Skardu/Deosai/Rama Lake/Fairy Meadows/Naltar Trip

[fahimrauf]

Hey Folks, Asslam O Alaikum!

I am planning to visit the subjected places this July. After doing some research I have planned the following itinerary. Please provide your expert opinions on this.

Day 00 Depart for Islamabad and get ready for flight to Skardu.

Day 01 AM Fly to Skardu and transfer to hotel. Visit first organic Village and Khorpocho Fort. PM Visit Upper/Lower Kachura Lakes. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02 AM Excursion to Shigar Valley. PM Drive to Deosai via Satpara Lake. Camp at Bara Pani.

Day 03 Exploration and camp at Sheosar Lake. -- I will try to spot brown bear and marmots

Day 04 AM Drive to Astore region via beautiful Chillam Valley. PM Visit Rama Lake. Overnight in Astore hotel or camp by the Lake.

Day 05 Drive to Tattoo & hike to Fairy Meadows. Overnight in camp.

Day 06 Day free at Fairy Meadows or optional hike upto beyal camp/base camp of Nanga Parbat. Overnight in camp.

Day 07 Early AM Walk down to Tattoo and jeep drive to Raikot Bridge. Drive to Naltar valley. Overnight in camp.

Day 08 AM Trek to visit all three Naltar Lakes. PM Drive back to Gilgit.

Day 09 Fly to Islamabad. Drive to Lahore.

Now the questions is, is this a good itinerary?

Apart from that I have few other important questions to plan my tour:

1. Can anyone please tell me the per day chargers of some reasonable hotel in Skardu? And what are the per day charges of Shangrila Resort? I know it is very expensive but just need to confirm

2. Is there any other cheap accommodation (camping point or hotel) by the Shangrila Lake other than Shangrila resorts?

3. How many people they allow to jump in one jeep that we will hire from Raikot Bridge to Tato Village. Can 4 or 5 people sit in one jeep? And What are the charges of round trip these days?

4. Can we buy/rent camping equipment like tent (4-6 persons), mattress and sleeping bags from Skardu? How much will it cost there? Or should we take the camping equipment with us from Lahore? How much will it cost in Lahore and where to buy?

Enough questions for now

[aesiege]

Very reasonable plan and good to see that you are giving free days to Deosai and Fairy Meadows

Skardu city is not expensive in terms of hotel stays. You can find rooms accommodating 3-4 persons within 1000 rs. For Shangrila please refer to following thread:

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/137798-hotel-reviews-please-share-your-reviews-6

We were 7 people in one jeep on our trip to Fairy Meadows. Two in front with driver and 5 on rear seats. The rate could be around 4-5K for round trip. You will have to tell them time when you will be coming back to Tatu village and they will come there to pick you for return leg.

I would suggest to arrange your equipment from Lahore though there is a hugeeee secondhand market in Skardu that sells each and every equipment that professional mountaineers use in their expeditions and majority is in very good shape and some of that equipment is not available in Lahore even but that is on chance. That market is near Yadgaar Chowk of Skardu.

In Lahore, go for Metro or Higher (website: Higher Rescue Relief Armed Forces Camping and Outdoor Products Manufacturer)

[fahimrauf]

Very reasonable plan and good to see that you are giving free days to Deosai and Fairy Meadows

Yeah! because this would be insult of such beautiful places if you don't give them time

Thanks for the information you have provided. I will visit Metro or Higher for camping equipment.

[imarshad]

Seems almost like a replica of the schedule that I am working on. The only exception is that we are planning to stay most of the nights in Hotels rather then camping (As I will be accompanied by some Mummy Daddy type friends and their main concern is toilets in the open sky). It will be nice to read suggestions so that we could also improve our trip.

I think the most expensive part of your journey will be the Jeep that you will hire from Skardu to Astore via Deosai. Have you worked out an approximate cost of this leg of the journey?

[fahimrauf]

Seems almost like a replica of the schedule that I am working on. The only exception is that we are planning to stay most of the nights in Hotels rather then camping (As I will be accompanied by some Mummy Daddy type friends and their main concern is toilets in the open sky). It will be nice to read suggestions so that we could also improve our trip.

I think the most expensive part of your journey will be the Jeep that you will hire from Skardu to Astore via Deosai. Have you worked out an approximate cost of this leg of the journey?

