Skardu the heart of mountains

Skardu

Skardu is the capital of Baltistan District in northern Pakistan at the altitude of 2500 meters. It is the heart of the great mountains of Karakorum with the second highest mountain K2, other three 8000s along with more than one hundred 7000 and numerous 6000 meters peaks are accessible from Skardu. There are the largest glaciers out of Polar Regions are located. The people of Skardu are considered to the Tibetan origins speaking the language is called Balti. It is one of the touristic places in the north Pakistan because of its charming landscape and hospitable inhabitants who are tourist friendly.  Until this century Baltistan was the trade, route from Tibet and Ladakh, following the mighty Indus and Shayoke Rivers and another route crossing the deserted Deosia Plateau from Srinagar and there was snowy pass led across the Karakorum to China the west Mustagh Pass blocked by ice in the early nineteenth century. It was divided into four kingdoms Skardu, Khapulo, Shigar and Rundo which guarded the Indus Gorge to the west.

Skardu is accessible both by air and by road from Islamabad, the flight takes 45 minutes and by road it is two days on the Karakorum Highway to Gilgit and then another 170 km on the Skardu Road. Skardu crowded town with bazaar, all the supplies are available. There are 230 villages around it and all are accessible from the main town that is why it always stays busy. There exciting trips from Skardu a day hikes or long treks could be organized here. There are day trips such Sadpara Lake, Kachura Lake, Shigar Village and Khapulo from Skardu with jeeps to Deosia b Plateau. You can visit to the villages and walk around to enjoy your holidays. There is half an hour easy walk to the ruins of historical Kharpucho Fort up the enormous rock of Skardu which was built by Kashmiri Dogra troops when they captured Baltistan in 1846. You can explore the ruined rooms and wall and there is great view of Skardu Town too from the Fort.

The famous Baltoro , Ghondoghoro, K2 Base CampTrek and Biafo Hispar are started from Sakardu on the Askole Road along the Braldo River on the adventurous jeep track takes us to the last village of  Shigar District Askole through charming villages.