Skardu

Skardu sits at about 2,230 m on the banks of the Indus River, ringed by bare mountains and cold deserts. It is the capital of Baltistan and the staging post for almost every serious trek and expedition in the region, including K2 Base Camp and the Baltoro Glacier. If you are heading into the high Karakoram, you pass through Skardu.

The town itself is worth time, not just a night's stopover. Nearby you can visit Shangrila, also called Lower Kachura Lake, with its famous red-roofed resort, and the deeper blue of Upper Kachura Lake. Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace, both restored heritage buildings, sit a short drive away and offer a window into Baltistan's history.

One of Skardu's oddities is the Katpana cold desert, a stretch of sand dunes at high altitude that turns silver in winter. Above town, the road climbs to the Deosai Plains, one of the highest plateaus in the world, usually open from around July to September.

Getting to Skardu is part of the adventure. You can fly from Islamabad in under an hour when the weather cooperates, or drive the long, spectacular road up from the Karakoram Highway. Flights are scenic but can be delayed by weather, so we always build flexibility into itineraries.

For international trekkers, Skardu is where expedition logistics come together, from permits to porters to last-minute supplies. We use comfortable local hotels and reliable transport so you arrive at the trailhead rested and ready.