good for you

Here you get a chance to live like a Raja in a Unesco listed 17th century palace, while enjoying all the contemporary comforts offered by this 20-room world class guesthouse.

The Shigar Fort Palace enjoys a powerful natural setting, filled with dramatic contrasts. The raw beauty of the rugged mountain scenery, softened by at least two millennia of human habitation, offers strong contrasts between rocky cliffs and cultivated terraces, while the thunder of the rushing river finds its counterpoint in the tranquil spaces within the garden-site and the gracious buildings themselves.

Located in the beautiful province of Baltistan in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Its picturesque setting in the Shigar Valley provides the ideal gateway from which to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Here, the magnificent Karakoram and Himalayan ranges meet - an intersection which results in the most extensively glaciated high mountain terrain on the planet. This includes seven of the world's 25 highest peaks, four of which exceed 8000m, including K-2, the second highest mountain peak in the world at 8611m.

As well as soaking up the architectural heritage of the place, a stay at Shigar Fort is an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of this part of Pakistan. Baltistan is home to some 400,000 locals, whose history and culture stretches back to early Tibetan Buddhist origins, still evident in much of the local traditions, architecture and language of the area.

good for pakistan

The Shigar Fort Residence has been open since June 1, 2005, following an intensive six-year restoration undertaken by Aga Khan Cultural Service of Pakistan. Originally known as Fong-Khar, which in the local Balti language means "Palace on the Rock", this 400-year old Raja fort-palace has been brought back to life following a careful strategy of adaptive re-use and restoration. The result is a combination of authentic original 17th century architecture together with the modern amenities and services of a luxury guest house. Now UNESCO world heritage listed, the hotel combines the preservation and re-use of a significant historical and architectural site with a commitment to socially responsible tourism and economic development in the Shigar Valley.

Rooms

Food

The hotel has a kitchen available to guests, as well as a full restaurant. The restaurant specializes in local Pakistani dishes, including traditional BBQ and Iftar dinners, and features organic produce, including fish, and meat. Meals and drinks can be taken in the main dining room and its outdoor terrace, or in the more relaxed atmosphere of the Turkish Lounge on the second floor with its adjoining outdoor veranda overlooking the Shigar River.

Breakfast is included in the rates.

Features & Facilities

• A traditional-style kitchen located in the courtyard of Old Fort is equipped with a small refrigerator, crockery, and utensils. Guests can prepare meals and snacks here at their leisure, or eat in the Hotel's fine restaurant.
• Guided tours of the historic site take place daily, and are free to guests.
• While many guest rooms are without a television, there is a TV lobby lounge located on the main floor of the Garden House with international satellite channels, as well as national Pakistani channels.
• An environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art water purification and filtration system is in use, making tap water in the guest rooms safe to drink. For those who prefer bottled water, it's supplied in the guest rooms.
• The residence's gift shop features locally crafted merchandise. As part of its commitment to sustainable tourism and development, Shigar Fort Residence is encouraging the revival of local handicraft arts and textiles.
• For Muslim guests, the residence has its own mosque for quiet prayer and reflection, while individual prayer mats are provided in each guest room.
• There's an overnight laundry service.
• The residence can host meetings for up to 15 people in its boardroom, equipped with conference facilities.

Local Info & Activities

Activities and local points of interest, all within walking distance from the Fort-Palace include:

• Exploring the nearby historic villages of Chinpa, Halpapa, and Shigar;
• Visiting some of the most ancient mosques in the area, including the 14th century Amburiq Mosque in Shigar Village, a UNESCO award-winning restoration project and the nearby Khilingrong Mosque;
• Hiking up the famous Shigar Rock, at the top of which sits the ruins of Kari Dong, the first ancient Fort dating back to the 11th century;
• Viewing the intricately carved Khanqa-e-Moallah and Buddhist ruins, including monastery foundations and rock inscriptions from as early as the 5th century;
• Interpretive walks through the nearby villages to learn about the various social and economic development initiatives undertaken by Aga Khan Cultural Services and other development agencies in the area.

day excursions

There are many spectacular sights within easy distance for half-day and day excursions from the Fort-Palace:

• The Deosai Plateau ("place of flowers" in the local Balti language), a unique eco-system over 400 square km at an elevation of 4000m which features over 100 species of mountain flora and is home to wildlife such as the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Golden Marmot, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Red Fox, Himalayan Ibex, and Ladakh Urial;
• Attractions around Skardu, including the bazaar where you can hunt for one-of-a-kind local handicrafts; fishing and boating at Satpara Lake; a visit to the Manthal Buddha - a Buddha relief carved on rock from the 7th century; and the historic Kharpucho Fort;
• Kachura Lake, where you can enjoy fishing and boating;
• Chutron Shigar Hot Springs;
• Khaplu region, including Thaley Valley, Hushey Valley, and the historic Khaplu Fort, now under restoration.

trekking

For adventure and active travelers, Shigar Fort Residence makes an excellent base from which to start one- to five-day hiking treks, or once-in-a-lifetime technical treks such as the Baltoro Glacier trek to K-2 base camp and the Biafo-Hispar glacial pass to Snow Lake. The hotel can help you make arrangements for a range of guided treks in the area.

