Deosai Plains Photography Tour
One of the highest plateaus on Earth: rolling grassland at over 4,000 metres, summer wildflowers, brown bears and a sky full of stars.
Deosai means the Land of Giants. It is a plateau of about 3,000 square kilometres at an average height of 4,114 metres, and for nine months of the year it lies under snow.
When the road opens in early summer, the plains turn green and then fill with wildflowers. There are no trees and almost no buildings, so the photographs are about space, weather and light moving across the grass.
Deosai is also a national park created to protect the Himalayan brown bear. Seeing one is never guaranteed, but early and late in the day, with a long lens and a patient approach, the chances are real.
- Best season
- Mid-June to September; wildflowers peak in July and early August
- Altitude
- About 4,114 m on average
- Base
- Skardu, with a night camping on the plateau
- Access
- Jeep road from Skardu via Sadpara, or from Astore via Chilam
Locations
What you will photograph
Sheosar Lake
A deep blue lake at 4,142 m at the western edge of the plateau, with Nanga Parbat visible on clear days.
Bara Pani and Kala Pani
Clear rivers crossing the plains, with wooden bridges and the main camping areas. Good for foreground at sunrise.
Wildflower plains
In July and early August the grassland is covered with flowers. Low angles and a wide lens make the most of it.
Brown bears and marmots
The park holds Pakistan's main population of Himalayan brown bears, along with golden marmots that are far easier to find.
Night sky
There is no light pollution at all. On a clear, moonless night the Milky Way is visible from horizon to horizon.
Light and season
When to go
- Weather changes fast on the plateau. Afternoon cloud build-up gives the best skies, and storms pass quickly.
- Plan night photography around the new moon; the core of the Milky Way is well placed through the summer months.
- By late September the grass has turned gold and the first snow is close.
See the month-by-month guide to the best time to photograph Pakistan.
From my archive
Photographs from Deosai National Park
Practical notes
Before you travel
- At over 4,000 m you will feel the altitude. Tours spend nights in Skardu first to acclimatise.
- Nights are near freezing even in midsummer; warm clothing and a good sleeping bag matter.
- Wildlife is photographed from a respectful distance with long lenses. Bears are never approached or baited.
- The road is a rough jeep track, closed by snow from about October to early June.
Plan your trip
Photograph Deosai National Park with me
Tell me your dates and what you want to photograph, and I will plan a private itinerary around the light. Tours are operated through Travelbug, the travel company I co-founded, which arranges transport, stays and permits.
Every tour is privately quoted. No fixed packages or departure dates.
Questions
Good to know
When is Deosai open?
Usually from mid-June to late September, depending on snow. The wildflower peak is in July and early August.
Can I see brown bears in Deosai?
Possibly. Deosai protects the largest population of Himalayan brown bears in Pakistan, and sightings are most likely early and late in the day, but no wildlife sighting can be promised.
How high is Deosai and will altitude be a problem?
The plateau averages 4,114 m. Most visitors feel it mildly. Spending nights in Skardu first, drinking plenty of water and moving slowly helps a great deal.
Is Deosai good for astrophotography?
Yes. It is one of the darkest accessible places in Pakistan, with wide open horizons and lakes for reflections.
Keep exploring
Related tours and guides
Muhammad Asmar Hussain
Award-winning Pakistani landscape photographer, Sony Brand Ambassador for Landscape Photography, TEDx speaker and Co-Founder of Travelbug. Published by National Geographic and a winner at the Sony World Photography Awards. More about Asmar.