Fairy Meadows is the most incredible place in the country. The accessible route leads to Fairy Meadows in Pakistan and Gilgit Baltistan. Most people visit this place throughout the yearly course, and the infrastructure is built enough for all travellers.
The journey begins with a jeep ride, then hike up to Fairy Meadows yourself. Fairy Meadows is not convenient to visit still required work.
In this article, I will discuss the things to do in Fairy Meadows you should know before visiting.
When to Visit Fairy Meadows
You can visit Fairy Meadows from April-October. These are the best months: April-May and September-October. It is also called the shoulder months due to fewer tourists, and the price is comparatively less. Visiting Fairy Meadows from June to August is a great option, but it will be pretty busy. Most Punjabis and Sindhis go on holiday during this time, being one of the most popular places to visit in Pakistan. The weather is mild in the summer, although Raikot Bridge and the Valley.
If you plan to visit Fairy Meadows during April-May, be aware that the weather is too cold, and the snowfall is possible. In April, there was a freak storm at Fairy Meadows, and the visitors were hiking in deep snow past Bayal Camp.
If you want to spend your holiday alone in Fairy Meadows, try to visit during Ramadan. But keep in mind travelling during Ramadan comes with its logistical problems.
How to get to Fairy Meadows
The first step is to reach the northern province of Gilgit Baltistan. Raikot Bridge is easily accessible from there.
There are many ways to reach Gilgit Baltistan.
The first option is by Air. Gilgit airport is the busiest, and three flights from Islamabad are operated daily. These flights are reliable and affordable. The one-way ticket usually costs around $100.
From Gilgit, Raikot Bridge is a 2-hour drive. The air option is convenient for those who don’t want to travel on KKH. While KKH is most beautiful, it can also be frustrating.
The other option is to drive by public or private transport.
If you are travelling via public transport, you will take KKH via Besham. Until everything goes well, you should arrive at Raikot Bridge in 16-18 hours. Another option is to go on private transport. A shared taxi should cost around 4000 rupees and is far quicker and more comfortable. If you travel via Babusar Top, that is better than the KKH. Ask your hotel in Islamabad or go to the bus station in Pindi to arrange a shared taxi.
Part 1: Get to Raikot Bridge
The way to Fairy Meadows starts on the Karakoram Highway at Raikot Bridge. The most convenient way to get here is from Gilgit. You can do it by direct flight to Gilgit, but the flight is cancelled or delayed in crucial weather.
Another reliable but tiring way is to take a bus from Islamabad to Gilgit. The drive along the Karakoram highway takes 18 hours so be prepared for a long bus drive.
If you travel by road, you can get off at Raikot Bridge before you reach Gilgit. It’s a good option if you have some luggage and plan to spend the night at the Shangrila Resort at Raikot Bridge.
If you travel to Gilgit, you should spend the night and leave your suitcase. You need a taxi to get to Raikot Bridge. Ensure the fair of the cab before going to Fairy Meadows.
Part 2: Raikot Bridge to Tato Village
The way to Fairy Meadows starts from Raikot Bridge and is called one of the deadliest tracks in the world. According to the WHO report on road safety in 2013, declared that the road to fairy meadows is the second most dangerous in the world.
Only local drivers are allowed to drive on Fairy Meadows Road. You need to take a jeep ride to take up to Tato Village.
We paid 12000 rupees jeep charges for return. Our local guide recommended 500 rupees one way. If you want to save money, you can wait for other tourists to show up and share the jeep with them.
Driving to Fairy Meadows takes around two and a half hours. The road takes you along a mountain face, and it’s so narrow that you’re always driving just next to the cliff.
Driving to each Fairy Meadows will take around two and a half hours. The road is narrow and dangerous. Sometimes, you will encounter jeeps coming towards you, adding a more thrilling experience to your journey.
Part 3: Tato Village to Fairy Meadows
From Tato Village, people start hiking up to Fairy Meadows. You will start at around 2,600 metres and go up to 3,3000 metres.
The hiking time depends on the pace of your fitness it will take 2-3 hours to reach there. Enjoy the walk through the lush green forest surrounded by mountain peaks.
