Skardu Valley Tour — 7 Days
Overview
Baltistan's greatest hits in one relaxed week: the lake resort that named itself Heaven on Earth, a genuine high-altitude cold desert, two restored royal palaces, and — June to September — the brown-bear plateau of Deosai at 4,114 m. Fly-in options cut the road days for short leaves.
Trip Highlights
- Shangrila Resort & Upper Kachura Lake
- Sarfaranga Cold Desert jeep ride
- Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace
- Deosai Plains & Sheosar Lake (Jun–Sep)
- Manthoka Waterfall and Kharpocho Fort
- Fly-in/fly-out option available
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Islamabad → Chilas
KKH north (or fly day 2).
⛰ 1,265 m
Chilas → Skardu
The paved Indus-gorge road.
⛰ 2,228 m
Lakes day
Shangrila, Upper Kachura, Kharpocho sunset.
⛰ 2,500 m
Deosai Plains (Jun–Sep)
4×4 plateau day, Sheosar Lake; shoulder season: Basho Valley.
⛰ 4,114 m
Shigar & Cold Desert
Shigar Fort, Sarfaranga jeep/quad rides.
⛰ 2,600 m
Khaplu & Manthoka
Palace visit and the waterfall.
⛰ 2,600 m
Return / fly to Islamabad
Drive south or morning flight (at cost).
What’s Included
✔ Included
- Hotel accommodation (breakfast included)
- Private vehicle with experienced KKH driver
- All fuel, tolls and parking
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- All applicable taxes
- 4×4 for Deosai & Cold Desert
✖ Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- Park fees
- Flights (optional, at cost)
Frequently Asked Questions
Skardu or Hunza for a first trip?
Hunza for culture, cafés and easier roads; Skardu for lakes, desert and rawer landscapes — or combine both with our 10-day combo.
Do flights cancel often?
Mountain weather cancels some; every fly plan carries a road backup so your trip never strands.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes — your own vehicle, your own driver, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Skardu Airport?
Yes — fly Islamabad to Skardu (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Not in the standard plan — this itinerary focuses elsewhere — but a Khunjerab day (4,693 m, open ~May–Nov) can be added to any private booking; ask for the extended quote.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect well-reviewed standard hotels, with deluxe and luxury upgrades available at booking. See our Hotels page for the full 66-property partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Yes — drive legs are broken with rest stops, family rooms are booked, and daily plans flex around nap and meal times. Car seats available on request.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
Yes with reasonable mobility — vehicle access covers nearly every highlight, walking is optional, and we pace days generously. Tell us about any conditions and we’ll adapt the plan.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Completely — add or drop days, swap valleys, change hotel tiers or start cities; it’s your trip and re-quoting a custom version costs nothing.
What is not included?
Mainly: lunches and dinners; entry tickets to forts and attractions; personal expenses and tips. The full included/excluded lists above are part of your fixed quote — nothing is added later.