Deosai Plains

Deosai Plains, also known as Deosai National Park, is located at the distance of 30 km from Skardu between Astore and Skardu District. Its average elevation is 13,497 feet above sea level with vast plains and mounds of lush green grass with number of medicated herbs and plants.

Second Highest Plateau in the World

Deosai is the second-highest plateaus in the world at an elevation of 13,497 feet. Due to its extreme height, there is no tree in the Deosai Plains but full of lush green grass, flowering, herbal plants. In the spring season, it becomes colorful due to those wildflowers and a variety of butterflies. It is also famous for wildlife and different kind of flora and fauna in the Karakoram Range.

Accessing the Deosai National Park

Due to heavy snowfall in winter on high-altitude plains, it is only accessible in the summer season from end of July to September. Weather conditions in Deosai are highly unpredictable, so a rise or decrease in temperature can be at any time in Deosai. Sun and clouds always play with each other in Deosai, which means if the sun is there, it becomes difficult to bear the clear sun, and if clouds are there, then a heavy thunderstorm can be expected. So tourists must have warm clothes with them and waterproof tents to avoid rain in the area. There would be heavy snowfall without any warning before mid of summer season, whereas winter becomes harsh due to heavey snowfall. Due to the wilderness in Deosai Plains, it is difficult to do camping in Deosai Plains, but camping can be possible at the provided locations such as Sheosar Lake.

Due to high-altitude, the Deosai Plains are only accessible by using 4x4 jeep. Standard vehicles are not able to cross the plains due to deep water crossings, highly rugged, and rocky patches on the trek. From Astore side, it is more steeper as compare to Skardu side.

Access via Skardu District

Early start from the main Skardu town, jeep moves on the rugged and bumpy trek toward the Deosai plains. After crossing the Satpara Lake, trek ascends toward the highest plains of the World. You will be in Deosai plains as passing from the Ali Malik Mar Pass. There is an extreme steep trek just before entering the Deosai plains. At the Pass, travelers have to registered themselves at the Police Post. This point is also famous to get the panoramic view of the Skardu region. Jeep struggles to cross the vast and rolling plains for nearly 2 to 3 hours and then is descending slightly down to access the Sheosar Lake at the western edge of the Deosai Plains.

Access via Astore District

If you are coming from Astore side, you have to cross Chillum Chowki to enter into the Deosai Plains. It is shorter but steeper route as compare to the route from Skardu. Trek sharply moves up to the Deosai plains to access the Sheosar Lake within one and a half hour nearly. It is an ideal route from the Karakoram Highway, if you are planning to visit Sheosar Lake only instead of exploring the Skardu region.

Bara Pani and Kala Pani Streams

The major river, also known as Bara Pani, in the Deosai Plains is the main stream of water. A wooden suspension bridge over the river is used to cross to move in the lush green meadows of Deosai. Area is also famous for camping and a major view point to observe the endangered Himalayan brown bear near the riverside at the early morning time. Another famous stream in the Deosai Plains is the Black Water Stream, also known as Kala Pani. It is a shallow water streams with dark shaded stones that gives black color to its water. Jeep moves forward by splashing its water across the plains. It is an excellent spot for trout fishing and splendid panoramic photographic views of lush green meadows reflecting through the stream.

Sheosar Lake - Highest Alpine Lake of the World

Sheosar Lake is one of the major alpine jewel of the Deosai Plains at an elevation of $13,589 feet, also known as the highest alpine lake in the World. It is located on the western side of the plains near the Astore district and also gives panoramic view of the Nanga Parbat on clear days.

Homeland of Endangered Wildlife

The Deosai National Park is also an homeland for different wild animals such as Himalayan Ibex, Golden Marmot, Red Fox, Grey Wolf, Snow Lepard, Ladakh Urial, and Brown Bear. Different kinds of birds such as Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Sparrow hawk, Kestrel, Laggar Falcon, Snowcock, etc. There are also more than fifty kinds of flowers and a number of medicinal plants in Deosai Plains.

Before planning to visit, get updated 4x4 jeep rates, camping equipment, and best parking slots for your vehicles, visit our Skardu Travel Hub.

About Astore

Astore is district in the Gilgit-Baltistan and located at an altitude of 8,500 feet on the eastern side of Mount Nanga Parbat in front of the Rupal Face, at the distance of 60 km from Gilgit main city. Astore region ascends from the Indus River from Jaglot toward the opposite side of the Diamer district.