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Accessing Shigar Valley from Skardu takes approximately 35 minutes. One of the key attractions in the valley is the Shigar Fort. The fort is a restored 17th century Palace and is now a heritage hotel. Most visitors to the valley spend very little time at the fort. If time permits it is worth spending a night at the fort as the experience is quite different from just making a short visit. The drive from Skardu to Shigar Valley gives the impression of a barren land and takes a lot of green scenery to surprise the visitors.
Shigar Valley tour packages from HospitalityTours.com.pk include return transport to Islamabad/Skardu, a tour guide, accommodation in Skardu or Shigar, and all meals. Most of the packages include Shigar Fort, Skardu Old town and a lower valley tour. Other attractions further up the valley including Basha valley and the K2 base camp trailhead are included in other, longer tours.
Full inbound travel arrangement from Islamabad is handled by the tour company for foreign clients and corporate clients. This includes a stay at the Shigar Fort Heritage residence.
According to local sources, the Karakoram Highway did not exist prior to the 1970s and Skardu could only be accessed by air or by arduous land routes. Since then, improved roads have made Skardu more accessible and the journey from Islamabad to Skardu takes about 2 days by road. A more direct route, via the Skardu Airport, has recently been opened and flights are operated during good weather conditions. The air route is faster and more reliable, but passengers should be prepared to take the road route as a back up.
Travelers can access Shigar from Gilgit via Skardu. A combined stay in Gilgit and Skardu (including Shigar) typically has travelers spending 2-3 days in the Skardu district.
Referred to as the Garden of Skardu, Shigar is one of the few large valleys that still has permanent settlement. Its location at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers means that the region enjoys a moderate climate. Agricultural land in the valley is largely irrigated.
The Indus and Shigar rivers, originating from the Deosai Plateau, join at the confluence. The confluence divides Shigar into Upper and Lower Shigar. The waters of the Deosai Plateau, located at an altitude of 4,300 meters, drain through the confluence. Distance to water plays a key role in defining the climate of Shigar.
In Shigar, residents typically practice agriculture for 4-5 months in a year. During the rest of the year, the focus shifts to livestock and other winter activities.
The fort contains a comparatively small number of rooms in the main building and guesthouse. Rooms in the main building have large stone walls and floor to ceiling wooden beams, giving them an unusual and distinctive appearance. Rooms in the guesthouse do not have such fine details.
The owner of the fort grants paid admission to visitors to view the structure between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. Visitors are free to wander the main gardens, courtyards and other public areas. During the peak travel months, visitors to the gardens and other public areas becomes a nuisance for hotel guests.
Because day visitors give the fort a hurried and unrefined feel, staying there overnight, if schedule permits, is a better way to experience it. The main buildings, particularly the observation towers, are best experienced at sunrise and sunset.
Many fruit trees like mulberries and apricots are found on the terraced fields along the lower slopes of the valley. Apricots are ready in June and July, and during this time many travel to the Shigar valley to see the orchards. Dried apricots from the region are very popular and are sold across the northern territories of Pakistan. Compared to the upper part of the valley, the floor has a more humid and fertile atmosphere.
The lower part of the Shigar valley is also home to the Shigar river, and the upper part of the river is quite picturesque and has a long gorge. During the summer many tourists come to the area to go river gorge walking.
There are many rock carvings and petroglyphs throughout the Skardu area that include Buddhist symbols and ibex. Many of the carvings also include old inscriptions. A local guide is very helpful and knowledgeable in locating the petroglyphs and rock carvings.
Beyond Shigar, the valley road goes through Basha Valley to Askole. K2 base camp and other approaches to the Baltoro Glacier go through Askole. It takes a long and bumpy high clearance 4x4 drive to reach Askole from Shigar.
While en route to K2 base camp or Concordia from Askole, one can also enjoy the picturesque road to Basha Valley and the changing landscape. The remote and high altitude settlements offer a glimpse of the towering peaks of the Karakoram.
Trekking to K2 base camp requires weeks of preparation and time, and it's best to go with a well-established and authorized tour operator. Askole is the trail head for the Baltoro Glacier. It's not possible to make a day trip from Shigar to K2 base camp. For travelers interested in the K2 base camp experience, it's best to contact the tour operator well in advance to understand what to expect.
If time is a constraint and you want to take a glimpse of the higher regions of Karakoram, you can take a long 12 hour round trip drive from Shigar to Basha Valley and back.
