Skardu Motel	Skardu Valley View

LOCATION: The largest district of the Northern Areas, Baltistan is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, the Karakoram Range, and is very popular with Mountaineering Expeditions. It is equally popular with high altitude trekkers, with treks to Baltoro Glacier, K-2 Base Camp and Concordia being especially renowned. The major city in Baltistan is Skardu which by road, lies approximately 5 hours away from Gilgit. A daily flight to and from Islamabad is also in operation.The PTDC Motel overlooking the Mighty Indus is located in the heart of the city at a breath-taking location. The comfortable rooms and a fine restaurant make the stay at this motel memorable.

ACCOMMODATION: In addition, Rent-a-Jeep, Satellite TV, Fax and Curio Shop facilities are available on the premises. Places of interest in and around Skardu include Shigar, Kherpachuo Fort, Satpara and Kachura Lakes, famous for deep blue waters and brown trout making them an anglers delight. Visit to Deosai plains is an experience of a lifetime.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Baltistan is known as the "Tibet-e-Khurd" or Little Tibet since its life-style reflects that of the roof of the World and Land of Lamas.It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27C and the minimum (October) 8C.

WHAT TO SEE?Apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan’s five valleys- Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears. Shigar valley, 32 kms. by jeep from Skardu is the gateway to the mountain peaks of the Karakorams. Skardu has a historic Fort atop a ridge known as the Mindoq-Khar or Castle of Queen Mindoq and three lovely lakes. The two- Kachura Lake 29 kms. and Stapra Lake 8 kms. from Sakrdu- are ideal for fishing.

The rolling grassland here supports no trees or shrubs and the area is snow covered for seven months of the year. Spring comes to Deosai in August when millions of wild flowers begin to bloom all over the lush green grassland. This is a time when Deosai looks like a paradise with a landscape full of wild flowers on green rolling hills and crystal clear water streams with snow covered peaks in the background.

An adventure jeep safari will take you right across the beautiful mountain ranges of the Himalayas and the Karakorams Travelling on KKH, you will enjoy the most spectacular scenery on earth. Before reaching Deosai, you will also witness the magical views of Nanaga Parbat (8126 m), the ninth highest peak of the world. At Deosai, you first stop will be at Sheosar Lake. This place offers beautiful views of south fact of Nanga Parbat and a panoramic view of Deosai Plains. At Bara Pani, you can spend one day and visit the core of the National Park for Bear watching or you may enjoy fishing in the cold waters or Barwai Stream. From Deosai, you can travel back via Skardu and Gilgit to enjoy the most thrilling drive along the Indus River..

PERMISSIONS: Permission for mountaineering and trekking is issued by the Tourism Division, Government of Pakistan, Opp: Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway (Abpara), Islamabad. (Telephone: 92-51-9203509). Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department at Gilgit and Skardu.

HOTEL SERVICES

Laundry TV Telephones

Parking Room service Satellite Curio Shop