The ULTIMATE Guide to Visiting Fairy Meadows

The Fairy Meadows is one of the most popular places to go to while backpacking Pakistan, and for good reason. It’s easily one of the most stunning places I have ever been. The lush green meadow has a front row seat of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest (and one of the deadliest) mountains on the planet.

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Originally named by German climbers back in the 1950s, the meadows have quickly become the hottest tourist spot in Pakistan. And while I’m all about off the beaten path travel, this is one “mainstream” locale that is worth every bit of hype and then some. Words fail to truly describe the majestic beauty of this place. Not to mention the insanely epic jeep ride to get there on one of the most dangerous roads in the world…

While many just stay at the meadow itself, there’s more to entice you to this magical place, including a day trek to the basecamp of Nanga Parbat, which brings you face to face with this glorious mountain. Trust me when I say that you will be anything but disappointed.

Being a high altitude meadow, Fairy Meadows is a seasonal destination like most of Gilgit Baltistan. While officially accessible from April-November, there are some key times NOT to go due to mass domestic tourism of Punjabis and Sindhis from mainland Pakistan. Unfortunately, these folks just come with their massive suitcases to blast music and take selfies in the summer (June-August) so I highly recommend avoiding this timeframe to truly enjoy this place.

The best time to go to Fairy Meadows is in the shoulder seasons: so April-May and September-November. It’s also extremely important to avoid visiting on or directly after any major Islamic holiday (such as the two Eids) as these times will be extremely chaotic unless it happens to fall in the dead of winter. Ramadan is also a good time to travel here as domestic tourists typically avoid vacationing during this time.

Want to experience the most incredible mountains on the planet without the stress of arranging it all? A Pakistan tour is your best bet… accommodation, guides, motorbikes, tents, food, and transport are all included, you’ve just got to get yourself there!

The Broke Backpacker’s founder, Will Hatton, has launched an adventure tour company called Elsewheria and is leading two immersive adventures that dive deep into Pakistan’s Karakoram… and you’re invited!

Think treks to basecamps, moto rides to the highest border crossing in the world, nights spent in local homes, and a bunch of new mates who share the same passion for adventure travel that you do.  

Whilst it is possible to simply jump off at Raikot Bridge from the Rawalpindi to Gilgit bus, most backpackers opt to push on to Karimabad and Gojal in Hunza Valley and then loop back to Raikot Bridge (for onwards travel to The Fairy Meadows). The journey from Raikot to the Fairy Meadows is tiring so throwing it on top of an already long bus journey from Rawalpindi (or further) is not a great idea.

Finishing your Pakistan travels in The Fairy Meadows does make sense (unless you are looping round to Kalash or crossing the border to China) as it’s on the road back to Islamabad and a sure way to end your trip on a real highlight. The Fairy Meadows are simply magical.

Many backpackers will be coming from Gilgit. You can catch a minibus heading to Chilas from Gilgit for around 1000 rupees, just say in advance that you want to get off at Raikot Bridge. The minibuses seem to leave one every hour, timetables vary based on the time of year, from around 9am from Gilgit’s general bus station (which is at the top of town) near the massive arch next to the military base as you enter Gilgit.

The bus ride will take between one and a half and two hours, depending on if there have been any landslides. I’ve done this trip four times and there was a large landslide on one occasion just before Raikot Bridge, this delayed us significantly.

FYI – My biggest Pakistani travel tip is to have patience!

From Raikot Bridge to Fairy Point

When you arrive in Raikot, the police will probably want to record your details. In 2025, police escorts are no longer required, but as this is Pakistan, things may change at any time.

The ride to Fairy Point costs 17,100 Rupees/jeep and this is non-negotiable. The trip is two way and you need to state in advance when you want to return – However if you give enough notice you can change this later. Note down your driver’s name, licence plate number and phone number (if he has a phone). If you decide to change your pickup time but are unable to get in touch with your driver, you will have to pay twice.

You can wait around and try to share the jeep with others to split the cost, the jeep drivers will try to convince you not to and will insist that foreigners and Pakistanis are not allowed to share.

I have succeeded on all occasions to go with Pakistani tourists, thus splitting the fee however it was a long and drawn out procedure and I do not know if it will work every time – it really depends which jeep drivers are down there.

The jeep ride takes about two hours and the best (and scariest) views of the insane road and landscape are from the left side.

Trekking from Fairy Point to The Fairy Meadows

At Fairy Point, you can begin your trek!

If you are unfit, it’s possible to hire a donkey to carry you or your luggage. I strongly discourage anybody from riding a donkey up to The Fairy Meadows – man up and give these poor animals a break. The trek can be done in ninety minutes, apparently, but a time of two to three hours is more normal. In February, whilst trekking to The Fairy Meadows through deep snow, it took four and a half hours and was exhausting.

The Fairy Meadows is officially closed at this time and when I got up there, it was just myself, my amigo and two Pakistani policemen. A friend had called ahead and convinced Gul Mohammed at The Greenland Hotel to open up specially for us; it was a truly magical experience being up there amongst so much snow.

I highly recommend planning to spend two nights here. That gives you time to relax (day one) and time to hike to Nanga Parbat Basecamp, which is easily one of the best treks in Pakistan.

Trekking to Nanga Parbat Basecamp

A day trip to the basecamp of the 9th highest mountain in the world is an essential part of any journey to Fairy Meadows if you ask me. It takes about 3-4 hours each way, and is relatively easy compared to other basecamp treks out there.

The views you get of the Killer Mountain herself are second to none – make sure to start early to give yourself plenty of chill time. You’ll want to just bask in the glory and do a fair bit of mountain gazing. You’ll even find a little shepherds hut that serves up chai and basic food, meaning you don’t need to bring any with you.

In the warmer months, it’s possible (and incredible) to camp up here provided you’ve got your own equipment. Definitely worth it if the weather is good, though come prepared for a cold night next to a massive glacier.

If you have a tent, you can pitch up but good luck getting away without paying somebody something, the locals at The Fairy Meadows are keen to make money out of visitors. A simple meal up here costs at least 500 rupees, it’s probably the most expensive place to travel in Pakistan so it’s well worth stocking up on snacks, bringing chlorine tablets for your drinking water and, if you have a stove, bringing your own food to cook.

I recommend staying at The Greenland Hotel (it’s not a hotel – it’s a series of wooden cabins) – it has the best views out of any of the accommodation options up there. If it’s full, you can always opt for the slightly more expensive and newer Diambre Resort that also has some pretty sweet views and amenities.

A two person cabin will set you back around 4000 rupees, there is, however, a massive cabin which you can fit up to twelve people in and you can get a good deal on that. Haggle hard and try to get a better deal – The Fairy Meadows is, unfortunately, overpriced but you can camp out for a pitch fee of 1000-2000 rupees if you bring your own backpacking tent. 

Staying at Beyal Camp which is about two hours beyond the main meadow is also possible in season. It’s significantly quieter and more basic, but also closer to nature. Just make sure it’s open when you head up!

No trip to Gilgit Baltistan is complete without a few nights spent at the majestic beauty that is Fairy Meadows. It was the highlight of my first trip to Pakistan, and to this day remains one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever had the privilege to lay eyes on.

Though it’s popularity has massively increased since my first visit in 2015, you can still get a taste of the pure mountain magic but taking advantage of off season. If you want to take it (and Nanga Parbat Basecamp) in with like minded adventurers and skip the planning part, join one of Elsewheria’s Pakistan tours for a Fairy Meadows journey unlike any other.