7-Day Skardu Road Trip (Honda BRV, via Naran-Babusar-Chilas)

🛣 7-Day Skardu Road Trip (Honda BR-V, via Naran-Babusar-Chilas)

Day 1: Islamabad → Naran

• 🚗 ~7–8 hrs.

• Route: Islamabad → Abbottabad → Mansehra → Balakot → Kaghan → Naran.

• ✅ Stay: Naran (Pine Park, Millennium Inn, PTDC Motel, or Osho Thang).

• ✅ Tip: Check Babusar Pass status (usually open June–October).

Day 2: Naran → Babusar Top → Chilas → Skardu

• 🚗 ~12–13 hrs.

• Route: Naran → Babusar Top → Chilas → Jaglot → Skardu.

• ✅ Start early! Leave Naran by 5 AM.

• ✅ Fuel up at Naran, next good option is Jaglot.

• Stay: Skardu city (budget or mid-range, or Shangrila Resort).

Day 3: Explore Skardu

• Upper Kachura Lake, Lower Kachura (Shangrila Lake), Shigar Fort.

• Sarfaranga Cold Desert, Blind Lake.

• ✅ Stay: Skardu.

Day 4: Skardu → Khaplu

• 🚗 2–3 hrs.

• Visit Khaplu Fort, Chaqchan Mosque, Saling Fish Farm.

• ✅ Stay: Khaplu or back to Skardu.

Day 5: Skardu → Manthoka Waterfall or Deosai (optional)

• Option 1: Day trip to Manthoka Waterfall (nice drive).

• Option 2: Day trip to Deosai Plains (need 4×4 or hire local jeep).

• ✅ Stay: Skardu.

Day 6: Skardu → Chilas / Naran

• 🚗 Long drive (~12–14 hrs if heading straight to Naran).

• ✅ Stay: Naran.

Day 7: Naran → Islamabad

• 🚗 ~7–8 hrs.

• ✅ Breakfast at Naran, stop for photos at Lulusar Lake or Kaghan.

🔑 Important Notes

✅ Babusar Pass is usually open June–mid-October; check road status before you go.
✅ BR-V can handle Babusar but drive carefully, especially on downhill stretches.
✅ Fill up fuel at Naran before crossing Babusar; limited pumps afterward.
✅ Always keep CNICs, car registration, and hotel bookings ready for checkposts.
✅ For Deosai, consider hiring a local jeep as BR-V ground clearance may not be enough.