Alpha Car Rentals

Islamabad to Skardu Car Rental with a Professional Driver

Hire a car with a professional driver from Islamabad to Skardu, with pickup also available in Lahore, Karachi or another city. Travel along the KKH and the rebuilt Jaglot-Skardu road beside the Indus. The same car takes you to Shigar and Khaplu once you arrive. Share your dates and group size to choose a car and overnight stops; Deosai is a local-jeep day in season.

Skardu road and season check, as of 4 October 2026

Last checked

Jaglot-Skardu road
The rebuilt 167 km road, completed in January 2025, follows the Indus from the KKH. A Skardu tour company listed it open on 3 October 2026.
Deosai
Opened 10 June 2026 and listed open on 3 October. One operator expects access until around late October; visit by local jeep and pay park entry in cash.
Flights to Skardu
Islamabad flights take 45 to 55 minutes and need clear weather. Summer is most reliable; spring and winter see more disruptions.
Babusar option
Reopened on 25 May 2026; the usual season is late May to November. The KKH reaches Skardu all year.
Monsoon
July and August bring Baltistan's monsoon. Keep a spare day for road delays.

Islamabad to Skardu by road: the route and the hours

Take the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra, then the KKH through Besham, Dasu and Chilas. Near Jaglot, turn east through the Indus gorge towards Skardu. Estimates range from about 630 to 720 km and 12 to 24 driving hours, depending on stops, road works and weather. Split the journey into two days, overnighting in Chilas or Besham after a late start. From late May until autumn snow, the Naran-Babusar alternative joins the KKH at Chilas, with the first night in Naran.

The Jaglot-Skardu road

The Jaglot-Skardu leg is 167 km, roughly a three-hour drive in The Nation's description of the rebuilt road. It follows the Indus gorge from the KKH to Skardu. A Skardu tour company listed it as open on 3 October 2026. Check current conditions when planning the day's drive from Chilas.

Flying to Skardu or driving from Islamabad

Flying from Islamabad takes 45 to 55 minutes and saves two road days each way. Landing needs clear weather, with summer the most reliable season. Spring trips need a spare day at each end. Flying visitors usually use local Skardu cars and jeeps; driving from Islamabad suits families with luggage and travellers visiting the KKH and Indus gorge. Keep a spare day either way.

Shigar and Khaplu from Skardu

Shigar is about 30 km from Skardu on an asphalted road, with its fort, museum and the nearby Sarfaranga cold desert. Khaplu is about 103 km east along the Shyok River; allow an overnight stop for the palace, Chaqchan Mosque and Hushe valley trailhead. Upper Kachura Lake, Shangrila, Katpana and the Manthal Buddha Rock fit a day nearer Skardu.

Deosai: a local jeep day, in season

Deosai is above 4,000 metres, reached past Satpara Lake by an unpaved 4x4 track. Visits use a local jeep with a Skardu driver; ask how that day fits your car trip. Park entry is paid in cash. Snow sets the opening season, normally about mid-June into October, with some guides giving June to September. October visits are weather permitting.

Which car for Skardu

A Toyota Prado suits families on the KKH and Skardu road; a Toyota Land Cruiser gives a larger family more room. Groups of eight to thirteen can consider a Toyota Grand Cabin, and larger parties a Toyota Coaster. The route, month and amount of luggage determine the vehicle for your trip.

Starting from Lahore or Karachi

Lahore adds about four to five hours on the M-2 at each end. The car and driver collect you at home for the whole trip. From Karachi, start at your door or fly to Islamabad and meet the car at the airport. Ask for either option, or both to compare.

When to go to Skardu

June to August is the busy season, with Deosai open and flights most reliable. September and October are also recommended by Skardu specialists. July and August bring monsoon weather; in winter, valley roads call for 4x4 traction. Keep a spare day and allow the order of visits to change with the weather.

Payment and booking policies

Pay by cash, bank transfer, card or online payment; companies can use a monthly invoice. Free cancellation applies until 24 hours before pickup. If the car breaks down, a replacement is sent, taking longer to reach remote Baltistan roads. Your quote sets out fuel and parking. Motorway tolls are extra.

