Baltistan - Minimarg Permission? Safe to Camp? Kala Pani Valley to Deosai Jeep Track?

[m-yousuf]

^ Thank you and hope can complete it as planned and best wishes for your trip as well. We will do this on a Pajero.
To be honest Naltar is a stretch of original plan as we wanted to concentrate on Astore to Skardu.
On Minimarg, needed specific info as to whom and where to get in touch.
Yes, that is Kala Pani on Deosai track but actually there seems to be a Kala Pani Valley Jeep Track leading to somewhere from Riat/Rattu valley and wanted to know if it connects to Deosai etc. On google earth is finishes between no where.
Time shortage as a few us have to join back office, might drop Naltar and do this instead.

My cousin has a friend in skardu. He's major & incharge of helicopters there. May be we get a ride in helicopter also. If you have any contacts in army do contact them. Lets hope for the best.

[m-yousuf]

I guess you should stick to skardu & surroundings. Shigar & khaplu are worthing seeing. Else gurus can guide you better.
I have planned this tour on my surf.
And yeah if army allows then may be you can camp in minimarg.
I'll stay in army rest house. must visit rainbow lake which is just 45 minutes jeep track from minimarg.

[aesiege]

There is no jeep track between Kala Pani and Deosai as both are different valleys. You need to come back from Kala Pani to junction of Trashing and Chillum Chauki roads in Mankial to go to Deosai Plains.

[baltistan]

Approval for Minimerg is not a hard issue, just find a link in army or any high govt personal, they will contact the concerning Brigade which's deployed in minimerg & they'll record ur data & dates of arrival & exit.

[waqasch1]

There is no jeep track between Kala Pani and Deosai as both are different valleys. You need to come back from Kala Pani to junction of Trashing and Chillum Chauki roads in Mankial to go to Deosai Plains.

Thank you!
Will plan accordingly.

[waqasch1]

Approval for Minimerg is not a hard issue, just find a link in army or any high govt personal, they will contact the concerning Brigade which's deployed in minimerg & they'll record ur data & dates of arrival & exit.

Ok, great that sounds easy.
Any feedback on camping and general itinerary? Anything else not to be missed or tips to improve the plan?

[baltistan]

Ok, great that sounds easy.
Any feedback on camping and general itinerary? Anything else not to be missed or tips to improve the plan?

Go through this thread thoroughly Insha Allah it'll really helpful for ur trip:

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241206

[asifcae]

for crossing burzil pass into minimarg u need army permission from GHQ... usually (as seen in past years) there has been continuous conflict in that area so sometimes permission is a problem....

in this area u can camp safely everywhere (the places u have mentioned) onlyissue is wildlife in deoasi where its advisable to camp either at sheosar lake or barapani..... or not to wonder too far from jeep track ....

kalapani valley is a separte valley which duz not require army permission according to my knowledge and is hoe to niat and riat vallyz.... and famous dhirlay lake on jeep track ..... now kalapani pass is a trek into AJK from Norther area..... also duz not require army permission....

being civilian u wont be able to get a heli ride these dayz its higly unlikely but ui mite get verry lucky....
@aesiege can help u best in kalapnai area as he has been there....

as far as itinerary is concerned i am not sure abt day 4 (no info) but rest its seems ok time wise but ofcorse its a lot of drive.... specially day 8

[waqasch1]

Thank you.
This thread was one of the reasons we planned for Minimarg.

Go through this thread thoroughly Insha Allah it'll really helpful for ur trip:
Amazing Family Tour to Gilgit Baltistan from 22nd to 31st August 2014 - 241206

[waqasch1]

Thank you for a detailed reply.
on Kala Pani and day 4, will re-check aesiege's thread.
yes, alot of driving, might drop Naltar to keep it easy.

for crossing burzil pass into minimarg u need army permission from GHQ... usually (as seen in past years) there has been continuous conflict in that area so sometimes permission is a problem....

in this area u can camp safely everywhere (the places u have mentioned) onlyissue is wildlife in deoasi where its advisable to camp either at sheosar lake or barapani..... or not to wonder too far from jeep track ....

