places Categories: Attractions and Valleysplaces Tags: Valleys in Gilgit Baltistan and Valleys in Pakistan
Skardu Valley Overview
The Skardu Valley is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The valley is about 10 km wide and 40 km long. It is at the confluence of the Shigar River and Indus River. It surrounded by the large Karakoram Range. With the nearby lakes and mountains, it is an important tourist location in Pakistan. Skardu is the main town of Baltistan along the wide bank of the river Indus. Skardu is the largest district of the Northern Areas. Baltistan is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, the Karakoram Range, Skardu is very popular with Mountaineering Expeditions. It is equally popular with high altitude trekkers, who treks to Baltoro Glacier, K2 Base Camp and Concordia. Skardu by road, lies approximately 5 hours away from Gilgit and 10 hours drive from Besham.
Skardu is famous for the many trekking and adventure spots around it. There are numerous treks starting from Skardu. The nearby Satpara Lake and Shangri-la resort are very famous among the local travelers and is visited by people from all over the country during June & July.
The Skardu region has the four of the world’s fourteen Eight-thousander peaks (8,000 m and above) this makes it a heaven for trekkers expeditions enthusiasts and mountain climbers. The main tourist season is from April to October
Amidst towering snow clad peaks with heights varying form 1,000 to 8,000 meters, the picturesque & panoramic Baltistan speak volumes about its unmatched beauty. Out of 14 highest peaks in the world (over 8,000 meters high) 4 mighty peaks are found in the Baltistan’s Karakoram Range. These mighty guardians include K.2/ Mount Godowin Austin (8611m world’s second highest), Gashabrum-I (8,068m), Broad Peak (8,047m) and Gashebrum-II(8,035m). For the climbers and adventures it is a dream come true as all the great challenges are found at the top of the world. A large number of climbers have so far attempted, but quite a few have succeeded in scaling the mighty K.2. standing at 8,611m and being the second highest peak in the world. The traditional route to K.2 base camp goes from Skardu via Shigar-Dassu-Askole up to Concordia over the Baltoro glacier a trek of 6 days. It is a wonderful trek that provides an awesome journey through the mighty riggers, peaks and glaciers leading to the base camp at K.2. Whether you want to trek to the base camp or attempt to subdue the amazing monster it is and experience worth remembering. For Trekking, Baltistan provides the most scenic and longest treks in the world. It offers a unique opportunity to get close to the longest glaciers outside Polar region,Siachan (72km),Biafo (60km),Baltoro (60km),and Batura (64km).Walking in fresh air during the day and lying under the stars at night makes trekking in Baltistan an unforgettable experience.
Minerals:
The nature has blessed Baltistan, with invaluable deposits of the quality minerals and over 25-30 types of precious and semi- precious gemstones alluring world wide attentions of the beauty queens. These include Emerald, Ruby, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Quartz, Topaz, Kunzite, Granite, Jade, Fluoride, and Peridot etc. Baltistan enjoys the lion’s share in the mineral deposits of the Northern Pakistan. These minerals and gemstones are being produced in the legendary mountain ranges of Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush and have a fair demand in national and international markets.
Trophy Hunting/Games:
Like some other parts in Northern Areas, Skardu is best for Trophy Hunting. This region provides a unique opportunity for those willing to brave the terrain and wait for the perfect kill.
In different valleys of Skardu like Basho, Shagarthang, Kachura,Skoyo, Karabathang, and Basingo are found Himalayan Ibex (Capra Ibex sibirica) and Astor Markhor (Capra falconen). For centuries trophy hunting in the valleys of Baltistan has been the past time of kings and now the same thrill and excitement is provided to the adventurous visitors who have the license for this game. In Baltistan some of the watersheds have great potential for sports Angling. Some renowned species like: exotic brown trout( salmo trutta fario)& rainbow trout (saimo linneaus) are common in Kachura, Sadpara,Basho & other rivers of Kharmang Nullahs. The local carp (caprinos) & shchizothraz species are found in different areas of Baltistan particularly in Deosai Plain & in Indus River. So if you wish to enjoy fishing in these beautiful valleys, just lay back on the bank of the great rivers of Baltistan & wait for the fantastic catch.This unique area offers short trekking, traditional foods, boating, mountain climbing and sight of the great Indus River.
