Pakistan is blessed with areas of matchless beauty and Fairy Meadows is the place which can be considered as one of the most beautiful in northern areas of Pakistan. A visit to Fairy Meadows requires a hike of three hours approximately but the views are rewarding. You may have the best views of Nanga Parbat from Fairy Meadows, while sitting in your tent or a log cabin.
Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world and culminates in a crest of snow clad peaks to attract people with its unmatched beauty and splendor. Fairy meadows also known as the trekkers base camp of Nanga Parbat to lots of people is a lush green ground boasting a picturesque view of Nanga Parbat also known as the killer mountain.
Location
Nanga Parbat is the western anchor of the Himalayas, and is the westernmost eight-thousander. It lies just south of the Indus River, in the Astore District of Azad Kashmir. Not far to the north is the western end of the Karakoram range.
Tourist access
Fairy Meadow is a meadow on the north side of Nanga Parbat, a few kilometres south of the Karakoram Highway and the Indus River. Fairy Meadow can be reached from the Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway. At Raikot Bridge local jeeps can be hired for the journey to Tatu Village, after which porters and horses can be hired to continue. Fairy Meadow is 3 to 4 hours walk from Tatu village. It is known as the best place to view the majestic beauty of Nanga Parbat. Willy Merkl, the leader of the 1932 German-American expedition, named it Fairy Meadow due to its wonderful scenery.
Most tourists who come to see Nanga Parbat stay at Fairy Meadow, which is at an elevation of 3,300 m (10,827 ft). Tents and simple food are available there; one of the most popular tourist resorts is the Raikot sarai. Many visitors then continue on to the standard (northern) base camp of Nanga Parbat.
According to seasoned travellers, Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat are the most beautiful mountains in the world. Similarly Hunza and Fairy Meadows have no match in their scenic beauty. Both places and mountains have been selected for a very exclusive program with a loose itinerary to enjoy the captivating beauty of the lofty mountains, green valleys and alpine meadows. Once in the mountains, there are short drives with ample time to enjoy the wonders of nature.
This tour is beyond a commercially organized program and has been designed for people who intend to enjoy nature in quiet and serene atmosphere. 'Seeing is believing ' is proved by participating in this tour.
ITINERARY
Day 01 Arrival in Pakistan
Welcome in Pakistan at Islamabad and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, it will make a city sightseeing tour Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which offers a great contrast of culture, archaeology and planning. Rawalpindi is an old city with narrow lanes and bustling bazaars while Islamabad is a modern and the only planned city of Pakistan serving as the capital of the state. Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque are the places of tourist interest included in the tour.
Day 02 Islamabad - Chilas
Depart from Islamabad and arrive at Besham crossing the famous towns of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Later on ffollowing the upstream course of River Indus, It will make photo stops at Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti's on it. After a long day aboard, arrive at Chilas and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 03 Chilas - Gulmit
Some interesting carvings can be seen on the rocks at Chilas, even from the window of your vehicle and next to Chilas is the Nanga Parbat viewpoint offering breathtaking views. The next stop will be at the unique point where three mountain rages, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet, near the confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers. Bye passes the Gilgit Town and continue drive on KKH. En route, cross several villages of Hunza & Nagar valleys and make a photo stop at Rakaposhi view point. Driving past Karimabad, go straight to Gulmit, a quite and serene village in upper Hunza region and stay for overnight.
Day 04 Gulmit - Excursion Khunjerab Pass
Today, it will make an excursion to the Sino-Pak border at Khunjerab, crossing the villages of Passu and Sost en route. Khunjerab is the highest point on KKH at 4734 meters and considered as the highest trade route in the world. In the evening return to Gulmit.Day 05 Gulmit - Nagar - Karimabad ( Hunza Valley )
Drive by jeeps to Nagar, the rival village of Karimabad with few tourists and less pollution. At Nagar, drive up to viewpoint for Hopar Glacier. After a stop for photography at Hopar Glacier, drive back to KKH and arrive at Karimabad for overnight.
Day 06 Karimabad - Sightseeing
Ultar, Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounds us at Karimabad, while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. At Karimabad, visit Baltit Fort Museum and Altit Fort. Rest of the day is free for walking around villages and famous terraced fields of Hunza.Day 07 Karimabad - Gilgit
Drive back to Gilgit, where enjoy a free time to explore bazaar and town. Gilgit River flowing through the town offers superb views and walk along its banks is rewarding.
Day 08 Gilgit - Fairy Meadows
A great but soft adventure at the base camp of Nanga Parbat - 8125m, the lone giant of Himalayas and the only second highest in Pakistan after K-2. Drive to Raikot Bridge on KKH and onwards to Jail (Tato ), by jeeps at foot of Fairy meadows. From the end of jeep track, it is a hike of about three hours to the legendary place Fairy meadows, which is truly named with unsurpassed views of Nanga Parbat. At fairy Meadows tents or log cabins are available for accommodation.
Day 09 Fairy Meadows - Beyal Camp
A soft trek of two to three hours, walking through the dense pine forest and later through birch trees and along shallow streams, takes us to Beyal, a summer settlement of shepherds with stunning views of Nanga Parbat - 8125m.Day 10 Beyal Camp - Excursion Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Optional hike to base camp crossing tails of glaciers with well identified track. At base camp, a monument had been erected in the memory of climbers died on the mountain. After a packed cold picnic lunch at base camp, return to our campsite.
Day 11 Beyal Camp - Fairy Meadows
Again an easy and comfortable walk to take us back to Fairy Meadows to enjoy a great day, which will be followed by a camp fire with local male dance and music.Day 12 Fairy Meadows - Besham
Early departure from fairy Meadows to Jail and drive to Raikot Bridge and onwards driving on KKH and crossing Chilas, arrive in Besham in the evening. At Besham enjoy a night along the swiftly flowing River Indus.
