Top Things to Do in Skardu - Your Adventure Awaits!

Skardu is located in Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan (commonly known as Northern Areas) division. A Skardu city serves as the capital of District Skardu and the Baltistan Division.

Skardu city is about 2500 meters above from the sea level and is situated on the convergence of Shigar and Indus rivers. In this region, the Indus river separates the Karakoram Range from the Ladakh Range.

The temperature in Summer ranges between 8 to 25 degrees Celsius. Although weather conditions become very severe in Winter. In Winter, temperature drops to -10 degrees Celsius. On January 7, 1995, the temperature dropped to -24.1 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest temperature ever recorded in Skardu.

Skardu holds great significance as it serves as a gateway to many eight-thousanders, ranked among the highest peaks in the world. Thus this place has special attraction for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Being the most important Buddhist region in the past, Skardu Valley becomes an important destination for the students of history.

Adventurer treks and tours

Famous Historical, Nature and Adventure Places to Visit in Skardu:

Being a part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, Skardu is a must visit destination for tourists whether they are seeking nature, adventure or historical places.

Top 8 destinations in Skardu are:

Kharphocho Fort:

Kharphocho Fort also known as Skardu Fort was built by Ali Sher Khan Anchan in the 16^th century. In Balti language, “Kharphocho” means “King of Forts”. This fort is located in the heart of Skardu and represents the ancient architecture style of Skardu.

This fort is located on a mountain, about 40 meters above the city. Visiting this fort gives a complete view of the Skardu city. This makes it a popular tourist destination. There is a secret tunnel in the fort which connects it with city.

Shangrila Resort:

Shangrila Resort is located a scenic heart shaped lake. Its lake side cottages and rooms give an awesome view to tourists.

Shangrila Resort Hotel provides a variety of services which include restaurants, snack bar, café, boating on natural spring water lake, a zoo with a decent collection of wild birds, trekking and jogging treks. Moreover, social events, meetings, galas, receptions and reunions can be held having a capacity of 100 people.

Satpara Lake:

Satpara Lake is a natural lake in Skardu which is about 2636 meters above sea level having an area of 2.5 square kilometers. This lake is a main source of water for Skardu Valley. Satpara Lake is fed from Satpara Streams which are the result of melting ice of Deosai Plains.

It’s one of the beautiful lakes in the Gilgit Baltistan region. With a little and easy hiking, tourists can witness the Buddha Carvings on the mountain nearby. This makes it a must visit destination for tourists.

Deosai National Park:

Deosai National Park is a plain and national park situated between the Kharmang district, Skardu district, and the Astore district at an altitude of 4114 meters above sea level. As a result, it is considered the second-highest plateau in the world. However, this place is only accessible in the summer.

Furthermore, these plains are home to a variety of wild animals and birds. For example, wild animals include the Siberian Ibex, Kashmir Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Marmot, and Himalayan Wolf.

In addition, wild birds such as the Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Himalayan Snowcock, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, and Eurasian Kestrel also inhabit the park.

Basho Valley:

Basho Valley is situated in the heart of Skardu. Stepping into Basho Valley feels like having a dream in a pure and the most beautiful natural environment.

A creek flows through the valley, surrounded by vast landscapes and high peak mountains covered in snow. This stunning beauty attract a great number of visitors to this valley.

Manthokha Waterfall:

Manthokha waterfall is a 180 feet high waterfall and is located in the Kharmang Valley which is about 80 kilometers from Skardu.

The lake’s fresh crystal clear water is surrounded by lush green landscapes and high peak mountains. Its stunning beauty makes it one of the most visited spot in the Gilgit Baltistan region.

Manthal Buddha Rock:

Manthal Buddha rock is a biggest granite rock having a sculpture of Buddha, dated back to 8^th century. This rock lies in Manthal village of Skardu.

This rock holds great importance among Buddhists because it has one of the first images of Buddha ever created. This spot has great attraction for the tourists seeking historical places.

Sheosar Lake:

Sheosar Lake is an alpine lake which is located at the Western end of Deosai National Park with an elevation of 4142 meters from the sea level.

