We begin our journey in Islamabad and proceed to the beautiful alpine lush green Kaghan valley. This valley rivals any in the American Rockies and the European Alps. From here we drive over the Babusar Pass and enter another realm of the Indus gorge.
The Deosai Plains lie between the Indus River and the southern extension of the Himalayan Range, whose most famous peak is Nanga Parbat (8125m). At an average height of 3800m, the undulating, green, flower-filled meadows are surrounded by snow capped peaks and the drive through these plains is a soul stirring experience Deosai Lake, or Sheosar Lake from the Shina language meaning “Blind lake” (Sheo – Blind, Sar – lake) is in the park. The lake, at an elevation of 4,142 metres (13,589 ft), is one of the highest lakes in the world. Its length is 2.3 kilometers (7,500 ft), width 1.8 kilometers (5,900 ft) and average depth 40 metres (130 ft). It is located near the Chilim Valley on the Deosai Plains.
From Skardu we drive along the Indus Highway towards Hunza. Some say that the journey on the Indus High way is much more spectacular than even the legendary KKH. From Hunza we make an excursion to touch China at the highest paved road border crossing in the world. This is Khunjerab Pass and is located at a height of 4833 m. From Hunza we travel westwards to the Hindukush mountains, home of the Kafir Kalash. These pagan tribes claim descent from Alexander the Great.
The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Marmot, Gray Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard, and over 124 resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Snowcock.Astore Rama Lake is a lake near Astore in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is on the top of the beautiful Astore Valley, covered with oak trees and greenery. RamaValley is thickly forested with huge pine, cedar, fir and juniper trees. The valley is about 3300 meters (10800 feet) above sea level and thus is snow covered for 7-8 months of the year. In summer, it becomes lush green; conditions favored by local shepherds.From here one can trek to east side of the Nanga Parbat (also known as the Killer Mountain), the world’s 8th highest mountain.
Islamabad – Peshawar via Khyber Pass – Chital – Kalash- Shandur – Phandar Valley – Gilgit – karimabad Hunza via Atta abad lake – Khunjarab Pass – Gulmit – Gilgit – Skardu – Khapulo – Skardu – Deosai plains – Astore Rama Lake – Fairy meadows – Babusar pass To Naran – Islamabad.
Bicycling on the winding roads of the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush valleys would heighten your experience as you will have an occasion of a tidies uphill paddling and then abruptly ride downhill, passing through alpine forests, open valleys, along the rivers and lakes and lush meadows. Meet friendly people on the way as you may be offered with a local taste of tea and perhaps food.
We can arrange your bicycle tour with a van to follow you so that you may at any time climb aboard the vehicle in case you are tired or the weather disallow you to continue bicyclin. This trek is for real mountain bike freaks, physically well prepared people! Experience in mountain biking is a must. ..
Day 1 | Arrival in Islamabad, transfer to the hotel. |
Day 2 | Drive to Chilas. 15 hours jeepdrive. Overnight in hotel. |
Day 3 | For a short time we follow the Karakorum Highway (KKH) by Jeep to Jaglot. From there we start to make our first experience on the road by bike. On the way our cook will offer us lunch. Overnight in camp in Doyang, a beautiful campsite next to the Astor River. |
Day 4 | Dayon – Astor. The road is rough. Many rocky parts are to overcome. We camp next to Astor. |
Day 5 | Astor – Tarishing. The track is again strenuous. It needs a lot of power and concentration. The scenery is wonderful. In Tarishing we camp overnight. |
Day 6 | If the weather is good, we trek to the Nanga Parbat BC. The view to this grandious mountain is wonderful. Camp at the Herlikoffer BC. |
Day 7 | Nanga Parbat BC – Tarishing, overnight in camp. |
Day 8 | A superb downhill part is waiting for us. Through a green valley full of flowers and sprinkling water we bike to Chilim. Overnight in camp. |
Day 9 | Chilim – Chackor Pass 4100 m -Shaucer Lake. The steep ascend to the pass (about 1000 highmeters) is strenuous. Along the track there are wonderful flower meadows. |
