Skardu Valley - The Heaven On Earth

Elevation: 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
(K-2 or Mount Godwin Austen or Chogori) Peak: (8,611 metres) 28251 feet is the second highest mountain peak of world and the highest peak in Pakistan..
Distance and Drive Time:- Rawalpindi to Skardu
via Swat (Shangla Pass): is 869 km. Drive takes 28 hours by bus/van;
via Thakot (KKH): 793 km. Drive takes 24 hours by bus/van;
via Babusar Pass: 700 km. Drive takes 22 hours by jeep.

Best Tourist Season Time: from April to October.

Skardu Valley:
Skardu, capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 metres above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakorams. Balti people are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to the similarity of its culture, lifestyle and architecture with Tibet, Baltistan is also known as the "Tibet-e-Khurd" (Little Tibet). It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) 8 C. Apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan's five valleys - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears.

Skardu is linked to the national capital, Islamabad by PIA, which operates one flight daily. The air journey is full of thrills and would itself be regarded as the highlight of the visit. After following the same air route, which connects Gilgit to Islamabad/Rawalpindi, the plane turns right and flies over the gorge of the Indus River. Enormous rock faces rise on either side or at times it seems as if the wing tips of the plane would almost scrape against them.

It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) 8 C. Apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan's five valleys, - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears.

People of Skardu:
People are the Mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. However, many other ethnic groups are present in Skardu including Shins, Pashtuns, Punjabis, Hunzakuts and even Uyghur, due to the close proximity of Baltistan to the respective regions. Since the creation of Pakistan people of various ethnicities from various regions of Pakistan have emigrated here.
All the above ethnic groups are devout Muslims. This includes the Balti-Tibetans, who converted from Tibetan Buddhism in the 16th century (the only sizeable group of Tibetans to have undergone such a conversion).

Skardu Airport (IATA: KDU, ICAO: OPSD):
Skardu Airport (IATA: KDU, ICAO: OPSD) is a small domestic airport, located at Skardu, Northern Areas, Pakistan. Skardu is one of the two major hubs of all trekking expeditions in the Northern Areas, a region that includes four of the fourteen Eight-thousander peaks (8,000 m (26,247 ft) and above) of the world. Skardu is the gateway to Baltoro Glacier, Concordia, where spectacular views of three of the Eight-thousanders are available.It is also being used as a regional PAF airbase.

Attractions:
A part from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers, Baltistan’s five valleys-Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharamang- are noted for their delicious peaches, apricots, apples and pears. Shigar Valley, 32.18 kms (20 miles) by -jeep from Skardu is the gateway to the mountain peaks of the Karakorams.

Skardu has a historic Fort atop a ridge known 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 Sardu, and Satpara Lake, 8.04 kms (five miles) from Skardu are ideal for fishing.

What to do?

Mountaineering, Trekking and Hiking:
The area is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. Permission for mountaineering and trekking for restricted zone is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad (Telephone: 0092-351-9203509). Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department at Gilgit and Skardu.
Fishing:
Satpara Lake (8km) and Kachura Lake 932km) from Skardu abound in trout. Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department.
Flora & Fauna:
Roses, lilies, pansies, willow, pine and fir trees are found in abundance. Apples, apricots, peaches, plums mulberry, walnuts and grapes are available from June to October and almonds from October to March.
Wildlife:
Baltistan boasts of wildlife like Markhors, ibexes, snow leopards and birds, namely Chakors, partridges and ducks. Most of the animals and birds are protected but limited shooting is allowed. Hunting permits are issued by the local administration.

A vacation in Skardu Valley is an unforgettable experience!

What to eat?
If your visiting in the summer you have a variety of Pakistani and Cinese food restaurants in Skardu and Khaplu bazars.

Where to stay?
Besides other reasonably priced private hotels, PTDC Motels at Skardu, Sadpara Lake and Khaplu offer comfortable accommodation. There are government rest houses at Skardu, Sadpara, Shigar Valley, Khaplu and Kachura. Advance reservation is required. PTDC Motels in Skardu and Khaplu. But I would recommend that you go with a guide. For PTDC Motel Booking Office Islamabad
(For All Over Pakistan PTDC Motels) , Tel: (0092-351) 9223223 Fax: (0092-351) ??????.

When to go?
Tourist season in the Hunza Valley begins in May and closes in October. The summer climate in May is maximum 27 °C and minimum 14 °C. is ideal. The October temperature are: maximum 10 °C and minimum 0 °C.