Camping at Siri Paye means being fully self-sufficient: your own tent, sleeping bag and stove, carried up from Shogran by jeep, since there is nothing to hire once you arrive. The flattest, driest ground is in the centre of the upper meadow, between the stream and the tracks used by grazing animals, and even in July nights at close to 3,000 metres can fall near freezing. This guide covers where to pitch, water, cold-night kit and the basic rules that apply.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Paye at about 2,900 m, roughly 600 m above Shogran |
| Getting up | Jeep from Shogran, PKR 5,500 return per jeep (2026), or on foot |
| Water | Streams and the small lakes; treat or boil everything |
| Facilities | None; no shops, toilets or rubbish collection |
| Best months | June to September |
| Fires | Not permitted; cook on a stove |
| Vehicles | Private cars barred from the Shogran to Siri Paye road since 2022 |
Getting your gear up there
Almost everyone reaches Siri Paye by local jeep from Shogran, a rough 45-minute to hour-long ride on a track that is unpaved and often muddy. In 2026 the fixed fare was PKR 5,500 return per jeep from Shogran, and PKR 8,000 return from Kiwai; these are per vehicle, not per person, so a full jeep is the cheapest way to move a group's camping gear. Our Siri Paye guide covers the jeep and the walking route in more detail, and our Shogran jeep fare guide explains how to arrange waiting time.
Private cars have been barred from this road since 2022, after a fatal accident, so plan on the jeep for anything heavier than a light daypack. Walking up with camping gear is possible for fit groups with porters or a horse to carry the load, but most people ride up with the tents and food, then walk around once they arrive.
Where to pitch
The meadow is split roughly into a lower section around Siri Lake and an upper shelf at Paye, below Makra Peak. The best ground for a tent is the flatter, drier centre of the upper meadow, away from the boggy patches near the stream and clear of the paths animals and jeeps use to move around. A few points worth keeping in mind:
- Avoid the immediate shoreline of Siri Lake and Paye Lake. The ground there is soft, and cold air pools close to the water at night.
- Keep clear of the kiosks and horse-hire area, both for quiet and because that ground gets the most foot traffic during the day.
- Pitch with the tent door away from the prevailing wind, which picks up across the open meadow once the sun goes down.
- Choose ground the animals aren't using. Siri Paye is still a working grazing meadow, and pitching in a livestock corridor means disturbed sleep and dirtier ground.
Water
Both lakes and the stream that feeds them look clean, but the meadow is grazed by livestock through the summer, which means contamination is a real possibility in every water source, however clear it looks. Treat or boil all water before drinking or cooking with it, and bring a filter or purification tablets rather than relying on finding bottled water at the top; the kiosks that do sell drinks and snacks in season cannot be counted on for a reliable supply.
How cold does it get?
Siri Paye sits at around 2,900 metres, noticeably higher and colder than Shogran below it. Nights can fall close to freezing even during the peak summer months, and a clear, still night is often colder than an overcast one. Bring:
- A sleeping bag rated to around 0°C or below, with a liner for extra warmth
- An insulated sleeping mat, since the cold comes up through the ground as much as through the air
- A double-skin tent that can handle wind and a sudden shower
- Warm layers for the evening: a fleece or down jacket, a hat and gloves, and thick socks
- A stove and fuel, since open fires are not permitted
- A torch or head torch, because there is no lighting once the kiosks close for the night
Our guide to camping in Naran covers similar cold-night kit in more detail, and most of the same advice applies here.
Permission basics
There is no formal camping permit system at Siri Paye the way there might be in a national park. The practical rules to follow are:
- No wood fires. Cook on a gas or kerosene stove; cutting or burning plants in the meadow is not something to do.
- No vehicles beyond Shogran's own restrictions. Private cars cannot use the Shogran to Siri Paye road; arrive by jeep or on foot.
- Carry your rubbish back down. There is no collection point at the top, and litter is already a visible problem in the meadow.
- Ask locally before a winter or shoulder-season visit. In December 2024, more than 400 people were caught out by heavy snowfall on Siri Paye and had to be rescued overnight, and the track can close with little warning outside the main season.
Is camping at Siri Paye worth it?
Yes, for a group with the right gear and a settled forecast. A clear night above the meadow, once the day's jeeps and horse rides have gone quiet, is a different experience from the busy afternoon most visitors see, with the peaks visible at first light before any cloud builds.
It suits fit adults more than families with very young children, given the cold nights, the rough jeep ride up and the lack of any facilities. If a comfortable night matters more than the camping itself, a hotel in Shogran and a day trip to Siri Paye is the easier choice; our Shogran valley guide covers where to stay. To fit a camping night into a longer trip, use our trip planning page.
Frequently asked questions
Is camping allowed at Siri Paye?
Yes, in the open meadow, though there is no formal permit system. Bring your own tent and gear, avoid livestock paths and the lake edges, and take your rubbish back down.
How cold does it get camping at Siri Paye?
Nights can fall close to freezing even in July, since the meadow sits at around 2,900 metres, some 600 metres higher than Shogran. Bring a sleeping bag rated to around 0°C or below.
Can you drink the water at Siri Paye?
Not without treating it. The lakes and stream are used by grazing livestock through the summer, so boil or filter any water before drinking or cooking with it.
Can you drive your own car to Siri Paye to camp?
No. Private tourist vehicles have been barred from the Shogran to Siri Paye road since 2022. Hire a jeep in Shogran or walk up with a horse or porter for the gear.
Is there anywhere to buy food at Siri Paye?
Seasonal kiosks sell tea and snacks in summer, but they are not a reliable source for a full camping trip. Bring your own food, water and cooking gear.
