The Ultimate Skardu Travel Guide l Tour with Hodophile Adventures

Written by CEO Hodophile at November 27, 2022

The Ultimate Skardu Travel Guide

Planning to visit the northern areas of Pakistan? Skardu is among the top tourist destinations in Northern Pakistan. Located at about 8,200 feet above sea level, Skardu is the land of enormous natural attractions. From the snow-capped mountains with alluring views to the stunning waterfalls, Skardu is home to several worth-visiting tourist spots.

Skardu is famous for its magnificent scenic views and everlasting mesmerizing beauty. Moreover, Skardu has its own rhythm, uniqueness, and flavor, hosting a swarm of tourists yearly.

We’ve compiled a complete Skardu travel guide covering all the essential things you must know before heading to Skardu. Therefore, without further ado, let’s dive straight into it.

Where is Skardu?

Skardu is located in the east part of Northern Pakistan. Situated along the Shigar and the Indus rivers, Skardu separates the Himalayan Mountain range from the Karakoram range. Skardu is 2230 meters above sea level, and this bustling land is one of nature’s most beautiful creations.

Weather in Skardu

The Skardu weather remains mild during the summer, which lasts about 3 months, from June 15 to September 15. During this season, the average temperature in Skardu can be up to 24°C. The winter season in Skardu lasts about 3.5 months, from December 1 to March 15. In January temperature can be low to about -10°C. Therefore, Skardu hosts heavy snowfall each year during winter.

How to get to Skardu?

The Skardu and Islamabad are connected by all means. You can reach the wonderland of Skardu from the twin cities by Air or road. Let’s have a look at both of them.

· Daily Flight Operation for Skardu

PIA is the only flight operator in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. PK451 Islamabad to Skardu flights takes about 1 hour and 15 min the reach the astonishing land of Skardu from the capital. Despite their short duration, the flight to Skardu is quite expensive, ranging from $70 – $200 per one-way flight.

During your flight, you will enjoy the mesmerizing aerial views of the Deosai plains, Lake Saiful-Malook, Babusar top, Nanga Parbat, and the world’s 2^nd largest Mountain, k-2.

·Drive To Skardu

The road distance between Skardu and the Capital of Pakistan is about 640 km. The Skardu-Islamabad road trip is full of adventure and is among the most dangerous roads in Pakistan. It would be best to enjoy the trip by booking the best Skardu tour package with your trusted travel agency. There are usually two ways to reach Skardu from Islamabad.

First: Islamabad > Mansehra > Balakot > Naran > Babusar Top > Chilas > Deosai > Skardu

In winter, the Babusar Top road is usually blocked due to snowfall, so an alternative route to follow during these months is.

2. Second: Islamabad > Mansehra > Basham > Dasoo > Chilas > Jaglot > Skardu

These are the two ways to reach Skardu from the capital by road. With luxurious transports, Hodophile Adventures will make your journey comfortable and full of adventure.

Best Hotels in Skardu

In Skardu, you will find plenty of lodging options. This place has a lot to offer, from a 5-star hotel to the most affordable one. If you want to add luxury to your Skardu tour, consider staying in the famous Shangrila resort Skardu in the lower Kachura lake.

If you’re looking for a lower-end option and a central location in the city, stay at Graceland Resort near Skardu city. With Hodophile Adventures, you will enjoy the astonishing sceneries of Skardu by staying at high-standard hotels.

Food in Skardu

Skardu is renowned for its traditional cuisines, which you can’t find anywhere else in Pakistan. Papua is the best food in Skardu, consisting of buckwheat pasta in a creamy pesto sauce. The Balti cuisines contain some extra carby than spices.

Here are some other famous cuisines of Skardu

Mamtu: steam-boiled wheat dumplings filled with chopped beef, mutton, or yak meat.
Balti lentil soup: a thick and mild lentil and vegetable stew.
Namkeen chai: spiced milk tea with a little flavor of salt.

Best places to visit near Skardu

Skardu is a small town but is full of tourist spots. We’ve listed some of the most visited places in Skardu that you must add to your Skardu itinerary.

Deosai National Park

At an altitude of about 3,000 – 5,000 m above sea level, Deosai Plains is the world’s second-highest alpine plateau. Deosai National Park is located south of Skardu, which takes about a 2-hour drive up a mountain pass. This heritage place was established to protect endangered species such as the Himalayan Brown Bear. Deosai National Park is the center of attention for tourists due to its incredibly expansive landscapes and the waters of Barapani, Sheosar, and Kalapani Lake.

Manthoka Falls

Manthoka Waterfall is located southeast of Skardu. This stunning and majestically high waterfall will leave you spellbound because it’s an artificial and manmade waterfall. Shower yourself, take some mesmerizing pictures and enjoy a picnic environment at one of the best places near Skardu.

Shigar Valley

On the drive of about one hour on the northeast side of Skardu, there is one of the best tourist spots, Shigar Valley. The road to the Shigar Valley is full of scenic views, and you will witness some Architectural gems of Skardu on the way, such as Shigar Fort or the antique wooden Khilangrong Mosque.

Sarfaranga Desert

Sarfaranga Desert, the coldest desert around Skardu, is located in the Shigar Valley along the Shigar Valley. Sarfaranga Desert is worth-visiting because of the smooth and cold sand. Be aware of the thrown hidden in the sand.

Upper Kachura Lake

Kachura is a small town located northwest of Skardu. Kachura is famous for its two lakes, Upper Kachura Lake and Lower Kachura Lake. To reach the Upper Kachura Lake, you must trek through the forest for about 15-min.

There are many other places to visit near Skardu, such as the Katpana Desert, Manthal Buddha Rock, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to get around Skardu is by hiring a private taxi or a tour guide. The roads in Skardu are unsafe to drive by yourself, so it's always better to get around Skardu with an experienced driver.

PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) is the only flight operator in Skardu. In a week, almost 10 flights travel from the Capital to Skardu. These numbers may vary depending on the weather conditions.

The best time to visit Skardu is anytime between June and September. Summer is the ideal time for the tour to Skardu because, in winter, roads are usually blocked due to heavy snowfall or landslides.

Conclusion

Skardu is one of the best tourist attractions in northern Pakistan. Thanks to alluring views and astonishing natural beauty, Skardu is a perfect vacation destination in Pakistan. This Skardu Travel guide covers all the essentials you must know before planning your trip to Skardu.

Spend a couple of days exploring all the Skardu’s unmatched beauty. From the mesmerizing views of snowy mountains to the delicious traditional balti cuisines, Skardu is an ideal vacation spot.

You may also go to Hodophile.pk to explore other Pakistan vacation guides. We addressed all the guidelines for tourists to make their journey more efficient.