Fairy Meadow Pakistan

Fairy Meadow

• Fairy Meadows Nanga Parbat, a scenic location in the Northern Areas of Pakistan

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.

Fairy Meadow is a meadow on the north side of Nanga Parbat, a few kilometers south of the Karakoram Highway and the Indus River. It is the best place to view the majestic beauty of Nanga Parbat. Many consider it one of the beautiful spots on earth. Hermann Buhl, the Austrian climber who made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953, 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. On the route to the meadow lie two small villages, Tatu and Fenturi; nearby the meadow is Tarar Lake. Many visitors continue on to the standard (northern) base camp of Nanga Parbat.
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. From fairy Meadows one has to pass Bial Camp, View Point 1 and View Point 2 in order to reach the base camp. It is at least a total of a three and a half hour hike depending on your level of fitness.