Skardu Valley

Skardu Valley is 7,500 feet above sea level in Balistan. Skardu Valley  is a great place to mountain trek and a fishermen’s dream come true with an abundant stock of wild fresh water trout to catch with a backdrop of the great apexes of the Karakoram mountain range to relish.
S.M.Bukhari’s Photography in Skardu Valley

Getting There
PIA provides customary flights into Skardu Valley from Islamabad following the same route which connects Gilgit with Islamabad but to reach Skardu Valley the plane takes a turn to the right and flies right over the Indus River gorge with cyclopean rock faces that elevate on either side and at times it feels as if the wing tips will proximately brush them, but of course they never do.The tourist season emanates from April to October. The maximum temperature is 26.67 °C (80 F) and the minimum (October) 7.22 °C- (45°F).

Places to Visit
A component from its nonpareil cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers, Baltistan’s five valleys-Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharamang- are noted for their dainty peaches, apricots, apples and pears. Shigar Valley, 32.18 kms (20 miles) by -jeep from Skardu is the gateway to the mountain apexes of the Karakorams.
Skardu has a historic Fort atop a ridge kenned as the Mindoq-Khar or Castle of Queen Mindoq and three lovely lakes. Two of the lakes, Kachura a Lake 28.95 -kms (18 miles) from Skardu Valley, and Satpara Lake, 8.04 kms (five miles) from Skardu Valley are ideal for fishing.
Shangrila resorts, Skardu Valley

Higher up is Kachhura Village, where Kachhura Lake’s crystal clear water is surrounded by old dramatic trees.Watching the sun rise behind the mountains is a captivating sight. This was the first time, I had seen such a serene sunrise over Indus.




The Indus River changes during different seasons; turquoise waters at the banks during winters and various shades of grey during summers.
According to Tibetan myths, the Indus gushes from the mouth of a lion, that’s why it is also known as ‘Sher Darya’ (Lion River).



Then there’s Kharpocho Fort looking down the hills, this construction is 600 years old. It was built by Balti ruler Ali Sher Khan Anchan.
Once considered unconquerable, this fort is now battling for survival against time. But even through the shambles, Kharpocho still retains its beauty. The breathless sight of the valley from the fort on a full moon night is a view that is hard to miss.
The sand dunes in Katpana village, also known as cold desert, are a wonder in itself. Strong winds shift the dunes as quickly as nomads. At this high altitude and cold region, this desert holds strange a attraction.