Deosai Plateau:
The Deosai or Devils Plain is situated just in the south-north-west of Skardu and is great basin consisting about 580 square miles, averaging twele to thirteen thousand feet in height, and surrounded by a circle of snows rising three to four thousand feet heigher. It is the second highest plateau after Tibet and in local Balti language it is called “Ghbiar Sa” which means the summer place. Some ruins of old houses still remain between Shatung Nalla and Bara Pani. The plain strectches away for miles without the vestige of tree but a lush green table land with full blooming of hundred kinds of wild flowers that make Deosai radiant with bright colours in summer.
The Deosai plateau is opf glacial origin and its spectacular scenery offers formind June to mid Septmber is highlighted by some 342 species of vegetation.
It serves as a home to endangered Himalayan brown bears, red marmots, red fox, wolf, snow leopards and over 125 resident and migratory birds as well as other hundred species of flora and fauna. Sheosar or Deosai Lake is a vast reservoir with a variety of colorful flowers on its banks.The activities at Deosai Plain include hiking, wildlife watching, fishing and study of nature particularly a lot of medicinal plants. Covering an area of about 3000 square kms, the area has been decalared as Deosai National Park in 1993 under the control of Wild Life Department Skardu.
The journey from Skardu to Deosai takes about two hours, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is required that can be rented in Skardu city.
The route of deosai leads to Astore valley and onward to Karakuram highway.
Sadpara Lake:
Sadpara Lake is situated at the foot of Deosai Plain and at a distance of only 8 kms from the Skardu town. It was, first time built by the people of Baltistan during the reign of Raja Ali Sher Anchan and now construction work is in swing for conversion of this lake into a large Dame with modern techniques. This lake is the only source of water for irrigation as well as drinking for the Skardu city and in suburbs and this lake also offers boating.
Ghowarashi Lake:
This picturesque lake is just one and half km away from Kharmang Ghandus in the Ghanche Nallah and is the only source of water for irrigation of Ghandus village and it offers fishing charm too.
At the edge of this lake there is a legendary gate of rock named “Kesari Stagho” in a narrow gorge and in case of close of this stone gate the whole nallah automatically close up because there is no alterative path of approach.
A half km far from the lake six dolls like stones are put an recess of rock with the folk tale that these were human being and converted into stones due to their sins during pre-historic period. The tourists can approach to Khaplu from this lake through Ghance Nallah.
Kachura Lakes:
There are two beautiful lakes in Kachura village, upper called “Foroq Tso” and the lower named “Lu Tso” now “Shangrila lake” and both are matchless in beauty. These lakes offer a good outing from Skardu with a distance of 40 minutes drive. Facilities and activities include nice accommodations, boating and fishing etc. Kachura village is also famous for it delicious apples and charries.
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