Understanding Skardu’s basic geography makes trip planning much easier — most confusion comes from not realizing how the region’s valleys radiate outward from Skardu city as a central hub.
Skardu city — the hub
Sitting at around 2,228m along the Indus River, Skardu city is where you’ll almost certainly base yourself, with day trips and multi-day excursions branching out in several directions from here.
Northwest: Shigar Valley
About 32km away — Shigar Fort, Katpana Cold Desert, Amburiq Mosque, and cherry blossom orchards.
East: Khaplu Valley
Roughly 103km via the Shyok River — Khaplu Palace, Chaqchan Mosque, Manthoka Waterfall.
South: Satpara Lake & Deosai
Satpara Lake sits just 8km out, and serves as the gateway route continuing on to the Deosai plateau, roughly 2 hours further by 4×4.
West: Toward Astore, Minimarg & Domail
The road toward Astore District leads eventually to the remote, permit-required Minimarg and Domail valleys near the Line of Control.
North: Toward Gilgit & Hunza
The Karakoram Highway connects Skardu back toward Gilgit city (the gateway to Hunza) and onward to Islamabad.
Practical takeaway
Because these valleys spread in different directions from a single hub, most multi-day itineraries are structured as a series of out-and-back day trips from Skardu city, rather than a continuous one-way route — worth knowing when you’re picturing how your days will actually flow.