Deosai National Park

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

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Deosai National Park is a vast, high-altitude wilderness in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, often called the “Land of Giants.” Sprawling across more than 3,500 square kilometers at an average elevation of 4,114 meters (13,497 feet), it’s the second-highest plateau in the world after Tibet’s Changtang.

The name “Deosai” itself comes from the Urdu words deo (giant) and sai (shadow), evoking the haunting grandeur of this remote landscape. Blanketed in snow for much of the year, Deosai bursts into life during the short summer, when its rolling meadows are carpeted with wildflowers and butterflies.

It’s a sanctuary for rare and endangered species, most notably the Himalayan brown bear, whose population has slowly recovered thanks to conservation efforts. You’ll also find snow leopards, ibex, marmots, golden eagles, and over 124 species of birds soaring across the skies.

The park’s crown jewel is Sheosar Lake, a glacial lake perched at 4,250 meters, reflecting the distant silhouette of Nanga Parbat on clear days. Rivers like Bara Pani and Kala Pani cut through the plains, and the silence here is so profound you can hear your own heartbeat—broken only by the whistle of a marmot or the rustle of alpine wind.