Skardu is the capital of Skardu District and of the Baltistan Division of Gilgit-Baltistan. It sits at about 2,500 m where the Indus and Shigar rivers meet, and it’s the base for Deosai, the Kachura lakes, Shigar and the K2 treks. The quickest way in is a flight from Islamabad, which takes about 1 hour. One-way fares seen on booking sites in 2025–2026 were about PKR 13,000–23,000, but cancellations for weather are common. By road, Skardu is 4–5 hours from Gilgit on the Jaglot–Skardu road, or about 635 km and 16–18 hours from Islamabad. The main season runs from April to October.
Details were checked in October 2026. Fares and schedules change weekly, so check with the airline before you book anything around a flight.
Skardu quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,500 m in town. The airport is at about 2,230 m |
| Location | Skardu Valley, about 10 km wide and 40 km long, at the meeting of the Indus and Shigar rivers |
| Airport | Skardu International (KDU), 9.2 km from the city and the busiest airport in Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Flight from Islamabad | About 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes on PIA or Airblue |
| By road | From Gilgit 4–5 hours. From Islamabad about 635 km and 16–18 hours, with an overnight stop |
| Season | April–October. Summer highs reach about 27°C, and October nights can drop to about 8°C |
| Language | Balti, a Tibetic language. Urdu is widely spoken |
| Permits | None for the town and nearby sights. Treks and climbs towards K2 need separate permits |
How to reach Skardu
Skardu flights
PIA and Airblue fly Islamabad to Skardu, and there’s also service from Lahore and other cities. Skardu became an international airport in December 2021, and PIA has flown seasonal direct flights to Dubai, first in August 2023 and again from May 2025. Check whether that route is running before you plan around it. Skardu sits where the Indus and Shigar meet, and it is the base for Deosai, the lakes, and the K2 road.
- Fares: about PKR 13,000–23,000 one way in 2025–2026 searches, and higher in August–September and on holidays.
- Cancellations: the approach is flown visually through the mountains, so cloud grounds flights, sometimes for days. Local guides put cancellations at 40–60% in cloudy months.
- Buffer: leave two spare days at each end, and don’t book an international connection within 72 hours of a Skardu flight.
- Airport transfer: it’s about 9 km to town. See Skardu International Airport access.
By road
From Islamabad, drive up the Karakoram Highway to Jaglot and turn onto the Jaglot–Skardu road through the Indus gorge. In summer, many people go via Naran and Babusar Top instead. Break the journey in Chilas or Gilgit. The gorge is narrow, with rockfall zones, so drive it in daylight. On the way you pass Raikot Bridge, the turn-off for Fairy Meadows. Many travellers fly one way and drive the other, so they’re sure to see the Indus gorge and keep a fallback if a flight is cancelled.
Best time to visit Skardu
- April–May: blossom in the villages, cool days and few crowds. The high plateaus are still snowbound.
- June–August: peak season, when Deosai opens and the trekking routes are busy. Hotels fill up and prices rise.
- September–October: clear skies, golden poplars and cheaper rooms. It’s the best balance of weather and quiet.
- November–March: severe cold, and roads and flights are often disrupted. Only go if you’re prepared for winter conditions.
Places to visit in Skardu
- Kachura lakes: Upper Kachura is at about 2,500 m and roughly 70 m deep. It’s free to enter and has rowing boats at about PKR 2,000–3,000 an hour. Lower Kachura is the gardened lake of Shangrila Resort, with a restaurant inside the fuselage of a DC-3 that crash-landed in 1953. Entry was about PKR 500–1,000 in 2025. Both lakes are about 30 km and 40 minutes from town.
- Satpara (Sadpara) Lake: a natural lake at about 2,600 m just south of town, enlarged by the Satpara Dam, that supplies Skardu’s water. It’s on the road up to Deosai.
- Deosai National Park: one of the world’s highest plateaus. It’s a full-day jeep trip via Sadpara and is usually open from June to mid-October.
- Kharpocho Fort: a hilltop fort above the bazaar with wide views over the Indus. It’s linked to the late-16th-century ruler Ali Sher Khan Anchan.
- Katpana cold desert: sand dunes at about 2,226 m near the airport, best at sunset. There’s another dune field at Sarfaranga in Shigar.
- Shigar: about 30 km away. Its 17th-century Shigar Fort (Fong Khar) was restored from 1999 to 2004 and is now a heritage hotel and museum. Tickets are reported at PKR 500–1,000.
- Manthokha Waterfall: in Kharmang, about 80 km and 2 hours each way.
- Basho Valley: a side valley of forests and meadows, reached by jeep from Skardu.
Skardu is also the gateway to Askole and Hushe, the starting points for the Baltoro Glacier and K2 (8,611 m).
