Skardu

dukehophopchukchuk (dukehophopchukchuk) 2017-06-09 16:02:26 +0500 #15

I am travelling either alone or with friends

travel4ever (travel4ever) 2017-06-09 18:34:50 +0500 #16

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

travel4ever (travel4ever) 2017-06-09 18:37:51 +0500 #17

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 (travel4ever) 2017-06-09 18:46:56 +0500 #18

Do you live in Isb.?

dukehophopchukchuk (dukehophopchukchuk) 2017-06-10 00:28:52 +0500 #19

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 (travel4ever) 2017-06-10 15:59:28 +0500 #20

Can I join with you?

asimlhr (asimlhr) 2017-06-11 16:38:37 +0500 #21

AoA OP and PW Gurus,

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

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).
Should I take the Muzaffarabad route or M2-Hassanabdal route? Which has better road conditions and shorter travel time?
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 (nagar1) 2017-06-12 09:30:43 +0500 #22

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 (nagar1) 2017-06-12 09:34:02 +0500 #23

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 (asimlhr) 2017-06-12 12:55:13 +0500 #24

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 (nagar1) 2017-06-12 12:56:34 +0500 #25

Take Hassanabdal route then

asimlhr (asimlhr) 2017-06-12 12:57:22 +0500 #26

thanks

Ijaz_Ahmed (Ijaz_Ahmed) 2017-06-12 13:02:29 +0500 #27

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 (asimlhr) 2017-06-12 13:04:56 +0500 #28

thanks

m-yousuf (m-yousuf) 2017-06-15 04:09:40 +0500 #29

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 (zakmak) 2017-06-15 05:24:27 +0500 #30

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 (zakmak) 2017-06-15 05:25:07 +0500 #31

The kkh or the other one

nagar1 (nagar1) 2017-06-15 10:15:44 +0500 #32

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

dukehophopchukchuk (dukehophopchukchuk) 2017-06-16 21:52:26 +0500 #33

Sir most welcome, but i'm not sure of my dates as nothing is confirmed yet. Only problem is while i myself want to travel myself or with few friends, my cousin is really after me to go with this travel group called DISCOVER PAKISTAN. i am sharing their itinerary below for yours and others convenience.

dukehophopchukchuk (dukehophopchukchuk) 2017-06-16 21:54:45 +0500 #34

Only problem is while i myself want to travel myself or with few friends, my cousin is really after me to go with this travel group called DISCOVER PAKISTAN. i am sharing their itinerary below for yours and others convenience.

Day 1
- Leave Islamabad at 9 PM for Rama Valley (Astore) via Naran & Babusar Pass
- Overnight in Travel

Day 2
- Reach Naran from Islamabad at 6 AM (9 hrs travel time)
- Breakfast at Naran
- Departure for Rama Valley (Astore) from Naran having lunch en route
- Reach Rama Valley Astore from Naran at ? (? hrs travel time)
- Dinner at PTDC Rama
- Spend night at PTDC Motel Rama

Day 3
- Breakfast at 7 AM at PTDC Motel Rama
- Quick visit to Rama Lake (Optional)
- Arrive back to PTDC Motel Rama and departure for Deosai
- On way stop over at Chilam & Sheosar Lake
- Reach Deosai Camping Spot from Astore (Rama Valley) at ?
(? hrs travel time)
- Lunch at Bara-Pani Deosai Plains
- Dinner at Bara-Pani Deosai Plains
- Spend night camping at Bara-Pani Deosai Plains

Day 4
- Breakfast at camp-site at Bara-Pani Deosai
- Time for sight-seeing & Photography
(For brown bear sighting early morning departure)
- Lunch at Campsite at Bara-Pani
- After lunch departure for Shigar Skardu on way stopover at Satpara Lake
- Reach Shigar, Skardu from Deosai Plains at ?
(? hrs travel time)
- Dinner at Space Eden Hotel in Shigar
- Spend night at Space Eden Hotel in Shigar

Day 5
- Breakfast at Shigar
- Visit to Shigar Fort
- Drive to Shangrilla and transfer to Hotel
- Reach Shangrilla from Shigar at ? (? hrs travel time)
- Visit to Upper Kachura Lake
- Dinner at Tibet Motel, Shangrilla Skardu
- Spend night at Tibet Motel, Shangrilla Skardu

Day 6
- Breakfast at Tibet Motel Shangrilla Lake
- Departure for Chillas (Lunch on way)
- Reach Chillas from Shangrilla Skardu at ? (? hrs travel time)
- Dinner at Shangrilla Indus view Hotel Chillas
- Overnight stay at Shangrilla Indus view Hotel Chillas

Day 7
- Breakfast at Shangrilla Indus view hotel Chillas
- Departure for Islamabad via Naran & Babusar Pass
(Lunch on way)
- Reach Islamabad from Chillas at ? (? hrs travel time)
- Drop at Islamabad.

Can someone please fill in the places where i have put question marks (?) for travel times. Really want to know exact time iot would take between these places in terms of travelling time. Only the first i know as i itinerary it said will take 9 hours to reach Naran from Islamabad.