Skardu is a city in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. In northern areas of Pakistan, Skardu is the top tourist destination. It is at an elevation of 2225 meters. It is also famous as Skardu Valley. This valley has stunning waterfalls, beautiful lakes, and colossal mountain ranges; notable are K2, K3, and Gasherbrum. Skardu is more beautiful and unique than Swat Valley. Local and International tourists love to visit Skardu. The best time to visit Skardu is from June to September. Here is also the list of the best things to do in Skardu.
Famous places to visit in Skardu
Beautiful places to visit and things to do in Skardu for tourists are the following:
1-Deosai National Park, 2-Manthokha waterfall Resort, 3-Upper Kachura lake, 4-Satpara lake, 5-Serena Shigar Fort, 6-Manthal Buddha Rock, 7-Upper kachori lake, 8-K2 Museum, 9-Sheosar Lake and 10-Katpana Desert. These beautiful places in Skardu are top attractions for tourists.
1- Deosai National Park
Deosai National Park is a high-altitude alpine plain and National Park located between Astore and Skardu. It is also known as the land of two giants. Deosai Park is a famous place to visit in Skardu. Deosai is considered the world’s second-highest plateau. Deosai Park is famous for having the Himalayan Brown Bear, an endangered species.
It has a lake at its western side edge called Sheosar Lake. Tall mountains surround it, and it has beautiful views. There are amazing things to do in Skardu, at Deosai National Park. After returning from Skardu, you must visit Murree Hill Station at the root of Islamabad to make your trip memorable.
| Address | XFCC+6P4 Deosai Park Road Astore, 50991 |
| Timings | Open 24 hours |
| Established | 1993 |
| Area | 3584-kilo meter sq |
| Height | 41,14 meters |
| Ticket | For local = RS 40 and For Tourists = RS 100. |
2-Manthokha Waterfall Resort
Manthokha waterfall is a natural waterfall in the extreme northern region of Pakistan. It is in Kharmang Valley, in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. Manthokha Waterfall is 180 feet high. There is Manthokha Treehouse Hotel at Manthoka Waterfall. It is a famous place to visit in Skardu. It has a breathtaking view.
There are also many Restaurants and hotels in Manthoka. You feel fresh and Calm during a visit to this place. To visit Manthokha Waterfall is a fantastic thing to do in Skardu. After return, you can visit the beautiful Naran Valley.
| Address | Manthokha Waterfall Road PO Manthokha Kharmang, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan |
| Timings | Open 24 hours |
| Hotels | Manthokha Treehouse, Hotel Golden Eyes and Restaurants, Manthokha Rest house |
| Area | Kharmang Valley, |
| Height | 180 ft (55 metres) |
| Rent range | 20,000 to 25,000 PKR |
3-Serena Shigar Fort
Serena Shigar Fort is 400 years old and was built in the 17th century as a Palace for the Raja of Shigar. There are ancient mountain scenery, incredible views, and old houses fort. Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan has restored this fort, and after restoration, it has been turned into a museum and a beautiful luxury hotel by Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan. Serena Hotels manages this hotel.
Serena Shigar’s fort entrance opens to a large garden. It reflects the Kashmiri and Tibetian Architecture. While visiting this famous place in Skardu, you must visit the Raja Mosque and Amacha Garden near it; these are among the best things to do in Skardu. From here, you can visit Hunza Valley and make your trip enjoyable.
| Address | Serena Shigar Hotel, Shigar, Gilgit Baltistan,16300, Pakistan, |
| Timings | 24 hours |
| Established | 17th Century |
| Area | 216 Square ft |
| Elevation | 2300 meter |
| Rent range | 20k to 25k, |
4-Katpana Desert, things to do in Skardu
Katpana Desert is also called Cold Desert. It is a very high-altitude desert in the Shigar district, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. The Katpana desert has a large sand hillock with winter snow. On the way to Skardu, you can visit Swat Valley on the path. It is the top tourist attraction and the best place to stay in Skardu.
It extends properly from the bank of the river Indus to the south of Skardu. The desert’s most visited portion by tourists is Katpana Lake near Skardu Airport. There are famous things to do in Skardu in the Katpana desert.
| Address | K2 Resort, Katpana, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. |
| Timings | Mostly in the daytime |
| Elevation | 2224 meter |
| Area | 9.4-kilometer sq |
| Ticket | Entry free |
5-Upper Kachura Lake
The Kachura Lake consists of three lakes in Skardu, Upper Kachura Lake, Lower Kachura Lake, and 3rd Zambakha Lake, at 2500 meters. It is a beautiful natural freshwater lake and a Famous place in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. The blockage of the Gilgit River formed it. In winter, it becomes frozen and gives another magnetic view.
