Gilgit Baltistan region

Gil git Baltistan region has a total area of 72,496 sq km with around 2 million population and lies at extreme north of Pakistan. It is bordered by China Republic on the north, India on the east, and Afghanistan and Central Asian states on the west. Gil git Baltistan is considered to be the most spectacular region due to it’s diverse natural beauty. Unique landscapes, evergreen forests, cold deserts, snow capped mountains and great cultural heritage are the attractions. It is a famous tourist place and has always been a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and landscape loving people. You can experience a cool weather over there throughout the year. It is surrounded by highest peak of the world and is famous for trekking, climbing, rafting, camping and paragliding.

Skardo is a city in Gil-git-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and serves as the capital of Skardo District. Skardo is located in the 10 kilometers wide by 40 kilometers  long Skardo Valley, at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers at an elevation of nearly 2,500 meters . The city is an important gateway to the eight-thou-sanders of the nearby Karakorum Mountain range. The town is located on the Indus river, which separates the Karakorum Range from the Himalayas.

Skardo, along with Gil-git, is a major tourism, trekking and expedition hub in Gil-git–Baltistan. The mountainous terrain of the region, which includes four of the world's 14 Eight-thou-sander peaks, attracts tourists, trekkers and mountaineers from around the world. The main tourist season is from April to October; except at this time, the area can be cut off for extended periods by the snowy, freezing winter weather.

Accessible from Skardo by road, the nearby Ask ole and Hus he are the main gateways to the snow-covered 8,000-meter peaks including K2, the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak, and the Trango Towers, and to the huge glaciers of Baltoro, Biafo and Trango. This makes Skardo the main tourist and mountaineering base in the area, which has led to the development of a reasonably extensive tourist infrastructure including shops and hotels. The popularity of the region results in high prices, especially during the main trekking season.

Skardo Fort or Kharphocho Fort lies on the eastern face of the Khardrong or Mindoq-Khar  hill 15 meters  above Skardo town. The fort dates from the 8th century CE and contains an old mosque probably dating back to the arrival of Islam in the 16th century CE. The fort provides a panoramic view of Skardo town, the Skardo valley and the Indus River. It was built by Maqpon dynasty rulers of Baltistan. It was a seven-story building. Mostly local people say that Kharpoocho is made by a ghost as they were servants of the ruler of that time

Kharphocho (Skardo) fort was built on a design similar to that of Leah Palace and the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The name Kharpochhe means the great fort — Khar in Tibetan means castle or fort and Chhe means great.

Located on the route to the world's second highest mountain, K-2 is Shigar Fort. It is also known as Fong-Khar, which in the local language means the "Palace on the Rock". The complex at Shigar comprises the 400-year-old fort/palace and two more recent buildings: the "Old House" and the "Garden House". The former palace of the Raja of Shigar has been transformed into a 20-room heritage guesthouse, with the grand audience hall serving as a museum of Balti culture and featuring select examples of fine wood-carvings, as well as other heritage objects.

Skardo features a cold semi-arid climate. The climate of Skardo during the summer is moderated by its mountain setting; the intense heat of lowland Pakistan does not reach it. The mountains block out the summer monsoon, and summer rainfall is thus quite low. However, these mountains result in very severe winter weather. During the April-to-October tourist season, temperatures vary between a maximum of 27 °C (81 °F) and a minimum (in October) 8 °C (46 °F).

Road

The normal road route into Skardo is via the Karakorum Highway and a Skardo Road (S1) into the Skardo Valley from it. Roads once linked Skardo to Srinagar and Leah, though none are open for cross-LoC travel.

Skardo's weather can have adverse effects on transport in and out of the region, as Skardo is often snowbound during the winter months. Roads in and out of Skardo can be blocked for extended periods of time, sometimes leaving air travel as the only feasible alternative.

Skardo Airport is served by a daily direct flight from Islamabad. Air travel in winter is subject to disruption due to the unpredictable winter weather.