Locations

🗺️ Tourist Attractions in Skardu – With Travel Times

Starting Point: Skardu Airport (Travel time to City Center: 10–15 minutes)

📍 Nearby Attractions (within 1 hour)

• Katpana Cold Desert — (10 min)
  High-altitude desert with snow-covered sand dunes in winter. Close to the airport.

• Skardu Fort (Kharpocho Fort) — (5 min drive / 30 min hike)
  16th-century fort offering panoramic views of Skardu city and the Indus River.

• Satpara Lake — (20 min)
  Beautiful turquoise lake for boating, fishing, and photography.

• Manthal Buddha Rock — (20 min)
  8th-century Buddhist rock carvings; a historic archaeological site.

• Lower Kachura Lake (Shangrila Lake) — (40 min)
  Popular scenic lake featuring a lakeside resort and garden views.

• Upper Kachura Lake — (50 min)
  Serene, deep lake known for its crystal-clear water and quiet surroundings.

• Basho Valley — (45 min – 1 hr)
  Lush valley ideal for camping, trekking, and nature exploration.

🏔️ Day Trip Destinations (1–2.5 hours)

• Shigar Fort — (1–1.5 hr)
  Restored 17th-century heritage fort and museum with cultural exhibits.

• Deosai National Park — (1–1.5 hr)
  The world’s second-highest plateau; home to Sheosar Lake and Himalayan wildlife.

• Manthokha Waterfall (Kharmang Valley) — (2 hr)
  Stunning 180-foot waterfall with trout fish ponds and picnic areas.

• Khaplu Palace (Khaplu Valley) — (2.5 hr)
  A 19th-century fort-palace and museum, surrounded by traditional Balti architecture.

🌿 Unique Cultural Spot

• Nansoq Organic Village — (15–20 min walk from Skardu Fort)
  Pakistan’s first organic village promoting sustainable tourism and local culture.