The Shangrila & Kachura Lakes Day Tour is a guided trip lasting 1 day in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 2,600 m. It is graded Easy — lakeside walks and short drives — lakeside walks. 4 fixed departures are open from $65 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
Shangrila & Kachura Lakes Day Tour — Skardu's Two Blue Lakes in a Day
Two lakes hide in the hills twenty minutes from Skardu at about 2,500 m. Lower Kachura is the famous one — the Shangrila resort's red roofs and gardens around a round green pool. Upper Kachura (Foroq Tso) is the better one: deep, blue-black, and quiet, with a footpath along the cliffs and a cold swim for the brave. We do both properly, add Satpara Lake at 2,600 m on the Deosai road, and have you back in Skardu for dinner. A local guide, a private car, and every entry ticket handled — local hands, fair price.
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Max altitude
- 2,600 m
- Grade
- Easy – Moderate
- Days on foot
- 0
- Best season
- All Year
- Group size
- Max 6
Shangrila & Kachura Day Tour Price
From $65 per person in a group of four to six — private car from your Skardu hotel, local guide, Shangrila entry and all tickets, and bottled water. Boating on Lower Kachura and lunch at the lakeside are at your own cost. Solo travellers and pairs welcome every day of the year.
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip.
| Departure | Dates | Price | Availability | Deposit | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily — Spring 2027 | 20 Mar – 31 May | $65/person | 6 of 6 places | $7 | Book now |
| Daily — Summer 2027 | 1 Jun – 31 Aug | $65/person | 6 of 6 places | $7 | Book now |
| Daily — Autumn 2027 | 1 Sep – 15 Nov | $65/person | 6 of 6 places | $7 | Book now |
| Daily — Winter 2027 | 16 Nov – 30 Dec | $65/person | 6 of 6 places | $7 | Book now |
Private & customised groups
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date.
| Group size | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 Person) | $140 | Private car and guide to yourself, your pace all day. |
| (2-3 Persons) | $90 | One car, shared — ideal for couples. |
| (4-6 Persons) | $65 | Best per-person rate. An easy family day — flat paths and picnic spots. |
Is this trip right for you?
Yes — this is one of the easiest trips to say yes to.
Graded Easy — lakeside walks and short drives.
Good to know
The highest point is 2,600 m, low enough that altitude is rarely an issue.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Plan
Itinerary — Shangrila & Kachura
One unhurried day: both Kachura lakes in the morning and early afternoon, then Satpara Lake on the Deosai road before returning to Skardu.
Day 1Shangrila, Both Kachura Lakes & Satpara
2,600 m
Morning at Shangrila's gardens on Lower Kachura, then the cliff path and boat point at Upper Kachura (Foroq Tso) — about 70 m deep and startlingly blue. After a lakeside lunch stop we drive the Deosai road to Satpara Lake at 2,600 m, the glacial reservoir below the plateau, and return to Skardu by early evening.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $65 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
- Private transport from Skardu return
- Driver and local English-speaking guide
- Shangrila resort entry and all tickets
- Bottled water
Not included
- Meals
- Boating fees
- Personal spending. Lunch at the Shangrila lakeside restaurant or a local Balti kitchen is easy to arrange on the day
Resources
Free guides from our local team, so you arrive ready.
- Trekking gear list what to pack
- Trekking medicine & altitude staying well up high
- Maps, books, visa & permits planning your trip
Why Karakoram Venture
Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them holds a guide licence from DTS Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federal DTS, renewed each year, and worked at least five years in the region before applying for it. Most also hold Wilderness First Aid.
Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.
Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $65 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.
How to book this trip
More About the Shangrila & Kachura Day Tour
Booking & Payment
A deposit of 10% of the trip price confirms your date. Balance is payable on the day in Skardu.
Book through our website or directly on WhatsApp — we confirm within the hour in season.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel 3+ days before the tour: full refund of the deposit. Within 3 days: the deposit is forfeit. Weather cancellations on our side are refunded in full.
Transportation Details
Private car from your Skardu hotel with driver and local guide. All roads on this route are paved.
Timings & Meeting Point
Pickup from any Skardu hotel around 9:00 am; back by about 5:00 pm. Early starts for photographers are free — just ask.
Important Notes
Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.
Special Information
Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.
Transportation Details
Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.
Arrival & Departure Guidelines
Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the Kachura Lakes from Skardu?
About 20u201330 minutes by road. Both lakes sit at roughly 2,500 m in side valleys above the Indus, and Satpara Lake is a further 20 minutes up the Deosai road at 2,600 m.
What is the difference between Shangrila and Upper Kachura?
Shangrila is the resort built around Lower Kachura Lake u2014 gardens, the famous aircraft-fuselage restaurant, and easy paths. Upper Kachura (Foroq Tso) is the natural lake: around 70 m deep, strikingly blue, with a cliff-side walking trail and far fewer people.
Is boating available?
Yes, on Lower Kachura in season, paid directly at the lake. On Upper Kachura local boatmen run short trips when the water allows. Boating is at your own cost and your own choice u2014 life jackets are provided by the operators.
Will I feel the altitude?
No. At about 2,500 m this is one of the gentlest days you can have in Baltistan u2014 fine for families, children and anyone just off the flight from Islamabad.
When is the best time to visit?
The lakes are beautiful all year: blossom in April, deep green summers, golden poplars in late October, and a frozen stillness in winter. Summer weekends are busiest at Shangrila; we start early to beat the crowds.
