Deosai Brown Bear & Wildlife Tour
The Deosai Brown Bear & Wildlife Tour is a 7-day summer trip to Deosai National Park, one of the highest plateaus on earth, to look for the rare Himalayan brown bear, golden marmots, red foxes and birds of prey.
- Duration7 Days
- PaceEasy
- Key WildlifeHimalayan brown bear, marmots
- Best SeasonJuly – August
- GroupSmall group, 2–8
The Land of Giants
Deosai National Park, at around 4,000 m between Skardu and Astore, is one of the highest plateaus in the world. For a few summer months its rolling grasslands are covered in wildflowers, and it becomes home to one of the last populations of the Himalayan brown bear.
The Deosai Brown Bear tour camps on the plateau so that we can be out at dawn and dusk, when bears are most active. We also watch golden marmots, red foxes, Himalayan ibex on the slopes, and birds of prey such as golden eagles and lammergeiers, and visit Sheosar Lake.
Trip Highlights
- Look for the rare Himalayan brown bear
- Golden marmots everywhere on the plateau
- Golden eagles, lammergeiers and Himalayan griffons
- Wildflower meadows at around 4,000 m
- Sheosar Lake and the Bara Pani river
- Camping on the plateau for dawn and dusk game drives
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Skardu
Mountain flight to Skardu (or drive the Karakoram Highway if flights are cancelled).
Overnight: HotelDay 3Drive to Deosai
Drive up past Satpara Lake onto the Deosai Plains and set up camp near Bara Pani. Evening game drive.
Overnight: CampDay 4Deosai wildlife
Dawn and dusk drives to look for bears, with marmot watching and birding during the day.
Overnight: CampDay 5Sheosar Lake
Drive to Sheosar Lake and continue looking for wildlife, then return to camp.
Overnight: CampDay 6Back to Skardu
Morning game drive, then drive back to Skardu.
Overnight: HotelDay 7Fly to Islamabad and depart
Fly to Islamabad and connect with your international flight.
Overnight: —Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, and itineraries can change with weather, animal movements and park rules. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotels in Islamabad and Skardu, tents and camping equipment in Deosai
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Skardu–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- All meals in Deosai, cooked by our camp cook
- 4x4 jeep for game drives in Deosai
- Private vehicle with an experienced driver, and 4x4 jeeps where needed
- Expert local wildlife guide or naturalist
- National park and conservancy entry fees
- Binoculars and a spotting scope for the group
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Camera fees, drones and professional filming permits
- Tips for guides, drivers and trackers
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Deosai Brown Bear Tour?
The Deosai Brown Bear tour is the best way to experience Deosai properly. Most visitors drive across in a day; by camping on the plateau you are there at dawn and dusk, when the bears and other animals are most active.
It is an easy trip, suitable for families and photographers. Combine it with our Skardu Day Tour, or continue to the Rupal Face Trek on the Astore side of Deosai.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our wildlife tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Sightings
Brown bears live in Deosai in small numbers, so sightings are not guaranteed, but camping on the plateau gives the best chance. Marmots and birds of prey are seen every day.
Comfort & Fitness
Game drives are easy, but nights at around 4,000 m are cold, even in summer. Some guests feel the altitude on the first night.
Permits & Ethics
We keep a respectful distance from bears and never feed or follow them. Deosai is a national park, and we follow all park rules.
When to Go
July and August are the best months for Deosai, when the road is open and the plateau is green. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your Deosai wildlife tour.
