Ringchan Guest House, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. info@ringchanskardu.com +923475158690
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers about booking and payments, the best season, getting to Skardu, our guest house, tours and travel safety in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Section 01

Booking & Payments

Rooms, tables, tours and how to confirm them.

Booking is simple. Choose your room, destination or tour package, then contact us through the contact form, by email or by phone. Tell us your travel dates, group size and interests, and our team will reply with the plan and the steps to confirm your booking.

The summer season (June to September) and public-holiday weeks are the busiest times in Skardu, so we recommend booking as early as you can. Last-minute requests are still welcome and we will do our best, depending on availability.

We accept payment by JazzCash, Easypaisa, bank transfer and credit card, the same options shown on our booking pages. Guests travelling from abroad can choose card or bank transfer. Our team will confirm the details with you when your booking is confirmed.

Please let us know as early as possible. We will do our best to reschedule your stay or tour, and any refund depends on how close to the travel date you cancel and on the season. Contact our team and we will explain the options clearly for your booking.
Section 02

Best Time & Weather

Choose the right season for the Northern Areas.

Roughly from May to October. Spring brings blossom and fresh green valleys, summer is the warmest and the main trekking season, and autumn paints the valleys gold with some of the clearest mountain views of the year.

The Deosai plateau, at around 4,000 metres, is usually accessible from about June to September. The rest of the year it is buried in snow. July and August are best for wildflowers and warm days. Exact dates change from year to year with snow conditions, so ask us before you plan.

Skardu can be visited in winter, but expect heavy snow, freezing temperatures and road closures, and many high-altitude routes are shut. Winter suits travellers who want snow, quiet and solitude. Tell us your plans and we will advise honestly on what is possible.

Pack in layers. Days can be warm but nights are cold at altitude, especially in Deosai and the high valleys. Bring a warm jacket, a rain layer, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a power bank, personal medicines and some cash.
Section 03

Stay & Dining at Ringchan

Our guest house and restaurant in Skardu.

We are a guest house and restaurant in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, that also arranges tours across the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Staying with us means your rooms, meals and sightseeing can all be planned in one place by a local team.

Our restaurant serves freshly prepared local and traditional dishes made with regional ingredients. We can also arrange meals for groups and families. Just tell us about any dietary preferences when you book and we will take care of it.

Many flights and night drives reach Skardu early in the day. Please share your arrival time when you book, and we will do our best to arrange a smooth arrival, with a room or breakfast ready depending on availability.

Yes. Skardu is the gateway to Shigar Valley, Deosai, Basho Valley, Satpara Lake and the cold desert. Many guests stay with us for the whole trip and make day trips from here.
Section 04

Tours & Itineraries

Our packages and custom journeys.

We offer seven ready-made packages: a 4 days tour of Skardu and Shigar Valley, a 5 days tour of Skardu, Shigar, Deosai and Basho Valley, a 6 days tour of Hunza, Naltar and Khunjerab, a 6 days tour of Skardu, Shigar, Deosai and Basho Valley, a 7 days tour of Hunza and Skardu, an 8 days tour of Hunza and Skardu, and an 8 days trip to Hunza, Naran and Skardu. You can see all of them on our Tours page.

Our packages usually cover accommodation, guided sightseeing, local jeep or ground transport and selected meals. The journey to the region itself (flight to Skardu or road travel) is generally not included, but we are happy to advise you on routes and arrange pickup on request.

Absolutely. Tell us how many days you have, your group and what you love, and we will build an itinerary around it. Besides Skardu and Hunza we can also plan trips to places such as Kumrat, Shogran and Chitral.

We keep our groups small so every guest gets personal attention and a relaxed experience. We also arrange completely private tours for couples, families and solo travelers.

Three to four days is enough for the main lakes, waterfalls and the cold desert. Add more days if you want to include Shigar Valley, Deosai and Basho Valley, which is why most of our Skardu packages run from 4 to 6 days.
Section 05

Permits, Safety & Health

What to know before you travel.

Foreign visitors generally do not need a permit for the open tourist areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, such as Skardu, Hunza and Shigar. Permits are required for trekking and climbing in restricted zones and for some border areas, and entry to Deosai National Park is paid for at the park checkposts. Rules can change, so we check the current requirements for you before your trip. Please carry a valid passport and visa.

Skardu sits at about 2,200 metres, and Deosai is above 4,000 metres. Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, climb gradually and tell your guide at once if you feel a headache, dizziness or nausea. If you have a medical condition, please check with your doctor before travelling.

The Northern Areas are very popular with both Pakistani and international travellers. We travel with experienced local drivers and guides who watch weather and road conditions daily. Mountain roads can still be affected by rain, landslides and snow, so we always keep some flexibility in our plans.

Mobile signal can be weak or missing in remote places such as Deosai and high valleys, and ATMs are limited outside the main towns. Download offline maps, tell family your plan and carry enough cash for the trip.

Still have questions?

Our team in Skardu is happy to help.

Contact Support