Pakwheels is one of the forums where we get info that is really helpful in planning a trip of northern areas. We have just completed the successful trip to Rwp-Skardu-Deosai-Kaplu-Shigar-Astore-Chilam-Deosai-Chillas-Babusur-Naran-Rwp (13, June 2014 ? 21, June 2014). Below is the summary:
Total Persons: 7 (Adult males)
Cars:
Honda City 2013 (Hassan, Saeed, Faisal & Irfan) 4 persons
Suzuki Khyber 1996 (Qamar, Rizwan & Adnan) 3 persons
Average cost rupees 15,500/- per person (Petrol+hoteling+messing+Jeep etc all expense inclusive).
Day 1) 13th June, 2014: Started journey from Rawalpindi to Manshera.(4 Hours)
Day 2) 14th June, 2014: Started at 5:30 AM and reached jaglot at 9 :0 0 pm. Stayed Jaglot.(16 Hours)
Day 3) 15th June, 2014: Started from Jaglot at 5:30 AM and reached Skardu about 12:30 pm. (7 Hours). Had cooking near Shagrila.Visited Upper Kachura 45 min walk from Shagrilla lake. Reached Skardu at 8:00 PM. Stayed in defense mess in Skardu (Total drive from Rwp to Skardu is 27 Hours).
Day 4) 16th June, 2014: 8.30AM Left from Skardu to Deosai,hired jeep 5 door at cost of 9000. First Jeep in the season to reach ?Bara Nala?Deosai National Park. Visited Sadpara Lake and returned to Skardu at 4:00pm. Take rest and spend time at market.
Day 5) 17th June, 2014: Start @ 10:00 AM towards Kaplu in our cars. Reached Kaplu in 3 hours. Move to Sailing. Visited Trout fish farm, fort & Chagchan Mosque in Kaplu. Returned to Skardu. The road was awesome so reached Skardu @ 10:15 Pm.
Day 6) 18th June, 2014: 9:00 AM start moving to Shigar valley. Spend time at Shigar Fort and visited Blind Lake. Trek of Blind Lake is 4-5 KM (Sandy?small rocks). Spent time and returned Skardu at 6pm.
Day 7) 19th June, 2014: Start 8:30 AM Visited Budha Carving, Kharphocho Fort and City Park (colorful fish pond) in Skardu. Left Skardu for Astore Rama in noon. Reached Rama at 10:30 PM (9 Hours?Drive approx). Face land sliding on way towards Jaglot. Carefully crossed after buses, jeeps and few cars level the slide.
Day 8) 20th June, 2014: Visited Chilam and Sheosarlake. Hired jeep @ Rs. 8500 and reached back to Astore at 5:00PM. Brought some Bar-B-Q items from Astore. Move from Astore to Chillas and reached Chillas about 10 pm(4hours drive).
Day 9) 21st June, 2014: 6.00AM left Chillas and reached Babusar top in 3 hours, reached Naran and continued journey back home. Some hurdles dirt, heavy traffic (as on KKH people on strike), rain and last week before Ramzan so lot of people coming to Naran. With stays tea breaks, lunch break we continue journey and reached Rawalpindi around 12:30 AM. 18 Hours? Drive.
Notes:
- Must keep your ID cards with you.
- Skardu road is very curvy. Need extra care in driving. Faced land sliding on way back from Skardu to Jaglot.
- You can travel to Kaplu & Shigar at your own transport. Road is excellent.
- Deosai from Skardu needs Jeep approx 9000.
- Deosai from Astore to Sheosar Lake Jeep 8000.
- Babusur one bridge is pending and need driving skill to cross it. It will be completed soon IA.
- Dirt and heavy Glacier make driving tough from Babusur to Jhalkhad.
Good Luck and stay safe. In case of any queries, do let me know.