Good to know that you are planning the same tour. Toilets in open sky is a concern but we will manage it By the way this would be our first experience of camping as well

Yaar I have spoken to a local guide from Gilgit Biltistan region over the cell phone couple of days back and he told me that he will charge 4,500 for the jeep per day without fuel. He told me that from Skardu to Raikot bridge, the fuel consumption will be of around 4k-5k. But I am not only relying on this person. I am still working on it. I have another source in Skardu but I didn't contact him yet. I Will keep you posted.

[muhammedahmed]

well brother i also have a plan to visit Skardu and surroundings . The jeep rent which you are getting i think is a bit expensive . I fhe will charge 45oo per day with fuel then rate is perfect.
Jeep rent which i got is 45oo per day with fuel for 7 days trip. Which total cost me 31500.

[imtishal]

Very nice a doable plan.I did the same But the in reverse order excluding Fairy meadows.
as for ur questions,
1 - hotels are quite cheap,I don't exactly remember the hotel i stayed in i guess it was mashabrum hotel or something like that.charged rs 500 /night.
2 - Yes u can camp on the opps side of shangrila lake.There were hotels being constructed and u can even rent a room for almost 1/3 the price of shangrila.
3 - No idea coz haven't been to fairy meadows yet.
4 - Yes u can rent camping equipment from skardu but how u r gonna return it as u'll not return to skardu?

[fahimrauf]

4 - Yes u can rent camping equipment from skardu but how u r gonna return it as u'll not return to skardu?

That's a good question in that case i need to buy it I was thinking to somehow return it through jeep driver that we will hire from Skardu but I think that is not a good idea.

[fahimrauf]

well brother i also have a plan to visit Skardu and surroundings . The jeep rent which you are getting i think is a bit expensive . I fhe will charge 45oo per day with fuel then rate is perfect.
Jeep rent which i got is 45oo per day with fuel for 7 days trip. Which total cost me 31500.

Thanks for sharing this. As I said earlier that I didn't rely on that person who is giving me the rate 4.5k per day without fuel. I am still working on it... so you got the rate of 4.5k per day with fuel, that's good. Let's keep sharing the information

[Awais12]

That seems like a well planned itinerary my friend, i've heard u can get reasonable hotels in skardu for around 800-1300 / night, it will be double bed + mattress, they charge 100/150 extra per mattress,

• if u want detailed info i think watching the documentary "safar is shart" should help a lot. it airs on express but u can watch it on youtube aswell

Hmm, i'm also planning a similar trip but i will be on car, that puts me in a problematic situation, if i leave my vehicle at skardu, does it make sense to visit deosai and go back to skardu again? this way i can use my car to go to gilgit hunza etc and go jeeping onwards, fairy meadows will be covered prior to reaching skardu.

Other option is to follow ure exact plan, only difference: u'll be flying to skardu, i'll be driving,

which plan u guys think is better.

• anyone has any idea how far is tatu village from raikot bridge, i might be planning to trek this aswell since from what u guys are saying jeeps are expensive!, i know that it's one of the hottest tracks out there( like desert hot) but if its within 15km i might go for it, what do u guys suggest?

[invincible_trecker]

We are also planning a similar trip.. but we are not visiting Skardu..
And today I heard that way to Fairy Meadows is blocked.. plz can anyone tell me about the way...

[conflicted]

Hey Folks, Asslam O Alaikum!

I am planning to visit the subjected places this July. After doing some research I have planned the following itinerary. Please provide your expert opinions on this.

Day 00 Depart for Islamabad and get ready for flight to Skardu.

Day 01 AM Fly to Skardu and transfer to hotel. Visit first organic Village and Khorpocho Fort. PM Visit Upper/Lower Kachura Lakes. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02 AM Excursion to Shigar Valley. PM Drive to Deosai via Satpara Lake. Camp at Bara Pani.

Day 03 Exploration and camp at Sheosar Lake. -- I will try to spot brown bear and marmots

Day 04 AM Drive to Astore region via beautiful Chillam Valley. PM Visit Rama Lake. Overnight in Astore hotel or camp by the Lake.

Day 05 Drive to Tattoo & hike to Fairy Meadows. Overnight in camp.

Day 06 Day free at Fairy Meadows or optional hike upto beyal camp/base camp of Nanga Parbat. Overnight in camp.

Day 07 Early AM Walk down to Tattoo and jeep drive to Raikot Bridge. Drive to Naltar valley. Overnight in camp.

Day 08 AM Trek to visit all three Naltar Lakes. PM Drive back to Gilgit.

