Self-driving in Skardu is possible, but it’s worth going in with realistic expectations about what it actually involves versus hiring a local driver.
Road conditions
Main routes (the KKH, the road into Skardu city, Shigar Valley) are reasonably maintained. Routes to Deosai, Khaplu’s smaller side roads, and most side valleys are unpaved, require genuine 4×4 capability, and can be genuinely challenging without local knowledge of seasonal conditions.
What renting actually involves
4×4 rental in Skardu is available, generally with the option of self-drive or with a driver included. Given the terrain and the value of local knowledge (which sections wash out after rain, where fuel stops actually are, seasonal checkpoint requirements), most visitors — including experienced drivers — opt for a driver rather than pure self-drive.
Fuel and logistics
Fuel stations thin out significantly once you’re off the main Skardu-city roads; Deosai and the more remote valleys have no fuel access at all, so plan your tank capacity accordingly.
Our honest take
If you specifically want the self-drive experience for its own sake, it’s achievable on the main roads with proper preparation. For Deosai, Khaplu’s back roads, or anywhere genuinely remote, we’d recommend a local driver — it’s not about ability, it’s about local knowledge of a landscape that changes with every season.