Complete Skardu Road Trip Itinerary: Route Guide, Attractions & Travel Tips

Driving to Skardu, the heart of Baltistan, is widely regarded as one of the ultimate overland road adventures in the world. Carving through colossal river gorges where the three greatest mountain ranges on Earth — the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush — converge, this journey rewards intrepid travelers with awe-inspiring panoramas of high-altitude deserts, cobalt glacial lakes, and legendary 8,000-meter peaks.

While daily commercial flights connect Islamabad to Skardu International Airport, mountain flights remain highly weather-dependent. A properly planned road trip guarantees unmatched freedom, gradual altitude acclimatization, and intimate contact with the changing cultures and topographies of Northern Pakistan. In this comprehensive expedition guide, FT Travel & Tours provides the definitive day-by-day itinerary, route options, vehicle recommendations, and safety tips.

1. Choosing Your Route: Babusar Pass vs. Karakoram Highway (KKH)

Depending on the time of year you travel, there are two primary overland routes connecting Islamabad with Skardu:

Route A: Via Naran & Babusar Pass (Open June to Late October)

This is the most popular, picturesque, and expedited summer route (approximately 640 km / 14–16 hours driving time without extended stops). Travelers proceed on the Hazara Motorway (M-15) through Abbottabad and Mansehra, navigate through the lush Kaghan Valley and Naran, ascend to the breathtaking Babusar Top (4,173 meters), and descend into Chilas to link with the Karakoram Highway toward Jaglot and Skardu.

Route B: Via the Karakoram Highway & Besham (Year-Round Route)

When Babusar Pass is closed by winter snowfall between November and late May, all overland travel routes follow the historic Karakoram Highway along the Indus River via Besham, Dasu, and Kohistan. While slightly longer (approximately 750 km / 18–20 hours driving time), it remains open year-round and offers rugged canyon landscapes.

2. The Strategic Jaglot-Skardu Highway (S-1): A Modern Engineering Marvel

Regardless of which route you take to reach Jaglot, the final leg to Skardu follows the newly upgraded Jaglot-Skardu Strategic Highway (S-1). Once a hazardous narrow jeep track, this wide, fully carpeted two-lane highway winds along the churning Indus River gorge. The drive from Jaglot to Skardu now takes just 3.5 to 4.5 hours, treating passengers to breathtaking views of vertical granite canyon walls and hanging suspension bridges.

3. Recommended 7-Day Skardu Road Trip Itinerary

4. Vehicle Selection: Sedans vs. 4x4 Prado & SUVs

While the main highway from Islamabad to Skardu via Babusar Pass is fully paved and accessible for standard sedans (Toyota Corolla/Civic), high-clearance 4x4 vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, or Revo) are strictly required for excursions to Deosai National Park, Upper Kachura unpaved stretches, and remote valleys like Basho or Hushe.

At FT Travel & Tours, all our private Skardu expeditions utilize well-maintained 4x4 SUVs piloted by certified mountain drivers who possess deep experience navigating high-altitude passes and variable weather conditions.

5. Essential Travel Tips for Baltistan Travelers

• Connectivity: Standard cellular networks like Jazz, Zong, and Telenor have limited signals outside Skardu city. Procure an SCOM (Special Communications Organization) SIM card upon arrival for reliable 4G data coverage throughout Baltistan.
• Cash & Banking: Skardu town has functional 1-Link ATMs (HBL, Bank of Punjab, Askari Bank). However, remote valleys like Khaplu, Shigar, and Deosai operate exclusively on cash. Carry adequate Pakistani Rupee (PKR) notes.
• Altitude Acclimatization: Skardu town sits at 2,228m, which causes minimal discomfort. However, ascending to Deosai Plains (4,114m) can trigger mild altitude sickness. Stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals before ascending, and pace your walks.