Skardu also known as the land of mountains is the main town of Gilgit Baltistan (Pakistan) along the wide bank of the river Indus. Skardu is also the largest district of Gilgit Baltistan. Gilgit Baltistan is the home of one of the highest mountains (k-2) and the highest peaks in the world the Karakoram Range. Skardu is a very popular place among Mountain climbers. It is equally popular with trekkers who trek to Baltoro Glacier, k-2 Base Camp, and Concordia Motel. Skardu is almost 5 hours from Gilgit and 12 hours from Besham by road. From Islamabad, a daily flight is also in operation but the flight is always subject to weather conditions.
Skardu has a character of its own because of its beautiful, interesting, and stunning scenery. The Indus River becomes wide and still around here.
The Skardu region has four of the world’s highest peaks with 8,000 m and above height which makes it heaven for trekkers expeditions and mountain climbers. The main tourist season of the year is from April to October. The nearby Satpara Lake and Shangri-La-Resort are very famous places among local travelers and are visited by people and students from all over the country during June & July as schools are closed for holidays and it is hot in many cities of the country so people tend to visit northern areas as the temperature is cold there. Skardu also has an ancient Fort known as Kharpocho Fort (King of Forts) located on a hill overseeing the town. It was constructed by the late Muslim King Ali Sher Khan Anchan who ruled over Baltistan till the end of the 16th century. The mighty Indus River is running along just a few yards beneath your feet among the silvery white sands giving an awesome sight.
A walk around the eastern end of the Marsur Rock will take you to the nearby village of Narsok where you will find a large and pure spring flowing from the base of the sarsen (a standing stone). To reach Narsok you will have to walk to the far end of the Skardu Polo field and follow a trail that skirts from the rock slopes beneath the Zowar Singh’s fortress.
The distance of Sakardu from Islamabad is almost 750 Km and from Chilas it is a 2 days tour with an overnight stop at Chilas.
