Serena Shigar Fort, Shigar

Located in the beautiful province of Baltistan in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, Shigar Fort Residence is the result of a unique heritage conservation project, which offers guests the opportunity to experience the restored original architecture of a 17th century Raja fort-palace. Opened as a guesthouse in 2005, following an intensive six-year restoration undertaken by the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan, the original 400-year old building was 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 modern guesthouse. There are 20 rooms organised in two buildings; the original old fort palace - where architecture style and features have been meticulously restored - and the new garden house building with rooms newly built using traditional materials and building techniques. Facilities include a gift shop, guest kitchen, overnight laundry service and a restaurant that specialises in local Pakistani dishes, including traditional BBQ and Iftar dinners, featuring organic produce, fish, and meat.