Help needed for August 2017 trip to Astore/Deosai/Skardu

[dukehophopchukchuk]

Salam All Dear and Kind Members,

I am planning a trip to Astore, Deosai and Skardu this August (2017) i.e. in two months time. Can someone please help me fill in the travel time for the following:

Islamabad – Naran (7 hrs?)

Naran – Chilas (via Babsuar Top) (8+ hrs?)

Chilas – Astore (Travel Time?)

Astore – Rama Valley – Rama Lake – Tarashing
(Rama Valley - Rama Lake 2 hrs walk one-way and from Rama Valley - Tarashing 3 hrs?)

Optional: Tarashing to Nanga Parbat Base-Camp (Rupal Face/Valley?) then back to
Tarashing

Tarashing – Chillam – Deosai – Sheosar Lake – Bara Pani – Sadpara Lake – Skardu (10+ hrs?)

Skardu - Shigar / Khaplu / Shangri-La (Travel Time?)

Also, I have been to Chilas before and do not want to stay there again, so is it possible to drive from Islamabad to Naran in one day (just 7-8 hours) but then from Naran to Astore the next day? What would travel time be and would it be possible/feasible?)

Please Help! God bless you all.

[nagar1]

[dukehophopchukchuk]

Thank you so much for your reply nagar1. However, i would really appreciate it if you or anyone could write the estimated driving time in hours for each of the above! Will really appreciate it a lot.

[nagar1]

Chilas to Astore is around 3 hrs
Astore to Rama around 1.5 to 2 hrs
Astore to Chilum 3 hrs
Chillim to Deosai 7-8hrs
Deosai to Skardu 2.5 - 3 hrs
Skardu Shigar 2 hrs Skardu Khaplu 2.5 hrs Skardu Shangrilla 40 minutes or less
You can do Naran to Hunza in around 9-10 hrs
this could help

@TJ, You can easily make a trip from Skardu to Deo Sai in one day. Hire a 4x4 from Skardu.It will take 45 mins to reach Sat Para Lake.Till lake its a metal road.Than you will reach Deo Sai on a Jeep trek (Via Ali Malik Pass) & it will take you about 2.5 Hours from Lake to Deo Sai (Bara Pani Bridge) Have some tea break there & ask you driver to take you into Deo Sai Park Till Scheosar Lake (Mid of Deo Sai) Spend some time there & than return all the way to Skardu. If you want to go to Astor…

[dukehophopchukchuk]

God bless you and thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. nagar1. This is exactly what I needed. The thing is I have don’t this route back in 2011 or 2012 via Babusar and Chilas when en route to Fairy Meadows in Diamer District. Also two year ago, I took a flight to Gilgit then onwards towards Gupis amd back to Gilgit then spend some time in Karimabad, Hunza and onwards to Khunjerab Pass which was covered with snow on both sides of the road and was truly spectacular. Now I really want to spend time in Astore and then Skardu (via Deosai in the middle of them) but need to pay more attention to travel times. My only last concern is, and if you could kindly help me with this last thing, is what is the travel time from Naran to Astore (I think you stated 3 hours from Chilas to Astore). What if I do not want to go and stay in Chilas again. Can I stay at Naran and then go directly to Astore there the next morning? What will be travel time from Naran to Astore directly and can I choose not to stay in Astore? Thank you so much. Allah bless you.

[dukehophopchukchuk]

God bless you and thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. nagar1. This is exactly what I needed. The thing is I have don’t this route back in 2011 or 2012 via Babusar and Chilas when en route to Fairy Meadows in Diamer District. Also two year ago, I took a flight to Gilgit then onwards towards Gupis amd back to Gilgit then spend some time in Karimabad, Hunza and onwards to Khunjerab Pass which was covered with snow on both sides of the road and was truly spectacular. Now I really want to spend time in Astore and then Skardu (via Deosai in the middle of them) but need to pay more attention to travel times. My only last concern is, and if you could kindly help me with this last thing, is what is the travel time from Naran to Astore (I think you stated 3 hours from Chilas to Astore). What if I do not want to go and stay in Chilas again. Can I stay at Naran and then go directly to Astore there the next morning? What will be travel time from Naran to Astore directly and can I choose not to stay in Astore? Thank you so much. Allah bless you.

[dukehophopchukchuk]

Thank you for your reply. Will take all this and integrate it into my itinerary. God bless.

[dukehophopchukchuk]

Thank you also Off Road for your reply. Will take all this and integrate it into my itinerary. God bless.

God bless you and thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. Thiks is exactly what I needed. The thing is I have don’t this route back in 2011 or 2012 via Babusar when en route to Fairy Meadows. Also two year ago, I took a flight to Gilgit then onwards towards Gupis amd back to Gilgit then spend some time in Karimabad, Hunza and onwards to Khunjerab Pass which was covered with snow on both sides of the road and was truly spectacular. Now I really want to spend time in Astore and then Skardu (via Deosai in the middle of them) but need to pay more attention to travel times. My only last concern is, and if you could kindly help me with this last thing, is what is the travel time from Naran to Astore (I think you stated 3 hours from Chilas to Astore). What if I do not want to go and stay in Chilas again. Can I stay at Naran and then go directly to Astore there the next morning? What will be travel time from Naran to Astore directly and can I choose not to stay in Astore? Thank you so much. Allah bless you.

[dukehophopchukchuk]

The thing is I do not want to stay in Chilas again, is it possible I spend the night in Naran instead then leave early morning for Astore? How long will the journey be from Naran - Astore

[nagar1]

You can go directly to astore from Naran if u leave early morning from Naran. The total time will be around 9 hrs approx. Staying at Astore would be a better option otherwise you can stay at Rama

[dukehophopchukchuk]

9 hours from Naran to Astore doesn't sound bad at all! Yes, will leave early From Naran Thank you.

[travel4ever]

Are you traveling with friends or family?

[dukehophopchukchuk]

I will be travelling alone or with friends

[dukehophopchukchuk]

I am travelling either alone or with friends

[travel4ever]

Traveling alone could be a bit risky but with friends it would be okay

[travel4ever]

I have a plan to visit skardu, deosai and astore and I might travel alone also. I have been to astore and skardu before but not deosa7

[travel4ever]

Do you live in Isb.?

[dukehophopchukchuk]

I come and stay in Lahore and Islamabad often, but I live in Karachi. I hope all the travel times are approximately accurate As I have been planning my itinerary accordingly.

Any idea how much jeep rents are these days, inclusive of fuel? (Although i know rates are generally without fuel). Maybe will take regular car till Astore and then jeep for Rama, Tarashing and then to Skardu via Deosai or might just hire jeep for the entire duration as might be more convenient?

[travel4ever]

Can I join with you?

[asimlhr]

AoA OP and PW Gurus,

I am also planning a similar trip with family, my concerns/ queries:

1. Is it doable if i want to cover Islamabad to Astore in one stretch without any stopover? I could have made a stopover at Naran but I don't think I can find a hotel in these dates due to Eid Rush (1st July).

2. Should I take the Muzaffarabad route or M2-Hassanabdal route? Which has better road conditions and shorter travel time?

3. I plan to stay in Astore and Skardu, from which side should I go to Deosai? Should I leave my car at Astore, hire a Jeep, cover Desoai and cross it to reach Skardu?

Regards,

Asim