Gilgit-Baltistan’s wildlife lives in high, protected landscapes, and most visitors meet it in one of three places: the Deosai plateau between Skardu and Astore, Khunjerab National Park on the road to China, and the Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary above Gilgit. This section gathers what the tourism department and the place pages on this site say about those animals and habitats — and the rules that go with them. It doesn’t try to be a field guide. Where a source names an animal, we name it. Where it doesn’t, we leave the gap rather than fill it from memory.
Read this page as an introduction. The articles listed below go deeper, and the rule pages linked further down are the ones to check before you travel.
Wildlife articles in this section
| Article | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Himalayan brown bear of Deosai | Why the park was designated in 1993, and the bear’s described role as a keystone species |
| Himalayan marmots of Deosai | The marmot and brown bear pair named on the department’s Deosai tourist page |
| Deosai high-altitude wetlands | Deosai and Sheosar Lake as described in the department’s freshwater wetland wording |
All three articles draw on department sources accessed on 27 August 2026. The places further down are covered on their own place pages.
Deosai: bears, marmots and a high wetland
Deosai National Park is a high alpine plateau between Skardu and Astore with an average altitude of 4,114 m, according to its place page. It’s the centre of this section because the department’s own wildlife notes are built around it.
The brown bear. Department materials say Deosai was designated in 1993 to protect the critically endangered Himalayan brown bear, which they describe as a keystone species of the park. The brown bear article keeps that conservation purpose and deliberately leaves out population totals — they weren’t in the source note it uses.
The marmots. The department’s Deosai tourist page says the park is famous for diverse wildlife dominated by Himalayan marmots and brown bear. That’s the species pair the department names for visitors. The Deosai place page adds that July is when the wildflowers peak and marmots are everywhere.
The wetlands. Department materials describe Deosai and Sheosar Lake, also called Blind Lake, as among the world’s highest freshwater wetlands, and note the park’s role in high-altitude wetland biodiversity. The Deosai place page says more than 124 bird species have been recorded, including golden eagles and lammergeiers, and that the wetlands support them.
When it’s open. The place page says Deosai is open only in summer, roughly mid-June to mid-October, and that in 2026 it opened on 10 June. From about November to May the plateau is under snow. It recommends starting early from Skardu for the best wildlife light, staying in or near the vehicle if you see a bear, and never feeding wildlife.
For the approach roads, read the Deosai place page together with Skardu, Sadpara Lake and Astore. Our Astore page points out that The Brown Bear Hotel Deosai is listed under Astore and isn’t necessarily on the plateau — so confirm where you’ll actually sleep.
Khunjerab: Marco Polo sheep country
Khunjerab Pass is best known as the border crossing to China, but the road climbs through Khunjerab National Park to get there. The place page says the park was set up on 29 April 1975 to protect Marco Polo sheep, and calls it snow leopard country. It adds that Himalayan ibex are sometimes seen between Barhon and Koksar, and that domestic yaks graze across the park. It describes the park as Pakistan’s third-largest national park, citing the GB Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department for its area.
Visitors pass the park checkpoint at Dih on the way up from Sost. The place page gives the realistic sightseeing season as about May to October, and notes that snow or landslides can still close the road. The gateway to China page explains why year-round cargo traffic on the pass doesn’t mean a winter tourist visit.
Two practical notes from the Khunjerab page matter for wildlife watchers. Take photos only as border staff allow, and read the photography restrictions. And there’s no fuel after Sost — so plan a wildlife stop as part of a full day, not an extra detour. For bases, see the Hunza destination page.
Naltar: a sanctuary above Gilgit
Naltar Valley is a pine-forested side valley in Gilgit District, reached through Nomal. Its place page says the valley lies inside the Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary, declared on 22 November 1975, and that the sanctuary protects markhor, ibex and snow leopard. It is honest about the odds: sightings are rare. Above the lakes, it says, the valley opens into alpine pasture where ibex are sometimes seen at dawn.
The lakes can usually be reached from May to October. From December to February snow closes the lake track and the ski slopes take over. The Naltar page says no NOC or trekking permit is needed for the village or the lakes. It also warns that the ski area is next to a Pakistan Air Force facility — so you shouldn’t photograph the base.
Other places where wildlife comes up
A few other place pages mention wildlife in passing. They’re useful for planning, but none of them is a wildlife guide:
- The Shimshal Valley page describes yaks grazing the slopes and a yak race at the Shimshal Pass pastures in late July or early August.
