Deosai National Park — Attraction in Gilgit-Baltistan

Deosai National Park is an alpine plateau of exceptional beauty and ecological value located in the western massif of the Himalayas, east of Nanga Parbat Peak and in close proximity to the Central Karakoram Range. The plateau, with an altitude of 3500 to 5200 m., is an area of 358,400 ha. of flat but undulating plains broken by gently rolling hills and surrounded on all sides by mountains. It forms a stark contrast to much of the surrounding landscape which is made up of narrow valleys between steep mountains.

The plateau’s environment is characterized by extreme cold with low atmospheric pressure coupled with low oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, aridity, intense and rapid solar ultraviolet radiation. The Deosai plain receives higher rainfall than adjoining northern and north eastern valleys of Baltistan due to its geographical location facing the monsoon affected outer Himalayas. Annual precipitation varies from 350 to 550 mm., mostly received during winter as snow.

Deosai National Park is located where two biogeographical provinces merge, in the Himalayan and Karakorum-Pamir highlands. As a result, it is a place of very rich biodiversity as species are channelled through the Karakorum range, the main crest of the Himalayas, Zanskar range (Trans-Himalaya), Ladakh range (Trans-Himalaya) and the Indus valley.

These factors combine to create high altitude wetlands characterized by Sheosar Lake, at 4,250m which represents a unique category of alpine wetlands that is confined to the Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram mountain cordilleras. The wetlands are fed by snow melt from the surrounding high snow-clad peaks and are drained by many fast-flowing rivers and streams. Large expanses of alpine meadow alternate with drier stony areas, and there are patches of dwarf willows along the rivers and streams with many species of Poa, Saxifraga and Euphorbia. The plateau is highly significant in terms of watershed value. Three important river systems originate from Deosai National Park namely; Shatung, Bara Pani and Kala Pani which form the Shigar River, an important tributary of Indus River.

The park is part of the Conservation International Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot and contains a rich variety of species including a population of Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco), Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibrica), Tibetan red fox (Vulpus vulpus montana) and Golden marmots (Marmota caudata). The waters of the Deosai plateau are home to the local snow trout which reach enormous size. The park lies within the BirdLife International’s Western Himalaya Endemic Bird Area and is important as a resting place and breeding ground of residential and migratory birds of international importance. The flora of Deosai is influenced by four major floristic elements: Boreoalpine and Circumpolar; the Euro- Siberian; Southern European/ Mediterranean and Siberian- Mongolian and is home to hundreds of species of medicinal and aromatic plants. In the Spring season it is covered by sweeps of wildflowers and a wide variety of rare butterflies.

The area was designated as Deosai National Park by the Government of Pakistan in 1993 with the primary objective of protection and conservation of the Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos Isabellinus), unique to this part of the world. The Himalayan brown bear is a critically endangered species in some of its range and the key-stone species of Deosai National Park. The populations in Pakistan are slow reproducing, small, and declining because of habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and bear baiting. Bears are legally protected, however, and recently designated as critically endangered in IUCN’s Red List of Mammals of Pakistan. Seven populations probably persist in the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges; but the Deosai Plateau in western Himalaya hosts the only stable population. The sizes of these populations do not exceed 20 individuals, except for Deosai National Park, where 72 bears are...

Situated at an average elevation of 4,114m above sea level, the Deosai National Park in Pakistan is a part of the Deosai Plains. Considered the second highest plateau in the world after the Tibetan Plateau in Central Asia, the Deosai Plains and the Deosai National Park is something straight out of fairybooks. Deosai meaning 'the Shadow of the Giant', is a vast treeless, grassy plain, bordered by the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. Covered in snow most of the year, the destination is only accessible during summer. We say, you make the most out of the small window and explore the natural wonder while you can.

So what do you do when you are finally there? Below is a list of 6 reasons to visit Deosai National Park today. We hope you will experience them all and love the destination as much as we do on your next Pakistan tour.

THE WEATHER AND THE EERIE SILENCE The weather in Deosai is unpredictable, to say the least. While the place is accessible only during summer, sometimes travelers will experience snow in the middle of summer too. One moment you would be enjoying the majestic views of sunlight and clouds playing hide and seek in the sky. The next moment the sky could be overcast, starting icy winds and thunderstorms.

Besides the weather and the place's majestic splendor, Deosai is also known for its deafening silence. Many have tried to describe it, but it is something one has to experience to truly understand. If you hear slow drumming while here, there is a high chance that it is just the sound of you heartbeat.

Deosai National Park is well known for its rich and amusing flora and fauna. During spring, the plains are covered in wildflowers of all hues, which in turn attracts a wide variety of butterflies. As one can imagine, the sight of endless flowers and butterflies hovering over them is unforgettable. It makes for an instagrammable snap that all your friends would be envious of. It is indeed a real life fairyland.