Cars we suggest for Skardu (confirmed for your route and month)

Toyota Prado6 passengers + driverFamilies on the KKH and the Skardu road, with day runs to Shigar and Khaplu
Toyota Land Cruiser7 passengers + driverLarger families who want more room on the two long road days
Toyota Grand Cabin14 seats; confirm layoutGroups of eight to thirteen, confirmed per trip
Toyota Coaster22 seats; confirm layoutLarger groups, once the route and season are confirmed

Sample itineraries

From Islamabad

Eight-day KKH sample, with Naran and Babusar as the summer alternative. The road and weather may change the plan.

  1. Day 1: Islamabad to Chilas

    Take the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra and KKH through Besham and Dasu. Night in Chilas, or Besham after a late start.

  2. Day 2: Chilas to Skardu

    Pass Raikot Bridge to the Jaglot junction and follow the rebuilt road through the Indus gorge. Night in Skardu.

  3. Day 3: Shigar and the Skardu lakes

    Visit Shigar Fort and Sarfaranga, then Shangrila and Upper Kachura Lake. Night in Skardu.

  4. Day 4: Deosai by local jeep, or Satpara and Katpana

    In season, take a local jeep past Satpara Lake to Deosai. Otherwise visit Satpara, Manthal Buddha Rock and Katpana; night in Skardu.

  5. Day 5: Skardu to Khaplu

    Drive about 103 km along the Shyok River to Khaplu palace and Chaqchan Mosque. Night in Khaplu.

  6. Day 6: Khaplu back to Skardu

    Spend the morning in Khaplu and return along the Shyok to Skardu.

  7. Day 7: Skardu to Chilas

    Return through the Indus gorge to Chilas, or cross Babusar to Naran when open.

  8. Day 8: Back to Islamabad

    Follow the KKH, or Kaghan valley from Naran, to the Hazara Motorway and Islamabad.

Cars for the trip

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Questions people ask

How long is the drive from Islamabad to Skardu?

Roughly 630 to 720 km and 12 to 24 driving hours, depending on route, stops and road works. Allow two days, with a night in Chilas, Besham or Naran on the summer Babusar route.

Is it better to fly to Skardu or go by road?

Fly when time is short and you are travelling light; the flight takes under an hour and needs clear weather. Drive for luggage space and stops along the KKH and Indus gorge. Keep a spare day either way.

How do we get to Deosai from Skardu?

By local jeep past Satpara Lake on a 4x4 track. Deosai normally opens from about mid-June into October; park entry is paid in cash. Ask how the jeep day fits your trip.

Which car is best for Skardu?

A Prado is our usual family choice, with a Land Cruiser for a larger family. Groups of eight or more can ask about a Grand Cabin. Match the vehicle to your route, dates and bags.

Is the Jaglot-Skardu road open now?

It was listed open by a Skardu tour company on 3 October 2026. The 167 km rebuilt road takes roughly three hours. Confirm current conditions for your travel date.

How many days do we need for Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu?

About eight days from Islamabad: two driving days up, four for Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu and seasonal Deosai, then two back. Published trips range from five to eight days. Add the M-2 at each end from Lahore.

Can we combine Skardu and Hunza in one trip?

Yes. Both routes use the KKH to Jaglot, where Skardu turns east and Hunza continues via Gilgit. A combined trip needs more days; share your available dates to plan the order.

Is Deosai open in October?

As of 4 October 2026, it was listed open, with one operator expecting access until around the month's last week. October visits depend on weather. Satpara Lake or Katpana can replace the Deosai day.

Is the driver's food and room included on a Skardu trip?

Yes. Your Skardu quote includes the driver's meals and room at overnight stops.

How much is a car with driver from Islamabad to Skardu?

Skardu trips are quoted per trip, based on the car, days, starting city and Baltistan route. Send your travel details for one figure covering the journey.

What if weather disrupts our Skardu flight?

The road is an alternative when weather disrupts your flight. It takes two days from Islamabad, so you need time available. Message your dates and group size to check car and driver availability.

Can you send the car to Lahore or Karachi for a Skardu trip?

Yes. The car and driver can collect you at home and return you there. Lahore adds a motorway leg each way; from Karachi you can also fly to Islamabad to start.

Do foreigners need a permit for Skardu and Khaplu?

The main sights are open on a Pakistani visa. Restricted zones remain near the Line of Control in Gilgit-Baltistan and around Siachen. Carry your passport and copies for checkpoints.

Book your car

WhatsApp +92 311 2847167 with your Skardu dates, group size, starting city and planned valleys. We suggest a car, overnight stops and quote for the trip.

Book nowWhatsApp +92 311 2847167

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