Skardu Winter Tour
The Skardu Winter Tour is a private 7-day journey to Baltistan in winter, with the snow-covered cold desert of Katpana, frozen lakes, Shigar and Khaplu forts and the peaks of the Karakoram.
- Duration7 Days
- StyleEasy
- DestinationsSkardu, Shigar, Khaplu
- Best SeasonDecember – February
- StayHeated hotels
Baltistan Under Snow
Few places look as unusual in winter as Skardu. The sand dunes of the Katpana cold desert are covered in snow, the lakes freeze, and the mountains around the Indus Valley glow in the clear winter light.
On the Skardu Winter Tour you visit the snowy desert, frozen Upper Kachura Lake, the heritage forts of Shigar and Khaplu, and enjoy Balti food and winter life in the villages.
Trip Highlights
- The snow-covered Katpana cold desert
- Frozen Upper Kachura Lake
- Shigar Fort and its old village
- Khaplu Palace and the Shyok Valley
- Views of the Karakoram in clear winter light
- Balti food and winter village life
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Skardu
Fly to Skardu (weather permitting). In the afternoon, visit the snowy Katpana cold desert at sunset.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Kachura lakes
Drive to Upper Kachura Lake, often frozen in midwinter, and Shangrila (Lower Kachura).
Overnight: HotelDay 4Shigar
Drive to the Shigar Valley to visit Shigar Fort, its wooden mosque and the old village.
Overnight: HotelDay 5Khaplu
Day trip along the Shyok River to Khaplu to see Khaplu Palace and the Chaqchan Mosque.
Overnight: HotelDay 6Fly to Islamabad
Fly back to Islamabad. If flights are cancelled, we drive the Karakoram Highway instead.
Overnight: HotelDay 7Depart
Private transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —Winter roads and flights can change with the weather. We adjust the plan day by day, and your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Private airport pick-up and drop-off
- Heated hotels in Islamabad and Skardu
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Skardu–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced winter driver
- English-speaking local guide
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Entry tickets to Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and drinks not listed
- Tips and personal expenses
Why Choose the Skardu Winter Tour?
The Skardu Winter Tour lets you see Baltistan in a way most visitors never do. Snow on desert dunes, frozen lakes and empty heritage forts make it one of the most photogenic winter trips in Pakistan.
Want more winter? Pair it with the Frozen Hunza Winter Tour, or look for snow leopards on our Snow Leopard Winter Tour.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide, or browse all our winter and ski tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Private & Flexible
Every tour is private, with your own guide and 4x4. You can change the pace or add days at any time.
Cold Weather
Skardu is very cold in winter, often well below freezing at night. Bring a down jacket, thermal layers, warm boots and gloves.
Winter Flights
Flights to Skardu depend on the weather. We keep a spare day in the plan and drive if needed.
When to Go
Snow is most likely from late December to February. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your dates, and our team will plan your winter trip to Skardu and send you a quote.
