Serena Shigar Fort

Although the Fort is surrounded be beautiful mountains and great views, fort itself is very small. Half of it has been converted into hotel by Serena. Not worth visiting especially if you already have visited Baltit Fort (which is very rich in history and huge in size).

Excellent place for a stay during a vacation or even for dine in only. The hotel is located inside Shigar Fort. Best place to taste local dishes of Shigar Valley. The Shigar Fort itself is a very famous tourist attraction both for Pakistani and foreign tourists.

It’s a short trip which you can’t compare with the other forts from GB, but worth it. The tree which is 100s of years old was quite unique given the hole at the bottom where you can even stand. Our guide was Hasnain, and he’s pursuing a graduate in Physics from one of the most prestigious universities in Islamabad. We were impressed with his behavior and warmth towards the guests.

Beautiful location overlooking a river and surrounded by mountains. Cherry tree orchard on the garden and views everywhere. Excellent food and service. Rooms are so cute and comfortable especially the balcony area. Must stay if visiting Shigar.

Serena Shigar Fort (locally known as Fong‑Khar or "Palace on the Rock") is a beautifully restored 17th-century fort in Shigar, Gilgit‑Baltistan, turned heritage boutique hotel—just about 30 km (≈45 min by road) from Skardu . Originally built by the Amacha rulers in the 17th century atop a large boulder, the fort later fell into neglect before its complete restoration by the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan from 1999–2004 for around USD 1.4 million . In 2006, it won the UNESCO Asia‑Pacific Heritage Award for conservation excellence .

Hidden deep in the mystical Shigar Valley, the Serena Shigar Fort isn’t just a hotel — it’s a time machine that whisks you 400 years into the past. Imagine sleeping in a real royal palace where once kings ruled, and now birds sing in quiet courtyards as the Shigar River hums nearby.||From the moment I entered the wooden gate carved with intricate Balti patterns, I knew I was somewhere special. The staff greeted me like royalty, and the scent of apricot trees and old stone lingered in the cool mountain air.|||🛏️ Rooms: A Royal Retreat||The fort offers about 20 rooms, and each one is a unique blend of heritage and comfort. I stayed in the Garden House Suite, where sunlight poured through wooden lattice windows onto walnut floors. You’ll find:||Handcrafted wooden furniture||Cozy traditional rugs||Clean modern bathrooms||No TVs (and trust me, you won’t miss them here!)||You can choose rooms inside the original 17th-century palace or in the newly built garden wing, depending on how much heritage vs. comfort you prefer.||💸 Discounts & Offers||Depending on the season (especially off-peak months like October or April), Serena Hotels often offers:||10–20% off online bookings||Special honeymoon packages||Residents’ discounts for Pakistani citizens

If you have Serena's reservation than it might be good. But if you are just a visitor, beware that its just serrna hotel, not a historical place for tourists because almost 80-90 percent of the fort has been occupied by Serena hotel where tourists are not allowed to enter. Only two - three rooms are open for tourists. Yet they charge 800 per person entry fees. You can't even enter the cherry gardens. It was a total disappointment for me. I went there keeping in mind baltit fort but only spent half an hour there, because there was nothing else to see.

Good location, good place, if you want to go there for just the historic aspect then don't bother... It's not worth the effort. Since they repurposed the rooms, they feel spooky.