There are trips you take, and then there are journeys that quietly reshape something inside you. My 10 days in Gilgit-Baltistan centered around Skardu felt less like travel and more like rediscovery.
Day 1: Islamabad to Skardu
The journey began with a 320 km flight from Islamabad. As the plane rose, the Karakoram peaks emerged—silent, massive, eternal. After landing, I visited Upper Kachura Lake (20 km away), where the water was impossibly blue, followed by the softer beauty of Shangrila Lake.
Day 2: Shigar Valley
A 32 km drive brought me to Shigar Valley. Highlights included the Shigar Fort, which felt like a preserved memory, and the Amburiq Mosque, one of the oldest in the region. I also explored the Sarfaranga Desert, walking across golden dunes set beneath snow-covered peaks.
Day 3: Khaplu
The 103 km journey to Khaplu features changing landscapes that quiet the mind. I visited the elegant Khaplu Fort and the deeply moving Chaqchan Mosque. The day ended in Saling Valley, a lesser-explored area perfect for light trekking amidst untouched natural beauty.
Day 4: Kharmang Valley
Following the Indus River for 110 km leads to Kharmang Valley. I experienced the powerful Manthokha Waterfall and the hidden, peaceful Khamosh Waterfall, which requires a short 15-minute walk to reach.
Day 5: Hussainabad Broq Meadows
About 20 km from Skardu lies Hussainabad. Reaching the Broq Meadows requires a moderate 1–2 hour trek, rewarding hikers with open green meadows and a sense of peace without effort.
Day 6: Sadpara Lake & Deosai Plains
Sadpara Lake, just 8 km from Skardu, offered vast, reflective waters. From there, I traveled to the Deosai Plains (35 km away), an unreal landscape of endless green fields and wildflowers where the silence feels alive.
Day 7: Chunda Valley
A short uphill trek in Chunda Valley provided a complete view of Skardu's rivers and mountains. It offered a moment of total clarity, like seeing life from a distance.
Day 8–9: Basho Valley
The 30 km drive to Basho takes 3 hours due to rough roads. Camping here allowed for total disconnection amidst pine forests and cold streams. At night, with no city lights, the stars felt closer and brighter than ever before.
Day 10: Back to Islamabad
The return journey felt heavier. While leaving physically, something stayed behind in those mountains and silences.
What It Really Feels Like?
Ten days in Skardu isn’t just about places; it’s about a stillness that stays with you and landscapes that humble you.
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