Highlights of a Vist to Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan

We embarked on our journey from Islamabad on April 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Despite the cloudy weather and intermittent rain as we traveled towards Mansehra on the Karakoram Highway (KKH), the hired car ensured a comfortable and swift journey. Our accommodating driver was kind enough to stop whenever we wanted to take photographs. We reached Skardu at 4:00 AM the next morning. Exhausted from the trip, we enjoyed a restful sleep before venturing out to explore the Skardu Market in the afternoon.

Skardu, a premier tourist destination, draws both national and international visitors. Known for its spectacular scenery, the area is a haven for mountaineers, boasting some of the world's tallest peaks.

Highlights include:

1. Kharpucho Fort positioned on a mountain directly facing Skardu city, offering breathtaking views.
2. Shangrilla Resort and Kachura Viewpoints, renowned for its wonderous lake and peaceful accommodation facilities. There is Rs. 1000 entry fee while entering the resort. Lakes, both large and small, offer boating services for tourists, including Kachura Lake.
3. The Katpana Desert, also known as Biama Nakpo, is a breathtaking high-altitude desert located near Skardu in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Renowned for its vast sand dunes, this desert offers a unique spectacle, especially when the dunes are covered in snow during the winter months. As one of the highest deserts in the world, Katpana Desert provides a truly unparalleled experience for visitors.
4. Sarfaranga Desert. Situated in the Skardu region, the Sarfaranga Desert is another remarkable destination. Known for its striking beauty and serene landscapes, Sarfaranga offers an extraordinary experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature's raw splendor. This unique and awe-inspiring destination captivates travelers with its tranquil environment and stunning vistas.

From Skardu, it takes about three hours to reach Khaplu, the administrative headquarters of the Khaplu district. Another route southeast of the city leads to the Deosai Plains, and from there, to the Astore district and Fairy Meadows.

1.Kachura, the entry point.

2.Skardu, Central Square

3.Marketplace Skardu

4.Ascending the Khrpucho

5.Kharpucho Fort

6.From Kharpucho top

7.Shyok river from Kharpucho

8.Skardu from Kharpucho

9.Under Kharpucho walls

10.Inside Kharpucho

11.Shangrilla Resort, Skardu

12.Shangrilla Resort

13.Skardu Polo ground

Shams ud Din is a Chitral based writer, trekker and tour guide.
Contact: laghshormedia@gmail.com