Visiting Skardu Pakistan for the first time, advise needed

[Xavierl]

Salam Wa alaikum

After getting constantly pestered by my mother, I've been coerced into taking my family to the Skardu/Gilgit region. Now there are a lot of tour packages here and there, but I know that most of them charge up to a 40% markup. Therefore, I am taking the bold step of planning my own trip which will allow me flexibility and lower costs. Here lies the problem; I have never been to that area before so I have no idea where to begin.

We are a family of three, me my mother and my sister. Now we would like to stay in a cozy and comfortable hotel that is good value for money and offers scenic views. Good food would also be a great plus. My initial plan was to stay at Shangri la resort due to the scenic views but the reviews are not to great. However, I do realize that most of them were posted by foreigners who are accustomed to better standards of living. My next option is Hotel Mashabrum, which seems to be nice and better value for money than Shangrila. People who have stayed in either of the hotels or any other good hotel, please give me advise on this.

I would also like to know whether land travel can be arranged from there only so that I don't have to do it beforehand. Also, what places should I be looking to visit? I know of a few places such as the Deosai National Park and fairy meadows, but what else is there? Also, are these places safe to visit for families?

Lastly, can anyone tell me how much I can expect to spend in the entire trip, excluding the flight?

Thank you

[gameofthrones]

Salam Wa alaikum

After getting constantly pestered by my mother, I've been coerced into taking my family to the Skardu/Gilgit region. Now there are a lot of tour packages here and there, but I know that most of them charge up to a 40% markup. Therefore, I am taking the bold step of planning my own trip which will allow me flexibility and lower costs. Here lies the problem; I have never been to that area before so I have no idea where to begin.

We are a family of three, me my mother and my sister. Now we would like to stay in a cozy and comfortable hotel that is good value for money and offers scenic views. Good food would also be a great plus. My initial plan was to stay at Shangri la resort due to the scenic views but the reviews are not to great. However, I do realize that most of them were posted by foreigners who are accustomed to better standards of living. My next option is Hotel Mashabrum, which seems to be nice and better value for money than Shangrila. People who have stayed in either of the hotels or any other good hotel, please give me advise on this.

I would also like to know whether land travel can be arranged from there only so that I don't have to do it beforehand. Also, what places should I be looking to visit? I know of a few places such as the Deosai National Park and fairy meadows, but what else is there? Also, are these places safe to visit for families?

Lastly, can anyone tell me how much I can expect to spend in the entire trip, excluding the flight?

Thank you

Mashabrum sounds like a good choice.. there is deewan e khaas as well which i have heard is good too
You can hire jeeps or car .. hotel management have contacts with jeep drivers! it would probably cost you between 3000 to 6000 per day.. hopefully they can give you in minimum amount!
You can even ask them to pick you from airport when you make reservations with them

It all depends on how much budget you have got and the season you go in!
if you put an avg of 5000 per day for jeep and 5000 for a room ... then its minimum 50000 for 5 days!
A PIA ticket from ISL to Skardu (with return )will cost you between 15000 to 18000/- .. check piac.com.pk to see according to desired dates of travel

Theres plenty of places to visit some of them i know are Deosai, Satpara lake, kachura lake, Khaplu, Shigar. check some more here too http://visitorsheaven.com/Skardu.php & search this forum to have real insight of visitors
There are serena hotels in khaplu and shigar if have a good budget

and fairy meadows Skardu se kaafi durr hai... wo ap rehne dein! that has to be planned in a separate time.. and besides mostly hiking hai fairy meadows pohanchnay ke liye

[imranhameed1]

Kindly give some idea of Budget - no of days - travel mode By air - By road - by own car etc

[Xavierl]

Budget- under 2 lac

No of days- 10 or 12

By air

[tarqureshi]

Better you come in your own car from Karachi, would save you a lot and will give you immense touring experiment.

Travel upto Gilgit via Babusar Top, travelling through Naran. Have stop over at Naran.

I would recommend go to Astore, to visit Skardu, while travelling in your own car. Stay at PTDC at Rama, enjoy Rama Meadows, and Rama Lake. While moving up to Rama, hire Jeep from Kamran Hotel, Astore, who shall pick you for crossing Deosai uptill Skardu. You will enjoy Chilam Chowki, Sheosar Lake, Bara Pani, Deosai meadows on the way. After reaching Skardue, visit Skardue tourist places in the same jeep and travel back via Deosai in the same jeep to Astore. You jeep will cost you 20 K for round trip plus charge for local visit at skardu.

If you want to continue, there are quite few more places in Astore like Ardang Nala, Rupal Valley. Each visit would cost you 5 to 6 K. If you have two more days on your disposal, and can take Army Permission, you can visit Minimarg and Domail with a night stay at Army Mess at Domail, a place which is way beyond beautuful than anyone's imagination. This Minimarg shall cost you 10 for Jeep plus 2 K for stay. On your return from Astore, you can opt for Fairy Meadows. Drop you car at at Raikot Bridge. Jeep would cost you 6.5 K for FM. Pony would cost you around 2.5 K till FM. Per night stay would be 4 K for entire family room. FM trip is a day affair. On exit, take your car and travel back via Naran.

Astore has much more to offer than Skardu and Hunza. Gilgit is highly not recommended being a hot place for stopover, plus it has no day trip in its surrounding to offer except Nalter. If at all you have to travel towards Gilgit, go directly to Hunza, for local sightseeing, and for travel uptill Khunjrab.

Don't rely hotels with big names, like PTDC except Rama. See the quality and negotiate the price.

Above plan would cost you 120-150 K for 10 days plan, excluding travel cost from and back to Karachi.

Salam Wa alaikum

After getting constantly pestered by my mother, I've been coerced into taking my family to the Skardu/Gilgit region. Now there are a lot of tour packages here and there, but I know that most of them charge up to a 40% markup. Therefore, I am taking the bold step of planning my own trip which will allow me flexibility and lower costs. Here lies the problem; I have never been to that area before so I have no idea where to begin.

We are a family of three, me my mother and my sister. Now we would like to stay in a cozy and comfortable hotel that is good value for money and offers scenic views. Good food would also be a great plus. My initial plan was to stay at Shangri la resort due to the scenic views but the reviews are not to great. However, I do realize that most of them were posted by foreigners who are accustomed to better standards of living. My next option is Hotel Mashabrum, which seems to be nice and better value for money than Shangrila. People who have stayed in either of the hotels or any other good hotel, please give me advise on this.

I would also like to know whether land travel can be arranged from there only so that I don't have to do it beforehand. Also, what places should I be looking to visit? I know of a few places such as the Deosai National Park and fairy meadows, but what else is there? Also, are these places safe to visit for families?

Lastly, can anyone tell me how much I can expect to spend in the entire trip, excluding the flight?

Thank you