Snow bounds the area, making this lake inaccessible from November to May. However, this lake has great attraction in Summers because of crystal clear water, butterflies and huge variety of wild flowers.

Various Things to do in Skardu:

Being a popular tourist destination, there are various things to do in Skardu whether you are travelling as Solo or with family. This destination offers all the activities related to nature, thrill and amusement.

Here are some popular activities to enjoy with family and couples:

Things to do in Skardu with Family:

There are various things to do with family in Skardu which include boating at Satpara Lake, exploring Kharphocho Fort, picnicking at Shangrila Resort and visiting Manthokha Waterfall.

Boating at Satpara Lake:

It’s a highly recommended activity to do with family. Boating with family at Satpara Lake’s crystal clear water gives a unique and unforgettable experience. Boating in a lake surrounded by high peak mountains adds more pleasure to it.

Exploring Kharphocho Fort:

Ali Sher Khan Anchan built this fort in the 16th century, showcasing its architectural brilliance. A small window entrance allows only one person to enter at a time, enhancing its uniqueness. The fort also features a tunnel that connects it to the city. Exploring Kharphocho Fort with family provides great amusement.

Picnicking at Shangrila Resort:

Shangrila Resort is the best place for picnicking with family. Its lake side cottages and rooms give an awesome view.You need a ticket priced at PKR 1000 per person to enter the resort.

The ticket includes a water park, an amusement park, and delicious food. Families spend a great time here by getting rid of daily hustles.

Visiting Manthokha Waterfall:

Manthokha Waterfall, located in the Kharmang Valley in Skardu, is a great destination to discover for capturing nature.

Lush green grasslands, restaurants, and high-peak mountains surround this waterfall, offering an amazing view. Families often visit this spot on special occasions and capture these moments by cameras.

Things to do in Skardu for Couples:

Skardu, being the most popular and the most beautiful destination, offers various activities for couples which include romantic stroll at Satpara Lake, sunset viewing at Deosai National Park, private camping in Basho valley and candlelight dinner at Shangrila Resort.

Romantic Stroll at Sadpara Lake:

There is a hypnotizing sunset at the Sadpara Lake in Skardu. During sunset, mountains in the surrounding offer an unforgettable view. Couples take advantage from this moment by enjoying romantic evening on lakeshore while walking along unique fragrant wildflowers.

Sunset Viewing at Deosai National Park:

Deosai National Park is one of the most popular destination among travelers. There is an amazing view of sunset at Deosai National Park. Once you get there, you see non ending plains and the sky. Couples find it awesome to walk in the non-ending alpine plains with a pleasant fragrance of wildflowers during beautiful sunset.

Private Camping in Basho Valley:

Basho Valley is situated in the heart of Skardu. Stepping into Basho Valley feels like having a dream in a pure and the most beautiful natural environment. There are various camping sites along riverside. Camping in the meadows is always fun and adventure. Couples spend great time by camping along riverside in the Basho Valley.

Candlelight Dinner at Shangrila Resort:

Shangrila Resort Hotel offers exquisite cuisine at the “Pagoda” which is one of most famous attractions; this restaurant sits in the water and has a very unique design.

It offers romantic seating on the deck for couples or indoor seating for groups overlooking the serene Lake.

Skardu’s Must Buy Items:

Skardu is a place with rich culture and history. Local artisans possess remarkable skills in handmade items which include Pashmina shawls, handicrafts, gemstones and jewelry. Moreover, Skardu is also famous for dry Apricots and many other dry fruits.

Pashmina Shawls:

The hairs of the Changthangi Cashmere Goat provide the cashmere wool used to make Pashmina Shawls. These shawls are famous for their exceptional softness and warmth because of its natural insulating properties.

Plain Pashmina Shawls are mostly available in almond color which adds more grace and elegance. These exceptional properties urge tourists to buy Pashmina Shawls.