Day 10 | Restday. At the blue lake, with a beautiful view of the Nanga Parbat we enjoy our time and let our legs relax. |
Day 11 | Shaucer Lake – Barapani. This day is a special enjoyment on a rather good bike road.In Barapani,after crossing the bridge, we set up our camp. With a little luck we may observe bears. This part already belongs to the National Park of Deosai plains. |
Day 12 | Barapani – Deosai Top. We continue our route on a good bike track, crossing a lot of waterpools and small rivers. In the afternoon we have the possibility to visit a Pakistani dairy. Overnight in camp. |
Day 13 | Deosai Top – Satpara Lake. Our longing to the superb downhill got an end.Downhill for the next 20 km! The road is narrow, rough and demands a lot of concentration. The difficult ride is pure enjoyment! Overnight at Satpara Lake. |
Day 14 | Satpara – Skardu. Today we reach again the civilization. Shower and washing day. We can visit the amazing bazaar or relax in the garden of the hotel. |
Day 15 – 16 | Skardu – Kaplu. A long but very beautiful road partly metalled, leads us along the Indus and the Shiok river to Kaplu, a village, where we can see the old traditional tibetan houses and the people living with their culture. We are spending the night in a hotel at the top of the village with a beautiful view to the Shiok valley. It is possible to go a few kilometers further, to have a gleam of the magic Masherbrum mountain 7800 m. |
Day 17 | Kaplu – Skardu, by jeep or by bike. Overnight in hotel. |
Day 18 | If the weather allows us, we have a splendid flight to Islamabad. Otherwise we take the way back on KKH via Chilas. Overnight in hotel. |
Day 19 | Free day at Islam Abad |
The Deosai Plains lie between the Indus River and the southern extension of the Himalayan Range, whose most famous peak is NangaParbat(8125m). At an average height of 3800m, the undulating, green, flower-filled meadows are surrounded by snow capped peaks and the drive through these plains is a soul stirring experience. Deosai National Park is at an average elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above the sea level, making the Deosai Plains the second highest plateau in the world, after the adjacent Tibetan Plateau. The park protects an area of 3,000 square kilometers (1,200 sq mi). It is well known for its rich flora and fauna of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe ecoregion. In the spring season it is covered by sweeps wildflowers and a widevariety of butterflies.
The Deosai Plains and Deosai National Parkcan be accessed via two routes. One is through Skardu City and the second through Astore District .The road from Astore starts from Chilum, continues through the plains and is asphalt road till the main lake before climbing to Deosai. The route from Skardu is via an unpaved road which can be hiked in two days. By jeep it is only a matter of hours. Deosai Lake is located in Gilgit-Baltistan. The beauty of Himalayas is visible every where around Deosai..
Day 01 | Receive from Islamabad airport and transfer to the hotel. |
Day 02 | Drive to Raikot Bridge and onward Tato village. |
Day 03 | Drive to Fairy Meadows. |
Day 04 | Free Day at Fairy Meadows. |
Day 05 | Drive to Beyal |
Day 06 | Drive to Astore Rama Lake |
Day 07-08 | Drive to Deosai Plains |
Day 09 | Drive to Shigir Khapulo |
Day 10 | Drive back to Skardu |
Day 11 | Drive to Islamabad |
This plateau lies 32 km to the southwest of Skardu and can be reached via the Satpara Lake. It has an average height of 3,500 meters (11,660 feet), is 70 km across, and links Baltistan with the Astore Valley.
Deosai plateau is the habitat of wild animals, especially the greatly threatened Himalayan Brown Bear. Today, it has been turned into park that shelters and protects wildlife.
The land is covered with snow for seven months of the year. In spring, vast stretches of green and thousands of wild flowers are intercepted by crystal clear streams and backed by snow-covered peaks.
Day 01 | Arrival Islamabad. (Hotel) |
Day 02 | Islamabad – Fly to Skardu. |
Day 03 | Skardu to Khaplu via Shigar. |
Day 04 | Khaplu to Deosai Plateau |
Day 05 | Deosai Plateau to Astore |
Day 06 | Astore to Chilas |
Day 07 | Chilas to Islamabad. |