- The Hunza destination page mentions Borith Lake, near Hussaini, attracting migratory birds in spring and autumn.
- Sadpara Lake and Khalti Lake are known for trout. Their pages say fishing needs a licence.
The rules that apply
Wildlife rules on this site come from the tourism department FAQ. We quote them rather than rewrite them, and we don’t add fees the FAQ doesn’t give.
- Wildlife viewing. The FAQ says wildlife viewing is allowed in designated areas and needs a permit from the wildlife department, plus following department guidelines and respecting wildlife and habitat. See wildlife viewing regulations.
- National parks. The FAQ says visitors to national parks must get a permit from the Wildlife Department and follow park rules such as not littering and not disturbing wildlife. See national park visit regulations.
- Camping. The FAQ says camping is allowed in designated areas, needs a tourism department permit before you put up a tent, and requires leave-no-trace principles and proper waste disposal. See camping regulations.
- Photography. Photography is prohibited in restricted areas, at military installations and in sensitive border areas. See photography restrictions.
A note on permits and checkpoints
The rule pages above say a permit is needed. Some place pages describe what visitors experience at the gate — such as buying an entry ticket at a checkpoint. Those are different kinds of sources. Treat the FAQ rule as the requirement, and confirm the current form and route with the wildlife department or at the checkpoint before you go. This website doesn’t issue permits or tickets.
Watching wildlife responsibly
Everything below follows from the rules and place pages above. None of it is a new regulation.
- Keep your distance. The national park rule is not to disturb wildlife. With bears, the Deosai page advises staying in or near the vehicle.
- Never feed animals. Feeding changes behaviour and breaks the “don’t disturb” rule.
- Stay in designated areas. The viewing rule is tied to designated areas, and camping is too.
- Carry everything out. Litter is named in the national park rule, and leave-no-trace is named in the camping rule.
- Expect nothing. The Deosai and Naltar pages say sightings are possible but never guaranteed — and rare in Naltar.
- Go with a licensed operator if you’re unsure. The hiring a tour operator guide explains how to check one. The FAQ says adventure sports operators must hold a tourism department licence and provide trained, licensed guides.
- Mind the altitude. Deosai is above 4,000 m. The place page suggests spending time in Skardu first.
When to go
Most wildlife trips happen in the short high-country summer. The Deosai page gives mid-June to mid-October. The Khunjerab page gives about May to October for sightseeing. Naltar’s lakes are usually reachable from May to October. Our best time to visit guide sets these against the wider seasons, and the alerts page carries road closures.
Frequently asked questions
Which animals do the department’s Deosai notes name?
Himalayan marmots and the Himalayan brown bear. The department’s Deosai tourist page says the park’s wildlife is dominated by those two.
Why was Deosai made a national park?
Department materials say it was designated in 1993 to protect the critically endangered Himalayan brown bear, described as a keystone species of the park.
Do I need a permit to watch wildlife in Gilgit-Baltistan?
The FAQ says wildlife viewing is allowed in designated areas with a permit from the wildlife department. National park visitors also need a Wildlife Department permit.
What wildlife lives in Khunjerab National Park?
The Khunjerab page says the park was set up to protect Marco Polo sheep and is snow leopard country. Himalayan ibex are sometimes seen, and domestic yaks graze there.
What does the Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary protect?
The Naltar Valley page says it protects markhor, ibex and snow leopard, and that sightings are rare.
Will I definitely see a brown bear at Deosai?
No. The Deosai page says a sighting is possible but never guaranteed, and that early morning and late afternoon give the best chance.
What is Sheosar Lake also called?
Department materials call it Blind Lake. Don’t confuse it with Blinkd Lake in Astore, which is a separate place.
Can I camp to watch wildlife?
Only in designated camping areas, with a tourism department permit before you put up a tent, following leave-no-trace principles and proper waste disposal.
Can I photograph anywhere in these parks?
Not everywhere. Photography is prohibited in restricted areas, at military installations and in sensitive border areas, and the Naltar page asks visitors not to photograph the PAF base.
When is the best season for wildlife trips?
Summer. Deosai is open roughly mid-June to mid-October, Khunjerab is realistic from about May to October, and Naltar’s lakes are usually reachable from May to October.