Crossing Deo Sai all the way to Skardu, Hunza and Khunjerab Pass with Family on Cultus in August 2017

[abstrusemind]

Nice trip, can u share some pics of the road/track leading to deosai, will it be fine for honda city, any streams etc on way?? Also starting from gilgit to deosai and night stay back at astore is manageable in single day if we start early and go up to sheosar lake??

[kami77]

If you want to go till Kala Pani and Bara Pani then No.
In case you leave Gilgit early in morning like 6:00 am and just visit Sheosar Lake (almost 5 KM from Chilum Chowki) and return to Astore it is possible in day time.

[fkhan79]

How did you managed the Skurdu side, It was quite steep and hairpin turns when i visited 11 years back.

[kami77]

The road was not good especially when you are driving a Cultus. But by the grace of God reached Skardu by entering from Astore side till Sadpara lake then Skardu City.

[kami77]

[kami77]

[kami77]

[kami77]

[kami77]

[alex_84]

Hello all..
Bravo to you making this trip with family on a cultus! Im planning almost the same Family trip except Hunza side on Honda City 1.3 2017.. more interested in Skardu and Deosai plains side..
Ive noticed nobody asked these questions but need some technical info about the car..
-which tyres did you use for the trip and what air pressure did you maintain in them.
-What speed did you maintain on Motorways / Highways?
-Did your breaks heat up and become less responsive? E.g coming down from babusar..
-Mobile Oil recommendation as altitude has its own effects, also petrol usage as fuel is scarce in those areas so did u keep a backup etc

Hope you will guide us based on ur experience

[axiss.rayil]

beautiful

[axiss.rayil]

Lovely color of water in last picture.

[kami77]

alex_84 I made some amendment in suspension of my car and have 1 inch packing to add road clearance.
Tyres were Dunlop 155/13 with normal pressure of 30 and by the Grace of Allah pressure remained OK till Skardu.
Speed was below 20 coz there is no mattled road apart 3 to 4 KM while we enter into Deo Sai from Chilam chowki towards Sheosar Lake.
On highways like motorway speed was 120 may be above some times. on KKH average 75 to 80.
My car's temperature gone up once when I was nearly approaching Babusar top from Naran Side. I stopped there and cooled down the radiator using simple water.
While going down from Babusar you should keep only 1st gear, try to that speed in which there is no need of using brakes. Allhamdulliah I have not problem in downward for upward journey from chillas or towards chillas from Babusar. When going upwards from Naran to Babusar or Chillas to Babusar when eye on temprature guage when it goes near read mark stop your car. Open bonut and cool the radiator wait few minutes (never open radiator cap while your car is hot) then you may start your journey. During down journey I hope car will not heat up.
I use Havolin Formula 10w30 (Caltex).
Fuel is fine every where. I filled the tank from Balakot then refuled at PSO Chillas at normal rate.
Patrol is easily available in Astore, Skardu, Gilgat no quality issue too!

[alex_84]

Thank you for replying in great detail.. looking forward for more great memories and adventures. Allah keep us safe

[waqas.sultan]

Awesome trip!! I m also planning exact same trip this year but starting from Karachi.
Also I am targeting the same window, Mid August.
So what were hotel rates during this time?? Rush tha?? Were hotel rooms vacant or u faced difficulty finding hotel rooms ??

[kami77]

Yes try to make it 3rd week of August because rainy season lasts till Mid of August. We faced some problem while crossing land sliding area before Chillas (near Thak Nala). In these areas due to rain big chunks of mud slides down on roads, that may take days to clear the road. Hotel rates are far cheaper than Murree and Naran. You can find reasonable room in any guest house or hotel in Gilgit or Karimabad around Rs.3000/-.