Where to Stay in Skardu: Choosing a Base for Baltistan's Lakes and Valleys

A guide to Skardu's main areas to stay, from the town and bazaar to the Kachura lakes, and how to pick a base for day trips across Baltistan.

Skardu as your base

Skardu is the main town of Baltistan and the usual starting point for trips to the region's lakes, valleys and high mountains. Most travellers spend several nights here and take day trips out, so where you stay shapes how easy those trips are. Staying in or near the town keeps you close to the bazaar, transport and the airport, while staying out by the lakes trades some convenience for quiet and scenery.

Skardu town and the bazaar

The town centre and bazaar area are the most practical base. You are close to shops, places to eat, tour operators and the jeep stands for onward travel, and it is the easiest place to arrange transport for Deosai, Shigar or Khaplu. This suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to organise trips day by day.

The Kachura lakes: Shangrila and Upper Kachura

A short drive from town, the Kachura lakes area is quieter and greener, set among orchards and water. Staying out here is relaxing and scenic, and works well if you want a calmer base and do not mind driving into town for supplies or tours. It is popular in the summer months, so expect it to be busier then.

Shigar and Khaplu valleys

If you plan to spend time in the side valleys, basing yourself in Shigar or Khaplu for a night or two saves backtracking. Both are historic valleys on the routes toward the higher mountains, with a slower pace than the town. Many travellers combine a few nights in Skardu with a night in one of these valleys.

When to visit and getting there

Skardu is busiest and easiest to reach in the warmer months, roughly late spring through early autumn, when day trips to Deosai and the high valleys are open. Winter is cold and much quieter, with some routes harder to travel. You can reach Skardu by air from Islamabad when flights are operating, or overland along the mountain roads, so it is worth planning your base around how and when you arrive.

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