Hotels in Shigar aren't limited to the fort's heritage hotel, the best-known place to stay in the valley. Shigar town also has riverside resorts, mid-range guesthouses and simpler family-run stays, most of them within a few minutes of the fort and the village's orchards. This guide covers those hotels, so you can weigh up what suits your budget and your plans before booking.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Shigar town, about an hour's drive north of Skardu |
| Heritage option | Serena Shigar Fort, the restored 17th-century palace |
| Riverside resorts | Villa-style rooms along the Shigar river |
| Guesthouses | Simple, mid-range rooms in and around the town |
| Camping | Possible near the Sarfaranga desert and Blind Lake, with your own gear |
| Booking | Book ahead in peak season (June to September, and around Eid) |
Shigar Fort: the option most people know
Shigar Fort, the seventeenth-century palace of the Amacha rajas, was restored between 1999 and 2004 and is now run as a heritage hotel with twenty rooms. It is the most atmospheric place to stay in the valley, set inside the restored palace itself, with some rooms occupying what were once the royal family's own chambers.
It is also the option most travel guides mention first, which is exactly why this guide looks beyond it. For the history of the building, its rooms and what a night there costs, see our dedicated guide to staying at Shigar Fort.
Riverside resorts
A newer style of accommodation has grown up along the Shigar river in the last few years: small-scale resorts built as individual villas rather than a single hotel block. One well-established example sits directly on the riverbank, with rooms built as separate villas rather than a shared building, and has built a strong reputation on review sites as one of the better places to stay in the valley outside the fort itself.
This style of stay suits families and groups who want space and privacy, a garden or riverside setting, and don't need to be inside the historic palace itself. Rates and availability change with the season, so check current prices directly with the resort rather than relying on an old figure.
Guesthouses in Shigar town
Beyond the resorts, Shigar has a handful of smaller guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast style stays, mostly family-run, offering simple rooms with breakfast included. These are a straightforward, cheaper alternative to the fort or the riverside resorts, generally close to the town centre and the walk into the orchards and old lanes behind the fort.
Standards and facilities vary more here than at the larger properties, so it is worth checking recent reviews before booking, and confirming what's included (breakfast, wifi, hot water) directly with the guesthouse. None of these are large operations, so book ahead in peak months, and be aware that facilities in a small guesthouse are more basic than in a resort or the fort.
What each option suits
- Shigar Fort suits travellers who want the history and the setting to be part of the experience, and who are happy paying more for it. Book well ahead, since it has only twenty rooms.
- Riverside resorts suit families and groups wanting more space, privacy and a garden or riverside setting, without needing to be inside the historic building.
- Guesthouses suit travellers on a tighter budget, or anyone who prefers a simple, low-key stay over a heritage experience.
- Camping suits people already carrying their own gear, or those who want a night under the stars rather than a hotel room at all.
Camping near Shigar
There is no organised campsite in Shigar town itself, but camping is possible nearby with your own equipment, particularly around the Sarfaranga desert and Blind Lake, both a short drive from Shigar at the mouth of the valley. Neither has facilities, water or a fee, so you need to be self-sufficient: carry your own water and food, ask locally where it's acceptable to pitch a tent, and expect cold, sometimes windy nights even in summer.
Our guides to Sarfaranga desert and Blind Lake cover camping at each in more detail, including when to go and what to bring.
Booking and timing
Shigar sees its busiest months from June to September, when the weather is at its best, and around Eid and other public holidays, when domestic travel to the north peaks. In these periods, rooms at the fort and the better-known resorts can sell out weeks in advance, so book ahead if your dates are fixed.
Outside peak season, guesthouses and resorts generally have more availability, and some may offer lower rates, though winter in Shigar is cold and a number of smaller places scale back or close for part of the season. Confirm directly with any property whether it's open before you travel in winter.
If you are planning a wider trip around Skardu and Shigar and want help deciding where to base yourself, our 7-day Skardu and Deosai tour builds a night in the Shigar area into a longer Baltistan itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shigar Fort the only good place to stay in Shigar?
No. It's the best known, but Shigar also has riverside resorts and smaller guesthouses that cost less and don't require booking the fort's limited twenty rooms.
Do I need to book accommodation in Shigar in advance?
In peak season, from June to September and around holidays, yes. Rooms at the fort and better-known resorts can sell out well ahead of time.
Can I camp in Shigar?
There's no organised campsite in the town itself, but camping with your own gear is possible near the Sarfaranga desert and Blind Lake, both close to Shigar.
What's the cheapest way to stay in Shigar?
A family-run guesthouse in the town is generally the most affordable option, offering simple rooms and breakfast at lower rates than the fort or the riverside resorts.
Are hotels in Shigar open all year?
Not always. Some smaller guesthouses reduce services or close for part of the winter. Confirm directly with the property if you're travelling outside the June to September peak.
How far is Shigar from Skardu?
About an hour's drive, roughly 30 kilometres, on a paved road that any car can manage.