Pakistan's jeep safaris fall into two very different categories: high-altitude 4x4 routes in the north, such as the Deosai plains and Shimshal valley, and desert jeep touring and rallying in the south, in Cholistan and Thar. Both need a proper 4x4 and, in almost every case, a local driver who knows the road.
This guide covers the main routes, when to go, and how hiring a jeep actually works on the ground.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best-known mountain route | Deosai plains, Skardu to Astore |
| Most remote route | Shimshal valley, off the Karakoram Highway at Passu |
| Best months, mountain routes | June to September |
| Desert rally season | Winter (Cholistan Jeep Rally runs in February) |
| How to hire | Jeep stands in Skardu, Karimabad or Gilgit; driver and fuel usually included in the price |
Deosai plains
The road across the Deosai plains, between Skardu and Astore or Chilas, is the classic Pakistani jeep safari: a high-altitude 4x4 track across one of the world's highest plateaus, past Sheosar Lake and open grassland where Himalayan brown bears live. Common routes run from Skardu via Sadpara Lake and Ali Malik Top, or on to Deosai's lakes and camping spots.
The plateau is only open, and only worth doing, from June to September, when the road is clear of snow and the plains are green. Outside that window it is closed or impassable. Jeeps with a driver are hired from stands in Skardu bazaar or through hotels, with fuel and driver normally included in the price.
Our Skardu travel guide has more on combining Deosai with the rest of a Skardu trip.
Shimshal valley
Shimshal is Pakistan's most demanding regular jeep route. The road runs about 56 kilometres from the Karakoram Highway at Passu, at around 2,485 metres, up to Shimshal village at 3,113 metres, following the Shimshal river gorge. For long stretches the track runs on a narrow, man-made ledge cut into the cliff, hundreds of feet above the river.
The road only opened in 2003, after 18 years of construction; before that, Shimshal was reached by a three-day walk over mountain passes. It is snow-covered for seven to eight months of the year, so it is only realistically driveable in summer, and even then it needs an experienced driver and a jeep in good condition. This is not a route for a first-time visitor to arrange independently; go with a driver who knows it, ideally one from Shimshal or Passu.
Desert jeep safaris: Cholistan and Thar
In the south, jeep touring means desert driving rather than mountain tracks. The Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally, organised by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab, runs annually near Derawar Fort in Bahawalpur, typically in February. It draws around 100 competing teams and, in recent years, close to 100,000 spectators, and it doubles as the main window for casual visitors to see the desert at its most accessible, with events and camps built up around the rally.
The Thar desert, in Sindh around Nagarparkar, has its own jeep rally tradition, with the Sindh government working to make it an annual fixture. Outside rally dates, both Cholistan and Thar can be explored by hired 4x4 with a local driver who knows the tracks between villages, forts and dunes; winter, when temperatures are bearable, is the season to go.
Hiring a jeep and driver
Almost everyone hires a jeep with a driver rather than self-driving, and for routes like Shimshal or the desert tracks that is the only sensible choice. In the north:
- Skardu, Karimabad and Gilgit all have jeep stands and hotels that arrange vehicles.
- Prices are negotiated on the spot and usually cover the vehicle, fuel and driver for the day or route; agree the price and what it covers before you set off.
- A shared jeep cuts the cost if you're travelling in a small group and don't need the vehicle to yourselves.
In the south, jeep hire is arranged through tour operators running Cholistan or Thar trips, or through contacts in Bahawalpur and Nagarparkar for a more independent visit.
What to bring and what to expect
Mountain jeep tracks are unpaved, rough and often narrow, with drop-offs on one side and no barriers. Expect a slow, jolting ride rather than a scenic drive at speed. Bring:
- Warm layers, even in summer, for Deosai and Shimshal, where the altitude keeps temperatures low
- Water and snacks, since there are few or no shops along these routes
- Motion sickness tablets if you're prone to it, given the constant movement on rough ground
- A charged phone and power bank, though signal is patchy to absent on most of these routes
Desert routes need the opposite kit: sun protection, more water than you think you need, and a plan for where you'll refuel, since fuel stops are widely spaced.
Who this suits
Jeep safaris suit travellers who want to get well off the paved road and don't mind a rough, physical day of travel. Deosai works for most fit adults and older children as part of a Skardu itinerary. Shimshal is a serious undertaking best suited to experienced travellers with time to spare, not a side trip squeezed into a short Hunza visit. The desert rallies suit anyone curious about a very different side of Pakistan from the mountains, particularly around the rally dates when the area is liveliest.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to hire a driver for a jeep safari in Pakistan?
For almost every route, yes. Tracks like Shimshal and the desert routes require local knowledge of the road and conditions that a visiting driver won't have, and hire prices normally include the driver anyway.
When is the best time for a Deosai jeep safari?
June to September, when the plateau is clear of snow and open. It is closed the rest of the year.
Is the Shimshal valley road dangerous?
It is narrow, unpaved and runs along steep gorge sides for long stretches, so it demands a capable vehicle and an experienced driver. It is manageable with the right driver but not a route to attempt casually.
Can I do a jeep safari in the Thar or Cholistan desert outside rally season?
Yes, with a hired 4x4 and local driver, though the rally dates (Cholistan's is typically in February) are when the area has the most infrastructure and activity built up around it.
What should I pack for a mountain jeep safari?
Warm layers regardless of season, water, snacks and something for motion sickness. Expect little or no phone signal on routes like Deosai and Shimshal.
