Top 10 Best Things to do in Skardu Valley 2024-25
Skardu is a city in the Gilgit Baltistan autonomous region of Pakistan. It is the largest city and administrative capital of the Baltistan region. Skardu is one of the best destinations in the world for every kind of tourism. The landscape is rich in diversity, and the weather is beyond amazing, especially in the peak tourism season. Sky-piercing mountains and cliffs surround the 10 kilometres wide by 40 kilometres long in Skardu Valley, with rivers flowing on each flank along with beautiful flora and fauna. The diversity is so unique that you can find deserts between the lush green valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. Each year, millions of people from Pakistan and abroad visit this beautiful place and enjoy the best time of their lives.
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Skardu Valley 2024-25
There are the top 10 best things you can do in Skardu City 2024-25.
- Doing Organic Valley trek
- Visiting Kharpocho Fort
- Dipping in Katpana Lake in the Katpana Desert
- Hitch-Hiking to Sarfaranga Desert
- Visiting Kachura and its beautiful lakes
- Explore the Basho Valley
- Find the Manthal Buddha Rock
- Visit the K2 Museum
- Window shopping in Skardu market
- Visiting Manthokha Kharmang Waterfall
1) Doing Organic Valley Trek
Organic Valley Trek starts from the main Skardu market road alongside the Football Stadium and Polo Ground. You need to trek for almost an hour alongside the River Indus on a mountainous path and some wooden bridges. This trek may seem quite dangerous to visitors, but it is not. You have to focus all your attention on the path and it will become easy for you in a few minutes. The view of the city and the river is beyond the description of words. Stop for some photography and capture some amazing snaps of the whole valley. Once you reach Organic Valley, you can find products made from completely organic ingredients.
2) Visiting Kharpocho Fort
Kharpocho Fort or Skardu Fort is just above the trek of Organic Valley. As compared with other treks, this is quite easy and rewarding. From the balcony of this fort, you can see the whole Skardu City along with a large part of the valley. Witness the beauty of nature and diverse settings for the landscape from the 16th-century historical fort. Don’t forget to take your camera when visiting this majestic place, or you will regret it later.
3) Dipping in Katpana Lake in Katpana Desert
Katpana Lake is located on the shores of the River Indus in the Katpana Desert near Skardu City. This lake is a perfect and easy getaway from the busy streets of Skardu city. Here you can enjoy swimming in the fresh waters of this beautiful lake and take a few pictures of the beautiful surrounding areas. Katpana desert is also located in the vicinity, so you can explore this area with Katpana Lake.
4) Hitch-Hiking to Sarfaranga Desert
Sarfaranga desert is located some 15-odd kilometres from the city centre. This place is like a mystery to all researchers and geologists. It is one of the highest deserts on this planet and one of the coldest areas. With all the lush green valleys in Baltistan, this place is truly majestic and different with a mixture of mountains, dunes, flowing rivers, springs, and even snow in the winters.
5) Visiting Kachura & its Beautiful Lakes
Kachura is located at a distance of 30 kilometres from Skardu. This beautiful valley is known for its beautiful lakes, waterfalls, streams, springs, flora and fauna. Although Lower Kachura Lake, better known as Shangrila Lake is now closed for a general public visit due to its acquisition by some officers, you can still visit the more beautiful and raw Upper Kachura Lake. The water is shallow in some places, and surprisingly it is also warm. So you can also go for a swimming there. If you want to explore Kachura more, visit Sok Nala. It is situated upwards from Upper Kachura Lake and can be accessed by trekking for 30 minutes.
6) Explore the Basho Valley
A little bit farther down the road from Kachura is the picturesque Basho Valley, famed for its bucolic meadows. It’s a lovely, languid place that exists in stark contrast to the dusty, often barren Indus Valley. If you need a bit of greenery, this is the best thing near Skardu to do.
One thing to note is that whilst the road to the entrance of the Basho Valley is typically fine – being repaved in the last few years – the road up the valley is not so great. Be prepared for lots of mud and potholes. Having a jeep or 4×4 would be best when travelling here.
The inner sanctum of the Basho Valley is pretty idyllic. Wide pastures, isolated communities, and an abundance of waterfalls all make this place feel like a hidden paradise. The scenery of Basho Valley is framed by the towering granite walls of the Karakoram.
Those who want to stay the night there will be happy to know that there are a few guest houses in the area. They are very, basic though and it is advised that you bring your bedding, food, and equipment.
7) Find the Manthal Buddha Rock
Skardu, and all of Baltistan for that matter, were once one of the major cradles of Buddhism. Through this region, the religion flowed from the Asian subcontinent, up through Central Asia, and onwards to China and Japan. Even now whilst Islam is the dominant faith, traces of Buddhism remain, in the form of old inscriptions, stupas, and relics.
One of the most impressive archaeological remains in all of Pakistan is actually in Skardu. Located on the edge of town, the Manthal Buddha Rock has survived for over a thousand years. This large granite boulder depicting the Buddha and his Bodhisattvas seems somewhat out of place but still very cool to see.
Entry to the Buddha Rock is only 150 rupees and can be appreciated in less than 15 minutes. Try to visit in the morning as the light is better and the heat is less intense.
8) Visit the K2 Museum
Aspiring mountaineers interested in learning more about “The Savage Mountain” should drop by the Italian K2 Museum near the bazaar.
The museum, designed as a large pyramidal tent is full of interesting photographs and maps about the first expeditions to K2. For those who aren’t aware: K2 was first climbed by a team of Italian climbers in 1954 and the story behind their ascent is quite juicy. Drama aside, this museum is partly dedicated to them.
The museum is technically located on the grounds of the PTDC Motel, about 5-10 minutes’ walk from the middle of Skardu. Entry is free.
9) Window Shopping in Skardu Market
One of the best free features of this city is window shopping in the main bazaar. You can visit this market and look for locally made crafts such as decoration items, gifts, caps, dresses, and other mountaineering items such as crampons, down jackets, sleeping bags, climbing axes, etc. Enjoy exploring different stuff in the Skardu market and make your time best.
10) Visiting Manthokha Kharmang Waterfall
If you're interested in waterfalls, you can't go wrong with the Manthokha Kharmang waterfall in the village of Manthokha Kharmang, Skardu. This natural wonder is renowned for its picturesque landscape and peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a tranquil setting, breathtaking views of the mountains, or a more adventurous adventure, the waterfalls in Skardu will surely delight you.
The icy water of the waterfall is not only beautiful but also quite cold. Surrounded by lush green meadows and falls into the Indus River. You can eat delicious trout fish from the river nearby. However, you should check out the wooden bridge before you walk across it. Many people find it scary to cross it, and that's understandable!
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