Skardu Valley

Skardu Valley

 Skardu is a word of Balti language means "star stone, meteorite". It is the major town of the region Baltistan and the capital of Skardu District. Skardu valley is 10 km wide and 40km long in Skardu region at the meeting point of the Indus River and the Shigar River. Skardu is 2,500 m above sea level. The town is enclosed by grayish brown mountains.

Skardu and Gilgit are the two major tourism, trekking and trip hubs in the Northern Areas. The giant mountainous of the region having world's famous peaks magnetize the tourists, trekkers and mountaineers from all around the world. The best season to travel to Skardu is from April to October outside this time, the area mostly cut off by the snowy, freezing winter. The Askole and Hushe Valleys are the main gateways to the snow covered peaks K2, the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak and the Trango Towers, and also to the huge glaciers of Baltoro, Biafo and Trango. This significance makes Skardu the foremost tourist and mountaineering base in the northern area, that’s why the infrastructure including shops and hotels are reasonable. There are some of the places need to go when visit to Skardu.

Kharfocho Fort: The fort has been attributed to the famous ruler of Skardu named Maqpon Bugha great grandfather of Ali Sher khan. But Mughal historians are of the view that the great fort was built by Ali Sher Khan Anchan himself.

Mindoq Khar: This is a palace built by Gul Khatoon or Mindoq Gialmo on the hill where now stands the Kharfocho fort only. This also called 'Flower Palace'. The Palace was destroyed by the troops of the Sikh ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh, when he invaded Skardu in 1840 AD.

Hilal Bagh and Chahar Bagh: Just below Flower Palace, there was a terraced garden with fountains built in marble. The palace was destroyed during the great floods in the area after the death of Ali Sher Khan Anchan and a marble Baradari was later constructed at this palace. This royal garden was named Hilal Bagh (Crescent Garden). Another garden was also laid which was named Chhar Bagh on the site where a Girls College stands now.

Buddhist Rock: There is only one surviving of Buddhist. It is located at Satpara road. Probably the rock carvings and images of Buddha date back to the period of Great Tibetan Empire when the Buddhist people of Gandhara migrated and pased through the present northern areas of Pakistan.

Satpara Lake: the lake is surrounded by high glacial mountains. The lake has an island in the middle of its which can be reached by boat. The lake is considered ideal for fishing.

Trip to Skardu plan can make with a flight to Islamabad, then a 2 days journey for Chilas. Then a jeep will move you to the Skardu.