Fairy Meadows Trek and Hunza Tour

About the Fairy Meadows Trek

Introduction as published on the Trekking page.

Key facts

Duration

12 days

Best time

Mid-May to End of November

Range / region

Himalaya/Karakoram

Highest point

3,300 m

Zone

Open

Starts and ends

Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad

Tent nights in the itinerary

0

Who it suits

This is the gentlest trek in the company's list: the highest point given is 3,300 m, nights are spent in hotels and huts rather than tents, and there are rest days at Fairy Meadows, Karimabad and Islamabad. It suits first-time trekkers who want mountain views without a long expedition.

• Best time in the programme: mid-May to the end of November.
• Access is by road along the Karakoram Highway to Raikot Bridge, then by jeep to Tatto village and on foot to Fairy Meadows.
• The listed itinerary ends with a rest day in Islamabad on day 11; check the departure day when you plan, as the programme is published as 12 days.

Getting to Fairy Meadows

Fairy Meadows is reached in stages: the Karakoram Highway to Raikot Bridge, a rough jeep track up to the village of Tatto, and then a walk or ride up to the meadows themselves. The journey is as memorable as the destination, and the last stretch on foot is part of the trek rather than a transfer.

• The jeep track to Tatto is steep and narrow; the programme handles this leg as part of the itinerary.
• The walk up from Tatto is short but climbs, so allow time and carry water.

The walk to Nanga Parbat base camp

From Fairy Meadows the trek continues towards Nanga Parbat base camp, the highest point listed for this trip at 3,300 m. It is a walk rather than a technical climb, which is why the programme describes it as the gentlest trek on the list, with nights in hotels and huts rather than tents.

• Rest days at Fairy Meadows, Karimabad and Islamabad are built into the plan.
• The path is exposed in places; follow your guide rather than cutting corners.

Season, weather and preparation

The programme best time runs from mid-May to the end of November, which makes it one of the most flexible treks on the list. Weather near Nanga Parbat can still change fast, with cloud and rain even in good months, so pack layers and expect the schedule to flex around conditions.

• Days can be warm in the valley and cold on the higher ground; layers matter more than heavy clothing.
• The listed itinerary ends with a rest day in Islamabad on day 11, so check the departure day when you plan.

What to expect at the meadows

Fairy Meadows is a grassy basin facing the north wall of Nanga Parbat, with a scatter of simple huts and lodges rather than a town. The programme uses hotels and huts here rather than tents, and the days are built around short walks, rest and the view of the mountain rather than long stages.

• The rest day is a chance to walk, sit and take in the mountain, not a day to fill with a long excursion.
• Facilities are simple; bring what you need for comfort rather than expecting town services.

Contingency planning

The jeep track to Tatto and the walk up are exposed to weather, and the programme keeps the schedule flexible around it. If a leg is delayed, the rest days absorb the change. Build your expectations around the mountains rather than a fixed timetable, and keep the final Islamabad day as a buffer.

• Ask what happens if the jeep track is affected by rain before you set dates.
• Keep an extra layer and water with you on the walk up, even if it looks short.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01: Arrival Islamabad

   Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

2. 02: Islamabad to Chilas

   After breakfast, we will leave for Chilas via Kaghan Naran and Babusar Pass. Overnight stay in a hotel at Chilas.

3. 03: Chilas to Fairy Meadows

   After breakfast, we will departure for Fairy Meadows; we will transfer to the mountain jeep at Raikot bridge for further drive to Tatto village on the narrow Jeep track. Arrive in Tatto village and start the trek to Fairy Meadows. Arrive at Fairy Meadows in the afternoon. Evening to walk around, overnight stay in huts at Fairy Meadows.

4. 04: Rest day at Fairy Meadows

   Short Walks around Fairy Meadow Morning light brings the surprise view of Nanga Parbat massif from the campsite after breakfast. We commence short walks around Fairy Meadows. Overnight stay in huts at Fairy Meadows.

5. 05: Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat Base camp

   After breakfast, trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp and trek back to Fairy Meadows. An ideal day’s walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat. We walk through the pine tree-covered valley with Raikot glacier flowing on our left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead. Overnight stay in huts at Fairy Meadows.

6. 06 Fairy meadows to Karimabad Hunza

   After breakfast, trek back to Tatto village and drive to Karimabad Hunza. From there, we will board on jeeps up to Raikot Bridge (KKH) and onward travel with an air-conditioned coach to Karimabad upon Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel at Karimabad

7. 07: Rest day at Karimabad Hunza

   After breakfast, we will visit Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Karimabad local handicraft bazaar for shopping, Channel walk, in the evening to Duiker for sunset. From Duiker village, you can see many snow-covered peaks over 6000 meters: Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran Peak, Golden Peak, Ulter Peak, Hunza Peak, and Lady Finger. We will have dinner at Duiker and drive back to Karimabad. Overnight stay in hotel at Karimabad

8. 08: Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass

   After breakfast, we will drive for a day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (5000m) en route. We stay short at Attaabad Lake for photography and continue our journey to Khunjerab Pass and drive back to Gulmit. On Arrival, Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at Gulmit

9. 09: Gulmit to Chilas

   After breakfast, we will drive for a full day on Karakoram Highway, enjoying fascinating views of Karakoram Peaks from a different angle, Overnight stay at Chilas

10. 10: Chilas to Islamabad

    After breakfast, we will drive via Babusar pass to Islamabad. We start early in the morning to cover the 12 hours-long drive. Short stay in Naran for lunch. By evening, we shall reach Islamabad. Overnight stay at Islamabad.

11. 11: Rest day at Islamabad

    After breakfast, we will do a full day sightseeing of the twin city Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The rest of the time is reserved for shopping.

Included and not included

As listed in the programme's service details; confirm the current inclusions when you plan your dates.

Places on this route

Destination guides for the places this itinerary passes through:

• Hunza Valley
• Upper Hunza
• Khunjerab Pass
• Fairy Meadows
• Naran & Kaghan Valley
• Islamabad & Rawalpindi

Compare other treks

Photos