Nestled in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, Fairy Meadows is a breathtaking alpine meadow offering panoramic views of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain. This guide provides updated information for 2025, ensuring you have all the necessary details for an unforgettable adventure.
Fairy Meadows is one of the most dangerous but incredible picnic points in Pakistan. It lies in a section of Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat base camp distance is about 18km, which will take around 6-7 hours to complete. The first part of your hike will be an easy walk through pine trees and lush green fields until you reach Fairy Spring (photo above).
It’s a good idea to refill your water bottles here as there aren’t any streams on your hike after that point. After that, it’s uphill all the way to Nanga Parbat base camp. Much more exciting than it sounds — Nanga Parbat rises up right in front of you, providing plenty of opportunities for photo-taking along with some great e-0xercise!
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Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2025
If you are looking to hike in Fairy Meadows, Pakistan and you want to know the best route there and back, this article will give you just that. Here’s a detailed itinerary of the Fairy Meadows Hiking Trail, complete with distances and times so you can plan your trip accordingly!
📍 How to Reach Fairy Meadows?
Islamabad to Raikot Bridge:
By Road: Travel from Islamabad to Raikot Bridge via the Karakoram Highway. The journey covers approximately 540 km and takes around 10-12 hours by car or bus.
Raikot Bridge to Tattu Village:
Jeep Ride: From Raikot Bridge, hire a local jeep to Tattu Village. The 12 km journey takes about 1.5-2 hours on a narrow, rugged track. Note that only local drivers are permitted on this road due to its challenging nature
Tattu Village to Fairy Meadows:
Hike: Embark on a 5 km trek from Tattu Village to Fairy Meadows. The hike typically takes 2-3 hours, ascending through pine forests and offering glimpses of the majestic Nanga Parbat.
Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2025 — A Step-by-Step Itinerary 2025
WHY: Fairy Meadows, located in the heart of the Karakoram ranges, is one of the most popular and sought-after trekking destinations in Pakistan.
The Fairy Meadows hiking trail itinerary
You’ll need to give yourself at least three days if you want to experience all of Fairy Meadows, and see Nanga Parbat itself. If you only have a day (or even less) we suggest focusing on hiking up to Ghulam Khana. From there, you can look down on Fairy Meadows (Nanga Parbat will likely be obscured by clouds). Take an excursion into Upper and Lower parts of Fairy Meadows. The variety of colors in these areas is breathtaking, but don’t forget that getting there is half the fun—you get to hike through some of Pakistan’s most beautiful countryside along a well-marked trail.
If you’re hiking in to Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat, then you need to start at Ghulam Khana. This is your best opportunity to catch a glimpse of Nanga Parbat before clouds roll in. To get there, take an easy hike up Biyarai Patan (just east of Nanga Parbat). From here, head west on a trail that ascends through flower fields and hardwood forests.
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Going to Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp, the route can be possible as per below:
- Raikot Bridge to Tattu Village: 100-130 mins jeep ride.
- From Tattu Village to Fairy Meadows: 80-130 mins uphill hike (porters and horse rides available).
- Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp: 70-90 mins and it’s an easy hike.
- Beyal Camp to Raikot Glacier Viewpoint: 50 to 70 mins and its also an easy hike.
- Raikot Glacier Viewpoint to Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 70-130 mins, this track is a relatively hard hike. At last, few munites there is steep up and that gonna test your actual stamina.
The Fairy Meadows Hiking Trail Distance
Fairy Meadows hiking trail distance is approximately 10 kilometers, 7.5 miles and I’m going to detail out where exactly you can find these landmarks as we go along during your journey to Fairy Meadows. The first thing you want to do is head towards Saltoro Pass, which will be our main starting point for today’s adventure in Fairy Meadows as it is located on top of Saltoro Ridge right at Pakistan’s border with China. From here you will see Burzil Pass (to your east) and Rakaposhi Peak (to your west). Just from here, you should see our first landmark: Karakoram Highway or KKH.
Going From Fairy Meadows To Beyal Camp
In order to hike from Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp, you have to start at Fairy Meadows. From here, head up a steep trail that will get your heart pumping right away. You’ll know you’re in for it when you cross a bridge over an icy cold stream. Once you’ve reached Beyal camp, reward yourself with a well-deserved break and some warming tea as you overlook Nanga Parbat from afar.
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Then it’s just a short walk back down to Fairy Meadows! While descending, take in all of those beautiful vistas of Nanga Parbat that are so captivating when seen from below (if you can tear your eyes away).
Note that it’s not possible to drive from Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp. If you want to hike, you have to start at Fairy Meadows! But when you get back, don’t just stay there! Drive on up towards Nanga Parbat.
🏕️ Accommodation Options
Fairy Meadows offers a range of accommodations to suit various preferences:
- Camping: Set up your own tent or rent one on-site. Basic facilities are available, and it’s an excellent way to immerse yourself in nature.
