Bro here are answers of your questions.
I am from LHR & have planned Skardu tour on 15 Aug 2014 to 22 Aug 2014. We are 4 persons and have planned it via NATCO.
1. What type of clothing should we take as it will be mid of August? I am thinking of normal clothing with single jacket.
You are planning right, some warm clothes , 1 jacket and max a Chadar might be enough. And that you have to use in deosai may be. Almost you will use FAN in Gilgit/Sakardu City in normal conditions. But atmosphere will be not too hot like in Punjab.
2. I need information of Jeep daily charges of Mr Ameer Hamza & Diesel etc?
Bro usually prado old model will cost you minimum 3000 per day. without fuel.
But we did all that tour you read in the thread except Naltar in 35000 on lump-sum basis with Ameer Hamza in willy. (Daily + Fuel). That is I think a reasonable rate for all that route.
Route Sketch
Gilgit > Shangrilla > Upper Katchura > Sakardu
Sakardu > Khaplu > Hushe
Hushe > Shigar > Desert > Sakardu
Sakardu > Deosai > Tarshing
Tarshing > Rama
Rama > Gilgit
We did with little change (Deosai > Gorikot > near Tarshing > Rama)
(Naltar was additional when 1 day was left vacant, and 6000 was charged additional for that Gilgit > Naltar > Gilgit)
(And for information almost with additional care of driver the diesel consumed was around 14, 15K. additional care because diesel consumption was their's)
- Hotel contact and Charges? (we need 2 rooms)
Hmm you have to bargain very much. In Gilgit we stayed at Gilgit Gateway and we hired 2 rooms for 1200 for both + 1 extra mattress. rooms were on 2nd floor, and 1 night at 3rd floor. Neat and clean hotel.
In Sakardu, Baltistan Continental is very nice and reasonable choice. Newly built and very neat and clean. Highly recommended. We hired 2 rooms with 1 extra mattress for Rs. 2200 for both. But Mansoor bhai group got 1 big room with 3 bed and 2 extra mattress in 2K per night
- Any advice regarding security, hotel / jeep selection or etc?
I think NO issues. InshaALLAH. They are very helpful and nice.
( We always follow and abide by strictly a very simple rule. Do not engaged in any means in talk or even unpleasant gesture with any one specially locals of that area.)
5. How much you spent for this tour? If you please don't mind?
We were group of 5 persons. Brother we were out of our expected budget because of two reasons. That was estimated ( by me off course, hum being ameer of tours ) roughly 17-18K per head. But due to abnormal mileage of our car it used almost 4K diesel extra + 2k mobil oil was also changed due to the travel we did . And we added Naltar that costed us extra 6K). And it was calculated 20600 per head.
We have visited Hunza on our own car continuously (LHR to Hunza) that was really hectic.
For Sakardu we have to stop for night stay, which will take 2 nights.
1 night in mid of your journey. ( On your own vehicle) Try to start in morning from Lahore. Bro If you want to stay , probably you have to choose Bisham. The barren and hot as usual place.
So we have opted for Natco Bus (ISB to Skardu) because we are short of time & budget. We have budget of 80,000 in mind. Please suggest?
If you have your own vehicle, I think the cost and time while you drive your own with 4 persons will be less against the exhausted and painful NATCO travel.