Shigar Fort — now run as a heritage hotel by Serena — is a genuinely rare thing: a 17th-century royal residence you can actually spend the night inside, not just tour through. Here’s what that experience is really like.
The setting
The fort sits in Shigar Valley, about 32km from Skardu, surrounded by orchards and framed by the Karakoram peaks. Restoration work (led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture) has preserved the original carved wooden balconies, stone walls and traditional Balti architecture, while quietly adding modern plumbing and comfortable beds.
What the rooms are like
Rooms are individually designed, most named after former residents or rooms of the original palace, with low wooden ceilings, traditional textiles and small windows that keep things cool. It’s atmospheric rather than five-star-modern — you’re paying for the history and setting, not a generic luxury-hotel experience.
Is it worth it?
Yes, for one night. It’s genuinely special to sleep inside a building this old and well-preserved, and the on-site restaurant serves good local and continental food in a courtyard setting. We wouldn’t recommend more than one or two nights here as your only base though — Shigar town itself is quiet, so it works best as a stop within a wider Skardu itinerary rather than your only accommodation.
Several of our packages — including the Skardu Grand Tour and our international special tours — include a night at Shigar Fort Residence as a highlight stop.