If you’ve already done the main Skardu circuit (or want to skip the crowds entirely), these four side valleys are worth knowing about.
Nagma Valley
A short drive from Skardu city — quiet terraced farmland, orchards and genuine village life, with almost no other tourists. Best for a relaxed half-day and a taste of rural Balti life.
Chunda Valley
Even closer — practically on Skardu city’s doorstep. An easy streamside walk through orchards, ideal as a quick add-on rather than a dedicated day trip.
Basho Valley
About an hour from Skardu — pine forest climbing into alpine meadows, with camping possible in summer. A greener, more enclosed alternative to Deosai’s vast open plateau.
Minimarg & Domail
A different category entirely — remote, near the Line of Control in Astore District, requiring CNIC/passport checks and 4×4-only travel via Burzil Pass. Home to Rainbow Lake and Crystal Lake. Only opened to civilian tourists in 2022, so it’s genuinely off almost everyone’s radar. Best for travelers specifically seeking remote, less-visited landscapes and willing to handle the extra permit logistics.
Which should you pick?
Short on time or want an easy add-on? Chunda. Want genuine rural village atmosphere? Nagma. Want greener alpine scenery without Deosai’s crowds? Basho. Want a genuinely remote, off-the-map experience and don’t mind extra logistics? Minimarg and Domail.