Sustainability

In 1999, Fong-Khar was bequeathed to the people of Baltistan by Raja Sahib Mohammad Ali Shah Saba of Shigar and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was entrusted with its restoration. In a painstaking process lasting over five years at a cost of approximately $1.4 million USD, the entire site was brought back to life following a careful strategy of adaptive re-use and restoration. This strategy would form the foundation for the three-fold mandate of Shigar Fort Residence: Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Socially Responsible Tourism and Economic Development, and Self-Sustaining Operations.

One of the most important considerations in the entrustment of Fong-Khar to AKTC for restoration was that the project remain true to the original character and architecture of the buildings as much as possible. Much care was taken to identify original use, to adhere to that use or adopt a new use compatible with the original use so that there was minimal impact on the cultural significance of the building.

The project provided a perfect opportunity to act as a catalyst for comprehensive improvement of the local economy, by generating direct and indirect employment opportunities. Situated in the immediate proximity of a poor and unskilled village population, it was thought that the Shigar Fort Residence project could raise the quality of life in the villages surrounding it, and boost economic enterprises in the bazaar area. This process was to be accompanied by a proactive village upgrading and rehabilitation programme in which micro-finance played an important role.

The idea of promoting a new type of environmentally conscious cultural tourism was decisive for the reuse design of Shigar Fort, both in terms of providing new opportunities to local residents and of ensuring financial self-sustainability for the restored building. With little existing commerce related to tourism, and the resulting lack of pressures on land, the Shigar context was relatively untouched by any major conflict between heritage and development. It was consequently possible to put in place mechanisms linked to social and economic development for appropriate management of cultural, scenic and environmental resources prior to the onset of the pressures of tourism. The establishment of a wide-ranging local institutional base before the commencement of tourism promotion programmes in the region was a part of this strategy.

As well as architectural preservation, Shigar Fort adopts other sustainability measures such as organic food, natural water purification, local employment and support for local craftspeople and artisans, whose work is available in the Shigar Fort gift shop.

Shigar Fort Residence is winner of the 2006 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.

more on the history of shigar fort

The original Shigar Fort Palace (known as Fong-Khar, which in the local Balti language means, "Palace on the Rock"), was built by Hassan Khan, the 20th ruler of the Amacha Dynasty, in the early 17th century. The Amacha family claims to have ruled Shigar for thirty-three generations, with origins in the "Hamacha" tribe of Ganish, Hunza. When the Hamacha tribe was massacred in Hunza, a few of its members managed to flee to Shigar across the Hispar glacial pass, where they gained power and were recognized as the Amacha Dynasty in the 13th century.

Fong-Khar is the last remaining structure associated with the ruling Amacha family. The oldest of them was Khar-e-Dong, the fort whose ruins can still be seen high up on the cliffs overlooking the present site. It is thought that Khar-e-Dong was captured and destroyed by Mughal forces sent by Shah Jehan, in aid of Hassan Khan to regain his throne which was lost to marauding invaders. In all probability, the destruction of Khar-e-Dong necessitated the construction of the present Fong-Khar.

Hassan Khan brought a variety of artisans, gold smiths, carpenters, stone carvers, and textile weavers from Kashmir to Shigar to build his Fort-Palace. This resulted in a blend of Kashmiri-influenced carving and details with local Balti architecture, one of the unique features which make Fong-Khar a significant historical and architectural treasure.

awards

2006

UNESCO Award of Excellence in Heritage Conservation

2006

The golden Globe Award from Pacific Asian Travelers Association (PATA)

Getting There

from islamabad by air

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operates a Boeing 737 flight between Islamabad International Airport and Skardu Airport (approximately 30km from Shigar Fort Residence).

The spectacular flight from Islamabad treats passengers to dramatic views of the Karakoram, Himalayan, and Hindukush mountain ranges, with views of five 8000+ meter peaks, including K-2 and Nangaparbat. Departures from Islamabad to Skardu are at 9:30am six days a week and 11am on Sundays, while the daily return is at 11:30am six days a week and 1:30pm on Sundays. The flight is an hour long - be aware that weather can create delays and cancellations.

The hotel offers complimentary transfers to and from Skardu.

overland

You can also travel to Skardu by paved road from Gilgit, along the breathtaking Indus Gorge. The distance is about 170km and takes five hours. There is a daily bus service available.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

old fort guest rooms

13 historical guest rooms located in the original Old Fort-Palace, featuring distinctive original architecture.

Heritage Royal Suite: US$200

Heritage Suite: US$150

Heritage Premiere Room: US$125

Heritage Deluxe Room: US$100

Heritage Studio Room: US$70

garden house guest rooms

7 guest rooms located in the Garden House, featuring newer construction using traditional materials and building techniques

Garden Suite: US$90

Garden Balcony Room: US$67

Garden Standard Room: US$58

included:

• All rates include breakfast in the Fong Restaurant
• Discounts are available to certain corporations and NGO's - please enquire with Good Travel Company.

**Current rates assume an exchange rate of PKR 60 per US$1.00.

booking & cancellation policy

• A 10% non-refundable deposit is required in order to secure a booking. The remaining 90% is payable on departure from hotel.
• Cancellation fees apply for cancellations made near the time of arrival - full details will be given to customers before a booking is confirmed.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.