Deosai Plains: Wildlife, Brown Bears & High-Plateau Safari Guide
Crossing the world's second-highest plateau: what to see, when to visit Sheosar Lake, and how to spot Himalayan Brown Bears ethically.
The Land of Giants at 4,114 Meters
Spanning more than 3,000 square kilometers, Deosai National Park is the second-highest alpine plateau on the planet after the Changtang in Tibet. For 8 months of the year, it remains buried under meters of snow, bursting into life between late June and September with millions of wildflowers.
Himalayan Brown Bears & Wildlife
Deosai is the last protected stronghold of the endangered Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in Pakistan. The plateau is also home to golden marmots, Tibetan red foxes, and rare birds of prey including golden eagles and lammergeiers.
Sheosar Lake & Star Gazing
Sheosar Lake sits at an altitude of 4,142 meters. On calm mornings, its surface mirrors the distant peak of Nanga Parbat. At night, with virtually zero light pollution, the Milky Way arches across the sky with unmatched clarity.
Permits, 4x4 Access & Campsites
Access is by 4x4 jeep from either Skardu via Sadpara Lake or Astore via Chilam Choki. Designated camping sites with clean eco-toilets are maintained at Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake.
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