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When travelers look for ‘Deosai’ they often have limited understanding of the region and expect results within a small radius. There are basic camps and a rest house on the plateau. Skardu city at a distance of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours from the plateau, by jeep, has hotels and is the gateway for the majority of visitors. There are a few guesthouses on the Satpara road which connects Skardu to Deosai.
The high altitude of the plateau around 4,114 meters average elevation and extreme climate make it virtually uninhabited. During the short high altitude tourism season which is from around June to October, the only government rest house is at Sheosar lake on Deosai.
Away from the plateau, Skardu is the largest city in the area and has a choice of accommodation for all budgets. The Satpara area has a couple of guesthouses. A visit to Deosai plateau requires camping for those who wish to spend more than one day on the plateau.
The two main factors determining the type of base to select on the Deosai Plateau are how long you intend to stay on the Plateau and whether you are planning to take a tour of Deosai and return to stay in a city hotel.
The unique beauty of the Deosai Plateau can only be experienced through a night's stay on the Plateau, at an altitude of 4,000 meters, away from all human settlements. Compared to other tourist places in Skardu, Deosai requires more time and patience. A long drive of over 6 hours from Skardu to Deosai takes you to an altitude of 4,000 meters, where you can see the famous Sheosar Lake and stay overnight without any civilization and Light Pollution.
The temperature drops close to zero at Bara Pani (Cold Water) and at Sheosar Lake, during the months of July and August. So, special extreme-cold weather bags are essential for survival during your stay on Deosai.
A licensed tour guide and all the food and water you are going to need during your stay on Deosai are to be arranged from Skardu. There are no shops or other facilities on Deosai. Most tourists set up their camps near Sheosar Lake or at Bara Pani.
Full camping facilities can be arranged by HospitalityTours.com.pk. You are required to give a prior notice in case you want to go camping at Deosai. They will make the necessary arrangements and confirm the Camping Permits.
The Deosai plateau has semi-permanent camping arrangements during peak season. These setups offer camp furniture and a cook. Availability and the quality of these setups changes from year to year. Any camping setups organized by a local guide or operator must have a GB Tourism Department license, and the equipment provided must be listed in the agreement.
The only building on the Deosai Plateau is a government rest house on the shore of Sheosar lake. It has a small number of rooms and is managed by the Gilgit-Baltistan Parks and Wildlife department. It is not bookable online like other hotels. The department or an associated operator organizes stays at the rest house. The rest house has basic facilities.
The rest house is the only option for travelers wanting to stay on the Deosai Plateau and have a roof over their head. There are no other facilities on the plateau. Guests are required to provide and cook their own meals. The rest house is a basic facility and travelers are not allowed to stay there if they do not have prior approval from the Parks and Wildlife department. During the busy tourist season travelers should obtain approval and make a reservation at least a month in advance. Travelers are not allowed to turn up at the park unannounced and expect to stay at the rest house.
Most people use Skardu city as the main base for a Deosai Trip. From here it takes 2-2.5 hours by jeep to reach the plateau. Skardu city has budget and more respectable accommodation options, and due to its central location with respect to all other areas in Skardu, it is also the base for all other trips in the district.
Some of the more expensive places in Skardu include Hussaini camp which has good views over the Indus valley and the Skardu township. This is also the only place in Skardu that offers hot water, and other amenities. For a day trip to Deosai from here you should budget for at least an 8-9 hour day.
Other than these, Skardu has many other guesthouses in the 2-3 star range. Most of these have views toward the mountains and Indus valley. Some of these are close to the road that leads to Satpara Lake, and Deosai, and are better bases for a Deosai trip than the more remote lodges.
Skardu has budget guesthouses for travelers seeking to visit Deosai Plateau. These guesthouses are located in the bazaar and do not offer the kinds of amenities found in city hotels. Most guesthouses do not have hot water and share bathrooms. But these guesthouses are cheaper and put travelers closer to the jeeps that will take them to Deosai.
Not all guesthouses are located in Skardu city. Some are in the Satpara area, about an hour and a half outside of Skardu city and the gateway to Deosai Plateau. From Satpara, guests can also see Satpara lake and dam. Like the guesthouses in the city, these guesthouses also offer rooms for travelers who want to stay on Deosai Plateau.
Staying in Satpara can save guests an hour and a half of driving in the morning to get to Deosai Plateau, but there are fewer guesthouses to stay in and the amenities are not as nice as the ones offered in the city. Guests looking to visit the different parts of the Skardu district can also stay the night in Satpara. This breaks up the monotony of staying in the city and camping in the plateau.
