Blinkd Lake, as it appears in the GB Tourism Department’s list of Astore attractions, isn’t the name of any lake we could find. It’s almost certainly a misspelling of Blind Lake, the English meaning of Sheosar Lake (in Shina, sheo means blind and sar means lake). Sheosar is the big alpine lake at the western, Astore end of Deosai National Park. It lies at about 4,140–4,250 m and is roughly 2.3 km long. It’s about 16 km from the Chillam check post (around 1.5 hours by 4×4) and about 60–65 km from Skardu. It’s open roughly mid-June to mid-October, and in 2025–2026 reports Pakistanis paid about PKR 500 to enter the park. On a clear day you can see Nanga Parbat from its shore.
This guide covers the lake and the Astore approach. For the whole plateau, see the Deosai National Park guide. Details were checked in October 2026. Fees and opening dates change every year, so confirm them before you travel.
Sheosar (Blind) Lake quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sheosar Lake; Blind Lake in English. Listed as “Blinkd Lake, Astore” by the GB Tourism Department |
| Location | Western end of Deosai National Park, on the Astore (Chillam) side. The park spans Astore and Skardu districts |
| Altitude | About 4,140–4,250 m, depending on the source |
| Size | About 2.3 km long and 1.8 km wide; an average depth of about 40 m is often quoted |
| From Chillam | About 16 km, around 1.5 hours by 4×4 |
| From Astore | About 3–4 hours to Chillam, then the climb onto the plateau |
| From Skardu | About 60–65 km across Deosai, 3 hours or more |
| Season | About mid-June to mid-October; the park opened on 10 June in 2026 |
Don’t confuse it with Blind Lake in Shigar
There’s a second “Blind Lake” in Gilgit-Baltistan. Zharba Tso (also Jarba Zhou), between Skardu and Shigar, is a low lake at about 2,200–2,300 m near the Sarfaranga cold desert, about 30 minutes from Skardu. The GB Tourism Department lists it as “Blind Lake” under Shigar. The lake listed under Astore must be Sheosar: it’s the only lake whose own name means “Blind Lake”, and it’s reached through Chillam in Astore. If you’re booking a tour, say which one you mean. Blinkd Lake in the department list is almost certainly Blind Lake — Sheosar at the Astore end of Deosai.
What makes Sheosar special
Deosai is a huge, rolling plateau of grass, streams and wild flowers, and Sheosar is the largest lake on it. On a calm morning the water is still enough to reflect the sky and the low hills, and on a clear day Nanga Parbat appears on the western horizon. In July the shore is covered in flowers, and marmots whistle from their burrows nearby. It’s a long way up, but most people who reach it say it was the highlight of their Deosai crossing.
How to reach Sheosar Lake
- From the Astore side (shortest): drive from Gilgit to Astore (about 3 hours), then through Gudai to Chillam (about 3–4 hours). From the Chillam check post the track climbs steeply onto the plateau and reaches the lake in about 1.5 hours. You need a 4×4.
- From the Skardu side: go via Sadpara Lake and Ali Malik Mar onto the plateau, then cross Bara Pani and Kala Pani to the lake at the far western edge. It’s about 60–65 km and takes 3 hours or more.
- Crossing Deosai: many visitors drive right across from Skardu to Astore, about 150 km and 7–8 hours. That puts Sheosar near the end of the day going west, or near the start going east.
Things to do
- Walk the shore: a slow walk along the bank is the best way to see the flowers and birds.
- Photography: early morning gives the calmest water and the best chance of seeing Nanga Parbat.
- Trout fishing: brown and rainbow trout. You need a fishing permit from the park authorities, reported at about PKR 500 in 2026.
- Wildlife: Deosai’s Himalayan brown bears grew from 19 in 1993 to about 78 in 2022. Watch from the vehicle and never feed them. See the Himalayan brown bear and Deosai’s marmots.
- Camping: the GB tourism portal lists Sheosar and Kala Pani as camping sites with basic facilities.
Best time to visit
Deosai is snowbound from about November to May. The park usually opens in mid-June once the track is cleared, and in 2026 it opened on 10 June. July is the classic month, when the wild flowers peak. August is still green, but showers are more common. September brings clear air and fewer visitors, with frost at night. The park usually closes in mid- to late October. See the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan.
Sheosar Lake costs (as of 2025–2026)
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Deosai entry, Pakistanis | About PKR 500 (2025–2026 reports) |
| Deosai entry, GB residents | About PKR 100–200 |
| Deosai entry, foreigners | About USD 20–40 |
| Fishing permit | About PKR 500 (2026 report) |
| Jeep for a Deosai day from Skardu | About PKR 15,000–20,000 (2026) |
| Jeep from the Astore side | No published fare; agree it in Astore or Chillam |
| Hotel in Astore | About PKR 1,500–6,000 a night |
Where to stay
The nearest beds on the Astore side are at Chillam, where The Brown Bear Hotel Deosai is listed at Chillam Chowki. There are simple guesthouses in Gudai, and Astore town has the most choice. Near Rama, Rama Bayak and Restaurant is another option. Camping at the lake is the most memorable choice, but it’s very cold at over 4,000 m. One 2026 guide says an overnight stay in Deosai needs a letter from the Deputy Commissioner in Astore, so check this before you go. See the camping regulations. From the Skardu side, most people stay in Skardu.
