INTRODUCTION
I take great pleasure in introducing the opening of HOTEL YURT AND YAK SARAI, providing unique and complete accomodation for adventures travelling in the area of baltistan known as Little Tibet.

YURT AND YAK SARAI is located is Skardu, Baltistan, anciently known as Little Tibet, an area where you will encounter the most dramatic contrasts found in nature.

Dominating your stay are the inspirinal mountains of the Karakoram range, the highest snow capped peaks in the world, jeting into the clouds at every bend of your trek or tour.

At your feet is the mighty Indus river, with its underlating gentle and angry flows. Along the Indus valley, at more than 7000 feet, are villages situated among vast and dunes and lush green fields. Visiting these villages is like stopping at an oasis in a desert surrounded by glaciers, soaring peaks and rushing rivers.

These Baltis here are descendents of the Tibetan nomads. They were shepherds who moved from the high plateau of Tibet to the lower valleys of Baltistan before the 7th century. They still speak an archaic Tibetan and believe in the deity of the mountains known as Sla Lamos.
You will see how Baltis living here are retained their simple, traditional life growing apricots, wheat, potatoes and vegetables and grazing buffalo, sheep and goats in Baltistan’s five principal valleys of Skardu, Rondu, Kharmong, Shigar and Kaplu.

SKARDU VALLEY
Skardu, capital of Baltistan, is the perched 2438.40 meters (7, 500 feet) above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the karakoram mountains range.
Baltistan is known as the “Tibet-e-Khurd” or Little Tibet since its life style reflects that of the Roof of the world and the Land of the Lamas.
It Borders on the Chinese province of Sinkiang and Indian occupied Kashmir. The maximum temperature is 26.67 C (80 F) and the minimum (October 7.22 C 45 F). Apart from its incomparable clusters of mountain peaks and glaciers, Baltistan’s five valleys – Shigar, Skardu, Kaplu, Rondu and Kharamang – are noted for their delicious peaches, apricots and pears. Shigar is the gateway the mountain peaks of ridge known as the Mindoq-khar or Castle of Queen Mindoq and three lovely lakes. The two – Kachura Lake 28.95 Km (18 miles) and Saptpara Lake 4 Km from Hotel Yurt & Yak Sarai are ideal for fishing.
I cordially invite you to experience a one-in-a-lifetime adventure, living in a style what will take you back to the time of Kubali Khan and Marco Polo whose chronicles wondered at the chain of Yurts through Mongol empire, allowing the Mongol Kings and Queens to live in comfort as they moved around the remote corners of their empire.
Live the life of Kings and Queens in our Sarai, which has been built and operated with comfort and authentic in every detail except for the modern private bath.
The highlight of your stay in our Yurt village will be enjoying freshly prepared food in our first class restaurant “Rinchan Hall” where we serve exotic Balti, Tibetan, Pakistani food as well as Continental dishes.

In our Yurt and Yak Sakari , you will see the long haired humped Yak and yak Sarai you will see the long cated animals that still provide the local people with milk and butter as well as wool, other wildlife in this area include mountain partridge known Stakpa and Gongma, Ibex, Brown, bear and legendary snow leopard.
During the summer, Skardu attracts a larg number of trekkers and mountaineers from all parts of the world. In fact, the entire region is known as a mountaineers paradise. Nowhere in the world does one find such a largely collection of lofty peaks, including K-2, the world’s second highest peak and huge glaciers like Baltro, Biafo and Siachen, some of the largest in the world outside the Polar region, as in this 16, 283 square Km (10, 118 square miles) of wonder-land.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can reach Skardu by taking a comfortable, short (45 minutes) flight on Pakistan International Airlines, leaving everyday from Islamabad, Pakistan’s national capital. This flight takes you over the karakoram range and Himalaya, where you can see such giants as K-2 and Nanga Parbat. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at Skardu airport and brought to our Yurt and Yak Sarai, which is located on Link Road in Skardu. In addition get acclimatized to the 7500 ft altitude, besides enjoying the atmosphere of the Sarai and taste our exotic food in our (Rinchan) restaurant.
As the flights are subject to weather, one can travel by road. Information of Public Transport and type of vehicles are given below:-

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATES DAILY
VAN & BUS SERVICES:
NATCO : Tel: 863235, 860283
MASHERBRUM: 863595, 67778.

RESERVATIONS
For Reservations please contact Karakurum Treks & Tours.

HOTEL YURT & YAK SARAI
Link Road, Skardu
Telephone: +92-5831-5477095, 5480595.

ISLAMABAD OFFICE
KARAKURUM TREKS & TOURS
21-B, Hotel Metropolitan, G-9 Markaz, P.O. Box 2803, Islamabad - Pakistan
Telephone : +92-51-2264876, 2250317, Fax : +92-51-226492, 2253196
E-Mail : karakurm@isb.comsats.net.pk

DINING FACILITIES
RESTAURANT: Fixed menu and a’la carte featuring exotic Central Asian food, local specialties and also international cuisine.

In house diet meals are available on request Vegetarian meals and picnic/lunch boxes are available on request.

YURT INFORMATION
Number of Yurts 20. All yurts with attached bath, hot and cold running water, heater and sofa-cum-bed.

GUEST SERVICES
Pick up and drop to and from airport. Free information regarding sightseeing, places of interest, local customers, and interpretation of local languages and hot water bottles. Video films in lounge. Dartboard Chess games. Organised evening entertainment.

Conditions of Road Journey
The roads are subject to landslides. At time the roads are just wide enough for jeep to passes. Driving on the mountains treks can be quite strenuous. Good tyres, brakes and careful driving are recommended.

EXPEDITION MOUNTAINEERING SERVICES AT HOTEL YURT AND YAK SAKARI APINEIST STORE
Visit our exclusive store from where you can buy all types of mountaineering and trekking equipment available for members and porters; kit bags, all kinds of tin food, beef sardines, tuna fish, tin fruits, porters equipment, dark glasses, stocks, jackets, plastic tarpaulin, stoves and shoes etc.
We can arrange jeeps, tractors and others transport from our Yurt and Yak Sarai for mountaineering expeditions, trekking group and tours.