Skardu’s popularity has grown enormously in a short time, and that growth comes with real responsibility for visitors as much as operators.
Environmental basics
- Carry out any waste you bring in, especially on Deosai and trekking routes where there’s no collection infrastructure
- Avoid single-use plastic where possible — bring a refillable water bottle
- Stick to established tracks in Deosai National Park rather than driving off-route across fragile plateau vegetation
Respecting local communities
- Ask before photographing local people, especially in villages away from the main tourist circuit
- Dress modestly, particularly outside hotels and major tourist sites
- Support locally-owned guesthouses, restaurants and guides where possible — tourism revenue staying local is what sustains the region’s hospitality
Wildlife
If you’re fortunate enough to spot a Himalayan brown bear in Deosai, keep a respectful distance and never attempt to approach or feed wildlife — both for your safety and theirs.
We work exclusively with local guides, drivers and hotel partners, and we build Leave No Trace principles into how we brief every group before a Deosai or trekking day.