Important Information

Shopping Centres 1. Naya Bazar, Old Bazar, Botto Bazar, Hussain Chowk, Alamdar Chowk, Kazmi Bazar, Gamba Bazar, Benazir Chowk, Yadgar Chowk etc. 2. Handicraft Shops: i) Murad Trading Co. Gem Stores & Antiques, New Bazar, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2132 ii) Hassan Mirza & Co. New Bazar, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 55420 iii) Pakiza Gems, Batti Antiques, Naya Bazar, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 55118 iv) K-2 Handicraft, K-2 Motel, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2577 v) Topaz Gems, Yadgar Chowk, Skardu. vi) Sahabaz Gems, Kazmi Bazar, Skardu. List Of Tour & Travel Agencies 1. Baltistan Tours, Sher Ali Chowk, Near Alamdar Chowk, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2626 2. Nazir Sabir Expedition, Near K-2 Motel, Skardu. Tel.: (92-0575) 2778 3. Adventure Tours of Pakistan, Near Kushu Bagh, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2249 4. Himalaya Trekking & Tours, Near Sadpara Inn, Yadgar Chowk, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2528 5. Walji’s Travel, New Police Station, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 3468 6. Tibbet Treks & Tours, Yadgar Chowk, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 55418 7. Hushe Treks & Tours, Skardu. List Of Hotels In Skardu 1. Concordia - II Number of Rooms = 07 Near K-2 Motel, skardu. S.R. D.R. Tel: (92-0575) 2515 Rs. 700/- Rs. 800/- Meals: Lunch: Rs. 180/- Chinese Dinner: Rs. 200/- Pakistani Dinner: Rs. 210/- Lunch: Rs. 200/- Break Fast: Rs. 100/- 2. Hunza Inn Number of Rooms = 10 Naya Bazar, Skardu. Room Rs. 200/- Tel: (92-0575) 2570 Meal: Rs. 60/- 3. Baltistan Tourist Cottage Number of Rooms = 10 Chowk Yadgar, Skardu. Room: Rs. 150/- to 200/- Tel: (92-0575) 2707 Meal: Rs. 50/- 4. Baltoro Rest House Rooms = 20 Satellite Town, Skardu. Rooms: Rs. 200/- Tel: (92-0575) 2443 (for government servants) Rooms: Rs. 250/- (for others) VIP Room: Rs. 250/- (for government servants) VIP Rooms: Rs. 400/- (for other visitors) 5. Northern Areas PWD Rest House Rooms = 10 Hamid Garh, Skardu. VIP Rooms = 07 - Rs. 2500/- Tel: (92-0575) 2405 (for government servants) Rs. 400/- (for others) Ordinary Rooms = 03 Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- 6. Yak N Yurt Sarai Number of Rooms = 14 Satellite Town, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2856 List Of Hospitals & Medical Centres 1. District Hospital, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 2413 Emergency Tel: (92-0575) 2413 2. Eye Hospital Northern Areas, Skardu (Gamba) Tel: (92-0575) 3. Abbas Medical Centre, Skardu. 4. Rahman Clinic, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 3156 5. Dr. M. Ashraf Clinic Tel: (92-0575) 2613 6. Dr. Tariq Sharif Clinic 7. Combined Military Hospital, Skardu 8. DHO, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 3156 9. Al-Abbas Hospital, Link Road, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 55518 10. Rehman Clinic, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 3156 11. Sakina Professional Training Institute for Women, Skardu. Tel: (92-0575) 55026 Important Telephone Numbers Of Skardu Deputy Commissioner 55062) Senior Superintendent of Police 2424,2888,2979 Assistant Commissioner 55075 PIA Airport 2492 PIA Booking Office 2941,3325 PIA Cargo 2291 CAA Airport Tower 2413 Police Station 2444 Municipal Committee 2618

What To Do?

