Town or village
Roundu
Skardu district · 1,900 m
Roundu is the Indus gorge between Gilgit and Skardu, home to the lively Dunsa Festival every July.
Roundu lies at about 1,900 m in the gorge of the Indus, on the road between Gilgit and Skardu. The guidebook spells it Rondu, and it has long been the link between the two halves of Gilgit-Baltistan, with big river and canyon scenery all along the way.
Kind Town or villageDistrict SkarduElevation 1,900 mPosition 35.619° N, 75.133° E
About Roundu
Roundu has its own proud place in Maqpon history. The guidebook records that Skardu's rulers held it by 1590, and that it later became an independent state under its own ruler before returning to Skardu's rule a few decades on.
Today it is best known for the Dunsa Festival, held in July, and it is a treat if you can time your trip for it. There is polo, a culture show and tug of war, with the whole district coming together to celebrate.
Elsewhere in Skardu
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
- 2,228 m
Town or village
Skardu
Skardu, at 2,228 m, is Balti Yul, the friendly heart of Baltistan and the starting point for the Baltoro and Deosai.
- 2,600 m
Lake or water
Satpara Lake
Satpara Lake, at 2,600 m, is an emerald lake above Skardu with an ancient Buddha carving on the way.
- 2,300 m
Lake or water
Katpana
Katpana is a patch of cold desert dunes beside the Indus, with a lake sitting right in the middle of them.
Lake or water · 2,500 m
Shangrila
Shangrila is Lower Kachura lake, and the upper lake, twenty minutes walk on, is the unspoiled one.
- 3,000 m
Town or village
Basho
Basho is a pine valley above Skardu, with summer pasture above the treeline.