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

[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

[nagar1]

Leave your care at Astore and hire jeep from there. I am not currently aware of the rents. I can give you number of a Jeep owner Mutahhar 0312-9700299

[nagar1]

Islamabad to Astore through Babusar will be a 13 hours approximate drive. If you can do it with family go for it.
2. From which area are u coming?
3. Go from Astore. Till now deosai is closed near top but hopefully it would be open till July 1st. Leave your car at Astor and hire jeep for Astore-Deosai-Astore

[asimlhr]

thanks, i'm starting my travel from Islamabad, Google Maps tells me Muzaffarabad route is taking less time, just wanted to confirm the on-ground situation, else i can take the Motorway-Hassanabdal side.

[nagar1]

Take Hassanabdal route then

[asimlhr]

thanks

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Muzaffarabad route is good till Muzaffarabad via Murree. From Muzaffarabad to Garhi Habibullah the road condition is not good. There are several rough patches with kachi road at several places. Though the area is very scenic.

The only advantage is that you will join the Naran road near balakot, all the Mansehra traffic jams can be by passed.

[asimlhr]

thanks

[m-yousuf]

Islamabad to astore will be very hectic journey with family.
Naran will be over crowded even early in the morning.
You may require more time to reach chilas.
I think you should stay at chilas, shangrila hotel.
Then go to Rama meadows from astore on your car.
Stay a night there as well.. its a very nice and calm place to spend a night. PTDC motel is highly recommended.
Then park your car in kamran hotel parking (if i remember hotel's name correctly) and hire a jeep for Deosai.
You'll need to come back to astore to take your car and then reach skardu.
If you go to skardu through deosai then you'll have to ride in a jeep to come back to astore from skardu which will cost much much expensive..

Btw , in which car you plan to travel?

[zakmak]

Brothers. I am planning to drive up to khunjarab pass after eid. Which road is recommended to take up this journey. In will be leaving from lahore.

[zakmak]

The kkh or the other one

[nagar1]

Take babusar top. Rush to hoga lekin jaga dekhne wali ha..