Pakistan · National Parks

7-Day Skardu and Baltistan Tour with Deosai, Shigar and Basho Valley

7 Days Round trip from Skardu Moderate pace

View all 13 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Kharpocho Fort and enjoy panoramic views of the Indus River and Skardu Valley
02 Discover the beauty of Lower Kachura Lake at Shangrila Resort with its iconic red-roofed villas
03 Hike to Upper Kachura Lake and enjoy boating or trout fishing in crystal-clear waters
04 Walk across the high-altitude dunes of the Katpana Cold Desert, surrounded by snow-covered mountains
05 Admire the turquoise waters of Sheosar Lake and look for the rare Himalayan Brown Bear
06 Explore the historic Shigar Valley and visit the 17th-century Shigar Fort and Amburiq Mosque
07 Experience the Sarfaranga Cold Desert with a sunset Jeep safari across the dunes
08 Visit the impressive Manthoka Waterfall and the historic Khaplu Palace in the Ghanche District

Experience the raw beauty of Baltistan with Blue Sky Treks and Tours on this 7-day journey through the "Land of Giants." From the emerald Kachura Lakes to the world's highest cold deserts, the tour combines high-altitude landscapes with cultural heritage across Skardu, Deosai, Shigar, Khaplu, and Basho Valley. Traverse the majestic Deosai Plains, explore the ancient Shigar Fort, and witness the lush meadows of Basho Valley with expert-led 4x4 exploration through the heart of the Karakoram. It is designed for travellers seeking an authentic encounter with Pakistan's most iconic mountain landscapes.

Experience the raw beauty of Baltistan with Blue Sky Treks and Tours on this 7-day journey through the "Land of Giants."

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Islamabad, Skardu

Languages English, Urdu

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Scenic Flight to Skardu and Kharpocho Fort

Morning: Board the flight from Islamabad to Skardu. This is one of the world's most scenic flight paths, offering bird's-eye views of Nanga Parbat, K2, and Broad Peak, weather permitting.
Afternoon: Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Later, visit Skardu Bazaar and the historic Kharpocho Fort for a panoramic view of the Indus River.

Overnight: Skardu.

Day 02

Kachura Lakes and Katpana Cold Desert

Morning: Drive to Lower Kachura Lake (Shangrila Resort) to see the iconic red-roofed villas.
Mid-day: Take a short 20-minute hike to the emerald Upper Kachura Lake. Enjoy boating or trout fishing in the pristine water.
Afternoon: Visit the Katpana Cold Desert, known for its unique high-altitude sand dunes framed by snow-capped mountains.

Overnight: Skardu.

Day 03

Deosai Plains and Sheosar Lake by 4x4

Full day: Set out on a 4x4 Jeep excursion to the Deosai Plains (4,114 m), the world's second-highest plateau.
Highlights: Stop at the massive Satpara Dam/Lake, traverse the rolling plains to reach the turquoise Sheosar Lake, and look for the rare Himalayan Brown Bear.

Overnight: Skardu.

Day 04

Shigar Valley and Sarfaranga Desert

Morning: Drive to Shigar Valley, the historical starting point for K2 expeditions.
Culture: Explore the 17th-century Shigar Fort (Fong-Khar) and the UNESCO-awarded Amburiq Mosque.
Afternoon: Visit the Sarfaranga Cold Desert for a sunset Jeep safari or a walk on the dunes.

Overnight: Return to Skardu.

Day 05

Khaplu Valley, Manthoka Waterfall and Chaqchan Mosque

Morning: Travel toward the Ghanche District and stop at the majestic 180-foot Manthoka Waterfall.
Afternoon: Explore Khaplu Palace and the 700-year-old Chaqchan Mosque, one of the oldest in the region.

Overnight: Khaplu or return to Skardu.

Day 06

Basho Valley's Pine Forests and Meadows

Morning: A rugged Jeep track leads you to Basho Valley, a hidden paradise of pine forests and lush green pastures.
Activity: Relax by the Basho Waterfall, cross the suspension bridge, and enjoy a traditional Balti lunch in the meadows.
Evening: Return to Skardu for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Skardu.

Day 07

Flight Back to Islamabad

Morning: Transfer to Skardu Airport for your return flight to Islamabad.
End of tour: Afternoon arrival in Islamabad, marking the completion of your Blue Sky journey.

Where this trip takes you

Lower Kachura Lake, Deosai Plains, Sheosar Lake, Katpana Cold Desert

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Skardu 2 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Airfare: Round-trip domestic flight tickets (Islamabad - Skardu - Islamabad).
Transport: Private 4x4 Jeep (Prado or similar) for all local sightseeing, including Deosai and Basho Valley.
Accommodation: 6 nights of hotel stay (twin-sharing basis) in Skardu and Shigar/Khaplu.
Meals: Daily breakfast at the hotels.
Expert guide: Professional licensed mountain guide with deep knowledge of Balti culture and history.
Driver: Experienced high-altitude driver, including all fuel and road tolls.
Airport transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at Skardu Airport.

What's Not Included

Lunches and dinners: Travellers are encouraged to explore local Balti cuisine at various stopovers.
Entry fees: Tickets for Shangrila Resort, Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace, and national park fees.
Personal expenses: Laundry, phone calls, snacks, and soft drinks.
Insurance: Personal travel and health insurance.
Tips: Gratuity for the guide, driver, and hotel staff.
Contingency costs: Any costs arising from flight cancellations or road blockages, such as extra hotel nights.

What to bring

Layering is key: Light clothes for daytime and a warm jacket or fleece for cool evenings.
Rain protection: A lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho.
Modest attire: Respectful clothing for visiting mosques and local villages.
Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for sightseeing.
Sturdy hiking boots if you plan on doing the Upper Kachura or Basho treks.
Sun protection: High SPF sunscreen, lip balm, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Personal tech: A power bank (electricity can be intermittent in remote valleys) and extra camera batteries.
Personal first-aid kit and any prescribed medications.
Reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste.

Know before you go

Flight contingency: Flights to Skardu are highly weather-dependent. If the flight is cancelled, Blue Sky provides backup road transport via the Karakoram Highway.
Luggage: Most domestic flights allow 20 kg of checked baggage.
Photography: Ensure your camera is ready for the flight - request a seat on the right side when flying to Skardu and the left side when flying from Skardu for the best mountain views.

Logistics