Explore Skardu, Deosai, Shigar, Khaplu, Upper Kachura Lake and the cold deserts with private tours planned by local Pakistan travel experts.
Skardu tour packages usually include private transport, hotel booking, airport pickup, sightseeing, route planning and support for places such as Upper Kachura Lake, Deosai National Park, Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace, Katpana Cold Desert and Sarfaranga Desert. Tours in Pakistan plans private Skardu tours for families, couples and honeymooners, overseas Pakistanis, foreign travellers and adventure groups, alongside our wider range of Pakistan tour packages.
Skardu sits at roughly 2,200 metres in Baltistan, where the Indus opens into a broad, sandy valley ringed by Karakoram peaks. It is the base for Deosai National Park, the Kachura lakes, the heritage villages of Shigar and Khaplu, and every expedition heading to K2.
Most travellers spend five to seven days here, mixing lakes and cold deserts close to town with Shigar, Khaplu and Deosai in summer. With more time, many pair it with the Hunza Valley, or upgrade to palace and fort stays on a luxury Pakistan tour. Flights from Islamabad depend on the weather, so we always build a buffer day into the plan.
Families, couples, photographers and adventure travellers.
5 to 7 days, including a buffer day for flights.
April to October. Deosai usually opens in June.
About an hour by air from Islamabad, or two days by road.
Nature, Balti culture and high-mountain adventure.
Our team confirms current road and weather conditions when you enquire.
Private journeys by Tours in Pakistan, from a classic first visit to a honeymoon or a full K2 expedition.
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Kachura lakes, Katpana desert, Shigar and Deosai in summer, with a flight buffer day built in.
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
The two great valleys of the north, linked by the Karakoram Highway.
Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
The Baltoro Glacier to the foot of K2 with a licensed guide and full crew.
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Quiet lakeside rooms, private dinners and slow days across Kachura, Shigar and Khaplu.
Every package is private and fully customisable. Message us for current pricing and dates.
ALSO AVAILABLE
Every Skardu trip is private. Choose the style closest to yours and we’ll shape the route, hotels and pace around it.
Short drives, family hotels and flexible pacing across the lakes, forts and orchards.
Best for: Parents, grandparents and children
Lakeside rooms, heritage stays and private dinners in Kachura, Shigar and Khaplu.
Best for: Newlyweds and anniversaries
Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace and premium lodges with a private vehicle and driver.
Best for: Travellers who want top comfort
Visa guidance, permits, English-speaking guides and private transport throughout.
Best for: International visitors
A first look at the north with family, planned around limited leave and flights home.
Best for: Families visiting from abroad
Deosai at dawn, Katpana at sunset and autumn poplars, timed for the best light.
Best for: Photographers and filmmakers
The Baltoro Glacier and Concordia with permits, porters, cooks and a licensed guide.
Best for: Experienced trekkers
Offsites, incentive trips and large groups with coaches, hotels and one coordinator.
Best for: Companies and community groups
Everything you need to know before planning your journey.
Most visitors arrive from Islamabad, either on a short scheduled flight or by road through the Karakoram Highway and the Indus gorge. Many of our guests fly one way and drive the other.
Around an hour from Islamabad. Fast, but flights depend on clear weather.
A long scenic drive, usually split over two days with an overnight stop.
From alpine plateaus to Balti palaces, the landscape changes within an hour’s drive.
National Park · Summer
One of the world’s highest plateaus, with wildflowers and Himalayan brown bears.
Lake · Near Skardu
A deep, clear lake framed by pine and poplar, a short walk from the road.
Valley · Heritage
Orchards, old mosques and the restored Shigar Fort, gateway to Baltoro.
Valley · Heritage
Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque along the Shyok River.
Lake · Near Skardu
A wide turquoise reservoir on the road up to Deosai.
Cold Desert · Near Airport
Sand dunes beneath snow peaks, best at sunset.
Seven more lakes, valleys and landmarks, each with its own guide.
Choose a route based on your available days and travel style.
