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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ToggleFairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2024
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!
Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2022 — A Step-by-Step Itinerary 2022
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.
Common mistakes on hiking trails
In this blog “Fairy Meadows Hiking Track Complete Guide 2022”. 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 2022 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 2022, 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.