Deosai — The plains above the clouds. — Pakistan Tourism Awards

Sheosar Lake lying blue in the open grassland of the Deosai plateau, wildflowers in the foreground

Gilgit-Baltistan

The plains above the clouds.

Photo: Uzair889 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Deosai is a high plateau between Skardu and Astore, averaging 4,114 metres. It was designated a national park in 1993, chiefly to protect the Himalayan brown bear, and has been on Pakistan's UNESCO Tentative List since 2016.

The plateau is open only in summer, when the snow withdraws and the grassland flowers. Sheosar Lake, at 4,250 metres, lies near its western edge. There are no towns and few structures. The space itself is the experience.

Average elevation: 4,114 m
National park since: 1993
Sheosar Lake: 4,250 m
Flagship species: Himalayan brown bear
Generally visited: July to September
Coordinates: 34.967° N, 75.400° E

Seasons are general guidance. Mountain roads and passes open and close with the weather; check locally before travelling.

What draws people here

01Sheosar Lake
02Summer wildflowers
03Wildlife watching with park guides
04Crossing between Skardu and Astore

Sources

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