Day 09 Fly to Islamabad. Drive to Lahore.

Now the questions is, is this a good itinerary?

Apart from that I have few other important questions to plan my tour:

1. Can anyone please tell me the per day chargers of some reasonable hotel in Skardu? And what are the per day charges of Shangrila Resort? I know it is very expensive but just need to confirm

2. Is there any other cheap accommodation (camping point or hotel) by the Shangrila Lake other than Shangrila resorts?

3. How many people they allow to jump in one jeep that we will hire from Raikot Bridge to Tato Village. Can 4 or 5 people sit in one jeep? And What are the charges of round trip these days?

4. Can we buy/rent camping equipment like tent (4-6 persons), mattress and sleeping bags from Skardu? How much will it cost there? Or should we take the camping equipment with us from Lahore? How much will it cost in Lahore and where to buy?

Enough questions for now

AM i allowed to give some changes...

point one... dont stay on the back of shoesar lake... SALLA AIK MACHAR ADMI KO.... aur wahan lakhun nikal atey hain.... instead the further downvalley towards chillam are much more exclusive, if camping is a must stay in these valleys.. marmots are common,, bear seldom seen, for that you have to travel on your own made paths, ask any wild life employee over there... while stay at bara pani...

point number 2,,, rama meadows and lake are beautifull but rupal is something exotic... must visit rama but if possible pass your night at the dreamy village of tarishing, on the mouth of rupal valley

point number 3, if you can give one extra day to fairy meadows. than do it, and on that added day, climb a rounded shaped peak .. forgetting its name parabush or somthing like that, (ask any guide abt it on fairy meadows.) pass your night on that peak, heavanly smells of busshes up there and to see nangaperbet you are not suppossed to see up side but you will see straight onto nangaperbet sitting at its shoulder height.. that place is amazing...

point 4.. if you can give one another day to fairy meadows, than cross the nangaperbet glacier, and on other side there are a few huts, camp besides them and have amazing unique and unspoiled views... un common views of region... of nangaperbet.

Nalter is amazing... must to see the upper lakes of naltar,,, i think you should camp at fist lake and next day visit other two,, there are numerous waterfalls on the opposite side of mountains.. i along with my friends starts counting the waterfalls in that stony peak and they were more than 13...

over all, it is completely doable...

if you dont want to add any day than atleast follow point number one.

[fahimrauf]

AM i allowed to give some changes...

point one... dont stay on the back of shoesar lake... SALLA AIK MACHAR ADMI KO.... aur wahan lakhun nikal atey hain.... instead the further downvalley towards chillam are much more exclusive, if camping is a must stay in these valleys.. marmots are common,, bear seldom seen, for that you have to travel on your own made paths, ask any wild life employee over there... while stay at bara pani...

point number 2,,, rama meadows and lake are beautifull but rupal is something exotic... must visit rama but if possible pass your night at the dreamy village of tarishing, on the mouth of rupal valley

point number 3, if you can give one extra day to fairy meadows. than do it, and on that added day, climb a rounded shaped peak .. forgetting its name parabush or somthing like that, (ask any guide abt it on fairy meadows.) pass your night on that peak, heavanly smells of busshes up there and to see nangaperbet you are not suppossed to see up side but you will see straight onto nangaperbet sitting at its shoulder height.. that place is amazing...

point 4.. if you can give one another day to fairy meadows, than cross the nangaperbet glacier, and on other side there are a few huts, camp besides them and have amazing unique and unspoiled views... un common views of region... of nangaperbet.

Nalter is amazing... must to see the upper lakes of naltar,,, i think you should camp at fist lake and next day visit other two,, there are numerous waterfalls on the opposite side of mountains.. i along with my friends starts counting the waterfalls in that stony peak and they were more than 13...

over all, it is completely doable...

if you dont want to add any day than atleast follow point number one.

Thanks a lot my friend! That was really informative. I will definitely think about all your points. Although it seems difficult to add one more day at fairy meadows but let me think over it. Your suggestion to visit tarshing village seems quite promising.

[fahimrauf]

Hmm, i'm also planning a similar trip but i will be on car, that puts me in a problematic situation, if i leave my vehicle at skardu, does it make sense to visit deosai and go back to skardu again? this way i can use my car to go to gilgit hunza etc and go jeeping onwards, fairy meadows will be covered prior to reaching skardu.

Other option is to follow ure exact plan, only difference: u'll be flying to skardu, i'll be driving,

which plan u guys think is better.