Mountaineering, Trekking and Hiking The area is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. Permission for mountaineering and trekking for restricted zone is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad (Telephone: 92-51-9203509). Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department at Gilgit and Skardu. Fishing Satpara Lake (8km) and Kachura Lake 932km) from Skardu abound in trout. Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department. Flora & Fauna Roses, lilies, pansies, willow, pine and fir trees are found in abundance. Apples, apricots, peaches, plums mulberry, walnuts and grapes are available from June to October and almonds from October to March. Wildlife Baltistan boasts of wildlife like Markhors, ibexes, snow leopards and birds, namely Chakors, partridges and ducks. Most of the animals and birds are protected but limited shooting is allowed. Hunting permits are issued by the local administration.

What To Buy?

Baltistan is known for its "Pattu" - hand woven woollen cloth for jackets, coats etc. You can also pick up colourful intricately embroidered "Chugas" (Baltistani gown) and wooden spoons at Skardu bazaar.

Where To Stay?

Besides other reasonably priced private hotels, PTDC Motels at Skardu, Sadpara Lake and Khaplu offer comfortable accommodation. There are government rest houses at Skardu, Sadpara, Shigar Valley, Khaplu and Kachura. Advance reservation is required.

How To Get There?

By Air: PIA operates a daily Boeing flight between Islamabad and Skardu (subject to good weather). The air journey is full of thrills and would itself be regarded as the highlight of the visit. Return airfare is equivalent to US $ 88/- for foreigners. For bookings, please contact PIA’s Northern Areas Booking Office at Rawalpindi (Tel: 051-9272200). By Road: Skardu is 793 km from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway and Skardu Road. The daily NATCO bus & coach service takes 24 hours for this wonderful and adventurous journey. An all-weather, 241 km long Skardu road, connects Skardu with Gilgit. The journey takes around six hours.

What To See?

Kharpocho Fort: Skardu has an ancient Fort known as Kharpocho Fort (King of Forts) situated on a hill overlooking the town. It was constructed by Ali Sher Khan Anchan, who ruled over Baltistan till the end of the 16th century. Buddha Rock Carvings: Dating back to 8th century AD, a huge Buddha figure surrounded by small Buddhisatvas is carved on a rock, three kilometres from Skardu across Sadpara Nullah on Skardu-Sadpara Road. Pre-historic men and animal figures are carved on rocks along Kachura Lake. Some rock carvings and diagram of a monastery near Perkuta (Mehdi Abad) Nalah are also found. Shigar Valley: The gateway to the great mountain peaks of the Karakorams, Gasherbrum & K-2, is only 23 km away from Skardu via jeep road. Shigar valley’s gentle, irrigated slopes are filled with terraces of wheat, maize and barley. Its orchards of apricots, mulberries, peaches, plums, pears, apples and nuts are unique to Baltistan. The wooden mosque in the middle of the town was built by Kashmiri carpenters several hundred years ago. There is the ex-Raja’s old Fort and Palace in the village. Khaplu Valley: This beautiful valley of the Shyok River is 103 km east of Skardu. Khaplu is the starting point for most trekking and climbing expeditions. Many famous mountains such as Masherbrum, Saltoro, Sia Kangri, K-6, K-7 are located here. Chaqchan Mosque is one of the earliest mosques in Baltistan (1504 AD), attributed to Syed Ali Hamdani. There is a Palace of Raja of Khaplu and remains of Thorsikhar Fort. Sadpara Lake About 8 km (5miles) north of Skardu and 20 minutes by jeep lays Sadpara Lake, surrounded by glacial mountains, which are mirrored in its crystal clear waters. The lake has a fairytale island in the middle, which can be reached by country boats that one can row. This lake also abounds in fish and is considered ideal for fishing. Kachura Lake About 32 km (20 miles) from Skardu and 2 hours by jeep lies the shimmering peaceful deep Kachura Lake, teeming with brown trout. During spring many exotic and colourful flowers adorn its banks, while peach, apricot and apple trees are laden with blossoms in April. Later in the summer one can taste the apples, which are a particularly delicious variety.