Fairy Meadows offer the most impressive view of Nanga Parbat north face, localy known as Diamir.
Located 3300m over sea level Fairy greenlands deliver 4600m prominence to the top of the Naked Mountain.
Nanga Parbat – 8,126 metres (26,660 ft) is the only 8000m Himalayan summit in Pakistan, the other four are in Karakorum range.
How to get there?
Most people start trip from GILGIT.
My girlfriend and I rent a jeep for Gilgit-Raikot Bridge route along with two Austrian travellers from Viena.
Raikot Bridge-Tattu
Fairy Meadows is approachable by a twelve kilometer-long jeepable trek starting from Raikot bridge on the Karakoram Highway to the village Tattu.
In my opinion the most dangerous road in Pakistan and yet still we took that option. You can always walk 5h and miss all the adrenaline rush.
One jeep can take up to eight people. If you are one person or four, you still pay the same amount for the 4×4 Jeep Ride. Planing a trip to see the Naked Mountain consider sharing costs and travel in a small group, like we did. Round trip can cost 6000 Pakistani Rupies /40USD/.
Tattu-Fairy Meadow
Further from Tattu, it takes about two to four hours hiking by a five kilometer trek to Fairy Meadows.
The grassland is located in the Raikot valley, at one end of the Raikot glacier which originates from the Nanga Parbat and originates a stream that finally falls in the River Indus.
Accomodation
Since 1992, locals have operated camping sites in the area. You can also use cottages which are more expensive. FM Cottages website
We were traveling in Pakistan mostly in the mountains and were concentrated on Trekking. We had our own tent, so we put it up in Fairy Meadows as well.
Not like in Nepal where infrastructure alow to sleep on treks in many lodges without necessity of bringing your own tent. Check Everest Base Camp trek.
Food
Take some extra water with you, because here is quite expensive. Some basic hot food is served in the canteen.
When to go?
The season is from April till late September.
I was there in the end of August, a two weeks before Ramadan. Some travelers told me that during Ramadan Fairy Meadows is very quiet.
Nanga Parbat trek
Get up early, so you’ll get better chances to get good weather.
Trek is 4-5 h round trip. On the left passing huge Raikot glacier
and a small Beyal Village.
Finaly we reach base camp and admire the majesty of the Naket Mountain massif.
In early afternoon we reached Tattu village and drive down to Karakoram Highway.
Pickup truck takes us back to Gilgit.
Hitchhiking Karakoram Highway was the experience.
It was so much fun, until a falling rock broke the car’s windshield and caring pickup gentelman advised us to get inside the car.
