# Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan

> Skardu is the main town of Baltistan, set in a wide valley where the Indus meets the Shigar, and the starting point for K2 and the Baltoro.

- **Page:** https://hunzaexplorer.com/destinations/gilgit-baltistan/skardu-valley
- **Type:** Valley
- **Province or region:** Gilgit-Baltistan
- **Best season:** May to November
- **Altitude:** 2,230 m

Skardu is at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers, in a basin ringed by bare mountains. It feels different from Hunza: wider and drier, with Balti villages that look towards Tibet and Ladakh. Climbers and trekkers pass through on the way to K2, Broad Peak and Masherbrum, and day visitors come for the lakes and the dunes of Katpana.

Skardu is also the base for Deosai, the Shigar and Khaplu valleys, and Basho. Give it at least three days.

## Around Skardu

The Kachura lakes, Upper and Lower, are half an hour from town and a good first outing. The Katpana cold desert, with its dunes and views of snow peaks, is close to the airport. Satpara Lake, which supplies the town's water, is on the road to Deosai. Above the town stands the ruined Kharpocho Fort, a short climb with a wide view of the confluence.

## Roads and flights

The roads to Deosai and Shigar depend on the snow, and the flights from Islamabad are cancelled often in bad weather, so we leave a day of slack either side of any itinerary that begins or ends here.

## Highlights

- Upper and Lower Kachura lakes
- Katpana cold desert and its dunes
- Shangrila and Satpara lakes
- The road to Deosai
- Expeditions and treks to K2

## Tours to Skardu

- [Skardu Cherry Blossom Tour](https://hunzaexplorer.com/tour/spring-skardu-blossom.md): 8 days, Spring Tours
- [Skardu & Hunza Valley Tour](https://hunzaexplorer.com/tour/skardu-hunza.md): 13 days, Sightseeing Tours
- [Skardu Valley Sightseeing Tour](https://hunzaexplorer.com/tour/skardu-tour.md): 10 days, Sightseeing Tours
- [Biafo Hispar & Snow Lake Trek](https://hunzaexplorer.com/tour/biafo-hispar-snow-lake-trek.md): 20 days, Trekking

## Seasons in Gilgit-Baltistan

- **Spring (March to April):** Apricot and cherry blossom in the lower valleys, mostly in April. The higher villages are still cold and the high passes are closed.
- **Summer (May to September):** The main season. Every valley is open, and this is the time for trekking, Deosai, the Khunjerab Pass and the K2 approach.
- **Autumn (October to November):** Golden leaves in the orchards and the clearest light of the year. Nights are cold and the first snow reaches the high valleys in November.
- **Winter (December to February):** Cold and quiet. Hunza and Gilgit stay reachable by road, but the high valleys and passes are closed.