From mid-April through May there should be relatively few people visiting Fairy Meadows which can make for a much more pleasant journey. Great pictures! The final part of the road to Fairy Meadows has to be covered on foot because not even a jeep will fit on this narrow path. You can either take the traditional road from Islamabad via Naran and Babusar Pass or fly into Gilgit and reach Raikot Bridge from the north. ROOMS: As mentioned above, the room we saw was so-so. The trail offers numerous glimpses of the mighty Nanga Parbat in the distance. 1. Always Open. Fairy Meadows looks like a perfect and beautiful trek to undertake. These programs are designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. In the early 1900s, the region gained popularity among German mountain climbers who were on the mission to summit the Nanga Parbat. It’s not intended to be super accurate, but it will give you an idea of the trail. However if you do want a paper map of the area then we did see some 1:200,000 scale maps for sale in the in the reception-area shops at the Gilgit Serena Hotel (amazing food and accommodation at that hotel by the way!). It is going to take a lot of action and education to fix this issue. However our definitions of “highly trained” probably differ and, at the end of the day, a narrow rough track with a sheer cliff on one side doesn’t allow much room for error regardless of training! Community See All. 120,870 people like this. The journey will likely take around 15 to 18 hours. We finished our hike at the tuckshop shown in the photo below. There is no denying that if your jeep driver were to make a mistake and slip off the road edge then everyone in your jeep would — without a doubt — perish. Many blog posts we read before travelling there said that foreigners were given a police escort for their entire trip to Fairy Meadows. Pakistan (6,961.51 mi) Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, 15100. Now we’re getting to the really interesting part. Temperatures can get as low as -20°C in winter so you must make sure to prepare accordingly. LOCATION & VIBE: Raikot Serai has a relatively prime position in Fairy Meadows, with direct views of Nanga Parbat. Bring a waterproof headlamp just in case. If you aren’t traveling in a large group, it’s always possible to team up with other travelers. At Fairy Meadows Cottages, log cabins are available having the fascinating views of Nanga Parbat. After a short stay and a cup of good at Beyal camp, I resumed my travel towards Nanga Parbat view point. The majority are located in Fairy Meadows, however there are also cabin and camping options at Beyal Camp (about a 45 minute hike beyond Fairy Meadows). However, it’s always good to be on the safe side. As a popular tourist destination, however, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll encounter people from all parts of the country, including many good ones but also some not so good ones. Getting to the Fairy Meadows – The beginning of Nanga Parbat Basecamp Hike. Nonetheless, you should make sure to charge your phone, camera, and powerbank every night. However, you should let your loved ones know in advance that you won’t be reachable for a couple of days so that they don’t worry too much. Don't need to put yourself in the hassle of planning, if you are interested in some really enthusias... See More. The goats wait patiently to cross the bridge! The 4WD track is known as “Fairy Meadows Road” and it takes you as far as a drop-off point near Tattu village, where the hiking trail to Fairy Meadows begins. Here are some of my personal safety suggestions: In a remote place like Fairy Meadows, health is a major concern. For the next two hours, you’ll have to continue your road to Fairy Meadows by jeep. This is a straightforward formality (like everywhere else in Pakistan) and should only take a couple of minutes. It is located in Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Dining area & kitchen are located adjacent to the camping site. The viewpoint provides amazing views along the Raikot Glacier and views towards the mountains — including Nanga Parbat itself (8126m) as well as surrounding peaks such as Chongra Peak (6830m), Raikot Peak (7070m), and Ganalo Peak (6606m). Then he got annoyed when we told him we wanted to see what was available elsewhere. There isn’t any electricity at Beyal Camp, but there is a lot more solitude and peace than at Fairy Meadows itself. Raikot Bridge is about 80km south of Gilgit and about 400km north of Islamabad. Nonetheless it seemed to be an organised operation with several cooks working in a relatively large kitchen and a couple of wait staff. I would love to go and experience Pamistena and all the natural beauty it has to offer. The Silent Traveler. Fairy Meadows is open for business during everything except the winter season. Explore Pakistan with US !! Fairy Meadows looks amazing. Hotel Resort. Create New Account. Although the best times to visit are mid-April through May and mid-Sept through October. Fairy Meadows is one of the most popular and beautiful places to hike in Pakistan and for good reasons. The hiking trail to Fairy Meadows begins where the jeep drops you off. Some others that were there went off and explored a bit further off trail — towards the ridge line in the photo below — and they said it was worthwhile. How about breathtaking views of the one of the world’s top ten biggest mountains? Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world and the trail to its base camp passes through stunning scenery, including the beautiful Fairy Meadows. After leaving Fairy Meadows the trail wanders through forest high up on the hillside above the western bank of the Raikot Glacier. After about 60 minutes of walking through the exposed rocky terrain you will turn uphill and approach a flat grassy area. Define Fairy Meadows Nanga Parbat. Navigation isn’t a problem — there is just one obvious trail winding its way along the steep hillside that forms the west bank of the Raikot River. There are a couple of small shops along the trail where you can buy water or snacks if you need. LOCATION & VIBE: Shambala Hotel is located about 200 metres away from the majority of the other accommodation options. nanga parbat - the killer mountain - nanga parbat stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. June, July and August are the summer school holidays in Pakistan. The Fairy Meadows look like such an amazing place to visit. From mid-April the weather should begin to improve and the spring blossom begins in surrounding areas such as the Hunza Valley. JUMP TO:  PROS  &  CONS  /  ITINERARY  /  ACCOMMODATION  /  WHEN TO GO  /  HOW TO GET THERE  / TRAVEL INSURANCE /  MAPS. But there appeared to be a large number of cabins so they might differ from one to the next. The travelogue details my journey from the south city (Karachi) of Pakistan to the village (Fairy Meadows) in its north. Contact Fairy … 121,167 people follow this. If you are bringing too much stuff to carry yourself, then at least bring it in a backpack. It should be to nobody’s surprise that a place as pure and untouched as Fairy Meadows is anything but easy to reach. At an altitude of about 3,300 meters above the sea level, it serves as the launching point for trekkers summiting on the Rakhiot face of the Nanga Parbat. Read more: Is Pakistan Safe For Women Travelers? Karachi (6,674.08 mi) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, 75850. I felt pretty bad for these porters — passed a square suitcase with wheels but no handles! See more of Fairy Medows Guest House Hotel Nanga parbat on Facebook. We were quoted 5000 PKR / night for a cabin with ensuite (toilet and running water, no shower), but you should be able to bargain it down for much less. He was very welcoming, made great conversation, and even allowed us to camp for free. After you leave the Raikot Glacier Viewpoint the trail conditions change quite dramatically. It seemed capable of serving food for large groups too. Your main concerns should be protecting your head and limbs from injuries during this extremely bumpy ride and reducing dust inhalation by wearing an N95 mask. MAPS.ME: Nonetheless, to help give you an idea of locations and distances you should download the Maps.me app — available for both Android and Iphone. One upside of World Nomads is that they allow you to extend your insurance if you decide to extend your trip — something many other companies strangely don’t allow. As always when hiking, try your best not to get lost in their wilderness. From October onwards overnight temperatures begin to drop dramatically, and by November or December you should be prepared for heavy snow. This is such a beautiful post! The police were very friendly. Fairy Meadow is lush green plateau situated in the foot gin of Nanga Parbat at the Western edge of the Himalayan Range. I will be a forever virtual traveller when it comes to high altitudes, but maybe that is also why these kind of stories are so captivating to me. However, Greenland Hotel seemed like a popular place for large groups during busier periods. You won’t be having any of that. While this fee may sound quite large, keep in mind that up to eight people can usually squeeze into a jeep with whom you can split the cost. This can make for a very harrowing ride, especially when it comes time for jeeps to overtake one another. In-depth reviews of the best lightweight backpacking gear, and comprehensive guides to the world’s most amazing trail hiking destinations. (Fun fact: Fairy Meadows was my first ever trek! Getting to Fairy Meadows and/or Nanga Parbat Base Camp essentially involves the following sections: Raikot Bridge to the trailhead near Tattu Village: 90-120 mins jeep ride. Thank you for this detailed guide! Of course these are big mountains, so even if you are travelling in peak summer still be prepared for changeable conditions. It is huge, majestic, and an impressive sight to behold close up. There were about three maps that together covered the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region (including Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat). For most people it will take 1.5 - 2 hours of uphill walking to reach Fairy Meadows. RESTAURANT: The restaurant at Greenland Hotel seemed like a pretty smooth operation (there seemed to be specific people employed as cooks, wait-staff, etc). This is a good time to visit — just be sure to take some warm clothes. This viewpoint is about 60 minutes beyond Beyal Camp and a popular finishing point for those who don’t want to do the final push along the (more narrow) trail to the base camp. In addition the road is essentially one jeep-width but carries traffic in both directions. The jeep ride taking you to the Fairy Meadows trailhead is quite an adventure in itself. While the Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek is certainly feasible for beginners, I, as a first-time trekker, struggled a lot. However, the cost will be the least of your concerns when you’re sitting inside the bumpy jeep driving close to the abyss, not knowing whether you’ll ever be able to see your next paycheck. It’s also important to always stay together if you go out in a group since there will be no phone signal to contact each other in case someone gets lost. Raikot Bridge is a small junction village located on the Karakoram Highway. It’s still possible to visit Fairy Meadows in winter and the destination is a relatively popular place to spend New Year’s Eve. If you go during this time, then be sure to visit on a weekday and not a weekend. The trail to Nanga Parbat Base Camp follows alongside the Raikot Glacier, offering mind-blowing views the entire way! Unfortunately none of the cabins have a direct view of Nanga Parbat because of tree cover. The local name for this breathtaking grassland in Joot. However, there are two things to keep in mind: Babusar Pass (the road coming from Ithe south) is usually closed during the winter months, so the only way to reach Fairy Meadows would be to fly into Gilgit. The view of the valley as we start to enter Beyal Camp. Back then, there was quite some local sentiment against the sudden establishment of tourism. He soon invited more and more relatives to build a community up