SHEOSAR LAKE — THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF DEOSAI Blue water of lake in Deosai National Park The blue water on a calm day reflects the mountains bordering it. Located at 4,142m, Sheosar Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. Surrounded on one side by snow-covered mountains and lush green plains peppered with wildflowers in the other, the deep blue water is a sight to behold. On a clear day, one can see the famous Nanga Parbat's peaking amongst the other mountains. On windless days, when the lake sits calm, the Himalayas reflect on the surface, creating a natural masterpiece only a few lucky ones get to witness.

With so much nature to explore and enjoy, Deosai also gives you a wide variety of wildlife. How will you ever forget the sight of brown bears, Himalayan ibex, or cute chubby marmots? The Deosai Plains are also home to the red fox, golden marmot (locally called Phia), gray wolf, the Ladakh urial, snow leopard, and over 124 types of resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the golden eagle, lammergeier, griffon vulture, laggard falcon, peregrine falcon, Eurasian kestrel, Eurasian sparrow hawk, and snowcock.

A stream running through Deosai Plains Try your hands on trout fishing when in the Deosai National Park. There are several springs in Deosai brimming with trout fish that serve as food for locals and bears alike. If you know how to fish, you can catch fresh snow trout there on your own, or you can ask an expert guide to help you fish one. To catch one out in the wild and to eat it too is an experience worth telling boasting about.

If you love camping and have the time and zeal it takes, it is strongly suggested to camp in the national park. You’ll not need to worry about water, as there is an abundance of freshwater available in Deosai. All you need is your camping gear and some food. The night view will be another splendid sight you will remember of years to come. Ever seen a piece of the Milky Way swirling in the nightsky? Here...

The name came about from the folk tale immortalised by Mian Muhammad Baksh in his poem, "Saif al-Mulook"; the word 'Deosai' means 'the Shadow of the Giant': the word "Deo" being a contraction of 'Deva', and the word 'Sai' being one of 'Saya' i.e. 'Shadow'.Sai or Sain also an acronym for swami or lord.

Balti people call this place 'Ghbiarsa' referring to 'Summer's Place' because it is only accessible in summer. The Deosai National Park was established in 1993 to protect the survival of the Himalayan brown bear and its habitat. Having long been a prize kill for poachers and hunters, the bear now has a hope for survival in Deosai where its number has increased from only 19 in 1993 to 40 in 2005. In 1993, after playing an instrumental role in the designation of Deosai as a National Park, the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (formerly the Himalayan Wildlife Project) was founded with a substantial international financial support. The Himalayan Wildlife Foundation ran two park entry check posts and a field research camp in Deosai for approximately ten years. Documentation was completed by the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation for the handover of the management of the Park to the, then, Northern Areas Forest Department with the department starting to manage the park since 2006. While pressures that existed in the 1990s, such as hunting and poaching have subsided, the brown bear is still under threat due to pressures such as increasing numbers of tourists and the use of park areas for grazing.

The Deosai Plains are also home to the Siberian ibex, Snow Leopard, Kashmir Musk Deer, Himalayan wolf, Himalayan marmot and over 124 types of resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the Golden eagle, Lammergeier, Himalayan vulture, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Eurasian kestrel, Eurasian sparrowhawk, and Himalayan snowcock.

The following plant species are found in Deosai:

Polygonum affine, Thalictrum alpinum, Bromus oxyodon, Saxifraga flagellaris, Androsace mucronifolia, Aster flaccidus, Barbarea vulgaris, Artemisia maritima, Elymus longiaristatus, Nepeta connata, Carex cruenta, Ranunculus laetus, Arenaria neelgherrensis, Astragalus leucocephalus, Polygonum amplexinade, Echinops niveus, Senecio chrysanthemoides, Artemisia spp., Dracocephalum nutans, Taxus contorta, Chrysopogon gryllus subsp. echinulatus and Dianthus crinitus. There were also observed some medicinal plants which are locally famous i.e. Thymus linearis (Reetumburuk),  Saussurea lappa (kuth), Ephedra gerardiana (Say), Viola pilosa (Skora-mindoq), Pleurospermum candollei (Shamdun)  and Artemisia brevifolia (Bursay) etc. which are used as traditional drug therapies. Deosai is accessible from Astore District in the west, Skardu District in the north, and Galtari in Kharmang District in the south-east. It is also accessible from Mehdiabad via Mehdiabad-Dapa Road. Deosai is located approximately 30 km from Skardu city, which is the shortest route to visit Deosai. Another route is from Astore valley via Chilim. It is also accessible from Shila valley. The people of Galtari travel via Deosai. While it is a National Park, the Gujjar-Bakwarwal travel large distances to utilize the Deosai National Park as grazing lands. There is another route called Burgi la via Tsoq Kachura valley Skardu. The Deosai National Park is located in western Himalayas in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. It has an average elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above sea level,[3] making the Deosai Plains the second highest plateau in the world after Changtang Tibetan Plateau. The park protects an area of 843 square kilometres (325 sq mi). It is well known for its rich flora and fauna of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe eco-region. In spring, it is covered by sweeps of wildflowers and a wide variety of...