Skardu, a charming town in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is known as the entry point to the powerful Karakoram Range.
Skardu is a mountain range in northeastern Pakistan that is encircled by the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan mountain ranges.
The town is a key base for climbing trips to some of the highest peaks on Earth, including K2, the second-highest peak.
Skardu’s scenic appeal is further enhanced by the Indus River that flows through it, as well as by neighboring sites like Shangri-La Resort and Shigar Fort.

Skardu is famed for its hospitality, and its people are renowned for their kind disposition and cordial welcome.
Travelers can enjoy hearty foods like “skew,” a regional stew, and “chapshuro,” a delicious pastry stuffed with meat and vegetables. Traditional Balti cuisine is available for sampling.

Here are some main hotels in Skardu city along with their approximate distance from the city center and general pricing:

Hotels Near Skardu

Hotel Name	Distance from City Center	Price Range (PKR)
Concordia Motel Skardu	Approximately 1 km	Starting from 5,000 per night
Hotel Skardu Inn	Around 2 km	Starting from 6,000 per night
PTDC Motel Skardu	Approximately 3 km	Starting from 4,000 per night
Sarfaranga Hotel Skardu	About 1.5 km	Starting from 4,500 per night
Himalaya Inn Skardu	Around 2.5 km	Starting from 3,500 per night

Cold desert Skardu

Skardu, a cold desert, is close to Shigar Valley in gilgit baltistan. As you travel through the villages, you’ll meet humble locals. Alongside the road, there are small streams, and on one side are towering mountains while on the other, soft sand dunes stretch out. Crossing the bridge over the River Indus, you’ll arrive at the Cold Desert (Sarfaranga), where the annual jeep rally takes place, usually at the end of July or in August. It will take you 45 mintues to travel to the cold desert skardu desert if you’re already in Skardu.

Many activities are available, including paramotoring, biking, horseback riding, camping, jeep safaris, and bonfires.

Other names used for the Cold desert Skardu is Katpana Desert.

Sadpara Lake

Historical significance: The Balti community in the area regards Sadpara Lake as a holy and valued natural landmark. The lake is named after a legendary Balti princess called Sadpara, whose tragic story connects with the lake’s formation, according to legend. Sadpara Lake’s mystery and charm are enhanced by the local tradition, which draws tourists from far and wide to enjoy its serene beauty and legendary charm.

Sadpara Lake is about thirty minutes from Skardu.Satpara Lake is close to from Skardu. Sadpara Lake is now deeper and larger than it was before the Satpara Dam was built downstream. There is also a hotel located near Sadpara Lake for food. This lake is also often converted into a dam downstream.

Kachura Lake

The location of Kachura Lake is in Sardu, Gilgit, Baltistan. There are two parts in Kachura Lake The first is called Upper Kachura Lake, and the second is called Lower Kachura Lake. Another name for it is shangrilla.
Kachura Lake was formed by a strong earthquake that shook the region thousands of years ago. Its renown also stems from the Shangri-La Resort, a well-liked tourist destination located on the shores of Kachura Lake. The resort, which is referred to as “Heaven on Earth,” offers luxurious accommodations to visitors amid the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Trekkers can access a number of pleasant hiking trails that lead to secret waterfalls, beautiful valleys, and isolated mountain settlements from Upper Kachura Lake. For families, Upper Kachura Lake is the ideal location for a picnic. Hiking, trout fishing, and boating are offered at upper Kachura Lake and lower Kachura Lake.Upper Kachura Lake offers a range of activities for its visitors. You can also savor your dinner or lunch.

You don’t have to worry about parking because there is a spot available at Kachura Lake. There are hotels for food as well. The surroundings are covered in greenery.

Deosai National Park

The Skardu Valley is close to the Deosai National Park.It is difficult to visit Skardu in the winter because of the abundance of snow there.The closest large settlement, Skardu City, provides access to the park. Travel time from Skardu to Deosai National Park is two to three hours. One of the world’s tallest peaks, it is well known for its unique environment and astounding natural beauty.

Opportunities for seeing wildlife are available to visitors, particularly in the early morning and late evening when animals are most active. There are many different bird species to see, as well as ibex, marmots, snow leopards, Himalayan brown bears, and more. Photographers will find themselves in photographic heaven at Deosai National Park, where there are countless chances to capture the splendor of the surroundings and fauna.
The park provides fantastic hiking and trekking opportunities in the middle of breathtaking natural surroundings.

It is recommended that visitors follow by park rules and regulations, which include protecting the natural environment and showing respect for species. Sheosar Lake is situated in the Deosai National Park. For those who choose to stay longer, there may be basic amenities like campgrounds and restrooms close by. There, you can also have that experience. There are numerous locations for camping.Its serene settings and ideal surrounds make it the ideal spot to relax and think in the center of nature.
Sheosar Lake is accessible by road, however because the journey passes through challenging terrain, visitors are advised to employ experienced local drivers or guides.

Karambar Lake

The journey from Skardu to Karambar Lake involves multiple stages, including a jeep ride followed by hiking. Here’s a guide:

• Skardu to Shigar Valley: You can depart from Skardu and travel in the direction of Shigar Valley. By jeep, this portion of the trip may take between one and two hours.
• Shigar Valley to Askoli: Askoli is the starting point for a number of the area’s trekking routes, thus you must go there from Shigar Valley. It could take four or five hours to travel by jeep from Shigar Valley to Askoli.
• Askoli to Karambar Lake Base Camp: After arriving at Askoli, you will need to start hiking in the direction of Karambar Lake. The demanding walk from Askoli to Karambar Lake Base Camp takes two to three days, depending on your pace and the number of nights you spend on the trail.
• Askoli to Karambar Lake Base Camp: After arriving at Askoli, you will need to start hiking in the direction of Karambar Lake. The demanding walk from Askoli to Karambar Lake Base Camp takes two to three days, depending on your pace and the number of nights you spend on the path.

Given Karambar Lake’s separated location and low tourist volume, there might not be any established hotels close by. Most often, visitors choose to camp close to the lake or make arrangements with tour operators for camping gear. For a comfortable trip, it’s imperative to arrange for overnight stays and have enough supplies, such as food, water, and camping equipment.

Very few people visit this area due to its extreme remoteness and harsh weather conditions. Located near the border with Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Karambar Lake experiences severe cold, making it challenging for travelers to reach. The lack of accessibility and sparse population means encountering other visitors is rare. Breathing can also be difficult due to the high altitude and thin air.