Shangrila | Skardu & Sadpara Lake | Travel Pakistan

• Shangrila |  Skardu & Sadpara Lake  | Travel Pakistan

Shangrila |  Skardu & Sadpara Lake 

 In this new episode of Grip on Trip's 'Dreamland Skardu' series, I'll take you to Skardu City, Budha Rock, Sadpara lake and heart of Skardu, Shangrila. We are not going far today, we'll explore Skardu city. We'll do some shopping and search traditional foods. Besides, we'll visit Sadpara lake in its surroundings. We may plan to see Budha Rock, city and markets...


 Before I kick start my journey, let me explain how you can reach Skardu from Islamabad. If you're not on your own vehicle, car from Pir Wdhai bus stand Rawalpindi charges PKR5000 to PKR6000. PKR5000 for back seat PKR6000 for front seat are charged. It will take you to Skardu in about 20 hours. Different companies ply buses from Pir Wdhai to Skardu which include K2 Travels, Kohistan, Mashabrum, etc. Air conditioned bus charges PKR3000 to PKR 3500 and non-air conditioned bus charges PKR2000 to PKR2500. It covers the distance in 25 to 30 hours. In the event of land sliding, this duration may increase. The third method is to reach Skradu by air. One flight of PIA departs and arrives at Benazir International airport Islamabad from Skardu. Not only Pakistanis but Pakistanis and foreigners complain about the high price of the air ticket.

Shangrila |  Skardu & Sadpara Lake 

 This roundabout was known as 'Preshan Chowk' but now it has been named after the greatest mountaineer of Pakistan, Hassan Sadpara. Hassan Sadpara climbed dangerous and high peaks like Mount Everest, K-2, Nanga Parbat, Gasharbrum-I, II and Broad Peak. His statue has been erected here. Sadpara lake is a dam at the beginning. There are 2, 3 water purifying plants and electricity for Skardu city is produced from Sadpara lake. You can imagine from my voice how quiet and calm this place is. It's a huge and very deep lake. Water color of this lake is opposite to that of Kachura lake. It's an enormous water reservoir. It is 3.5KM long and wide upto 1400 meters. It's water source is Sadpara stream which runs on glaciers water. You pass Sadpara lake on your way to Deosai. Mobile phone signals and a hotel for night stay are available on Sadpara lake. For a round trip from Skardu a car will charge PKR1000 to PKR1200 We are at the starting point of Sadpara lake. The water in those streams is of those streams who run in the way to Deosai.


 These streams fill Sadpara lake which is transformed into dam. It is an amazing green color which may not be visible to you due to shade but I'll show you the pictures after editing them. Now we will go down and have breakfast from a hotel. We will take pictures and record video and then travel to Skardu. When there was no dam, its shape was different. I have seen pictures of Gulrez Ghauri Sahab and other senior photographers. Now the water has been stopped for the dame so its shape has changed a little. I will try to share old pictures with you. You reach village Manthal after 3km on your way back to Skardu from Sadpara lake. Turn left and you will see picture of Mahatama Buddha on a big granite rock. I am at Buddha Rock at the moment which is very near to Skardu. On your way to Sadpara lake, you see a board on left side and you reach here. Entry fee is PKR 50. It is known as 'Buddha Rock' and the most sacred relic of Buddhism in Skardu. 

Locals told that Buddha Rock is 800 years old. We are back to Skardu after watching Buddha Rock. I am not hungry so I have skipped breakfast. Now I'll see Skardu city and do some shopping. Central Jamia mosque of Skardu is very beautiful. Verses from the Holy Quran have been beautifully written on the walls of the mosque. There is a municipal library on a peaceful place near the mosque which offers thousands of books. There is Polo ground adjacent to library. It is situated on the main road. I am in the largest library of Skardu. There is Kharpocho port on that mountain at the backside of this library. We'll visit Kharpocho fort after this library. Now I am very hungry and will go to Alamdar Chowk. PKR 70 and it costs PKR 100 in Lahore. Looks good. Their soup suggested that the food will be exquisite. It is the best local food so far and the cheapest as well. Soup costed just PKR 70. PKR 200 for rice, PKR 300 for vegetable curry and chicken jalfrezi for PKR 300. How can you get a cheaper food than this? Environment is also pleasant. Normally they do not take much care of cleanliness which is an issue here. This hotel was looking good from outside so we came in. It's time to try traditional Balti dish Mamto which is prepared with spices in meat mince. It is wrapped in flour and cooked on steam. I had checked out of hotel in the morning because my flight to Islamabad will depart tomorrow.

 I will spend rest of the day and night at Shangrila resort. It is 20km away from Skardu on airport side. I have planned to spend night there so that I may reach airport easily. The under construction Gilgit-Skardu road will be completed soon. It will get easier to reach Skardu. The ticket price was PKR 300 in 2016 and now I have purchased it for PKR 500. The guy is also laughing who has sold this ticket to me. Let's go. I am really hungry. As you can see they have written that picking apples is prohibited but it's hard to stop myself. Let's eat first because Maghrib will take place at 7:30 and it is 5:30 now, so we have 2 hours. Let's explore this resort and have food. Shangrila Resort was built in 1983. It is a Chinese word meaning 'Heaven on Earth.' The sight of Shangrila gives the same feeling of heaven. Shangrila lake is heart shaped and there are luxury resorts on its banks. It's aerial view is world famous. Shangrila resort is getting commercialized day by day. The rates were so high that I could not live here. I have booked a room in a hotel, 1km away, in nominal rent. When I came here in 2015, people ran after you to book their hotel but now it's season and rush of people. That's why the rates are very high. You'll see a plane in Shangrila Resort which used to fly in the past. 

Shangrila |  Skardu & Sadpara Lake 

The story of its arrival here is interesting. On 3rd October, 1953 when PIA was not established, this plane of Orient Air flew from Skardu airport and crash landed after 3 minutes of take off. Luckily no life was lost. Owners of Shangrila Resorts bought this plane and established a coffee shop inside. It serves drinks to tourists now. It is good place for honey-moon as it is very peaceful and family oriented. The resorts are luxury and expensive but you can find peace of mind here. If you want spend 2, 3 days, you don't have to travel anywhere, this place keeps you busy. There are so many apple and plum trees. A Big trout of about 2kg has come near me. As you can see a tree full of plums. I have eaten two of them after seeking permission.

 They were not ripe but it is a visual treat to see them like this. I love fish crackers. Smoke chicken sandwich. You have served will before 30 minutes. A Lahori and then a Butt, how can he miss Karahi? My 'Dreamland Skardu' series comes to an end. If you plan to visit Skardu, you can take help from my 5 Vlogs. They are available on my channel. In 5 days, I visited 10 places. I went to Katpana Cold Desert and Shigar on day 1. On day 2, I saw the most beautiful waterfalls of Pakistan: Khumash and Mantokha. I spent the 3rd day on Kachura Lake and Sok Nala which was a memorable day. On day 4, I went to see the place where the residents of Skardu go for picnic, Saling Valley which is situated in Khaplu. I also visited Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque. Besides these 10 places, I also visited Sarfaranga Cold Desert and beautiful Hashopi Gardens. How was my 'Dreamland Skardu' do tell me in comments and subscribe my channel.