Hmmm, you really are in a problematic situation

Give me a chance to pull you out of that situation

What you can do is to drive to gilgit after visiting fairy meadows. Park your car in some place safe in gilgit. Drive to skardu (6-7 hrs) on hired transport or local transport. Hire a jeep and visit skardu, deosai, astore, rama lake and then all the way to gilgit. Jump in your car, visit hunza and drive back home

fairy meadows can be visited after rama lake like in my plan instead of visiting it first.

how that sounds?

• anyone has any idea how far is tatu village from raikot bridge, i might be planning to trek this aswell since from what u guys are saying jeeps are expensive!, i know that it's one of the hottest tracks out there( like desert hot) but if its within 15km i might go for it, what do u guys suggest?

Tato village is 15 km from raikot bridge. But I will not recommend you to trek on it as it is not only hot but also very steep. 15 km steep climb on foot in too hot condition requires a maximum level of fitness and stamina, and you would not be able to do it in less than 7-8 hrs i guess. Fairy meadows is further 9 km (3-4 hrs) hike from Tato village so it will be total 24 km.... not recommended... but your call

[imtishal]

Agreed with conflicted on 'salla eik machar'. It rained 2-3 hrs on the night we camped on sheosar lake.So morning was cold but as soon as the sun came up and a little warmth can be felt in atmosphere,machars started appearing out of nowhere,or sallaye itnaye kaminaye thay kah kapron kaye oper say bhi kat rahaye thaye.30 min mai body ka koi bhi part eyessa nahi tha jahan par salon naye kaata na ho.woh tou sukar hai kah maine underwear pahna hova tha otherwise ho gaya tha kaam...:P,I even saw a few trying to bite through my jeans,or katne baad feel hota tha kah honey bee naye kaat liya hai.initially v had planned a free day at sheosar lake but this invasion of mosquito's made us change our plan and we ran from there ASAP.
BTW.mospel bhi kaam nahi karta wahan...or na ho dhoni.

[fahimrauf]

Agreed with conflicted on 'salla eik machar'. It rained 2-3 hrs on the night we camped on sheosar lake.So morning was cold but as soon as the sun came up and a little warmth can be felt in atmosphere,machars started appearing out of nowhere,or sallaye itnaye kaminaye thay kah kapron kaye oper say bhi kat rahaye thaye.30 min mai body ka koi bhi part eyessa nahi tha jahan par salon naye kaata na ho.woh tou sukar hai kah maine underwear pahna hova tha otherwise ho gaya tha kaam...:P,I even saw a few trying to bite through my jeans,or katne baad feel hota tha kah honey bee naye kaat liya hai.initially v had planned a free day at sheosar lake but this invasion of mosquito's made us change our plan and we ran from there ASAP.
BTW.mospel bhi kaam nahi karta wahan...or na ho dhoni.

that is sad but you made it a funny story but that is really informative... i will not camp there man.. in fact i m planning tarishing village as suggested by conflicted.

[imarshad]

well brother i also have a plan to visit Skardu and surroundings . The jeep rent which you are getting i think is a bit expensive . I fhe will charge 45oo per day with fuel then rate is perfect.
Jeep rent which i got is 45oo per day with fuel for 7 days trip. Which total cost me 31500.

Rs. 4500 with fuel is very reasonable but I doubt that we will get this rate. Both Fahim and us are thinking of crossing the Deosai plain and leave the jeep in Astore or Raikot bridge. So the jeepwalas will charge extra as they will boast that they will go back alone..... If the starting and ending location is the same then the jeep fare might be some what low...

[azfee]

nice plan bro!!
im planning for same coming july ,,, but not covering fairy meadows and naltar.. but after reading your thread ,, i might be making some changes!
have you confirmed about the way to astore is it open ? last year in june i returned from bada pani as the way was further blocked! that is why this time i have planned in julY!
anyway best of luck for your trip!

[aesiege]

This is what happens in mosquito world of Deosai

[fahimrauf]

nice plan bro!!
im planning for same coming july ,,, but not covering fairy meadows and naltar.. but after reading your thread ,, i might be making some changes!
have you confirmed about the way to astore is it open ? last year in june i returned from bada pani as the way was further blocked! that is why this time i have planned in julY!
anyway best of luck for your trip!

routes are normally open in july... as i have talked to a local guide over there and he didn't tell anything like that.. i told him that we are visiting in july..