There are no hotels inside Deosai National Park. The plains sit above 4,000 metres in a protected area, and the choices for a night are a tent or glamping camp on the plateau, or a hotel or guesthouse in Skardu, Astore or Chilas. Most visitors sleep in Skardu and do Deosai as a long day trip, which is also the easiest option for anyone worried about altitude.
This guide sorts the options by budget. It describes kinds of places rather than naming properties, because camps change from season to season.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Hotels inside the park | None |
| Nearest hotel town | Skardu, about 30 km to the park entrance |
| On-plateau options | Tent camps and glamping at Bara Pani, Sheosar and other sites |
| Season | Roughly June to September; the plateau is snowbound about November to May |
| Prices | Camps and hotels change every year; ask for the total in writing |
Why you will not find a hotel in Deosai
Deosai is a national park, and it is snowbound for about half the year. The only structures are seasonal: roadside food stalls, a Wildlife Department encampment at Bara Pani, and tents that operators put up for the summer. Himalayan brown bears live on the plateau, and the advice from park visitors is to camp only at established sites rather than off on your own.
That means "hotels near Deosai Plains" really means one of three things: a Skardu base, a camp on the plateau, or the Astore side. Which is best depends on your budget and on whether you want a night under the stars or a bed at low altitude.
Stay in Skardu: the easy choice
Skardu is roughly two hours from the deeper parts of the plateau and about 30 kilometres from the park entrance by the Sadpara road. It has the region's widest choice of places to sleep, from guesthouses to lakeside resorts.
- Budget: simple guesthouses and hotels in the town and on the Sadpara road. Expect shared or basic bathrooms at the bottom end and dependable hot water only at the better ones. Our guide to budget hotels in Skardu covers what to look for.
- Mid-range: family-run hotels with attached bathrooms, heating in the shoulder months and a restaurant. Book ahead for July and August, and for Eid.
- Higher end: lakeside resorts and heritage-style hotels around Lower Kachura and in the valley. See luxury hotels in Skardu.
For the whole valley, see where to stay in Skardu.
A Skardu base also suits acclimatisation. You spend the night at about 2,200 metres, climb to over 4,000 metres for the day, and come down again. That is far easier on most people than sleeping on the plateau.
Camp on the plateau: Bara Pani, Sheosar and others
Camping is the only way to sleep on the plains themselves. The best-known campgrounds are Bara Pani, Sheosar Lake and Kala Pani, and visitors describe Bara Pani as the most developed, with a small hill behind it and seasonal food stalls.
Operators in Skardu offer several kinds of set-up:
- Shared tents: the cheapest option, usually with a sleeping bag or mattress supplied, and shared toilets. Quality varies a lot.
- Private tents: your own tent for a family or group, often with meals arranged. Better for privacy and quieter nights.
- Glamping: larger tents with beds and bedding, offered by some operators. This costs several times a basic tent, and what "glamping" means differs by operator, so ask what is included.
- Bring your own gear: allowed at the recognised sites, and the cheapest, but you carry everything, including warm sleeping bags.
Nights are far colder than the days. Temperatures at the top drop to freezing in summer, sometimes below, and wind adds to it. Everyone in the group should have a proper winter layer, and small children and elderly parents should think twice about a night at this altitude. Our camping in Deosai guide has the practical details, and Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake each have a page of their own.
Whatever you book, ask in advance what the price includes: transport, entry fees, dinner and breakfast, sleeping bags and toilets. The park entry fee is separate in most quotes, and our Deosai entry fee post explains it.
The Astore side: Chilam, Astore and Chilas
If you are crossing Deosai from Astore, you can sleep on that side. Astore town has hotels and guesthouses of a simpler standard than Skardu, and Chilas on the Karakoram Highway has more. Chilam, the last settlement before the plateau on the Astore road, is a small village and not a place to expect hotels. Visitors describe the track from Astore to Chilam as a slow, bumpy drive of several hours.
Use this side if you are travelling between Astore and Skardu over the plateau. For a return trip to Deosai and back, Skardu is simpler. See Astore to Deosai for the road.
Which option by budget
| Budget | Sensible choice | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Tight | Shared tent at a recognised camp, or a basic Skardu guesthouse and a day trip | Cold nights, shared toilets, quality that varies |
| Middle | Skardu hotel with attached bathroom, hire a jeep for the day | Booking in July and August |
| Comfortable | Private or glamping tent for one night, or a lakeside resort in Skardu | Unclear inclusions, altitude for children |
The cost of the jeep is often bigger than the cost of the bed. See Deosai jeep rent and Deosai trip cost for how the whole trip adds up.
Is it worth sleeping on the plateau?
For many people, yes, but only once. A night at Bara Pani or Sheosar gives you the sunrise, the stars and a lot less rushing, and the plateau is emptier in the evening after day-trippers leave. If you are only staying one night in the area and everyone is healthy, it is a good use of it.
It is not a good idea for anyone with heart or lung conditions, for small children, or if the forecast is bad. If you are unsure, sleep in Skardu and do the plateau in daylight. If you would like the logistics handled, our Skardu and Deosai tour builds Deosai into a seven-day trip.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any hotels inside Deosai National Park?
No. Accommodation on the plateau is limited to seasonal tent and glamping camps. Hotels and guesthouses are in Skardu, Astore and Chilas.
Where do most people stay for Deosai?
In Skardu, then a full-day jeep trip onto the plateau. Skardu is about 30 kilometres from the park entrance.
Can I camp anywhere in Deosai?
Camp only at established sites such as Bara Pani or Sheosar Lake. Brown bears live on the plateau, and camping away from the recognised sites is discouraged.
Is it cold at night on Deosai?
Yes, even in July and August. Nights can reach freezing at over 4,000 metres, so bring winter clothing and a warm sleeping bag.
When can I stay at Deosai?
The plateau is usually accessible from about June to September and snowbound from roughly November to May. Check conditions with a Skardu operator before you set out.