kalapani valley is a separte valley which duz not require army permission according to my knowledge and is hoe to niat and riat vallyz.... and famous dhirlay lake on jeep track ..... now kalapani pass is a trek into AJK from Norther area..... also duz not require army permission....

being civilian u wont be able to get a heli ride these dayz its higly unlikely but ui mite get verry lucky....
@aesiege can help u best in kalapnai area as he has been there....

as far as itinerary is concerned i am not sure abt day 4 (no info) but rest its seems ok time wise but ofcorse its a lot of drive.... specially day 8

[aesiege]

you can go through my Aug 2013 thread, i travelled till Rait only however you guys can go all the way till end of road in Kala Pani which is another 60-90 min ahead of Riat Village.

Must visit places so u should definitely plan a one day jeep safari in this valley till last jeepable point.

[jojikhan1]

Dear brother
you are going for a trip or what?
it would be too tiring and you will enjoy nothing.
i had a trip like this back in 2012. kaghan, astore trishing deosai skardu and hunza,
you can see in my face book pictures. try to limit yourself to one area only, i will suggest you drop even skardu.
leave lahore midnight, stay at jalkhad
leave jalkhad early morning stay at trishing or rama what ever suits u.
next days and a night for minimarg, domail and chota deo sai,
next day deosai
leave deo sai late in evening around 2 oclock
stay at rama
and if you have spare time and money go rait rupal etc dont be like touching every place but see nothing.
i hope you will not mind

[waqasch1]

Thank you Mobeen, a Must Visit recommendation means Kala Pani for sure.

you can go through my Aug 2013 thread, i travelled till Rait only however you guys can go all the way till end of road in Kala Pani which is another 60-90 min ahead of Riat Village.

Must visit places so u should definitely plan a one day jeep safari in this valley till last jeepable point.

[waqasch1]

Thank you Brother! and why would I mind, appreciate your feedback.
Almost decided to drop Naltar n will try Skardu only for Shangrilla/Kachura lakes.

Dear brother
you are going for a trip or what?
it would be too tiring and you will enjoy nothing.
i had a trip like this back in 2012. kaghan, astore trishing deosai skardu and hunza,
you can see in my face book pictures. try to limit yourself to one area only, i will suggest you drop even skardu.
leave lahore midnight, stay at jalkhad
leave jalkhad early morning stay at trishing or rama what ever suits u.
next days and a night for minimarg, domail and chota deo sai,
next day deosai
leave deo sai late in evening around 2 oclock
stay at rama
and if you have spare time and money go rait rupal etc dont be like touching every place but see nothing.
i hope you will not mind

[waqasch1]

@ experts,
should we do both Fairy Meadows and Tareshing or is Tareshing similar or better? a bit confused abt FM.
Hike of FM is 3-4 hours for ppl with no hiking in years?
is the Fairy Meadows Jeep track doable, has anyone recently done it on own vehicle?

[asifcae]

@ experts,
should we do both Fairy Meadows and Tareshing or is Tareshing similar or better? a bit confused abt FM.
Hike of FM is 3-4 hours for ppl with no hiking in years?
is the Fairy Meadows Jeep track doable, has anyone recently done it on own vehicle?

FM jeep track is doable but its the most scary i have been on also the chillasi ppl wont allow u to go on ur own ride... ..... trashing is not dangerous at all.... also to reach Fm u have to hike so ull have to park ur car in tato village....

trashing village tak jeep jay ge aur views waisy tu FM say Behtar hain .. trashing may ull have to trek to BC to get awsum views....

[waqasch1]

thanks Asif Bhai!
so FM should be done and wont be able to test our driving skills

[asifcae]

thanks Asif Bhai!
so FM should be done and wont be able to test our driving skills

yes i am afraid u will ahve to test ur skills elswhere.........

[waqasch1]

FM was a track we were looking forward to drive on.
if we do FM, should we skip Tareshing or does it have a different charm?

[asifcae]

trashing and FM r totally different places bro... charm is different and both r worth visiting....