Where to stay in Skardu
Options range from guesthouses in town to resorts at Kachura and Shigar. These are 2025 price ranges from travel guides:
| Stay type | Reported cost per night (2025) |
|---|---|
| Basic guesthouse | PKR 1,500–4,000 |
| Budget hotel | PKR 3,000–6,000 |
| Mid-range hotel | PKR 8,000–15,000 |
| Upscale hotel or resort | PKR 20,000–40,000 |
| Shangrila Resort | About PKR 20,000–30,000, depending on season |
Rates jump in June–August, so book early for summer, and expect better deals in spring and autumn.
Skardu trip costs (as of 2025–2026)
| Item | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Islamabad to Skardu, one way | About PKR 13,000–23,000 |
| Taxi from Skardu to the Kachura lakes and back | PKR 3,000–5,000 |
| Shared van seat to the lakes | PKR 500–800 |
| Lower Kachura (Shangrila) entry | PKR 500–1,000 per person |
| Boating at Upper Kachura | PKR 2,000–3,000 per hour |
| 5–7 day trip including flights | PKR 70,000–155,000 per person |
Practical tips
- Cash: carry enough for Deosai, Shigar and village trips, where cards are rarely accepted.
- Culture: dress modestly, and ask before photographing people, especially women. Learn a greeting in Balti.
- Food: try butter tea, apricot soup and chapshuro.
- Altitude: Skardu itself rarely causes problems, but Deosai is above 4,000 m. Spend a night in town first.
Suggested 4-day Skardu itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive and settle in. Climb to Kharpocho Fort for sunset over the Indus.
- Day 2: Visit Upper and Lower Kachura in the morning, then the Katpana dunes at dusk.
- Day 3: A full day on Deosai via Satpara Lake, in a jeep with a driver.
- Day 4: Shigar Fort and the Sarfaranga dunes, then on to Khaplu or back to town for your flight.
If you have a week, combine Skardu with Hunza via Gilgit. It’s a long day on the road, so fly into one and out of the other.
Planning around the flight
The Islamabad–Skardu flight is the deciding factor in most Skardu trips. If the flight leaves on time, you can be out at the Kachura lakes the same afternoon. If it is grounded, you either wait or switch to the road. The cleanest plan is to book the flight one way, decide in advance which day you would start driving if it is cancelled, and keep the first and last days light. Sights near town, like Kharpocho or the Katpana dunes, fill a spare afternoon well without locking you into anything.
Skardu as a base versus moving on
Skardu town is the practical base: it has the most beds, transport and food choice, and every day trip on this page starts there. Moving on to Shigar or Khaplu for a night or two gives you quieter evenings and shorter drives to those valleys. Many travellers sleep in Skardu for the Kachura and Deosai days, then shift base once for the Shigar side.
Travelling with a driver
For Deosai, Shigar and Kharmang, most visitors hire a vehicle with a local driver rather than driving themselves. Agree the route, the stops and the waiting time up front, and confirm whether park entry and fuel are included. A driver who knows the roads also knows when a jeep track is wet or a river crossing is high.
Skardu FAQ
How do I reach Skardu from Islamabad?
Fly about 1 hour to Skardu International Airport, or drive about 635 km in 16 to 18 hours via the Karakoram Highway and the Jaglot to Skardu road, stopping in Chilas or Gilgit. From Gilgit the drive takes 4 to 5 hours.
How much are Skardu flights?
One-way Islamabad to Skardu fares seen on booking sites in 2025 to 2026 were about PKR 13,000 to 23,000, with higher prices in peak summer and on holidays. Fares are dynamic, so check PIA and Airblue directly.
Are Skardu flights often cancelled?
Yes. Flights operate under visual conditions through the mountains, and cloud can ground them for days. Keep two spare days at each end and a road backup.
What are the best places to visit in Skardu?
The Kachura lakes and Shangrila, Satpara Lake, Kharpocho Fort, the Katpana cold desert, Deosai National Park, Shigar Fort and Manthokha Waterfall.
What is the best time to visit Skardu?
April to October. June to August is peak season, and Deosai is open from June to mid-October, while September and October bring clear skies, autumn colour and lower prices.
How many days do you need for Skardu?
Four days covers the town, the Kachura lakes, Deosai and Shigar. Add more for Khaplu, Manthokha or Basho, and allow a buffer for cancelled flights.
Should I fly or drive to Skardu?
Flying saves days, but cloud cancellations are common. Many travellers fly one way and drive the other, keeping the road as a fallback.
Is Skardu a good base for Deosai?
Yes. Deosai is a full-day jeep trip from Skardu via Sadpara Lake, usually open from June to mid-October.
Can I visit Skardu in winter?
It is possible, but winter is severely cold and roads and flights are often disrupted. Only go if you are prepared for winter conditions.
Who do I call for help in Skardu?
Before you travel, save the Tourist Police contacts from the Contacting Tourist Police guide. Your hotel can also help with transport problems and local advice.
