Skardu is a town in the region of the same name in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Skardu, capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 m above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakorams. Balti people are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to the similarity of its culture, lifestyle and architecture with Tibet, Baltistan is also known as the "Tibet-e-Khurd" (Little Tibet). It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Ladakh. The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) 8 C.
Most places in Skardu town are within a 30-minute walk. It's easy to get a taxi or hire a driver for trips outside of the town. There are taxi stands at a few major roundabouts around town; they feature a small pavilion labelled SDU, as well as groups of cars and motorcycles with yellow taxi signs.
Skardu city center K2 Museum, near K2 Motel, displays pictures 1 Karphocho Fort (Skardu Fort) (کھر فچو). The name is translated into The king of Forts. Built in the 16th century on a hill overlooking the town, this imposing fort has seen several battles, lastly in the 1948 Kashmir War. The mighty Indus snaking along just a few metres beneath your feet among the silvery white sands is an awesome sight. Foreigners: Rs 200, Locals Rs 50. (updated Feb 2025) Satpara Lake About 8 km (5 miles) north of Skardu and 20 minutes by jeep lays Sadpara Lake, surrounded by glacial mountains, which are mirrored in its crystal clear waters.
Karakoram Air Safari Mountaineering, trekking and hiking: The area is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. Permission for mountaineering and trekking for restricted zone is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad (Telephone: 92-51-9203509). Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department at Gilgit and Skardu. Do the K2 base camp trek Fishing: at Satpara Lake (8 km) and Kachura Lake (32 km) from Skardu abound in trout. Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department. Flora & fauna: Roses, lilies, pansies, willow, pine and fir trees are found in abundance.
Hotel & Restaurant Dewan-E-Khas, near the SCO office, offers a wide variety of Pakistani, Western and Chinese food. Dewan-E-Khas is the only family restaurant (this means that it has a room for families/Women to eat in) in Skardu. Web.www.dewanekhas.com.pk Email dewanekhas@gmail.com ph.+92 5815 455494 Mob.+92 3009091494 Pagoda Restaurant, part of Shangrilla resort, offers a sumptuous Chinese cuisine.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Skardu typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 9 rainy days.
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