GUIDE TO VISIT FAIRY MEADOWS - BEYAL CAMP

Fairy Meadows is one of the most attractive place for Adventurers, Explorers and Mountaineers. The main point of attraction is Nanga Parbat Mountain – ” A.K.A “The Killer mountain” which is the 9th Highest mountain in the world (8126 meter). While camping in Fairy meadows, you can observe mighty views of Nanga Parbat in the morning and millions of stars and Galaxies at Night.

HOW TO GET THERE

In order to reach Fairy meadows, first you need to reach at RAIKOT BRIDGE. There are two ways to reach there:

Islamabad > Naran > Babusar > Chilas > Raikot (preferable route during May to November only)
Islamabad > Bisham > Dasu > Chilas > Raikot (remains open whole year but bad road condition)

TREKKING AND CAMPING EQUIPMENT:

Before going on any trekking or camping trip, make sure you always have high quality branded products with you that should withstand extreme condition. I recommend Pakistani brand DOMINANCE from where i buy most of my trekking and Bike gadgets. Must check their latest discounts:

https://bit.ly/DOMINANCEpk

TRANSPORT TO REACH AT RAIKOT

By Car: You can reach Raikot by your own car either via Naran/Babusar road or via Bisham and park it at any hotel at Raikot. They will charge you 500 ~ 1000 Rs per day

Transport from Islamabad: you can take public transport NATCO buses from Rawalpindi Pirwadhai mor and get off at Raikot Bridge

Transport from Naran: If you have already reached Naran on your car and want to go further on Public transport then there is local mini van that leaves early morning 8:00 ~ 9:00 am from Saiful Malook bridge (End of Naran Bazaar) which can drop you at Chillas (cost around 800 Rs) . From CHillas, mini vans leave every hour towards Gilgit, so its better to stay a night in Chilas and Travel from Chilas to Raikot next morning.

For bikers: Take any of the above two routes to reach Raikot and then Park your bike at any hotel there. Do not take your bike from Raikot to Fairy Meadows because the road is badly damaged and full of big stones and it is extreme difficult to take your bike on such a steep off-road

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

You must Stay one night nearby Raikot Jeep point. For this you have accommodation options at

Raikot Bridge (Only 3 Hotels and much expensive)
Chilas (2hrs from Raikot. Atleast 10 hotels available )
Nanga parbat view point (15min ahead from Raikot 2~ 3 basic type hotels)
Jaglot (25min ahead from Raikot. 3 ~ 4 hotels with good rooms) – I stayed in Jaglot

MOBILE NETWORK AND INTERNET

Since this area is in Gilgit Balitistan region so only SCOM mobile netwrok works here properly and you get 4G internet speed at Fairy meadows camping site. Few locals were also sharing that Zong Network also works at some places but i could not find any signals.

You can buy SCOM sim at Gonar Farm Bazar (1 hr before Raikot) or otherwise buy it from Lahore (Kashmir PCO – Lohari Gate) before leaving on your trip

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Fairy meadows is quiet famous and safe area for Travellers and explorers. Locals are very hospitable and there is no point where you can get lost. All the paths are marked and you will

It’s best to be ready with a contact of towingless.com in case of emergencies.

JEEP RIDE FROM RAIKOT BRIDGE TO TATTU VILLAGE

Jeeps from Raikot: 8600 Rs (fixed price) for 6 to 8 persons (This rent is for both ways). Must note Name, Mobile number and Plate number of your jeep.
Jeep time from Raikot to Tatu village = 1.5 hrs
Jeep track is one of the adventurous track in the world however it is very hot and dry so cover your self properly from protect from dust and heat
Jeeps drop you at Tattu village from where you have to hike towards Fairy meadows top
You will tell your jeep driver about the Date and Time of your Return and he will come at Tattu village on that day/time

TREKKING FROM TATTU VILLAGE TO FAIRY MEADOWS CAMPING SITE

Difficulty level: First half is tough and 2nd Half is relatively easier
Length of the Trek: 8 Km approx
Total time of Trekking: 3 ~ 4 hrs
Hiring a horse/mule: They charge 70 Rs per Kg to take your luggage
Terrain/surface: 1st Half is full of lose and dry sand having lot of Horse/Mule leftovers. 2nd half has stones and fallen leaves
Cleanliness: Unfortunately people have spread lot of trash on trek. You will see lot of Wrappers, Empty bottles along the path
Beauty/nature: 1st Half is Dry on rocky mountains but after reaching in the middle, you will experience some trees and bushes along the way
Water streams: There are 4 to 5 small water springs during the track and you can fill water bottles
Tuck shops: Around 2 or 3 tuck shops are there in middle of the trek where you can have Drinks, snacks and Tea.
Wild animals: There are no wild animals on this trek

ACCOMMODATION AT FAIRY MEADOWS

Tent rate 2500 ~ 3000 rs for 4 person (Including mattress and Sleeping bags)
Wooden cottage rate 4000 ~ 5000rs for 4 to 5 persons (One double bed and 2 Mattress with blankets)
If you travel with group, they charge 1400 Rs per person that includes Breakfast and Dinner
Public Bathrooms for campers are made at common area (separate for Male and Female) however wooden cottages have attached bathrooms
Accommodation Options: There are two main sites where Camps/cottages have been built. One place is the main Fairy Meadows ground which has lot of options at around this plain. Second Option is at other side of the Tree Forest where camps and cottages are built (The famous ones are Broad view Resort and View Point Resort)
If you want to set up your own tent, most of the hotels allows you to set it up in their side area Free of charge but in case of high season they might charge you a little fee.

TREKKING FROM FAIRY MEADOWS TO BEYAL CAMP AND NANGA PARBAT VIEW POINT

Difficulty level: Easy and Almost straight
Length of the Trek: Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp = 4 Km AND Beyal Camp to Nanga Parbat View Point = 1.5 Km
Total time of Trekking

Fairy Meadows to Beyal camp = 2.5 hrs
Further Beyal camp to Nanga Parbat View Point = 1.5 hrs
And if you want to go towards Nanga Parbat ase camp then another 2.5 hrs trekking

Terrain/surface: The surface is hard and soft sand and have wide paths
Cleanliness: The trek is relatively cleaner and you will find less trash/ wrappers
Beauty/nature: I liked this trek more as compare to Tattu Village to fairy meadows trek because this Trek takes you in Nature and have trees, green plains and water streams along the way
Water streams: You will find many water stream along the way aswel as one stream will travel along you till Beyal Camp
Tuck shops: 2~3 Tuck shops and Tea huts are present at Beyal camp (also there are camping facilities at Beyal Camp) and 1 Tuck shop is present at Nanga Parbat view point where i had Noodles
Wild animals: There are no wild animals. Only cows, horses and goats of local villagers are seen