Some guests wish to camp on the plateau to see the Deosai Plateau at sunrise. Camping on the plateau also gives guests a chance to see the night sky, which is less polluted than at lower elevations. Camping on Deosai requires guests to be well equipped to handle freezing temperatures and the elevation.
The government rest house at Sheosar is the other option for staying on the plateau if camping is not preferred. It can be booked in advance and has a few facilities. This is the only other option available other than camping.
Hotels in Skardu are a good option for people who wish to do a day’s trip to Deosai. Staying in Skardu also means access to proper and adequate food and other hotels facilities. Staying in Skardu also means less driving as the hotels in Skardu provide access to all the other tourist places in the Skardu district.
The Satpara area is a good option for breaking a long journey. It also requires less driving compared to staying in Skardu.
Is the camping gear sufficient to withstand temperatures below freezing? This is the foremost question to ask of any camping service to Deosai. Camping gear that is adequate for lower altitudes will not be of any use at 4000 meters.
Is the guide in possession of a valid GB Tourism Department license? Checking the license number is recommended. It is a condition of the park to have a license to guide in Deosai National Park.
Is your stay at the rest house confirmed? It is better to have the confirmation in writing.
The cooking arrangement for your camping group makes a difference in your camping experience. Some groups have a cook and you get cooked food. In other groups, members take gas stove and food along. Any of these is ok, but it is good to have prior information about the arrangement so that you are not surprised later.
You need to confirm the availability of rest houses and make prior bookings, about two weeks in advance of your planned trip, as they get booked well in advance, especially during peak season.
You need to check if your operator’s camping gear has recently been taken to altitude by them. The performance of camping gear at altitude is not the same as at lower altitudes. An operator who regularly takes camping trips to Deosai has the knowledge about this.
You need to check the status of the Skardu to Deosai road one to two weeks prior to your trip.
You need to avoid camping on the Deosai plateau without adequate warm clothing. The difference in the temperature at Skardu and on the Deosai plateau is significant.
You need to avoid going without a prior booking for a rest house. This is the biggest mistake that people make when planning for a night stay at Deosai.
You need to avoid staying at Skardu hotels and guesthouses which have old and outdated reviews.
Is it possible to spend a night on Deosai?
There are two ways. The first is to camp on the plateau. The second is to stay at the government rest house at Sheosar Lake. The rest house is run by GB Parks and Wildlife department and has a limited number of rooms. It must be booked in advance through the department or an authorized operator. Camping permission, a licensed guide and proper equipment are required to camp on Deosai. The tour operator Hospitality Tours can arrange both options for you.
What is the Government Rest House at Sheosar Lake?
It is the only built accommodation by the department at Deosai plateau. It has a couple of basic rooms. It is not listed on any hotel booking sites, and reservations need to be made through the department or a travel agent who has prior connections with the department.
Is camping on Deosai plateau dangerous?
It is not dangerous. Some people may consider it an extreme sport due to the low temperatures. It is always better to be prepared and have proper camping gear with you. Thunderstorms may occur in the afternoons and a guide who is well aware of the plateau may put your mind at ease.
What is the closest hotel to Deosai?
The hotels closest to Deosai Plateau are in Skardu City and are 2 to 2.5 hours away by jeep. Closer still are some guest houses in Satpara. On the plateau, there is a government rest house in Sheosar.
Do camping packages include food?
Camping packages offered by HospitalityTours.com.pk provide food and a cook. Make sure to check what is included in the package when you make your reservation. All food and supplies must be brought up from Skardu.
How cold is it camping on Deosai?
At Sheosar Lake, the temperature drops to as low as 0 degrees during the nights of July and August. Camping gear must be rated for these low temperatures. Other gear to help retain body heat include thermal clothing, and a tent to protect from the wind. The difference between daytime temperatures and the freezing temperatures at night can be surprising to people who aren't from the region and may be expecting Skardu-like temperatures.
Camping or the rest house, which is better?
Camping is better for people looking for more freedom and flexibility regarding where they stay and when. The rest house is better for people worried about the weather.
HospitalityTours.com.pk can arrange for camping on Deosai, a stay at a Deosai Rest House or a hotel stay in Skardu, and a Deosai Day Trip. For more information or to make a booking, contact them with your group size, the dates you wish to travel and any other information you think relevant. They will not charge you or make a booking until you approve their plan.
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