Safety and practical tips
- Altitude: the lake is above 4,100 m. If you come up from Astore in a day, take it slowly and turn back if you get a bad headache or feel sick.
- Weather: sun, hail and snow can all come in one afternoon. Bring warm and waterproof layers, even in July.
- Bears: keep food sealed and away from tents, and never approach a bear.
- No signal: expect no mobile coverage on the plateau. Tell someone your plan.
- Leave no trace: it’s a national park and a fragile wetland. See Deosai’s high-altitude wetlands.
- Travel advice: parts of GB saw unrest and network outages in March 2026. Check current advice before you travel. See travel safety guidance.
Nearby places
- Deosai National Park: the full plateau guide
- Domail Valley and Domail Rainbow Lake: over the Burzil Pass from Chillam
- Rama Lake: meadows below Nanga Parbat, above Astore
- Sadpara Lake: on the Skardu side of Deosai
Planning a Sheosar day from Astore
The Astore approach puts you on the plateau sooner than the Skardu side, but the day still starts early. An early start from Astore or Gudai gets you to Chillam with enough daylight left for the climb and some time at the lake. Agree the full plan with your driver in advance: where you will stop, how long you will stay at the shore, and whether you are coming back to Astore or carrying on across Deosai to Skardu. A one-way crossing needs more fuel, more food and an earlier start than a return trip.
If the weather looks unsettled at Chillam, it is usually worse on the plateau. It is better to wait a day in Astore than to drive into hail at 4,000 m with no shelter.
What to bring for the lake
- Layers: a warm jacket, hat and gloves, even in July. The wind off the water is cold.
- Food and water: enough for the whole day, as there are no shops on the plateau.
- Sun protection: sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, since the light is strong at this altitude.
- Cash: for the park entry and any fishing permit, in Pakistani rupees.
- Rubbish bags: to carry everything back out.
Photographing Sheosar well
The lake reflects best when the air is still, which usually means early in the day. Shoot from the shore rather than walking through the wet margins, which are part of a fragile wetland. If Nanga Parbat is hidden behind cloud, wait a little. Views across the plateau can open up fast. Bears and marmots should be photographed from a distance, from inside or beside the vehicle, never by walking closer.
Getting the name right when you book
Because of the “Blinkd” spelling and the second Blind Lake near Shigar, booking confusion is common. When you message an operator, say “Sheosar Lake in Deosai, via Chillam” rather than just “Blind Lake”. That way you will not be sent to the low lake near Skardu.
Sheosar (Blind) Lake FAQ
What is Blinkd Lake in Astore?
Blinkd Lake appears in the GB Tourism Department list of Astore attractions, but no lake by that name could be found. It is almost certainly a misspelling of Blind Lake, the meaning of Sheosar Lake in Shina, at the Astore end of Deosai National Park.
Why is Sheosar called Blind Lake?
In the Shina language sheo means blind and sar means lake, so Sheosar means Blind Lake.
How do I reach Sheosar Lake from Astore?
Drive from Astore through Gudai to the Chillam check post, then about 16 km onto the Deosai plateau by 4×4. The climb from Chillam takes around 1.5 hours.
How high is Sheosar Lake?
Sources give about 4,140 to 4,250 m, which makes it one of the higher large lakes in Pakistan.
Is there an entry fee for Sheosar Lake?
The lake is inside Deosai National Park. In 2025 and 2026 reports, Pakistanis paid about PKR 500, GB residents about PKR 100 to 200, and foreigners about USD 20 to 40. Fishing needs a separate permit.
Is Sheosar Lake the same as Blind Lake in Shigar?
No. The Blind Lake near Skardu and Shigar is Zharba Tso, a low lake near the Sarfaranga desert. Sheosar is a high lake on the Deosai plateau, reached from Astore or Skardu.
How long should I spend at Sheosar Lake?
An hour or two at the shore is typical on a crossing day. Campers obviously stay longer, but day visitors need time for the drive back or onward.
Can I cross Deosai from Astore to Skardu in one day?
Yes, many visitors do. The crossing is about 150 km and 7–8 hours, so start early and carry food, water and warm clothes.
Is there mobile signal at Sheosar Lake?
Expect none on the plateau. Download offline maps and tell someone your plan before you leave Astore or Skardu.
Who can I call for help near Sheosar Lake?
There is no signal on the plateau, so sort out your emergency plan before you go up. The Contacting Tourist Police guide lists the current Tourist Police contacts for Gilgit-Baltistan. Leave your route and return time with your hotel in Astore or Skardu.