Islamabad → Skardu → Shigar → Khaplu → Deosai
DAYS
Best for short breaks and fly-in visits.
DAYS
Best for first-time visitors and families.
DAYS
Best for couples and slower travellers.
DAYS · SKARDU + HUNZA
Best for 10 days or more in the north.
Flight buffer day included. Islamabad–Skardu flights depend on clear weather. Every itinerary we plan keeps one spare day, with a road alternative ready if a flight is cancelled.
Focused on heritage? Skardu, Shigar & Khaplu Itinerary →
Where you sleep shapes the trip. Town keeps drive times short, the Kachura area is quieter and scenic, and Shigar or Khaplu suit a slower, heritage-focused visit. We use and inspect every Skardu hotel we recommend.
Shigar Fort Serena and Khaplu Palace are among the most memorable heritage stays near Skardu, offering restored royal architecture, Balti culture and premium hospitality.
Premium Skardu hotels and mountain lodges offer comfortable rooms, heating, private dining and scenic views for couples, families and international travellers.
Smaller boutique stays near Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu suit travellers who want quieter surroundings, local character and easy access to day trips.
Useful for early flights and late arrivals.
Lakeside stays about 30 minutes from town.
Comfortable stays with family rooms, reliable heating, clean bathrooms and easier access to meals, transport and sightseeing routes.
Each season shows a different Skardu. Pick the one that matches what you want to see.
April – May
Apricot and cherry blossom in Shigar and Khaplu, fresh snow on the peaks and quieter roads. Nights are still cold.
June – August
Peak season. Deosai is usually open, wildflowers cover the plateau and long days suit trekking.
September – October
Golden poplars, clear skies and the best light for photography. Crowds thin out.
A guide for each travel month
Blossom ends
Deosai opens
Wildflowers
Peak season
Clear skies
Autumn colour
Practical advice written for the way you travel.
A good Skardu trip isn’t about squeezing in every attraction. A family with grandparents and five days gets a different Skardu than two photographers in October, so our planners start from these five questions.
Reviewed by ToursInPakistan Travel Team Last reviewed September 2026
Short, practical reading for the details that matter once your route is set. Browse all our Pakistan travel guides.
Layers, footwear and altitude essentials
Temperatures and conditions through the year
What to know before your first trip north
Balti cuisine, customs and local etiquette
Flights and the road route compared
Arrivals, transfers and delays
Pacing, altitude and family-friendly stops
Visas, registration and safety
Side by side guides on scenery, access, hotels and pace.
Five to seven days covers Skardu’s lakes and deserts, Shigar, and Deosai in summer, with a buffer day for flights. Three days works for a short fly-in visit. Add two or three days for Khaplu, or combine with Hunza for ten days or more.
The cost depends on travel dates, hotel category, transport type, group size and whether you travel by air or road. Private Skardu tours with premium hotels cost more than budget road trips.
June to August is best for Deosai and trekking. April and May bring blossom, and September to October offers autumn colour and clear skies.
Most travellers fly from Islamabad or drive via the Karakoram Highway and the Jaglot–Skardu road. You can also arrive overland from Gilgit or Hunza.
Flying is faster, but flights can be affected by weather. Travelling by road takes longer but gives more route flexibility. Many travellers fly one way and travel by road one way when time allows.
Yes. Tours in Pakistan arranges private Skardu tours for families with hotels, transport, sightseeing, airport pickup and flexible pacing.
Yes. Most sights are a short drive from town and family hotels are available. We plan shorter driving days, allow time to adjust to altitude and keep Deosai optional for very young children.
Yes. Foreign travellers can visit Skardu with a valid Pakistan visa. Some trekking areas may need extra permits, especially for K2 and Baltoro routes.
Layers for warm days and cold nights, a warm jacket even in summer, sturdy shoes, sun protection and any regular medication.
Yes. The two are linked by road through Gilgit. We recommend at least ten days to enjoy both without rushing.
Tell us your dates, group size, comfort level and the places you’d like to see, and our team will design a private Skardu journey around you.
