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Fairy Meadows is a meadow on the north side of Nanga Parbat (9th highest in the World and 2nd highest in Pakistan, a few kilometers south of the Karakoram Highway and the Indus River in the Diamer district of Northern Areas, Pakistan. It is the best place to view the majestic beauty of Nanga Parbat.

Nanga Parbat is a Persian word, which means Naked Mountain, the local People call Diamer (Monarch of the God). It also knows Killer Mountain among the mountaineers as more 40 climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer it during expeditions.

The meadows are lush green alpine pastures situated in the middle of a pine forest at an altitude of 3,306 m. The meadows have been a thrilling destination for polo lovers, spending couple of days here, having a touch of real adventure.

Fairy Meadows has been a source of enchantment since long for back packers, climbers, wildlife researchers, photographers, painters & geologists, besides nature lovers. The pine forests skirting Fairy Meadows are perhaps one of the virgin forests in the north of Pakistan, and are home to a number of species of birds and wildlife. The site overlooks the Raikot Glacier and provides a majestic view of the North Face of Nanga Parbat, commonly known as the Raikot Face.

The area in front of Fairy Meadows Cottages is known as Pari Mahal (Fairy Palace), named by the famous Japanese photographer, Fujita Heroki. The Fairy Meadows Cottages are at a distance of eight minutes hike from main village and other tourist resorts with its breathtaking natural view of great Nanga Parbat.


How To Get There

Fairy Meadows can be easily approached from the capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operates two flights to Gilgit daily, which is the main city of Northern Areas of Pakistan. Further via silk route (KKH) up to Raikot Bridge, 76 km from Gilgit & further 1 ½ jeep able journey.


A road journey from Islamabad on Karakoram Highway (KKH) takes 11 hours to Chillas. From here, Raikot bridge on silk route is 61 km away. Another scenic approach by road from Rawalpindi is through the Kaghan Valley. Jeep able road passes through the Kaghan Valley via the Babusar Pass (4173 m) through Chillas, reaching the Raikot Bridge. Jeeps are available at Raikot Bridge round the clock, carrying 6 passengers on one vehicle. A small café in Jail village offers refreshments & lunch.
Fairy Meadows is in the heart of breathtaking North Pakistan.

A place which provides an inspiring view of Pakistan's 2nd highest Mountain Nanga Parbat, which, at 8126 m,is the 9th highest mountain in the world.
The Fairy Meadows are lush green alpine pastures situated in the middle of a pine forest at an altitude of 3,306 m. The meadows have since long been a thrilling destination for polo lovers, back packers, climbers, wildlife researchers, photographers, painters & geologists, besides naturelovers who spend here a couple of days for real adventure. 

Other pictures of Fairy Meadows in Nanga Parbat

The NANGA PARBAT BROAD VIEW Hotel & Camping Site located at a distance of five minutes hike from main village and other tourist resorts overlooks the five adjacent peaks of Nanga Parbat locally called Raikot Peak, Chongra Peak, Ganalo Peak & Susrobush Peak. It also presents an enchanting view of Raikot Glacier.

How To Get There


Fairy Meadows can easily be approached from the capital, Islamabad. Jeeps are available round the clock, carrying 6 passengers on one vehicle. A small Cafe in Jail village offers refreshments & lunch.
Routes to Fairy Meadows
Islamabd to Gilgit (2 Hours by Air).Gilgit to Raikot Bridge ( 2 Hours by Road). Raikot Bridge to Tatto (1.5 Hours 4 X 4 Jeep Drive).Tatto to Fairy Meadows ( 4 Hours Trek).
Islamabd to Chilas (11 Hours by Road).Chilas to Raikot Bridge (2 Hours by Road). Raikot Bridge to Tatto (1.5 Hours 4 X 4 Jeep Drive).Tatto to Fairy Meadows (4 Hours Trek)
Islamabd to Kaghan Valley 7 Hours by Road).Kaghan to Chilas via Babusar Pass 4 Hours by Road). Chilas to Raikot Bridge (2 Hours by Road).Raikot Bridge to Tatto (1.5 Hours 4 X 4 Jeep Drive). Tatto to Fairy Meadows (4 Hours Trek)
Daily flights to Gilgit from Islamabad

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"HEAVEN ON EARTH"

SOME WORDS

Natural beauty is un matched and at its best in northern areas of Pakistan. This part of the country is famous all around the world because of sky high mountains, lush green valleys, mighty rivers, beautiful lakes, and amazing wildlife. In short, you can find all natural beauty in the area. Among the other beautiful places in North Pakistan, there are Fairy Meadows which are famous around the globe for its natural beauty. This is undoubtedly outstanding natural beauty. These meadows are situated at the base of Nanga Parbat in Astore District of Gilgit Baltistan province. Nanga parbat is the 9th highest mountain of the world with elevation of 8,125m. Nanga Parbat is called the Killer Mountain because it is very difficult to climb that’s why is the deadliest mountain in the world. The view of Nanga Parbat is breathtaking from the fairy meadows. Fairy meadows are great attraction for polo lovers, mountaineers, photographers, climbers etc.

