Skardu Tour Packages from Pakistan
Skardu sits where the Shigar river joins the Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan, and it is the main staging town for K2, the Baltoro glacier and the high Karakoram. A tour here pairs the turquoise Kachura lakes and Shangrila with the wide Deosai plateau, the sand dunes of the Katpana cold desert, and the old Balti forts at Shigar and Khaplu. We build each trip around your own dates, group size and how far into the mountains you want to go, so there is no set price — tell us your plan and we will quote it.
Typical length: 5–8 days, customisable
Skardu tour highlights
- Shangrila Resort on Lower Kachura Lake, with the clear water of Upper Kachura a short walk on
- The Deosai plateau — high meadows, Himalayan marmots, summer wildflowers and Sheosar Lake
- Katpana cold desert, a stretch of high-altitude sand dunes right beside Skardu town
- Shigar Fort, a restored 17th-century Balti raja's palace in an apricot-growing valley
- Khaplu Fort and palace out east, above the Shyok river toward the Karakoram
- The staging point for the K2 and Baltoro basecamp treks, with the road-head at Askole a few hours further on
Sample Skardu itinerary
A typical flow — every Skardu package is tailored to your dates, budget and group, so treat this as a starting point.
- Day 1
Arrive in Skardu
Fly Islamabad–Skardu when the weather allows, or come overland on the Karakoram Highway and the Skardu Road along the Indus. Settle into your hotel and take an easy first evening by the river.
- Day 2
Kachura lakes and the cold desert
Spend the day at Shangrila and Lower Kachura Lake, then walk on to Upper Kachura. Finish at the Katpana cold desert dunes for sunset over the valley.
- Day 3
Shigar valley and fort
Drive out to Shigar to tour the restored fort and the old Amburiq mosque, one of the oldest in Baltistan, with time among the apricot and walnut orchards on the way.
- Day 4
Deosai plateau day trip
Head up onto Deosai for Sheosar Lake, open meadows and marmots, snow-fed streams and long views across the plateau. A full day at altitude before dropping back to Skardu.
- Day 5
Khaplu and the Shyok valley
Take the eastern road to Khaplu for the fort and palace, with the Shyok river and the peaks behind it in view for much of the way.
- Day 6
Departure
Fly out of Skardu, or start the road journey back toward Islamabad with a stop or two if time allows.
What's included
- Return flights Islamabad–Skardu or private road transport from Islamabad — your choice
- Hotel or guesthouse stays in Skardu, Shigar or Khaplu
- Daily breakfast and most dinners
- Private vehicle with driver for all sightseeing and transfers
- English/Urdu-speaking local guide
- Deosai National Park entry and any required permits
- Bottled water on road days
Not included
- Lunches and personal expenses
- Trekking gear, porters and any K2 or Baltoro expedition costs
- Travel insurance and medical costs
- Extra nights or detours added if flights are grounded by weather
Best time to go
Late April to early October. Deosai only opens once its snow clears, roughly July to September, when the meadows are in flower and Sheosar Lake is easiest to reach. Spring brings apricot and cherry blossom to Shigar, and the valleys change colour through September and October.
Good to know
- Skardu flights depend on the weather and can cancel at short notice — keep a day or two of buffer, or plan the overland route (a long two-day drive) as a backup.
- Nights are cold even in summer, and colder still up on Deosai, so pack warm layers and a jacket whatever month you travel.
- Carry cash — card machines and mobile signal thin out quickly once you leave Skardu town.
Get a tailored Skardu package quote
Tell us your dates, budget and group size and we'll build a Skardu package around them — flights, hotels, transfers and a local plan. No fixed, one-size-fits-all price.
Skardu tour packages — FAQs
How much does a Skardu tour package cost?+
There is no fixed price. A Skardu package is built around your travel dates, the hotels you prefer, your group size and whether you fly or drive, so the cost changes with each plan. Send us your details and we will put together a custom quote.
When is the best time to visit Skardu?+
Late April to early October. Deosai is only reachable once its snow melts, around July to September; spring adds blossom in Shigar, and the valleys change colour through September and October. Flights run more reliably in the warmer months.
What's included in the package?+
Flights or private transport from Islamabad, hotels across Skardu and the valleys, daily breakfast and most dinners, a private vehicle with driver, a local guide, and park entries such as Deosai. Lunches, personal spending and any trek or expedition costs sit outside the standard package.
Can Travel.pk arrange flights and everything else too?+
Yes. We book your Islamabad–Skardu flights, or arrange private road transport if you would rather drive, and sort all hotels, transfers, guide and permits — plus a road-route backup in case flights are grounded. Skardu is domestic, so Pakistani travellers need no visa.