An Honest, Personal Guide That Goes Beyond Just “What to Do” & Things to do in Skardu
Suppose you’re thinking about heading to Skardu; first of all, that’s a good choice. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure junkie, or just someone trying to escape the chaos of city life, Skardu is where your soul goes to stretch out and breathe again.
And the best part? You don’t need deep pockets to experience its magic.
I’m writing this not as a travel agent or brochure copywriter, but as someone who’s been there, wandered, chatted with locals, and found gold (sometimes literally, in the sunlight hitting those peaks) in the simplest, free moments.
Here’s my honest guide to the best free things to see and do in Skardu, peppered with real memories, tips, and moments that stayed with me long after I returned home.
🌅 1. Upper Kachura Lake at Sunrise Skardu’s Peaceful Soul
We arrived at Upper Kachura Lake before sunrise, that dreamy time of day when everything feels still and sacred. Even the birds hadn’t started their morning chatter yet. The air was crisp, the water was perfectly still, and the mountains stood quietly like they were holding their breath.
Then it happened sunlight. It crept in slowly, gently lighting up the snow-capped peaks and turning the lake into liquid gold. For a few long minutes, none of us said a word. It was one of those rare, weightless moments where time pauses and you feel completely present.
No entry fee. No lines. No noise. Just the raw beauty of nature doing its thing.
Pro Tip: Pack a small thermos of chai, wrap your hands around it, and sit by the edge of the water. Don’t rush. Just sip, breathe, and let Skardu sink into your soul.
2. Wander the Winding Lanes of Khaplu Where Time Slows Down
Khaplu wasn’t originally on our must-see list, it just kind of happened. About 2.5 hours from Skardu, this quiet village turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly beautiful parts of our journey.
We had no plan, no Google Maps route. We just started walking aimlessly, curiously and it felt like stepping into a living painting. Narrow cobbled lanes twisted past centuries-old wooden homes, little gardens blooming with flowers, and kids playing cricket using flat stones and broken bats as wickets.
And then we saw it Chaqchan Mosque. It stopped us in our tracks.
Built in the 1300s, this mosque is a graceful mix of Tibetan, Persian, and Kashmiri architecture, with carved wooden details that make you pause and look twice. There were no tickets, no barriers, just a deep, calming silence like the place was built to slow you down.
Best moment? An older man, sitting by his doorstep, handed us a small handful of dried mulberries with a warm smile.
He said, “Yahan mehmaan khuda hota hai.”
(“Guests are from God.”)
That one line, it stayed with me.
Pro Tip: Go without a plan. Stroll. Say hello and carry an empty pocket, you might just come back with mulberries and memories.
3. Cold Desert of Skardu – Run Like Nobody’s Watching
When someone first mentioned a “cold desert” in Skardu, we genuinely thought they meant it wrong. Deserts are supposed to be hot, right?
Well Skardu likes to flip the script.
We arrived at the Sarfaranga Cold Desert late in the afternoon, just as the sun began to dip into golden hour. The dunes stretched out endlessly, cool beneath our feet, with the wind swirling around as if it had a personality of its own. It wasn’t silent the desert sang and it invited us in.
Without thinking twice, we kicked off our shoes and ran barefoot across the sand, like actual kids. I tripped over a slope and fell face-first. The others? They were too busy laughing to lend a hand. And honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
That moment, full of sand, wind, and pure laughter felt like freedom bottled up in one goofy sprint.
Pro Tip: Bring sunglasses. Trust me, the sunlight here is something special. Not in a bad way just in a “whoa-I-need-shade” kind of way.
Hike Random Trails the Views Are the Reward
One lazy afternoon, with no plans and no pressure, we spotted a dirt trail winding up behind our guesthouse. It wasn’t on Google Maps, no signs, no hype — just a path disappearing into the hills.
So we followed it.
We didn’t know where it led, and honestly, that was the best part. After about an hour of slow, breathy climbing (and some questionable shortcuts), we found ourselves standing on a quiet ridge. Below us? The whole Skardu valley spread out like a painting.
We just sat there, legs dangling off a rock, sharing a bag of slightly stale peanuts, watching eagles glide across the sky. The clouds drifted lazily, casting soft shadows over the mountains. Time moved differently up there.
Then, out of nowhere, a solo traveler appeared Jonas, from Germany. I have been backpacking through Gilgit-Baltistan for the past two months. We swapped stories, snacks, and Instagram handles like old friends. Total strangers, total connection. That’s the magic of the mountains.
Pro Tip: Don’t overplan. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when you’re not looking for them. Just lace up your shoes, stay safe, and follow the trail wherever it goes.
5. Just Sit at Satpara Lake – Let the Silence Talk
Let the Silence Embrace You at Satpara Lake
Tucked away in the serene heart of Skardu, Satpara Lake isn’t loud about its beauty, and maybe that’s why it leaves such a deep mark on your soul.
We went there with no big expectations. It was supposed to be a quick stop. But as we reached the water’s edge, something shifted. The lake stretched out, calm and endless, cradled by rugged mountains, whispering a kind of peace I hadn’t felt in years.
No buzzing notifications. No music. Just the gentle sound of ripples brushing against the rocks and the occasional breeze rustling through the stillness.
I found myself sitting there for what felt like moments but turned into hours lost in thought, tossing stones into the water, watching them skip and sink, letting the silence speak louder than any playlist ever could.
Satpara doesn’t entertain you it heals you.
Travel Tip: Skip the rush. Bring a warm cup of chai, leave the phone in your bag, and just be present. Sometimes, the most unforgettable part of your journey is the one that asks for nothing in return just your stillness.
6. Chat With Locals Your Best Tour Guides Are Free
From the shopkeeper who told us ghost stories about Deosai to the little kid who showed us a shortcut to our guesthouse, the people of Skardu were the real highlight.
They don’t just welcome you, they adopt you.
One evening, we sat with a local guide named Nasir around a small fire. He shared his salted tea (an acquired taste!) and talked about how winters last months and yet they never feel lonely. That moment was warmer than the fire.
Tip: Don’t rush. Don’t just see Skardu. Feel it through its people and explore free things to do in Skardu.
Bonus Tip: Capture Moments, Not Just Photos
Look, we all want the perfect Instagram shot. But I urge you don’t get lost behind the lens. Some of my favorite memories from Skardu have no photos just strong feelings and inside jokes we still laugh about.
Like when my friend almost fell into a freezing river while trying to pose like a mountain yogi (He’s fine, but we’ll never let him forget it.)
Final Thoughts You Don’t Have to Spend Big to Feel Big
Skardu reminded me that you don’t need fancy hotels or packaged tours to experience something truly magical. Sometimes, a free sunrise, a conversation, or a barefoot run through a cold desert can teach you more about life than any guidebook ever could.
So if you’re heading there, keep your plans loose, your heart open, and your wallet well, it won’t need to work very hard.
If this helped you, or if you have your own favorite free Skardu moments, please share them in the comments. Let’s build a community of mindful, purpose-led travelers.
Happy exploring,
From someone who went looking for mountains and found meaning and Free Things to Do in Skardu.