Most of us dream of traveling to places around the world but what about the treasures and scenic beauty inside our very own country? Some may not know this but Pakistan is blessed with picturesque places like Skardu which are hard to ignore when thinking of a backpacking trip. Skardu is the main town of Baltistan along the wide bank of the River Indus. Surrounded by mountains and glaciers, it’s is one of those places that should be on your bucket list especially if you’re a Pakistani.
1. Deosai National Park
According to Dawn, “Deosai is the combination of two words ‘Deo’ (giant) and ‘Sai’ (shadow). For centuries, it was believed that the place was haunted by giants, and so the name ‘Land of the Giants’ came into being. The weather remains unpredictable and even in summers one can witness snow.
Source: Syed M Bukhari
2. K2 Museum
Source: CKNP.ORG
The K2 museum, built by the Italians, used to be at Concordia but moved to Skardu to get more tourism. The huge tent in the garden of the PTDC K2 Motel was set up in 2004 to commemorate the first successful summit of K2 by an Italian expedition in 1954.
Source: CKNP.ORG
3. Kharphocho
Construction of Kharpocho or Skardu Fort is attributed to the famous ruler of Skardu, Maqpoon Bugha (1490 – 1515 AD).
Source: Pakistani Traveller Blog
This fort was actually built for defensive purpose since it’s on top of a small hill which is surrounded by Indus River on one side and Skardu town on another side. All communication to the fort was through an underground passage that connected the fort connected to the town area.
Source: Aliraza Khatri
4. Satpara Lake
Source: Syed.M.Bukhari
An attractive lake situated at quite some height, over 2,600 meters to be exact. Satpara Lake is very important for the livelihood of Skardu as it supplies water to Skardu Valley. The lake is also famous trout fish, but you’ll have to be lucky and skilled to catch them as they’re pretty rare.
Source: Atif Saeed
5. Shangrila (Lower Kachura) Lake
Source: Syed.M.Bukhari
Lower Kachura Lake, also known as Shangrila Lake, is famous for it’s serene view that has almost become the poster image for Skardu. The water is the calm and the air fresh – the atmosphere is therapeutic and make you forget about all your worries.
Source: Adeel Sheikh
6. Buddha Carvings
Source: Express Tribune
Carved on rocky stone, the huge Buddha carving along with surrounding Bodhisattvas is reminiscent of Tibetan Buddhist roots of the region that date back to 7th and 8th century AD. The rock can be found just 3 km from Skardu off the Skardu-Sadpara-Deosai road.
Source: Ali Raza Khatri
7. The Lower Kachura Lake (Shangrila)
Source: Wikipedia
James Hilton’s book “Lost Horizon” tells a fictional tale in which an airplane crash-lands near a riverbed. The surviving passengers came across Buddhist monks from a nearby temple and asked them for help. The monks obliged and took them to a beautiful lamasery filled with a variety of fruits and flowers. To the passengers, the monks looked quite young, although they claimed to be hundreds of years old. And some say that’s how the lower lake came to be known as Shangri-La, a Chinese word meaning “heaven on earth.”
8. Katpana Village
Source: Syed M Bukhari
The sand dunes in Katpana village, also known as the cold desert, is a wonder in itself. At this high altitude and cold region, it’s quite amazing that this desert exists.
Source: Syed M Bukhari
9. Khaplu Palace
Approximately a three-hour drive from Skardu airport, this 19th-century palace was restored by the Aga Khan Culture Service in Pakistan (AKCS-P) and entrusted to Serena Hotels for its management.
Source: Danial Shah
Quiet and serene, surrounded by mountains with the Ghangche Nallah flowing at the entrance, the Khaplu Palace Residence is a must visit.
10. Polo in Skardu
While most of Pakistan is busy with Cricket, the game of Skardu is polo. During the second week of August, all nearby hotels get completely booked as Skardu hosts a polo tournament for all of Baltistan to celebrate Independence Day.
Source: panaromia
11. Pakistanis don’t need a visa to go see Skardu 😉
Source: tguidep
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