Skardu's Hidden Gems Beyond the Postcard Spots

Skardu gets attention for Shangrila Resort and Upper Kachura Lake, and both are worth the visit, but the region holds far more once you get off the main road.

Basho Valley, a short drive from Skardu city, offers pine forests and river camping without the crowds of Deosai. Kharmang Valley further east is one of the least-visited parts of Baltistan, with apricot orchards and Balti stone architecture largely untouched by tourism.

For a full picture of the region, pair two nights in Skardu city with a night each in Basho and along the Shigar river. The contrast between desert-like riverbanks and alpine valleys within an hour of each other is the real story of Baltistan.