The Shigar valley is open to travelers all year long, but the road to Askole can be blocked in summer due to floods and landslides, and in winter due to heavy snowfall.
The floor of the valley becomes greener in April and May. Apricot trees in the areas around Shigar blossom during this time. The fruit takes longer to develop and is still growing in June.
June and July are the months when the fruit develops and the fort experiences its biggest customer volume. Customers stay at the fort residence during this time and the common areas become popular viewing areas for day guests. Plan your stay during this time if you want to visit the Fort.
The Shigar Valley becomes very active in August and September as visitors begin their treks to Askole and beyond. Jeeps carrying supplies for the treks become common along the upper valley road.
Tourism in the valley dies down in October, but the valley becomes pleasant to visit and the light makes the scenery beautiful to capture.
The Shigar Fort Residence is always busy in June. Book a stay in advance through a tour operator that has a relationship with the residence to secure a room for you.
Ask to see the GB Tourism Department license of the guide that is offering the old town and fort tour. The petroglyph sites and rest of the old fort are licensed guide territory. A licensed guide will also be able to give insight on fort restoration and other historical buildings.
Regarding the road leading to Askole and upper Basha Valleys, what type of vehicle do you suggest for that road section? A regular vehicle will not work on that section leading to Askole. Please confirm the type of vehicle you have for that section.
Regarding meal arrangement for upper Basha Valley, what are the options? There are no hotels/restaurants above Shigar town. Food has to be carried from Shigar or Skardu.
Regarding your stay at Shigar Fort, what is the visiting arrangement? Shigar Fort is open for walk in visitors during the day. However, they may close the fort to visitors if they expect a stay guest in the near future.
What is the condition of upper Basha Valley roads? With the recent monsoon, the dirt roads may become slippery. Ask your operator for updated information.
With regards your planned visit to Askole, are you aware that Askole is a long day trip from Skardu or Shigar? Driving that far each way will not give you adequate time at Askole.
There is no confirmed availability for the Shigar Fort Residence for July and August. We understand that showing up without a reservation and assuming that there will be availability during peak season is a gamble that usually does not pay off.
A) How far is Shigar Valley from Skardu?
The road distance between Skardu City and Shigar Town is around 35 miles and takes between 45 minutes and an hour to cover due to poor conditions of the road. The road has been recently improved and is now paved.
B) What is the Shigar Fort?
The Shigar Fort, known as Fong Khar, is a palace from the 17th century, the home of the Raja of Shigar. It has been restored and is now a part of the Serena Hotels chain. It is open to the public for tours.
C) Is Shigar Valley a good side trip from Skardu?
For travelers that spend more than 3 days in Skardu, Shigar Valley is a good side trip. The valley is beautiful and has a lot of things to do that are different from other places in Skardu. Staying at the Shigar Fort is a good way to spend the night and gives travelers a unique experience.
D) Is it possible to go to K2 base camp from Shigar?
Shigar's upper Basha Valley road connects to Askole, which is the starting point for treks to K2 base camp. A long and difficult trek, requiring weeks and specialized permits and support, connects Askole to K2 base camp. Potential visitors to K2 base camp should contact their tour operator to learn more about the trek, the permits, and the supporting services.
E) What is the timing of the apricot harvest in Shigar?
Apricot trees blossom in the early spring (April) and the fruit ripens in late June and July. Dried apricots from the valley are available through the harvest and are sold in Skardu and elsewhere.
F) Are there restrictions on the movement of foreign visitors to Shigar Valley?
Shigar Valley is open to all foreign visitors with a standard tourist visa to Pakistan. Full service tour packages (including transports, lodging, and English speaking guides) are available through HospitalityTours.com.pk. Packages can be arranged from Islamabad to Shigar, including stops in Skardu.
G) Is Shigar Valley family-friendly?
There are a good deal of families from Pakistan visiting the valley. The lower part of the valley is completely flat and the old town and the fort are a short drive from there. The upper Basha Valley has an unpaved, and often impassable, road. Families with elderly people should check with their operator to see if the planned activities are appropriate.
HospitalityTours.com.pk is your best source for arranging a tour of Shigar Valley. Just tell them the dates you'll be in the area, the number of people in your party, and if you want to do the tour from Gilgit or stay overnight in the fort. They don't charge a thing until you agree to the plan.
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