Skardu is located in the 10 km wide by 40km long Skardu Valley, at the confluence of theIndus river (flowing from near Kailash in Tibet and through neighbouring Ladakh before reaching Baltistan) and the Shigar River. Skardu is situated at an altitude of nearly 2,500 m (8,200 feet). The town is surrounded by grey-brown coloured mountains, which hide the8,000 Metres Peaks of the nearby Karakuram range.
Khaplu:is the capital town of the Ghanche District of Gilgit Baltistan. Lying 103 km (64 miles) east of Skardu town, it was the second-largest kingdom in old Baltistan. It guarded the trade route toLadakh along the Shyok River . The town is also known as Khapalu.
The town is a base for trekking into the Hushe valley which leads to MAshabrum and K2 mountains.
Most of the people in the town speak Balti language.
