Fairy Meadows, the grassland of Nanga Parbat
Fairy Meadows, locally known as Jaugth, is grassland close to the Nanga Parbat base campsites, located in Diamer District, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. At an altitude of about 3,300 meters (10,800 ft) above sea level, it serves as the starting point for trekkers to the Nanga Parbat’s Rakhiot face.
Fairy Meadows is picturesque mountain grasslands surrounded by pine trees on Nanga Parbat’s Northern Slopes. The meadows are 19 kilometers from Raikot Bridge, with stunning views of snow-clad mountains. The large portion of Nanga Parbat can be seen about 10 kilometers from the Raikot Bridge.
How to reach there?
You will hire an area jeep from Raikot Bridge to enter Tatoo Village at an altitude of 9515 feet (2900 meters) above sea level. You’ll arrive at Fairy Meadows after three to four hours of trekking. But you can hire a horse for 1000 rupees, too.
Raikot Bridge is the very first stop near Fairy Meadows. It is located at an altitude of 4595 feet (1400 meters) above water level and approximately 540 kilometers (336 miles) from Islamabad City when passing Karakoram Highway.
There are many hotels and tourist lodges available in Fairy Meadows to accommodate visitors. Most of them fall at very fair rates. Some of them are very costly. Many tourists want to stay in grassy squares in camps.
Despite the cost, a look at Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world, is well worthwhile. You can go trekking to the base camp of Nanga Parbat and do many other amazing treks in the region.
Where to stay?
A night camping or stay in a traditionally built wooden cottage at Fairy Meadows with a wide-ranging view of the North face of mighty Nanga Parbat can be a unique and wonderful experience. Moreover, if the sky is pretty clear, the moonlight reflected from the grand majestic icy peak shows the important meaning of the beauty and peace of nature.
What to Carry to Fairy Meadows?
Some of the items you should carry during the trip are warm clothes because you’ll never be sure of the weather. You should preferably have a warm jacket, woolen shirts, good quality, and cozy trekking shoes, raincoat because rains are really unpredictable inside the mountains, umbrella, bottle, and torch are some of the essential items to keep for the trip.
When to visit Fairy Meadows?
Between the end of June and mid-August is the best time to visit Fairy Meadows. Due to heavy snowfall, the place becomes inaccessible in winter.
Read also: Skardu Baltistan tour guide