Skardu & Baltistan Heritage Tour

Morning flight to Skardu (1hr). Check in. Afternoon visit Kharpocho Fort — the "King of Forts" sits on a massive rock above the Indus confluence. Stunning panoramic views over the Skardu Valley. Sunset from the ramparts.

Morning drive to the legendary Shangrila Resort (Lower Kachura Lake). Boat ride on the crystal lake inside the resort. The floating restaurant inside a converted aircraft fuselage is truly unique. Drive to Upper Kachura Lake — even more pristine and surrounded by poplars and willows.

Full-day excursion to Deosai (world's 2nd highest plateau, 4,114m avg). Spot Himalayan Brown Bears at Bara Pani. Drive to Sheosar Lake (4,142m) — mirrorlike reflections of surrounding peaks. July wildflowers are extraordinary.

Morning at Satpara Lake (3,000m) — deep emerald-green lake for trout fishing. Visit the Satpara Buddha rock carving (5th–6th c. CE) — a 9m carved Buddha figure. Manthal Rock inscriptions.

Drive 30km to Shigar Valley — a time capsule of Balti culture. Visit Shigar Fort (now Serena Heritage Hotel) — a meticulously restored 17th-century Balti-Tibetan wooden palace. Walk through the famous apricot orchards (April: blossom; July–August: harvest).

Drive 100km to Khaplu (3 hours) — visit the magnificent Khaplu Palace (now Serena Heritage Hotel). The 19th-century Balti royal palace features some of the finest wood-carving in the entire Karakoram. Walk the Khaplu market and visit the historic Hussainabad Mosque.

Morning free. Flight or drive back to Islamabad. Farewell dinner at a traditional Pakistani restaurant.

Yes! Both are now operating as Serena Heritage Hotels — some of the most extraordinary heritage accommodations in Asia. Shigar Fort from PKR 45,000/night and Khaplu Palace from PKR 40,000/night. We can arrange this as an upgrade.