there, who all acquired partial ownership of the region. A variety of accommodation options available at Fairy Meadows, Jeep track to Fairy Meadows is not for the faint hearted, Fairy Meadows is experiencing issues with rubbish and litter, Fairy Meadows can be popular in peak season (June, July, August) and long weekends. The terrain is fairly easy and it took me about three hours to reach the meadows. These lush green meadows and forests lie at the base of Nanga Parbat at the western edge of the Himalayan range in Pakistan. In addition, it’s best to start your journey to the mountains slowly so your body has enough time to acclimate. Porters are available for carrying gear between the jeep drop off point and Fairy Meadows. The trail is easy to follow and has only a slight uphill gradient. Raikot Bridge is the starting point of the road to Fairy Meadows, meaning where you’ll have to leave your beloved car or bus behind and transfer to a jeep. I’m not sure how many accidents happen on this road (the locals claim not many). If anything ever happens to go wrong, you can seek help at one of the rescue centers in Fairy Meadows for basic medical care. The adventure to visit, first Fairy Meadows and then Nanga Parbat view point, begins on the banks of the mighty Indus River. The most popular provider is NATCO but I believe that Faisal Movers also make this journey. How To Prepare For The Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek. The beauty of hitchiking is that it is (usually) faster and more comfortable than public transport, and cheaper than renting a car. How about: I’m a keen hiker who is passionate about lightweight backpacking. Here are some tips: -> Check out my full Pakistan Packing List to find out what exactly you’ll need for trekking in the mountains + product recommendations! CAMPING: We were quoted 1000 PKR / night for a campsite. (Just keep in mind that you’re expected to take the same jeep when coming back down.). Or focus in on one of these awesome review sections: In our Ultimate Gear Lists section we provide a list of best-in-class items for specific outdoor adventures. Food seemed to be prepared on a sort of “ad hoc” basis (even the guests were helping out with the cooking!). However, there’s a variety of health and safety measures one must always keep in mind, with the most important rule being listening to your body. Find out how it went in my upcoming vlog!). Fairy Meadows Broad View Hotel. With the unobstructed view of the 8,125 m high beast that is Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains in Pakistan, only second to K2, it is considered to be one of the most accessible hikes that will allow you to witness an 8,000 m high mountain without doing a multi-day trek. Photographer. Just make sure you download the Pakistan map for Maps.me before your trip. CAMPING: The camping spots are just on the dirt/grass out the front of the hotel. We were quoted 3000 PKR / night for a cabin with ensuite (toilet and running water, but no shower), but heard of people paying as little as 1000 PKR on the shoulder season. Despite Fairy Meadows’ relative popularity among mountaineers, it wasn’t until 1991 that Mr. Ghulam Nabi established the first hotel in the area, named Raikot Sarai. There are plenty of incredible photography opportunities in Fairy Meadows that you certainly don’t want to miss out on! Please consider doing the same wherever possible. Not Now. (Yawn…). Keep in mind that it can already get quite cold during this time of the year with minus degrees at night, so pack accordingly. Is Pakistan Safe For Women Travelers? Fortunately for those of us who are more into hiking than mountaineering, it is relatively easy to get to the base camp on the northern side of Nanga Parbat. It also includes the trail from Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Forgot account? However for residents of other countries the coverage can be less comprehensive. We were there on a busy weekend and there were people playing music until midnight, making it hard to find peace and quiet in the campsite. Raikot Glacier Viewpoint to Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 90-120 mins moderately hard hike (some narrow parts on the trail, and the last 30 mins is very steep). DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (gradual uphill trail). I was missing my greens! So, here are my suggestions on who should attempt the Nanga Parbat base camp trek: Checked all those boxes and ready to go? Nanga Parbat (nŭng`gə pŭr`bət), peak, 26,660 ft (8,126 m) high, in the W Himalayas, located in Pakistan-held Azad Kashmir; 7th highest peak in the world.Six expeditions—almost all ending disastrously—were sent to climb it. Pages Liked by This Page . or. Regardless of when you travel, be sure to avoid public holidays! As with all overseas travel, it would be a wise idea to have adequate travel insurance when travelling to Pakistan. Create New Account. The vast majority of the road is narrow, bumpy, and winds along the hillside high above a dramatic gorge. However, if you’re feeling ill before coming to Fairy Meadows, it’s best to delay your trip. Recent Post by Page. This looks like such an amazing experience. So you can do the same if it tickles your fancy. The locals like to claim that the jeep drivers are highly trained and know exactly what they are doing. People were eating amongst the sawdust and electrical wires. February 27 at 9:30 PM. Chilas is a small town and it is the getaway to Nanga Parbat and fairy meadows. Explore Pakistan with US !! Mr.hunzai. We didn’t eat there but I popped my head in and it seemed to be busy, even though the building still seemed to be under construction. The views of Nanga Parbat from Fairy Meadows are just stunning. To get to the start of the hike, we first had to travel to the beautiful Fairy Meadows. This means that we may receive a small commission if you make purchases through those links. However, almost three decades later, the efforts appear to have paid off and Fairy Meadows is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pakistan. The other problem is the weather in Fairy Meadows in winter.