from Islamabad if needed.
What should we pack?
Layers are your most important tool. Even in summer, mornings and evenings in Skardu can drop to 10-15°C, while afternoons reach 30°C. Bring: light hiking trousers (not jeans), a fleece mid-layer, a windproof outer layer, sun protection (the UV is intense at altitude), good walking shoes or light hiking boots, and a hat for both sun and cold. Raahi sends every confirmed guest a detailed packing list tailored to their specific itinerary and travel dates: so you don't need to guess. Your list arrives with your booking confirmation.
Is Skardu safe for travellers?
Yes. Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan have an excellent safety record for tourism. The local population is famously hospitable to visitors. The region is distinct from the parts of Pakistan that generate international news: Gilgit-Baltistan has been a stable, politically separate territory with a long history of welcoming mountaineers, trekkers, and independent travellers from around the world. Standard travel precautions apply: stay informed, keep your guide informed, don't trek alone in remote areas. Raahi's team monitors conditions actively and has never had to cut a trip short for safety reasons. We travel these roads ourselves.
What's included in a Raahi retreat?
Every package includes: private 4x4 vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or above) with a local expert driver for the full duration; hotel accommodation at Raahi-vetted boutique properties; all intercity transfers within your itinerary; airport pickup and drop-off at Skardu; daily itinerary management and routing by our operations team; direct WhatsApp support from Aqsa throughout your trip; and any entry fees for national parks or heritage sites specified in the itinerary. Excluded: international and domestic flights to/from Skardu, personal meals (we recommend local restaurants), personal shopping, and optional extensions. Your quote will list exactly what is and isn't included: no ambiguity.
Can we customize an itinerary?
Yes. Every Raahi trip is private and built around your group. You choose the duration, the pace, the specific destinations, and the accommodation tier. We provide a starting itinerary as a reference and then refine it over one or two conversations until it matches what you actually want. Common customizations include: adding Deosai Plains as a day trip, spending an extra night in Shigar, incorporating a boat trip on Upper Kachura Lake, or adjusting the schedule to prioritize photography or trekking. Contact us on WhatsApp or through the contact page to start the planning conversation.
How do payments work?
We require full payment upfront to confirm a booking. This secures your hotel rooms and vehicle, both of which are limited during peak season. Payment is accepted via Bank Transfer (no fee, recommended), JazzCash (1% fee), or EasyPaisa (1% fee). Payment instructions are shared securely after you confirm your booking: account details are never posted publicly. Your booking is confirmed within 24 hours of payment receipt, and you'll receive a written confirmation with your full itinerary, hotel details, vehicle information, and packing list. If you have questions about the payment process, ask us directly on WhatsApp.
What if we need to cancel?
We handle cancellations on a case-by-case basis and try to be as fair as possible. For cancellations more than 30 days before departure, we can typically hold your deposit as credit toward a rescheduled trip: no one loses money if the timing changes. For cancellations within 30 days, some costs (especially hotel reservations in peak season) may be non-recoverable, and we'll share the actual amounts rather than applying a blanket percentage. Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation is something we strongly recommend for every guest. If you need to cancel, contact us as early as possible: the sooner we know, the more options we have.
Do you offer trips outside Skardu?
Yes. Hunza Valley is part of our current service area and we run both standalone Hunza valley tours and combined Skardu-Hunza tour packages. Our Do Wadiyan journey is a 10-day Gilgit-Baltistan tour that covers both regions in a single trip: Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu, and then north through the Karakoram Highway to Hunza. We also cover Shigar, Khaplu, and Deosai as part of extended Baltistan itineraries. Beyond Gilgit-Baltistan, we have plans to add other northern regions: follow us on Instagram or check back here for announcements. If you have a specific destination in mind, ask us directly. We may be able to help even if it's not listed publicly yet.
Further Reading
→Gilgit-Baltistan permits for foreign visitors: NOC, trekking & restricted-area requirements→Skardu vs Naran Kaghan: how the two mountain regions compare→First time in Gilgit-Baltistan: what to know before you go→Is Gilgit-Baltistan safe for tourists? An honest answer→What to pack for Skardu and Hunza: the complete packing list→Skardu flights guide: booking, cancellation risk, and road alternatives→Best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan: month-by-month guide→Khunjerab Pass day trip: permits, altitude, and what to expect→Gilgit-Baltistan tour packages: what to look for and what to avoid→Hunza hotels guide: where to stay in Karimabad and the valley
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