It is a fantastic place surrounded by a rich Himalayan ecosystem, and it is the best thing to do in Skardu. A forest with apricot and conifer trees surrounds the Lake. At Kachura Lake, tourists can enjoy hiking, trout fishing, boating, and mountaineering. On the way back from Skardu, you can visit Shogran Valley.
| Address | Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan |
| Timings | Open 24 hours |
| Established | 1983 |
| Maximum depth | 270 meter |
| Elevation | 2500 meter |
| Ticket | Entry free |
6-Manthal Buddha Rock
Manthal Buddha Rock is a sizeable ashen rock with a straightforward model of Buddha that dates back to the 8th Century. It is in Manthal village, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. This rock is a historical landmark of Buddhism in Skardu. It is on the way to Sadpara Road, which goes to beautiful Satpara Lake.
This rock also presents a fantastic view of the region. If you love history and Buddhist culture, you must visit this famous place in Skardu. Religiously, it is amongst the favorite things to do in Skardu. After returning from Sakrdu, you must see beautiful Islamabad, and we provide a list of things to do in Islamabad.
| Address | 7J9M+CF3, Satpara Rd, Manthal Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Timings | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, |
| Established | 8th Century |
| Elevation | 2500 meter |
| Length | 38 feet |
| Ticket | For locals, Rs = 50 PKR, and for overseas 200 PKR |
7- Satpara Lake 
It is a natural freshwater lake in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Satpara Lake supplies water to Skardu Valley. This Lake is at an elevation of 2600 meters. Satpara Lake has blue water and mountains with beautiful views. During visits to this Lake, tourists can enjoy boating and fishing. This Lake was formed by glacial activity when advanced glaciers dammed up the flow in Nallah.
It is a popular tourist destination with fun things to do in Skardu. It is a lovely place to visit in Skardu. There is also a beautiful Sadpara Dam, completed in 2011, at this Lake. After returning from Skardu Gilgit, you must visit Islamabad City for entertainment.
| Address | Skardu Valley, Gilgitt Baltistan, Pakistan |
| Timings | Open 24 hours |
| Established | 8th Century |
| Area | 2.5 km square |
| Elevation | 2636 meter |
| Length | 3.5 kilometers |
| Ticket | Entry is free, but other things, such as the food and play area, are priced. |
Some frequently asked questions FAQS about things to do in Skardu
1- What are the famous places to visit in Skardu?
Answer: The famous and beautiful places to visit in Skardu are,
- Satpara lake
- Kachura Lake
- Katpana Desert
- Skardu Valley
- Deosai National Park
2- What are Skardu attractions for tourists?
Answer: The top attractions and things to do in Skardu are Deosai National Park, Upper Kachura Lake, Manthokha Waterfall, Manthal Buddha Rock, Serena Shigar Fort, and Katpana Desert for tourists.
3- What is Skardu Famous For?
Answer: Skardu and Gilgit are major tourism hubs in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It has a famous four-mountain peak with a height above 8000 meters and is known worldwide.
4- What is the Satpara Lake distance from Skardu?
Answer: Satpara Lake is 24 km away from Skardu City.
5- Is Skardu Valley more beautiful than Hunza Valley?
Answer: Hunza Valley is beautiful and famous, but Skardu is more beautiful than Hunza.
6- What are places to visit in Skardu with Family?
Answer: It would help if you visited Kharpocho Fort, Katpana Desert, Deosai National Park, Kachura Lake, Satpara Lake, Hussainabad Waterfall, and Manthokha Waterfall in Skardu with your family; visiting these places in the list of top things to do in Skardu.
7- What are outdoor attractions in Skardu?
Answer: Places for the best outdoor activities in Skardu are Burji La Pass, Deosai National Park, Upper Kachura Lake, Katpana Desert, K2 Museum, Manthal Buddha Rock, and Serena Shigar Fort.
8- Which places are visited in winter in Skardu?
Answer: Katpana Cold Desert, Satpara Lake, Lower Kachura Lake, Sheosar Lake, Katpana Lake, Skardu Fort, Khaplu Valley, Organic Village, and Chumik Bridge are places to visit in winter in Skardu.
9- Which things are to buy in Skardu?
Answer: Things to buy in Skardu are precious stones, gems for your loved ones, locally made crafts, caps, dresses, mountaineering items and jackets, Cuban cigars, bags, and other gifts you want.