A restored 17th-century Balti palace in Shigar Valley, now a museum and heritage hotel at the gateway to K2.
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Shigar Fort, known locally as Fong-Khar, stands on a large granite rock above Shigar village in the green, fertile Shigar Valley. Its stone, timber and mud walls once housed the rajas of the Amacha dynasty, and today it is one of the best-preserved historic buildings in Baltistan.
The fort was restored with great care by the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan and now works as both a museum and a heritage hotel, run by Serena Hotels. Visitors can walk through old halls and rooms, see original carved woodwork and learn about Balti culture, then have tea in the garden under tall trees, with the Karakoram peaks behind.
Shigar Fort is an easy half-day trip from Skardu and a natural stop on the way to Askole, the trailhead for K2 and the Baltoro Glacier.
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
The fort was built in the 17th century (around the 1630s) by Raja Hasan Khan of the Amacha dynasty. The name Fong-Khar means Palace on the Rock, because the original building rests on a platform around a large cone-shaped boulder. It is actually a group of three structures built at different times, with around 40 rooms including kitchens, servants' quarters and a family mosque.
The fort was built by craftsmen brought in to work in the Balti and Kashmiri styles, using local stone, mud and wood. By the early 20th century it was no longer used as a royal residence and slowly fell into ruin, until the Aga Khan Trust took on the restoration, carried out by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan from about 1999 to 2004/05. The restored fort opened to visitors in the mid-2000s and is now a heritage museum and boutique hotel managed by Serena Hotels. Its garden and pavilion are popular places to rest.
Fly from Islamabad to Skardu (about 1 hour, weather permitting) or drive via the Karakoram Highway to Jaglot, then the Skardu road. The drive takes more than a full day.
From Skardu, drive about 30 km north across the Shigar bridge into the valley, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour on a good road. Taxis and private vehicles are easy to hire.
The fort is a short walk or drive from Shigar town. Park near the entrance and walk up through the garden.
Visit the museum rooms, garden and viewpoint. Guests of the hotel have wider access.
Tip: Combine Shigar Fort with the Shigar bazaar, the Khanqah Moalla mosque and the Katpana cold desert on the way back to Skardu.
April to May
Apricot and cherry blossom, fresh green fields and mild days.
June to August
Warm and bright, the main tourist season.
September to October
Golden leaves, clear skies and fewer crowds. One of the best times.
November to March
Cold with snow. Some facilities may be limited.
Travel smart
A few useful things to know before you go there.
Check before you go. Non-guests may need a ticket or reservation.
Wear comfortable shoes for stone steps, lanes and garden paths.
Do not touch old woodwork or enter private areas.
Check photography rules inside the museum rooms.
Wind and strong sun are both common at altitude. Days can be warm in summer, but mornings, evenings and shady courtyards are cool, so carry layers.
Carry cash for tickets, tea and shops.
Try local food and apricot products from the village and bazaar.
Dress modestly and respect local customs and mosques.
Start early and combine Shigar with other stops in one day.
Especially after rain, because landslides can affect the valley road.
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Explore Shigar Fort in Gilgit-Baltistan and get directions easily.
Gilgit-Baltistan
It means Palace on the Rock, because the fort is built around a large rock.
Let us plan your Skardu trip while you explore the fort and the valley.
