Ali Malik Mar is the high point of the Skardu road into Deosai, about 30 kilometres uphill from Skardu town, and the first place where the plateau begins to feel like Deosai. Most travel guides also call it Deosai Top or Ali Malik Pass. From Skardu, allow roughly an hour and a half by jeep via Sadpara Lake, and only in summer, when the snow has cleared.
It is a stage on the way rather than a destination with its own facilities, so this guide is short. It explains where Ali Malik Mar sits on the route, what the road is like, and what you will and will not find there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | On the Skardu to Deosai road, above Sadpara |
| Distance from Skardu | About 30 km |
| Drive time from Skardu | Roughly 1.5 hours by jeep |
| Road | Paved to Sadpara, then rough and partly off-road |
| Vehicle | A 4x4 jeep with high clearance |
| Open | Roughly June to September |
| Facilities | A small roadside food stall and a seasonal nomad camp |
What is Ali Malik Mar?
The name is used in two ways. Strictly, Ali Malik Mar is a mountain in Deosai National Park with a listed height of 4,418 metres (PeakVisor). In everyday use it means the pass and high point on the Skardu road, which travellers also call Deosai Top. Most maps and drivers use the two names for the same stretch, so if a Skardu driver says "Ali Malik Mar" he means the climb to the plateau.
It matters because the road from Skardu climbs steadily from around 2,200 metres to above 4,000 metres here, and this is where you leave the valley behind. From this point you are on the plateau's edge.
How far is Ali Malik Mar from Skardu?
About 30 kilometres from Skardu, and roughly an hour and a half of driving. The stages are:
- Skardu to Sadpara. The road is paved and climbs past Sadpara Lake and the dam. This is the easy part.
- Sadpara to Ali Malik Mar. The pavement ends and the road becomes rough and steep, with switchbacks and loose sections.
- Ali Malik Mar to the park checkpoint. The park entrance follows, and tickets are checked there. Keep them for the way out. The current fee is covered in our Deosai entry fee post.
- Onward to Bara Pani and Sheosar. From here the plateau opens out and the track runs across it, which our Skardu to Deosai guide follows.
Because the road is unpaved and steep, travel guides consistently say that only a 4x4 with high clearance is sensible. Sedans are not suited to it; see Deosai by car if you are thinking of trying.
What do you find at Ali Malik Mar?
Not much, and that is part of it. Travellers describe a small roadside food stall and a Gujjar encampment nearby, which is the first sign of people on the plateau. The Gujjars are seasonal herders who bring their animals up in summer.
You will find:
- Wide, treeless slopes above the tree line
- Streams from snowmelt, usually clear and very cold
- Views back down the valley towards Skardu on a clear day
- A place to stop for tea, if the stall is open
Do not expect a hotel, a shop, fuel or reliable phone signal. Fill the tank in Skardu and carry water and snacks. Ali Malik Mar is also not the place to stay the night; see hotels near Deosai Plains for where people do.
When is Ali Malik Mar open?
The plateau is snowbound roughly from November to May, and the road over Ali Malik Mar follows it. It normally opens for jeeps around June and is best from July to September. Even in summer the weather turns fast at this altitude, with rain, cold wind and fog, and a late snowfall can close the road for a day or more. Our best time to visit Deosai post covers the months in detail.
Altitude and what to carry
You gain about 2,000 metres in an hour and a half. Most healthy adults are fine, but the top is cold and windy even in July. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and water, and avoid rushing about on arrival. Headache, nausea or dizziness means going down, not pressing on. See altitude sickness in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Is it worth a stop?
If you are on the way into Deosai, you will pass through it whether you stop or not, so a short pause for tea and photographs is reasonable. It is not worth a separate trip: the plateau beyond is the reason to come. If your time is short, treat it as part of the full Deosai day trip, and see our Skardu and Deosai tour if you would like the logistics arranged.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ali Malik Mar?
It is the pass and high point on the Skardu road into Deosai National Park, and the name of a nearby peak of about 4,418 metres. It is also called Deosai Top.
How far is Ali Malik Mar from Skardu?
About 30 kilometres, roughly 1.5 hours by jeep via Sadpara Lake.
Can I drive to Ali Malik Mar in a normal car?
Not sensibly. The road is paved to Sadpara and then rough and steep, and a high-clearance 4x4 is the usual choice.
Is Ali Malik Mar the same as Deosai Top?
Most guides use the names interchangeably for the pass on the Skardu road. Ask your driver to be sure which stretch he means.
When is the road to Ali Malik Mar open?
Usually from about June to September. Snow closes it for the rest of the year.
