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° EView on a map

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

What draws people here

Sheosar Lake
Summer wildflowers
Wildlife watching with park guides
Crossing between Skardu and Astore

Planning a visit

Getting there: Jeep roads reach the plateau from Skardu through Sadpara, about 30 km to the park edge, and from Astore through Chilam. Crossing from Skardu to Astore is about 150 km and four to five hours. The nearest airport is Skardu.
How long to allow: A day trip from Skardu, or one to two days for the crossing to Astore.
Good to know: Snow closes the road for roughly half the year and opening dates vary; June to September is the dependable window. Entry is ticketed at the park checkpost. The plateau averages 4,114 metres, and camping inside the park was banned in 2025 to protect the brown bears.

General guidance, checked in September 2026. Visa rules, permits, flights and mountain roads change; confirm with official sources or a licensed operator before you book. We do not sell travel.

Sources

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