You can also get a horse if you don’t want to hike. This option might be less tiring but also scarier in some places. The path is too narrow for a horse.
Where to stay at Fairy Meadows
The way to Fairy Meadows is very long you can also find an option for reasonable accommodation at the top.
We stayed at Raikot Sarai Hotel, which offers a small but beautiful view of Nanga Parbat from a cabin. There is also the option of a good restaurant. In the evening, someone made a campfire at Raikot Sarai, and we enjoyed sitting around the bonfire with other travellers.
Fairy Meadows Greenland Resort, as well as Fairy Meadows Cottages, also receive excellent reviews.
Hike to Nanga Parbat Base Camp
The main reason to visit Fairy Meadows is the stunning views of the mountains. Nanga Parbat Base Camp is one of the most beautiful and famous hikes in Pakistan, and every traveller should visit it.
The hike to this beautiful Base Camp takes 5-8 hours, depending on the hiker’s pace and the trail’s condition. It is approximately 9 km long and gains 700 meters. This is an out-and-back trail, which means you will return the way you came.
The first half of the trek is a little easy, with walking through meadows. After two hours, you will arrive at Beyal Camp, where you can have some rest and lunch on the return trip. After an hour, you will be at the halfway point, aka The Viewpoint.
The remaining half is tougher and features a little bit of glacial hiking. If the weather has been bad, the trail is totally washed out, so it is a good reason to have a local guide with you. Don’t depend on the Maps.
Play a Game Of Cricket Or Volley
A wide-open green field in the middle of Fairy Meadows is also known as a meeting place. Here, Pakistani tourists and locals meet to socialize and play volleyball and cricket.
While travelling in Pakistan, you have noticed that the people are really into cricket. After Islam, the game is evidence of the second most practised religion in the country.
Pakistanis also like to share their national pastime with foreigners. If you wander in the field and still watch the game, they will even ask if you want to join. Playing cricket is a helluva lot of fun.
Reflection Lake
The small Lake is also called the “Reflection Pond,” but it is one of the most beautiful places in Fairy Meadows. On a clear day, you can see the stunning reflection of Nanga Parbat Mountain in the water. Capture fantastic photos there. You can explore the Reflection Lake in the western part of the meadow near where the horses graze.
Go Trekking
Trekking and hiking are the most famous activities at Fairy Meadows.
From here, you can hike towards the stunning Nanga Parbat Base Camp. The first part of the trail will take you to Beyal Camp. Depending on your fitness, you will walk about two hours before getting there.
From Beyal Camp, you explore a viewpoint of Raikot Galcier and the Nanga Parbat. The trek starts from Beyal Camp and leads to the stunning Nanga Parbat Mountain. The trek to Nanga Parbat Base Cap is more challenging than the easy walk to Beyal Camp. The landscape changes from lush to rocky, and the path becomes more difficult and narrow.
Moreover, you can expect to take 8-9 hours to reach the Nanga Parbat base camp and go back again. Please check the weather forecast and be ready so that the weather can change in the mountains.
Watch the Stars
Fairy Meadows is far from the major cities, so you don’t have to worry about light pollution. That means you can capture the Milky Way at night on a clear day. Due to its high altitude, Fairy Meadows is the perfect location for star gazing, and we recommend spending an hour or two in the evening looking up at the skies.
Sit around a Campfire
If you like campfires, Fairy Meadows is the best place to go. You will enjoy the evening sitting around the campfire and talking with other travellers.
We stayed in the Raikot Sarai hotel, and the owners organised our campfire. Most of the guest houses have spots for campfires, which are great for keeping warm when the sun sets behind the mountains.
Being Respectful at Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows is the most popular place due to its natural beauty and easy access. Although it can sometimes feel a bit crowded, I still recommend that everyone travelling to Pakistan visit this place.
Travellers come with some baggage. Overcrowding leads to demand, which puts pressure on both the local community and the local ecosystem.Local Astorees may not be excited about tourists walking on their land, but they recognize the benefits of allowing visitors, provided everyone is respectful. Book Fairy Meadows Tour Packages with us.