7-Day Skardu Tour from Islamabad

Early departure 6:00am from Islamabad. Join the KKH at Hasan Abdal and drive the full Indus Kohistan section. Pass Thakot Bridge, Sazin, and the stunning river gorges of Kohistan before reaching Chilas in the evening.

Chilas is an important milestone — located at the foot of Nanga Parbat, it marks the point where the KKH enters Diamer District. Overnight in Chilas.

• Drive: ~460 km, 9–10 hours
• Highlights: KKH, Indus Gorge, Chilas rock carvings, Nanga Parbat first views

Morning departure from Chilas. Continue on KKH to Gilgit (2 hours). At Gilgit, leave the KKH and join the Indus Highway heading southeast to Skardu. This 4–5 hour section follows the mighty Indus River through increasingly dramatic rock gorges.

Arrive Skardu in the afternoon — the capital of Baltistan at 2,228m. Check in to hotel. Evening walk in Skardu town bazaar. Overnight Skardu.

• Drive: ~230 km from Chilas, 6–7 hours total
• Highlights: Indus Highway, Skardu arrival, bazaar exploration

Full day exploring Skardu's headline attractions. Morning: Kharpocho Fort — the ancient Balti fortress perched dramatically above Skardu town and the Indus River, offering commanding views across the valley and surrounding 6,000m peaks.

Afternoon: Drive to Lower Kachura Lake (Shangrila Resort) — a serene turquoise lake surrounded by mountains with Pakistan's famous Shangri-La resort on its banks. Boating available. Continue to Upper Kachura Lake — more remote, equally beautiful. Overnight Skardu.

• Highlights: Kharpocho Fort, Shangri-La resort, Kachura Lakes, boating

Full day trip to Deosai National Park — the world's second highest plateau at 4,114m, famous for its wildflower-carpeted summer landscape, Himalayan brown bears, golden eagles, and the extraordinary Sheosar Lake. A 4x4 is essential for the Deosai track.

Drive from Skardu takes 2–2.5 hours via Sadpara Lake. The plateau landscape is unlike anywhere else — vast, treeless, windswept, and hauntingly beautiful. Wildlife encounters (especially bears) are possible June–August. Return to Skardu by evening.

• Drive: ~100 km round trip, 5–6 hours driving + exploration time
• Highlights: Sheosar Lake, Himalayan brown bear (seasonal), wildflowers, plateau scenery

Day trip to Shigar Valley — a lush green side valley branching north from the Indus Highway 30km from Skardu. The valley is famous for its ancient Shigar Fort (Fong Khar), a 400-year-old royal Balti palace beautifully restored by the Aga Khan Trust and now operating as a heritage hotel.

Explore the fort and its gardens. Walk through Shigar town with its traditional wooden architecture and apricot orchards. The Cold Desert sand dunes near Skardu can also be visited on the return route.

• Highlights: Shigar Fort (heritage hotel), Shigar Valley, Cold Desert sand dunes

Morning departure from Skardu. Return journey begins via the Indus Highway to Gilgit (4–5 hours). Optional stops at scenic viewpoints along the Indus River.

Arrive Gilgit in the afternoon. Overnight in Gilgit. Optional: explore Gilgit town, Kargah Buddha rock carving, and local bazaar in the evening.

• Drive: ~180 km, 4–5 hours
• Optional: Kargah Buddha carving, Gilgit bazaar

Long day back to Islamabad (best departed by 6:00am). The return KKH journey from Gilgit to Islamabad covers ~480km and takes 10–11 hours with stops. The drive is through familiar but always stunning KKH scenery — different light, different perspective on the return.

Option to break into 2 days with overnight in Besham for a more relaxed return. Direct return arrives Islamabad by 6:00–8:00pm. Drop at your door.

• Drive: ~480 km, 10–11 hours