Deosai Plains – Fact Sheet | By Jalal HB

M kPakistan is a God gifted land. It abounds in natural treasures and breathtaking landscapes. One such of these are the Deosai Plains – spread over an area of some 3,000 kilometres. After Tibet, Deosai is the second highest plateau in the world. The endless and awesome Deosai Plains are located on the boundary between the Karakorum and West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe. A part of Pakistan’s  Gilgit Baltistan region, the plains at an average height of 4,114 metres above mean sea level, are rich in
unique type of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

  THE HABITAT

Deosai in Balti [the local language] means the Chair of a Giant. Located some 30 kilometers from the city of Skardu, the Plains are a big tourist attraction. By advent of summer, the entire plains blossom with countless, colourful natural flowers that equate the area with an earthly heaven. The spring and summer seasons are the best times to visit the plains when a wide variety of multi colour butterflies swarm the area.

THE WILDLIFE

Some thing that attracts wild life lovers to Deosai is the extinct brown Himalayan bear of Deosai. In order to preserve this fast deteriorating species of beautiful heavy brown fur coated bear, the Deosai National Park was established in 1993.The idea behind this park is a better management of the environment for the brown bears and protect them from hunters. The efforts have been rewarded and once hardly a dozen bears as early as 1990 have now grown in numbers to over 50.

Besides bears, the wildlife at Deosai includes the extinct Snow Leopard, Golden Marmot, Red Fox, the Himalayan Ibex and  the Laddakh Urial. As for birds, one can see Sparrow Hawk, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Laggar Falcon and Snow Cock

HOW TO REACH

Those wishing to go to this earthly heaven can chose one of the two routes. The most usual and oft adopted route is from Skardu. Since Skardu is connected to Islamabad and Gilgit through both air and land link, most travelers and tourists prefer this route. There is an unpaved road which takes a few hours from Skardu in hired jeeps.

The other route is from Astore, commencing from area called Chilum. There is a paved road till the climb to Deosai commences. In fact the track from Skardu ultimately ends up at Astore through Deosai. The unpaved road from Skardu head southwards to Satpara Valley, the home to beautiful Satpara Lake.

Satpara Lake, a bird eye view. The lake is actually far more beautiful than what its looks in pictures. The word beauty is not enough to describe the feelings which you get while standing there and viewing it yourself. [To view full size, click on the image]
The undulating meadows here have no trees or shrubs and the area is snow covered for most parts of the year. Spring comes to Deosai late when millions of wild flowers begin to bloom all over the lush green grassland. This is a time when Deosai looks like a fairies land with a landscape full of wild flowers on green rolling hills and crystal clear water streams with snow covered peaks in the background. That is the seasons when most travellers go to the area.

Heading west from Satpara one moves towards Deosai. From Deosai northwards we reach Upper Astore Valley through Chakor Pass located at 4,266 meters. This is the most impressive part of Deosai, with deep blue Sheosar Lake, nestled in the pass, that offers picture-book scenery.

Those seeking more adventure can trek out to Deosai from Skardu – an arduous and laborious trek though. For still more fun, there is another adventure packed fun, the bike tour, offered by local tour operators. A tour on the bike will take you right across the beautiful mountain ranges of Himalaya and Karakoram.

While traveling on KKH, you will enjoy most spectacular scenery on earth and before reaching Deosai, you will also witness the magical views of Nanga Parbat (8125m), the ninth highest peak of the world. From different angles at Deosai, our first stop will be at Sheosar Lake.
This place offers beautiful views of south face of Nanga Parbat and panoramic views of Deosai Plains.

At Bara Pani, you can spend one day and visit the core zone of National Park for Bear Watching or you may enjoy fishing in the cold water of Barwai stream.

From Deosai, you can drive back via Skardu and Gilgit and have a chance to enjoy the most thrilling drive along the River Indus.

AND FINALLY

For adventure lovers, Deosai offers a lifetime memory with its crystal clear water streams and flower bedecked alpine pastures, besides the gentle, warm and hospitable character of the villager folk of Baltistan.