Everything from Shangrila Resort to Deosai Plains — your complete guide to exploring Skardu.
Skardu is Pakistan's mountain capital — a high-altitude city surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. At 2,438 metres above sea level, it serves as the gateway to the Karakoram range, the Baltoro Glacier, and four of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, including K2 itself.
Getting to Skardu is an adventure in itself. The PIA flight from Islamabad — weather permitting — is one of the world's most dramatic approaches, threading between peaks that dwarf the aircraft on both sides. If the flight is cancelled (not uncommon), the Karakoram Highway drive from Islamabad takes 18-20 hours but passes through some of Pakistan's most scenic terrain.
The Shangrila Resort, built around a turquoise lake with a fuselage of a Dakota aircraft serving as a restaurant, is Skardu's most iconic landmark. Beyond its kitsch charm, the location is genuinely beautiful — the lake reflects the surrounding peaks on still mornings, and the gardens bloom with roses throughout summer.
Deosai National Park, a 45-minute drive from Skardu, is one of the world's highest plateaux and a must-visit. The vast, treeless expanse — home to the Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, and hundreds of bird species — operates at an entirely different emotional register to the dramatic Karakoram peaks. Its silence is profound and therapeutic.
Our 2026 Skardu packages range from four-night introductory visits to fourteen-day comprehensive expeditions that combine city exploration, Deosai safaris, and Baltoro Glacier treks. All packages include airport transfers, hotel accommodation, guided tours, and full board catering.
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