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KDU → ISB
Which side of the plane to sit from Skardu Airport (Skardu) to New Islamabad International Airport (Islamabad)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is legendary for offering a front-row seat to Nanga Parbat, one of the world's most dramatic 8,000-meter peaks, and the deep Indus River gorges.
Nanga Parbat
The 'Killer Mountain' dominates the view; the flight path passes incredibly close to its massive 8,126m summit and the Diamir Face.
Indus River Gorges
Look straight down into some of the deepest canyons on Earth, where the Indus River carves through the mountains.
Haramosh & Rakaposhi
Spot these prominent Karakoram peaks standing tall to the northwest as the plane gains altitude from Skardu.
Tarbela Dam
As you approach Islamabad, see the massive scale of the world's largest earth-filled dam along the Indus River.
Margalla Hills
The green, forested ridges surrounding Islamabad signify the end of the high mountains and the start of the plains.
The Right Side (Seat F) is the priority for most travelers. To avoid wing obstruction, request a seat in the first few rows or the very back. Nanga Parbat appears roughly 10-15 minutes after takeoff. Always check the weather forecast; if it is cloudy, the peaks will be hidden, but morning flights (before 10 AM) offer the highest probability of clear views before 'peak-clouds' form.
K2 & Karakoram Giants
On clear mornings, the distant pyramid of K2 and the Gasherbrum massif are visible on the horizon shortly after departure.
Deosai National Park
View the 'Land of Giants', one of the highest plateaus in the world, appearing as a vast, rolling alpine wilderness.
Great Himalayan Range
A continuous panoramic view of snow-capped peaks stretching toward the disputed territories and the Indian border.
Mangla Reservoir
During the descent into the Potohar Plateau, the large blue expanse of the Mangla Dam reservoir becomes visible to the southeast.
The left side (Seat A) is ideal for those wanting to see the high-altitude plateau of Deosai. Because flights typically depart Skardu in the morning, the sun will be positioned behind the aircraft, providing perfectly front-lit conditions for photography of the eastern mountain ranges.
Distance: 315 km (196 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 32 min
Departure: KDU (35.33549880981445, 75.53600311279297)
Arrival: ISB (33.560713, 72.851613)
Route Type: Domestic
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