Skardu: Gateway to Baltistan, K2 and the Deosai Plains
Skardu is the main town of Baltistan, on the Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan. Almost every trek and expedition in the Baltoro and Hushe areas starts and ends here.
About Skardu
Skardu sits in a wide valley of the Indus, ringed by the Karakoram. It is the supply and transport hub for the Shigar, Khaplu, Hushe and Baltoro routes and for the Deosai Plains to the south.
In our itineraries Skardu is mainly a staging town: preparation days, jeep departures to Askole, Hushe or Arandu, and the return before flying or driving back to Islamabad.
Trips that include Skardu
Every published programme whose day-by-day itinerary mentions this destination, with its length and season:
| Programme | Days | Best time | Starts from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Tour in Gilgit-Baltistan | 15 | Mid-October to End-October | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Beautiful Hushe valley Trek | 25 | Mid-June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Cherry Blossom Tour | 15 | Mid-March to End- March | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Gasherbrum III Expedition | 40 | Mid-May to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| K2 Expedition | 51 | Mid-May to End-August | International Airport, Islamabad |
| Khusar Gang Expedition | 18 | Mid-May to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Mashabrum Base camp Trek | 16 | June to End-September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Deosai Horse Safari | 11 | Mid-June to End-September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Hushe valley Biking Tour | 14 | Mid-May to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| K2 Base Camp Trek | 18 | Late June to Early September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Nangma Valley Rock Climbing | 29 | June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Spantik Base camp Trek | 15 | June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Deosai Plains Jeep Safari | 10 | Mid July to Mid September. | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek | 18 | Late June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Deosai Biking Tours | 19 | — | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Great Karakoram Traverse | 32 | Mid-June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Laila Base Camp & Haramosh La Trek | 14 | July to Mid September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Snow Lake Trek | 21 | June to September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
What the itineraries do in Skardu
Itinerary days that mention this destination, quoted from the programmes:
02: Islamabad to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu (weather permitting) or drive via Chilas/Babusar Pass if flight is cancelled. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
03: Preparation Day in Skardu
Final shopping and gear check, briefing with guide and porters. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
04: Skardu to Askole
Drive along a rugged jeep track through Shigar Valley to Askole (3,000m), the last village before the wilderness. Overnight in tents.
17: Askole to Skardu
Drive back to Skardu by jeep. Overnight in hotel.
18: Skardu to Islamabad
Flight or overland drive back to Islamabad. Trip concludes.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
02: Fly or drive to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu, which depends on the weather; if it does not operate, the group travels by road via Chilas and the Babusar Pass. Overnight in a hotel in Skardu.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
03: Skardu preparation day
Gear check, last shopping and a briefing with the guide and porter team. Overnight in a hotel in Skardu.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
17: Jeep from Hushe to Skardu
A full-day jeep ride down the Hushe and Shyok valleys to Skardu. Overnight in a hotel.
Planning notes
- Day 2 of many programmes flies Islamabad to Skardu if the weather permits; otherwise the route is by road via Chilas.
- Nearby sights in the itineraries include Shigar, the Kachura lakes, Manthal Buddha Rock and Satpara Lake.
- Treks, expeditions, safaris and tours all pass through Skardu, so check the table above for the season of each.