Mountaineering, Trekking and Hiking
The area is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. permission for mountaineering and trekking for restricted zone is issued by the ministry of tourism, government of pakistan, pakistan sports complex, kashmir highway, aabpara, islamabad telephone: 92-51-9203509. fishing permits are issued by the fisheries department at gilgit and skardu.
Fishing
At satpara lake 8km and kachura lake 32km from skardu abound in trout. fishing permits are issued by the fisheries department.
Flora & Fauna
Roses, lilies, pansies, willow, pine and fir trees are found in abundance. apples, apricots, peaches, plums mulberry, walnuts and grapes are available from june to october and almonds from october to march.
Wildlife
Baltistan boasts of wildlife like markhors, ibexes, snow leopards and birds, namely chakors, partridges and ducks. most of the animals and birds are protected but limited shooting is allowed. hunting permits are issued by the local administration.
Walking excursions
A stroll around the eastern end of the skardu rock will take you to the nearby village of 'narsok', where you will find a large pure spring flowing from the base of the monolith. to reach narsok, walk to the far end of the skardu polo field and pick up a trail that skirts the rock slopes beneath zowar singh's fortress. the mighty indus snaking along just a few yards beneath your feet among the silvery white sands is an awesome sight. on the west bank of the satpura nala is a tall rock with a vertical, beige-colored northern face. carved here circa a.d 900 is a lovely image of a meditating maitreya buddha framed by bodhisattvas.