Local Handicrafts:

Skardu has a rich cultural heritage. Skardu owns various traditional handicrafts which include woven carpets, handmade jewelry and pashmina shawls. The unique properties of these handicrafts urge tourist to buy them.

Gemstones and Jewelry:

Miners extract various types of gemstones in Shigar Valley, Skardu, including tourmaline, beryl, garnet, topaz, apatite, zoisite, fluorite, axinite, and clinozoisite.

These gemstones support local people economically. Local handicraft artisans possess remarkable skills in creation of unique jewelry pieces that are in high demand.

Apricots and Dry Fruits:

Nature has blessed Skardu with variety of dry fruits. And among them one of the most precious blessing is apricot. Skardu is one of the largest apricot producing area in Pakistan. Besides apricot, almonds, walnuts and silajit is also produced in Skardu.

Adventure Activities in Skardu:

Adventure enthusiasts have a great time in Skardu. Common adventure activities in Skardu include Trekking in Deosai National Park, climbing at Kharphocho Fort, Paragliding over Satpara Lake and Rafting in Indus river.

Trekking in Deosai National Park:

Deosai National Park are high altitude alpine plains and the most famous destination among trekkers. These plains cover an area of about 3000 km².

Deosai Plains are at an altitude of 13497 feet from the sea level. The shortest route to reach here is from Skardu which is 30 km away from it. Once in Deosai Plains, tourists have great experience while trekking towards camping sites.

Climbing at Kharphocho Fort:

This fort is located on a mountain, about 40 meters above the city. Visiting this fort gives a complete view of the Skardu city. There is a secret tunnel in the fort which connects it with city. This fort is the most famous destination among travelers towards Skardu.

Paragliding over Satpara Lake:

Satpara Lake is a natural lake in Skardu which is about 2636 meters above sea level having an area of 2.5 square kilometers. With a little and easy hiking, tourists can witness the Buddha Carvings on the mountain nearby. Paragliding over the Satpara Lake gives an enchanting views of Buddha Carvings and mesmerizing beauty of lake’s blue water.

Rafting in Indus River:

Indus River besides the lifeline for agriculture, provides best rafting experiences from May to November. Indus river is considered one of the best river for rafting and kayaking. Tourists in Skardu try this adventure activity with great spirit and enthusiasm.

Places to Visit in Skardu in Winter:

Places to Visit to Skardu has extreme weather conditions in Winter. The whole valley is covered with snow. But tourists find their way by enjoying Ice Skating at Satpara Lake, snowboarding in Deosai National Park and camping in Basho Valley.

Ice Skating at Satpara Lake:

In winter, the Satpara Lake becomes a playground for ice skaters. Whether taking tentative steps on the ice or carving graceful pirouettes, the frozen lake becomes your rink, offering a unique and joyful winter activity.

Snowboarding in Deosai National Park:

Snowboarding involves riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard attached to the rider’s feet. The snow-covered plains of Deosai offer the perfect setting for this enchanting activity.

Winter Camping in Basho Valley:

Customized Tour Packages in Pakistan:

The three main types of tour packages in Pakistan are independent, group and customized tour. In an independent tour, the travelers choose their destination and perform activities by themselves. While a group tour is managed by a tour guide.

The tour guide selects the destination and lists the activities for the tour. In contrast, a customized tour plans the destination based on the preferences and needs of the individuals or group.

Various tour packages are available for families in Pakistan. Customized family tour packages are organized and planned by families themselves. Families plan to visit specific places and activities to be done for their enjoyment and satisfaction.

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Conclusion:

Skardu serves as a gateway to many of the eight-thousanders peaks, which rank among the highest peaks in the world. Thus this place has special attraction for nature and adventure enthusiasts. It has been the most important region for Buddhism.

Skardu is comprised of glaciers, lush green valleys, rivers, landscapes and snow-capped mountains. It also serves as hub for various adventure activities like rafting, kayaking, skiing, trekking, hiking and camping. It’s natural beauty, rich culture and history makes it a must visit place for tourists.

Top Exciting Things to Do in Skardu – Your Adventure Awaits!