In 2025, my wife and I took our kids to Skardu. Our daughter was two and a half. Our son was one.
Most people hear that and assume it was chaos. It wasn’t. It was one of the easiest family trips we’ve done, and the reason is simple.
The direct flight changes everything
We flew direct from Karachi to Skardu. No connection in Islamabad, no long drive up the mountains with two small kids in the back seat. You board in Karachi and step off in the north.
The flight was super smooth. With toddlers, that matters more than any view.
Where we stayed
We split the trip across three places. Two nights at Serena Khaplu, two nights at Hashupi Resort in Shigar, and one night at GreenPak Skardu Resort. Moving every couple of nights kept it interesting without making the kids miserable.
What we did
We drove up to the Deosai Plains and visited Manthokha Waterfall. In Khaplu, we went to as many of the historical mosques as we could. We went boating on Upper Kachura Lake and spent time in Soq Valley.
One day we went fishing. My wife caught a fish, and we had it on the barbecue for lunch. Of everything we did, that’s the day the family still talks about.
My wife caught our lunch. I’m not allowed to forget it.
Four quiet days in Islamabad
From Skardu we flew to Islamabad and stayed in F-7 for four nights. No plans, no early starts. Just rest before the flight back to Karachi.
I’d recommend this to anyone doing the north with kids. Put a few slow days at the end. Everyone goes home happier.
If you have small kids
Don’t write off the north until they’re older. Take the direct flight, stay a couple of nights in each place, and leave room to do nothing. It’s far easier than you think.