Cascade Resorts • Skardu • Ghanche
Sarfaranga Desert: The High Cold Desert Near Skardu
In This Guide
About the Desert
Discover Sarfaranga Desert in Shigar, Gilgit Baltistan
Getting There
How to Get There from Cascade Resorts
Drive towards Skardu
Travel about 58 km, around 1.3 hours by road, from Cascade Resorts.
Take the Shigar Road
From Skardu, follow the Shigar Road for about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the dunes.
Ride with a local driver
Off road jeep and ATV rides are best arranged with experienced local operators.
Combine nearby sights
Blind Lake lies on the same road, and Katpana Desert is just across the Indus.
Stay for sunset
Golden light on the dunes is the best time for photos, so plan your return after sunset.
Experiences
6 Things to Do in the Desert
Jeep Safari
Ride across the dunes in a 4x4 with an experienced local driver.
ATV Rides
Try quad biking on the sand for a fast and fun desert adventure.
Annual Jeep Rally
Visit in October to watch the annual three day rally that draws racers from across Pakistan and abroad.
Dune Hiking
Walk up the golden white dunes for wide views of the valley and the peaks.
Stargazing
Clear, dark night skies make the desert a great place to watch the stars.
Photography
Sand, mountains and big skies make a striking backdrop for photos and drone shots.
Plan Your Visit
Visiting Sarfaranga Desert? Stay 58 km away.
Return each evening to riverside rooms, fresh meals and mountain views at Cascade Resorts.
Seasons
Best Time to Visit Sarfaranga Desert
Be Prepared
Tips Before You Go
- Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, as the sun is strong at this height.
- Bring warm layers, because desert nights get cold quickly.
- Book jeep or ATV rides with experienced local operators only.
- Check the rally dates before an October visit, as the area gets busy.
- Take all litter with you and protect the dunes.
In Focus
A Closer Look
Keep Exploring
More Places to Visit Near Cascade Resorts
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
It is about 58 km, around 1.3 hours by road.
It sits at about 2,300 metres (7,500 feet), one of the highest cold deserts in the world.
The rally has been held every October since 2017, organised as a three day event.
May to October is the ideal period. Winters are harsh, with nights below minus 25 degrees.
No. They are two separate cold deserts on opposite sides of the Indus River near Skardu.
Plan Your Stay
Ride the Dunes, Then Rest by the River
Shyok River Valley Road, Ghawari, Ghanche District, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
- Call us: +92 315 5554648
- Call us: +92 317 7468108
- Call us: +92 355 555 4648
Sunset Grill
Thorgu, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
- Call us: +92 315 555 4648
- Call us: +92 355 555 4648
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