Sand dunes of the Katpana cold desert outside Skardu, with the braided Indus and the Karakoram skyline beyond.

Skardu, Shigar & Khaplu

Eight nights in Baltistan, staying in two restored forts

8 nightsApr–Octeasy

Baltistan at an unhurried pace, with nights in the restored Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace — two of the more remarkable places to sleep anywhere in South Asia. Lakes, cold desert, Balti villages, and the road towards Askole where the Baltoro treks begin.

Two nights in Shigar Fort and two in Khaplu Palace
Upper Kachura and Shangrila lakes
The Katpana cold desert, with dunes at 2,200 metres
The Shyok valley road to Khaplu
Deosai plateau as a full day from Skardu, in season

About 15 hours on the road across 8 nights. Northern Pakistan is big and the roads are mountain roads. We show the driving day by day below rather than burying it, because the commonest complaint in this business is a transfer nobody was warned about.

Elevation across the trip

Altitude is the thing that most often spoils a trip up here. This is the profile we actually follow, with the acclimatisation nights built in.

Highest point: 4,114 m at Skardu, on day 8. Day numbers along the bottom.

Day by day

Met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

What’s included

All accommodation on a twin-share basis, in the tier shown
Private vehicle with an experienced driver for the whole trip
4x4 jeeps where the road requires one
An English-speaking guide throughout
All meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner
All entry tickets and site fees
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Bottled water in the vehicle
Restricted-zone permits and NOC paperwork where needed
Visa invitation letter and hotel confirmations for your e-visa application

What’s not

International flights
Pakistan e-visa fee (typically USD 35–60, higher for some nationalities)
Travel insurance — mandatory, and it must cover the altitudes on your itinerary
Domestic flights unless listed in the itinerary
Tips for your guide and driver (guidance provided, never expected)
Personal expenses, laundry and telephone
Anything not listed under what is included

Not quite right?

Add a few days in Skardu, drop the long transfer, travel a month earlier, upgrade where it matters and save where it does not. Start from this itinerary and change whatever you like — customisation is free, and you pay only for the trip you confirm.

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