FAIRY MEADOWS, PAKISTAN

LOCATION & BEAUTY 

This beautiful place is located in front of the North face of the Killer Mountain, Nanga Parbat and at the bottom of the Raikot Glacier. These meadows are located on the south of Karakaram Highway and Indus River. By reaching Raikot bridge there is the journey of one and half hour to reach the point from where you start the journey towards fairy meadows. Then the path becomes narrow and you can not continue traveling by jeeps. The only way to reach the site is hiking. This upward journey takes two and half hours, although it becomes very tiring but you enjoy the beauty at its beast and set aside all other feelings other than the magic of the place. If you want to reach the base camp which is called Beyal camp of Nanga Parbat you have to walk through the beautiful pine forest of the fairy meadows. There are birch trees, beautiful streams and a beautiful lake surrounded by the trees. There are famous fairy meadow cottages. In front of these cottages you will find famous Pari Mahal or Fairy Palace. This name was given by a Japanese photographer Fujita Heroki. This meadow accommodates the most of the visitors who come to see the Nanga Parbat. If you really want to enjoy the beauty of the area and the glory of Nanga Partabt then there is no place other than the fairy meadows. The name, Fairy Meadows was given by an Austrian climber with the name Hermann Buhl. This is the man who climbed the Nanga Parbat for the first time in 1953. Many of the visitors and climbers are of the view that this is the best place to see on earth.

HEAVEN ON EARTH....FAIRY MEADOWS

FOR TOURISTS

The place is very tourist friendly. You can find tents and food easily there. Although food is bit expensive but accommodation is available at reasonable rates. But you can cook yourself because meat, pulses and potatoes are available. The best time to visit the are is June-July because you can access the are only in summers. In winters place is closed due to heavy snowfall.
It is truly called heaven on Earth. Get ready and have a beautiful journey to the Fairy Meadows in Pakistan.

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Day 1 Islamabad. 
Receive at Islamabad airport and transfer to Hotel. Evening city tour of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Overnight at hotel. 

Day 2 Islamabad - Besham
Drive on the KKH to Besham. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 Besham - Fairy Meadows
Continue drive on KKH to Raikot Bridge. Transfer to local jeeps and drive onto Tatto village. Then walk for 2-3 hours reach Fairy Meadows. Overnight at huts.

Day 4 Fairy Meadows
Day spent visiting various places in and around Fairy Meadows. Day shall be spent getting closer to Nanga Parbat with the possibility of going to Nanga Parbat Base camp. Overnight at huts. 

Day 5 Fairy Medows
Continue into the day with short hikes. Overnight at huts.

Day 6 Fairy Meadows - Besham
Leave Fairy Meadows early in the morning and return back to Raikot bridge. Here vehicles shall be awaiting to take you back through KKH to Besham. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 Besham - Islamabad
Continue drive on KKH to Islamabad.Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 Islamabad - Destination
Flight to destination

Fairy Meadow Nanga Parbat

Fairy Meadow is a lush green plateau, at 3300 m, offering a breath taking view of Majestic Nanga Parbat (The Killer Mountain). Many people have called it the "Heaven on Earth". These lush, green meadows and forests lie at the base of Nanga Parbat at the western edge of the Himaliyan range in Pakistan. Fairy Meadows is a very peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy the mountain atmosphere and hospitality of the local people. The name Fairy Meadows is part of the legend that Fairies have their heaven on this lush green plateau. Hermann Buhl, the Austrian climber who made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953, named it Fairy Meadow due to its wonderful scenery.

It is about 540 km drive through Karakorum Highway, from Islamabad to Raikot Bridge (1400 m). Where local Jeeps will take you up to the Tatto village, it is one and half hour exciting drive from Raikot Bridge to the last village of Tatto (2900 m). Crossing through the most impressive view of Karakorum Highway & River Indus. On arrival at Tatto village, it starts trekking on very easy and simple route to Fairy meadows. It is a great experience to have overnight in fixed camping side, or in the traditionally built wood Huts, which offers magnificent view of the North face of the Nanga Parbat. There are several short walks on this plateau, including the full day excursion up to the base camp (3900 m) of Nanga Parbat. It is very easy walk through the forest till then the edge of the plateau call Beyal Camp (3500 m). Whereas the trek from Beyal Camp to base camp is little difficult along the Raikot glacier. Nice hotels and bungalows are available at the meadows, but you may also choose to camp in the grassy sites. After reaching Raikot Bridge one has to take a one and a half hour jeep ride just to get to the hiking point, at this point the track becomes very narrow and jeeps aren't accessible beyond it. Then after an at least two and half hour hike straight up the hill you reach Fairy Meadows.

Since 2010, many new hotels have been built which provide rooms at affordable rates, the food however is a bit expensive compared to what you get in cities but one can't complain when meat, pulses and potatoes are available at this remote place as well. Locals have established a small village at fairy meadows also. Horse riding is also available here. The polo matches that are organized for tourists here are a delight to watch. The lush green meadows also serve as a football or cricket ground for tourists.

The place is closed in the winters due to heavy snowfall and is accessible only in the summers. June-July is the best time to visit this place. The Nanga Parbat base camp is accessible from Fairy Meadows, and if the tourists desires to visit the base camp then hiring a local guide would be good option. It is at least a total of a three and a half hour hike depending on your level of fitness.

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