If you plan to visit Skardu, you might be making a list of things you can do in Skardu. In this post, you can get an idea about things to do in Skardu on your next trip. Undoubtedly, Skardu Baltistan is one of Pakistan’s most beautiful places to visit.
Things To Do In Skardu
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Window Shopping in local markets
- Visiting Centuries old historical places
#1- Hiking
Hiking may not be an activity for all those travelers who are visiting Skardu. But for people who love hiking Skardu has some of the best hiking spots. The region is covered with high mountains so you can see a lot of opportunities for hiking in the region.
There are many places designed for all hiking from a beginner level to professionals. Skardu is home to the world’s highest Mountain K2. So, if you are a professional climber, you can plan a tour to the K2 Base Camp Trek. Here you can experience the world’s most exciting and challenging hiking.
But there are several other treks which can be trek by anyone and for that, you do not need to be a professional mountaineer or a climber. Tourists who are visiting Skardu also visit these mountains and enjoy hiking. You can add this to your next trip to Skardu.
If you are visiting with your kids, it is fine to visit these places because these are also very safe for kids. They even enjoy more than elders in these areas.
#2- Fishing
Another thing you can do in Skardu is Fishing. Yes, Skardu is home to a world-rare fishing species called Trout Fish. Yes, the specialty of this fish is it can only be found the clean water. And Skardu has this by God Gifted. You can see only clean and clear water canals, rivers, and lakes in Skardu. This water comes directly from the mountains.
Places To Try Fishing in Skardu
Here are some places where you can try fishing on your own without any guide. From the list of places below few of them need permission and a few of them do not need any kind of permission from anyone.
- Shoyk River
- Nansoq Organic Valley
- Shangrila Resort
- Sadpara Lake
- Deosai National Park
Shyok River
You can go fishing on the bank of the Shyok River in Skardu. This is the only river which you can see in his region. This river is a major source of fishing, and the local people catch fish here. You can also go there and do some fishing. There is no need to get permission from anyone to fish in the Shyok River.
Nansoq Organic Valley
Another place to fish in Skardu is the Organic Valley of Nansoq. We have already written in detail about this beautiful village located in Skardu. This is the place where you can find everything organic and pure. Here are some fish farms where you can enjoy fishing. But if you are trying to fish on the farm you need permission and need to pay the farm owners. But the experience will be worth it.
Shangrilla Resort
One of the most famous tourist places in Skardu is Shangrila Resort. Shangrila is not only famous because of the beautiful heart-shaped lake but also for many other reasons. One main thing you can enjoy here is Fishing.
You need permission and need to pay for fishing in Shangrila Resort.
Sadpara Lake
Sadpara Lake is also the best place to enjoy fishing in the valley. This is a huge lake, and you are only allowed to go boating and fishing in some areas of the lake. To do that you need to get permission from the lake authority who are available there 24/7.
Deosai National Park
Another free fishing spot is Deosai National Park. Here you can get a lot of fish easily. Compared to all other places mentioned above Deosai is easy and less dangerous to catch fishes. Because the water here is quite calm and you can easily go fishing.
#3- Boating
The 3rd most interesting thing which you can do in Skardu is boating. As we mentioned many times in the article there are several lakes and rivers available in Skardu that tourists can visit and enjoy. You can go boating in all lakes in Skardu including Sadpara Lake Shangrila Lake, Blind Lake Shigar, etc.
Boating is not free and you need to pay a small amount of money to the person who owns the boat. They will provide you with all the safety jackets and other necessary things.
#4- Window Shopping in Skardu Local Markets
You may do window shopping in big cities from where you are coming from. But doing window shopping in the local market of Skardu can be a lifetime experience for you. The best thing about doing window shopping in the local market here is that you can find such things which you can not easily find in the big market of the cities. Because these are things which are made here by the local people. And most of the things are not exported to another part of the world.
One of the best examples is the local traditional cap of Baltistan. I know that my friends who belong to other cities in Pakistan love to wear the Balti Cap. We used to wear these caps on special occasions in our colleges and universities and we experienced a long queue of friends who wanted to wear them and take pictures and make videos. Because the cap is something very new and fascinating for them.
The cap is only one example there are many other things you can find in the local market of Skardu as well. So do not forget to explore the local markets on your next tour to Skardu.
#5- Visiting Centuries Old Historical Places
This can be the best part of your Skardu Tour. If you know a little bit about the history of Baltistan you will love to explore more about the history. The best part is you can visit all those major places which are still present in many regions of Baltistan which are hundreds of years old.
Some forts came back from centuries ago when the region was ruled by different kings. You can find such forts as Khaplu Raja Fort, Skardu Fort, Kharfoho Fort, and many other historical places in Skardu Valley.