Deosai "Roof of the Earth"

Deosai is located on the boundary of Karakoram and the western Himalayas. It remains covered with snow for 8 months. The rest of the year, it hosts a range of beautiful flowers of all hues and colours, but not a single tree is found in this plateau .

There are two options for this amazing Deosai tour starting from Islamabad. One is by road via Karakorum Highway  and the other is via flight to Skardu Airport from Islamabad (capital of Pakistan). If someone are nature lover than I recommend them to travel by road because the road via Babusar (Babusar Pass or Babusar Top is a mountain pass ) is also amazing and tourist attractive.

it is world’s second highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau. In popular culture it is also known as the roof of the world. It is more than 13,000 feet above sea level and spans over a vast area of 3000 square kilometers. Deosai is known for its exotic flora and fauna. It is home to the Himalayan brown bear, one of the most endangered species of animals in the world. Its number was reduced to only a couple of dozen until necessary steps were taken to ensure its survival. Brown bear’s main habitat is the southern part of Deosai.Dr Anis ur Rehman, the famous dentist from Islamabad, joined hands with locals and the wildlife department to save brown bears. Today, their population is slowly bouncing back Himalayan Golden eagles flying between the clouds, red foxes, white tigers, and naughty marmots these are also the real beauty of Deosai. It hides in summer and comes out when the plateau is covered with snow for nearly six to eight months. Deosai itself is a protected area and rules and regulations are in force to save its beautiful environment. Official entrances and campsites are designated by concerned authorities and any activity which could harm nature is prohibited.

Sheosar Lake situated in Deosai Natural Park; Pakistan.

Deosai is a world of its own. It feels like you have stepped through a looking glass into a different world which is the stuff of dreams. Irregular plains and hills covered in grass are spread all the way to horizon. There’s a peculiar fragrance in its air, a concoction of the aroma of millions of exotic wild flowers and herbs which grow on its slopes and plains. The phrase “roof of the world” used for Deosai is not just a fantasy. You get an overwhelming feeling that there’s no place higher than this. Deep into the trance of Deosai you may actually try to touch the sky which seems just an arm’s length away. There is such peace and serenity; it feels like the place is suited for congregation of angels. It casts a spell on senses and makes you wonder whether a mere mortal, an insignificant being in the scheme of things, deserve to see a wonder as beautiful as Deosai.

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

- William Wordsworth

Its not an exaggeration — really, one should visit and see for themselves. The Deosai National Park and the Sheosar Lake are the literal personification of Wordsworth’s poetry.

Deosai is the combination of two words ‘Deo’ (giant) and ‘Sai’ (shadow). For centuries, it is believed that this place is haunted by giants, thus the name ‘The Land of the Giants’ came into being. The weather in quite unpredictable here, sometimes it starts snowing in summer. Sunlight and clouds seem to play hide and seek here, with the sun shining one minute, and overcast in next.

A road from Skardu Bazaar turns to the Sadpara village. From this curvy road, Sadpara lake seems so beautiful, that the onlookers forget to blink. Soon comes the Sadpara village, where the local children have conspired with the nature to stop the vehicles.

When the village is left behind, the road becomes uneven, and increasing height puts pressure on ears. High mountains on one side, and depths on the other side — it is enough to disrupt the heartbeat of first-time visitor. But when you are done with the journey, such a scene awaits you, which can neither be described in words, nor can it be entirely captured in photographs.

In about an hour we crossed Deosai and reached Chillim Chowki which is a small town from where you may either take the road to Burzil pass, Minimarg and Gultari along the Pak-India border or take the road up to Deosai plains.

The Burzil pass is the centuries-old trade route from Srinagar to Gilgit. But do not attempt trade on this route presently for your life may be at stake on both sides of the hostile border.

Imagine Francis Young Husband or George Hayward, the great British explorers, trekking through this route in 1890s.

One persistent issue in Deosai is mosquitoes, and tourists are advised to keep good mosquito repellents handy, especially in evenings.

The best time to visit Deosai is August, when the snow is thawed and flowers in bloom — and brown bears wandering about. You can take a day trip to Deosai from Skardu or Astore or stay a night at Barra Paani – but do leave Deosai clean and serene for people.