Polo:
Baltistan is said to be the birth center of “Polo”. “The game of kings and the king of games” is played here even today in its original form. This royal sport is indigenous to the Karakoram Range. It was Ali Sher Khan Anchan the Maqpon ruler of Baltistan who introduced this game to other valleys upon his conquests that stretched beyond Gilgit and Chitral. If you are genuinely interested in adventurism, just come and witness the mighty sport or even you may learn to play the game from the grand masters of Polo.
Transfers from Skardu
Skardu to Islamabad
Drive to islamabad aproximatly 750 KMs via Chilas this is a 2 days transfer with an overnight stop at Chilas contact us for booking detailsSkardu to Hushe
This is a transfer by Jeep takes about 6 hours to Hushe village which is the starting point for trekking at different treks.Skardu to Askole
Askole is an other village which takes trekkers to treks in different directions it is about 5 hours drive by Jeep.Skardu to Shigar
2 hours drive from Skardu by jeep or by carSkardu to Khaplu
A 4 hours drive from Skardu by jeep or car the asphalt road is in good shape.Skardu to Rama
Drive to Rama the point in Deosai planes there is a PTDC motel for you to stay here. It takes about 6 hours by jeep.All above transfers are available any time for groups and individuals.
Tours In Skardu.
Half Day Skardu
Visit the Puran Bazaar (Old Bazaar) Skardu , Polo Ground and then walk to the Dogra Fort built in Dgra times.Half Day Sadpara Lake & Sadpara Buddha Tour
Drive to Sadpara Buddha visit the the Buddha carved in the mountain, later visit Sadpara lake and take your time to absorb the beauty of this beautiful lake.Half Day Fishing In Sadpara Lake
Visit the lake and Relaex while fishing in the lake Fishing permit and Fishing gear provided.Full Day Khaplu
Drive by Jeep to Khaplu and Visit the picturesque Bazaar of Khaplu and Khaplu fort later drive to a Photo point and return to Skardu in the evening.Full Day Shigar Valley Tour
Drive to Shigar Valley via the scenic road Visit Shigar Fort resort and have Lunch there later drive back to Skardu.Full day Deosai Planes.
Drive to Deosai and visit the remarkable Plateau at 4000m above sea level evening return to Skardu.No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Google Map Not Loaded
Sorry, unable to load Google Maps API.
-
- Gilgit Baltistan,Gilgit Baltistan,Pakistan
Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit Baltistan
Pakistan -
Pakistan is home to 108 peaks above 7,000 metres. and probably as many peaks above 6,000 … Most of the highest peaks in Pakistan lie in the Karakoram mountain range (which lies almost entirely in the …. Badshish, 4237, Karakoram. Read more...
-
Featuredhe Hachindar Chhish is a mountain in the Batura Muztagh , a section of the Karakorum . Read more...
-
FeaturedKarun Kuh (Urdu: قارون کوہ) is a mountain in the Karakoram range of Asia. Located in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, it has a summit elevation of 6,977 m above sea level. Read more...
-
FeaturedThe Beka Brakai Chhok , is a mountain of the Karakorum , Pakistan , composed of 3 peaks, Central 6882 mt, North-East 6845 mt and South this high 6810 m . The South peak, with its characteristic shape reminiscent of the Matterhorn and earned it the nickname “Hunza Matterhorn”, is one of the last mountains in the area to have been conquered. For decades, this peak, due to Read more...
-
FeaturedThe Latok (Urdu: لیٹوک) group is a small cluster of dramatic rock peaks in the Panmah Muztagh, part of the central Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan. They lie just to the east of the Ogre group, dominated by Baintha Brakk. To the immediate south of the Latok group lies the Baintha Lukpar Glacier, a small tributary of the Biafo Glacier, one of the main glaciers of the Karakoram. On Read more...
-