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Places to visit in Skardu

Places to visit in Skardu Gilgit Baltistan. Skardu is the Land of great mountains and colourful cultures. It is a city located in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It serves as the capital of Gilgit Baltistan. Skardu is about 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) in the Skardu Valley at the junction of the Indus and Shigar Rivers. The world’s 2nd highest peak, K2 also situated in Skardu. Skardu Valley is enriched with beautiful lakes, forts, resorts, and deserts, which altogether increase its beauty. When we talk about a tourist point of view, Skardu is one of the most popular places to visit in Gilgit Baltistan. So, the following are the places to visit in Skardu Gilgit Baltistan.

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Table of Contents

List of places to visit in Skardu Gilgit Baltistan

Shigar Valley
Shigar Forte
Khaplu Valley
Basho Valley
Satpara Lake
Deosai National Park
Upper Kachura Lake
Shangrila Lake
Sheosar Lake
Katpana Desert

Shigar Valley

Shigar Valley is the best place to visit in Skardu. It is located about 51km from Skardu city at the entrance of the huge mountains of Karakoram. The best place to visit in Shigar Valley is Shigar Fort that’s worthwhile to visit. There is also a very beautiful and ancient mosque in this valley. You can enjoy hiking, trekking, and mountaineering in Shigar Valley. Shigar Valley is not accessible due to heavy snowfall in the winter season. Its enriched forests include orchards of peaches, plums, apricots, pears, and apples.

Shigar Fort

The meaning of Shigar Fort is “The Fort on Rock “. It is an old fort of Gilgit Baltistan located in Shigar. Shigar Fort was built in the 17th century. It is a gateway to the Karakoram mountains. Shigar is one of the famous places to visit in Skardu in addition to its beauty. Also, a very beautiful wooden mosque built by Kashmiri Carpenters. This Valley is famous especially due to its culture, history, and traditions. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was awarded Shigar Fort.

Khaplu Valley

Khaplu Valley acts as the administrative capital of Ghanche District, Gilgit Baltistan. It will be found at 103 km east side of the Skardu. This Vally has many names like “Ghanche”, Shyok Valley”, and Little Tibet. There is also a beautiful 700-year-old mosque (Chaqchan Mosque) in Khaplu, which is worthwhile to watch. The people of Khaplu Valley are very warm, loving, and hospitable. Its majestic landscape makes everyone fall in love with it. We can say that it’s a worthwhile place to visit in Skardu Gilgit Baltistan because of its beauty and charm of nature and the people living there.

Basho Valley

Basho Valley is located about 20km from Skardu. It will take 2 hours approximately to reach Basho valley. The best transportation to travel is the Jeep. Alpine trees surround this valley in such a way that it attracts visitors towards it. Moreover, its waterfalls are also worthwhile to watch. Basho Valley is Famous due to its Base Camping; no one can deny that it’s a heaven for camping lovers. So, if you are camping-loving, it is the best place to visit in Skardu Gilgit Baltistan. Additionally, covered with an evergreen lush forest of different species. The top of Basho Valley remains covered by snow even during summer.

Satpara Lake

Satpara Lake is located almost 8km south of Skardu, and it will take almost 20 minutes to reach It by Jeep. A Jeep is the best and most reliable vehicle when travelling in northern areas. One of the beautiful things about Satpara Lake is that it is surrounded by high mountains, which increase its beauty. Satpara Lake also has a beautiful island in its middle, which has crystal clear water.

Hence, nothing can beat the freshness of this lake. It’s not only a prime source of drinking water but also of electricity and irrigation for Skardu City. It is the best tourist place to visit in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan.

Deosai National Park

32km south of Skardu Deosai is located, and it will take approximately 2 hours to reach there. It is the most amazing place to visit in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. Deosai means the land of the Giants. Deosai is a National Park, and because of the wildlife there, it’s a sheltered area for different animals.

The view of Deosai National Park is very beautiful during spring, autumn, and the start of winter. The Deosai landscapes are worthwhile to watch, and you will be amazed to see them. On top of Deosai National Park, there is the best camping experience, as the sky is full of clear Milky Way. Tourists can relish the beauty of Golden Marmot and Flora and Fauna during spring. Therefore, travellers must explore this because it’s the most beautiful place in Skardu.

Upper Kachura Lake

Upper Kachura Lake is very famous and 2km from Shangrilla Lake, and it’s the best ever travelling sight to visit in Skardu. This lake is situated in the Kachura village of Skardu. Kachura Lake is surrounded by alpine forests. During the fall season, the lake looks amazing, covered with golden colour all over the mighty lake. Moreover, if you want to enjoy the taste of the best fish with nature, it’s the best place for you.

Shangrila Lake

Shangrila Lake, also known as Lower Kachura Lake, is almost 2498 m high. Upper Kachura is a few kilometres away from Shangrila Lake, and it captures the beauty of nature. The red-coloured luxury cottages around the lake and the deep, dense forests around it make an amazing combination for visitors.

Shangrila Lake is the best romantic place; people come all year to cherish nature’s intense beauty. The resorts of Shangrila are also very famous in Skardu. So, if you want a beautiful night under the shiny sky, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan.

Sheosar Lake

Sheosar Lake is located in the Deosai National Park of Skardu. It is a very large lake located at an elevation of 4142 meters. If we are talking about the most beautiful lakes in northern areas of Pakistan, then our list will be incomplete without Sheosar Lake. Additionally, if you want to reach this cherishable art of nature, then hire a Jeep from Skardu and set the journey towards it. It will take 2 to 3 hours to reach this beautiful place.

Katpana Desert

Katpana Desert widely spread in the Khaplu depression to Ladak, Shikar, Nubra, and Skardu. It is the world’s highest desert out of all beautiful places to visit in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. Due to strong wind, the sand dunes keep on shifting continuously. Katpana desert is filled with beautiful colours of nature lush with plants, curving streams, waterfalls, giant mountains, and landscapes. The weather conditions there are also very unique. One of the famous and interesting things about it is “ A desert colder than a Mountain”. A suggestion is that If you want to enjoy its beauty take a road by the journey.