Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer is a massive, high-altitude alpine plain located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. The park sits right at the boundary between the Skardu District and the Astore District. Most of the park area falls within Skardu, and it is located about 30 kilometers south-east of Skardu city.
To understand its scale, it helps to look at the real facts and figures:
- Height from Sea Level: The plateau sits at an incredible average elevation of 4,114 meters above sea level. That is 13,497 feet high, making it the second-highest plateau on Earth, right after the Changtang Tibetan Plateau.
- Actual Size: The national park protects a huge area of 843 square kilometers (about 358,400 hectares) of wild, treeless landscape.
- The Name: In the local Balti language, the area is called “Ghbiarsa,” which means “Summer’s Place”. This is because the area is so high and cold that humans and animals can only visit it during the short summer season.
The famous English name, “The Land of Giants,” comes from old local legends. For hundreds of years, people believed that regular humans could never survive in such a massive, empty, and bitterly cold place. They thought only supernatural giants could live in these vast plains and it is the only place to visit Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer.
Why it is Important?
This park Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer is not just a beautiful place for tourists to take photos. It is a highly protected ecosystem that plays a vital role in global wildlife conservation.
- Saving the Himalayan Brown Bear: The park was created in 1993 for one primary reason: to save the critically endangered Himalayan Brown Bear from going extinct. In 1993, only about 17 to 20 bears were left alive here. Thanks to strict protection laws, the population has grown to over 70 bears today.
- A Safe Haven for Rare Wildlife: Besides the brown bears, the plateau protects the Tibetan wolf, the Himalayan red fox, the golden marmot, and the rare snow leopard.
- An Essential Bird Nesting Ground: The park is a critical resting and breeding area for both local and migratory birds, including the golden eagle and the Himalayan griffon vulture.
- A Natural Water Reservoir: The melting snow on the plains fills up beautiful high-altitude lakes and feeds rivers that provide fresh water to the valleys below.
How to Visit Deosai: Step-by-Step Process
Visiting a high-altitude wilderness requires careful planning. You cannot just drive up in a regular city car. Here is the exact process you need to follow to visit Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer
- Step 1: Choose the Right Month: You can only visit Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer between regular summer months, usually from late June to September. During the rest of the year, the plains are buried under many feet of deep snow and are completely closed.
- Step 2: Reach Skardu or Astore City: First, you need to travel to the northern areas of Pakistan. You can take a domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu airport, or travel by road via the Karakoram Highway.
- Step 3: Rent a 4×4 Jeep: Regular cars cannot handle the bumpy, unpaved, and rocky mountain tracks. You must hire a local 4×4 jeep and an experienced driver from Skardu or Astore.
- Step 4: Pay the Entry Fee: When you reach the park entrance gate (such as the Sadpara checkpoint from the Skardu side), you must buy an entry ticket. This small fee goes directly toward park conservation and wildlife protection.
- Step 5: Pack for Extreme Weather: Even in July, the temperature can drop below freezing point at night. Pack warm thermal layers, windproof jackets, sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sun, and plenty of drinking water.
Benefits of Visiting Deosai
- Clean, Unpolluted Air: Standing at over 4,000 meters means you are far away from city smoke, noise, and industrial pollution. It is a great place to refresh your body and mind.
- Incredible Photography Spots: The contrast of deep blue lakes, bright green plains, millions of wildflowers, and snowy peaks offers some of the best photography views in the world.
- Unmatched Stargazing: Because there are no city lights for miles, the night sky over the plains turns into a clear window to the Milky Way galaxy. It is one of the top camping locations for seeing shooting stars.
- Real Wildlife Experiences: It is one of the very few places where you can look through binoculars and watch golden marmots playing in the grass or see a golden eagle hunting in the sky.
Travel Route Comparison Table
There are two primary driving routes to enter the park plains. Here is a simple comparison to help you choose the best route for your journey.
| Feature | Skardu Route (Via Sadpara) | Astore Route (Via Chilum) |
| Starting Point | Skardu City | Astore Valley |
| Distance to Plains | Around 30 kilometers | Around 60 kilometers |
| Road Condition | Short but very steep and rocky | Longer, gradual climb, passes military checks |
| Key Views on the Way | Sadpara Lake, Shatung River | Chilum Valley, Sheosar Lake |
| Best For | Travelers who want a quick day trip | Travelers who want to see Sheosar Lake first |
Who Should Visit This Place?
This high-altitude park is perfect for specific types of travelers:
- Nature Lovers and Photographers: If you love open landscapes, endless fields of wild spring flowers, and untouched natural beauty, this is a dream destination.
- Adventure Campers: People who enjoy setting up tents, sleeping in cold mountain weather, and looking at the night stars will find it unforgettable.
- Wildlife Researchers: Students and scientists who want to learn about alpine plants, endangered bears, and cold-water mountain fish.
Note: Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer Because the altitude is very high, this trip might be difficult for very old individuals, small infants, or anyone with serious heart or breathing medical conditions.
Practical Tips for a Safe Journey
- Acclimatize First: Do not sleep on the plains on your very first day in the region. Spend at least one or two nights in Skardu city (which is lower down) to let your body adjust to the thin air.
- Bring Cash: There are no bank machines (ATMs), card readers, or mobile phone signals out on the plains. Bring enough local cash to pay your driver and buy basic food.
- Do Not Litter: This is a protected national park. You must bring all your plastic wrappers, empty water bottles, and trash back to the city with you.
- Keep Your Distance from Wildlife: If you are lucky enough to spot a Himalayan Brown Bear, do not try to walk close to it or feed it. They are wild, powerful animals.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Can I visit Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer?
No. The park is completely closed from November to May. The entire plateau receives heavy snowfall, and temperatures drop down to minus 30 degrees Celsius, making it impossible to access.You can visit this place in summer.
Q2: Is there a mobile phone network available on the plains?
No. There are no mobile phone signals or internet towers inside the main park boundaries. It is a complete off-grid wilderness area.
Q3: Can we find hotels or guest houses to stay inside the park?
There are no permanent concrete hotels or buildings allowed inside the protected park area. If you want to stay overnight, you must bring your own camping gear or rent a tent at the designated campsites near Bara Pani.
Q4: How far is Sheosar Lake from the main entrance?
Sheosar Lake is located deeper inside the park, near the Astore boundary. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours of jeep driving from the Skardu entrance gate to reach the lake.
Q5: Is it safe for families to visit?
Yes, day trips are very safe for families. However, make sure everyone has warm clothes, and keep small children hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
Conclusion
The Deosai National Park The Best Place to Visit This Summer is a location that stays in your memories forever. From its incredible height of 4,114 meters to the quiet green plains filled with rare brown bears and golden marmots, it is a true national treasure. It reminds us how beautiful our planet can look when humans protect nature instead of destroying it.
Would you choose to camp out under the stars in these massive plains, or do you prefer a peaceful day trip to look at the reflections on Sheosar Lake? At ourKPK you should get the latest updates about the every aspect of tourism.