- Cottages: Several local guesthouses provide wooden cottages with basic amenities. Prices vary, so it’s advisable to book in advance during peak seasons.
🥾 Trekking to Nanga Parbat Base Camp
For adventure enthusiasts, the trek from Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat Base Camp is a must:
- Distance: Approximately 9 km one way.
- Duration: 5-8 hours round trip, depending on fitness levels and weather conditions
- Route: The trail passes through Beyal Camp, offering stunning views of glaciers and the surrounding peaks.
📅 Best Time to Visit Fairy Meadows:
The optimal months to visit Fairy Meadows are:
- October to April: The area is usually snow-covered and less accessible.Pleasant weather with clear skies, ideal for trekking and camping.
- October to April: The area is usually snow-covered and less accessible.
⚠️ Important Tips and Considerations at Fairy Meadows
- Altitude: Fairy Meadows is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,300 meters. Acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness.
- Permits: Foreign tourists may require a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Check with local authorities before planning your trip.
- Connectivity: Mobile networks like Zong and SCOM have limited coverage. Prepare for minimal connectivity.
- Eco-Friendly Travel: Ensure you leave no trace. Carry back all waste and respect the local environment and culture.
📸 Visual Highlights
Include high-quality images showcasing:
- Panoramic views of Fairy Meadows.
- The trek route to Nanga Parbat Base Camp.
- Local flora and fauna.
- Sunrise and sunset over Nanga Parbat.
Common mistakes on hiking trails
In this blog “Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2025”. If you’re planning a trip to Fairy Meadows, keep these common mistakes in mind:
There’s no shelter at Fairy Meadows; plan to have your own tent. It can get very windy up there. You should take great care that your food is properly sealed, as local bears and wolves are known to be around. And you’ll also want to make sure you’re staying hydrated during your hike because there’s no water available on route. If you’re lucky enough to visit Fairy Meadows, it will absolutely be worth it – even with all of these challenges!
Beauty of Nanga Parbat:
The beauty of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding area is something not many people will ever experience in their lives. Trust me when we say that pictures do not do justice to how beautiful fairy meadows actually are in person!
Also, keep in mind that it takes about a day and a half to get from Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat. If you’re planning on hiking Nanga Parbat from Fairy Meadows, You must read my article Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2024 and prepare for at least five days of hiking (or take another route). This is one hike where being under-prepared really can be dangerous! At 14000 feet above sea level, there’s not much oxygen up there. The temperature gets cold at night; make sure you bring warm clothes even if it’s early June!
Fairy meadows jeep track
Fairy Meadows jeep track starts from Raikot Bridge Karakoram Highway. The drive to fairy meadows is quite an adventure. Once you reach Gondogoro lake, you have to trek through it, cross a suspension bridge and then another one and that takes around two hours of trekking and after that, you need to climb a steep slope of around 1000 meters. After four hours or so (depending on your fitness) you will finally reach Fairy Meadows.
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Fairy meadows to nanga parbat base camp distance
The reason we choose the travel guide on Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2025 is all due to the incredible fairy meadows to Nanga Parbat basecamp. It is around 18 km (6-7 hours walk) through lush green and beautiful pine trees. nanga Parbat base camp from fairy meadows distance: 10 km (3-4 hours walk).
Fairy meadows night view
Night view of fairy meadows. Located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and surrounded by towering, snowcapped peaks and glaciated mountains is Fairy Meadows – a grassy plateau at a comparatively low altitude. The few houses and small settlements in Fairy Meadows are situated at an altitude of around 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) above sea level. It is located 8 kilometers away from the Nanga Parbat base camp trekking route.
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Fairy meadows height
3215m (10669 ft) Google Maps suggests 4 days. AITA suggests 5 days. The trail is fairly strenuous and you need to be in good shape for it. From Fairy Meadows, it’s about 10km/5hrs to Diamir Base Camp (3650m). Stay overnight at Diamir or make a push for Summit Camp (4800m). The next day make your summit attempt from either camp – these camps are usually set up during late June to mid-July when most expeditions arrive at base camp after acclimatizing further down south on the KKH. To get back to fairy meadows, you can do it via other routes like Chilas or Gondogoro Pass.
FAIRY MEADOWS TO BEYAL CAMP
By wrapping the travel guide on Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2025, Fairy Meadows is one of the most sought-after trekking destinations in Pakistan, nestled within a sanctuary of dwarf-like trees and white marmots. It is easy to forget that Nanga Parbat, is the 9th highest mountain in the world and the world’s 3rd highest mountain outside Asia. The peak was first ascended by Hermann Buhl from Austria on July 3, 1953, via what is now known as The Rupal Face. The climb was filmed by Hollywood director, Cecil Lucas, but he died along with Buhl when they were caught in an avalanche.
