treks to fairy meadows
Beginning with a jeep journey from Raikot Bridge to Tatu Village, the Fairy Meadows Trek begins. Chilas, a city in the Gilgit-Baltistan area, serves as the trek’s first rest point. There are three ways to get to Chilas for the Fairy Meadows Trek, but NaranKaghan is the easiest and most scenic route to take.
The road to Fairy Meadows – One Crazy Jeep Ride!
Nanga Parbat – the mountain of the gods. Standing at 8126m it is advertised as the most easily accessible 8000m peak in the world. Admittedly, I haven’t tried to access any other 8000m mountains but I wouldn’t say access to be Nanga Parbat was easy as such!
The adventure to visit, first Fairy Meadows and then Nanga Parbat view point, begins on the banks of the mighty Indus River. At Raikot bridge, a line of modified Willys jeeps line the edge of Karakoram Highway. The jeeps wait in readiness to take unsuspecting tourists on what might be the craziest jeep ride of their lives.
This 13km narrow jeep track is incredulously carved into the cliffs that line the Tato Valley. The track itself is a rocky road that is barely wide enough for the jeep in parts, leaving the wheels rolling perilously along a 1000m cliff edge.
Thankfully, after around 2 hours we reach Fairy Point, the end of the jeep track – it’s time to complete the journey on foot.
Gaining 700m elevation over 5km, this trek follows a well established dirt track to Fairy Meadows. At the start of the trail, there is a well placed restaurant and snack shop. We filled our bellies with dahl and chipati before starting out on the hike.
The trail is fairly gradual in its ascent as it follows the river up the valley. As I glance ahead I can see the summit of Nanga Parbat fall into the shadows as we slowly hike towards the meadow.
In the final kilometre there is a big switch back as the trail starts to cut its way into the side of the valley. From here we were blessed with a stunning sunset over the distant Karakoram range. One more switchback brought us out on top of the cliff and onto Fairy Meadows itself.
| Day 01 | Arrive Islamabad. |
| Day 02 | Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Meeting with LO (Liaison Officer) |
| Day 03 | Fly to Skardu (1 hr) or drive to Chilas |
| Day 04 | Day free at Skardu or drive Chilas – Skardu (8-10 hrs) |
| Day 05 | Free Day at Skardu for final preparation |
| Day 06 | Skardu – Askole (6-7 hrs) |
| Day 07 | Trek to Jhula near Domardo River. (8-9 hours) |
| Day 08 | Trek to Paiyu provides good views of Baltoro South, Cathedral Towers and triangle of K2 at far view (5-7 hrs) |
| Day 09 | Day free at Paiyu for acclimatization (3600 m) |
| Day 10 | 10 Trek to Urdukus: To Khuburtze (8-9 hrs): A gradual climb up Baltoro Glacier on The southern edge. The walk mostly along the crest of lateral moraine, with stunning views of Paiyu Peak, Chorichi, Uli Biaho, Trango Towers and so on. A good camp site at 4200 m |
| Day 11 | Goro II: The first hour walk is across difficult side crevasses; however the way is Smoother and easy in the center. Continue opposite of Yermanendo Glacier for 3-4 hrs to the camp site at 4500 meters pitched in the center of the glacier. |
| Day 12 | Concordia: 5-6 hours slightly easy walk, with spectacular views and gigantic mountain panorama, including Mustagh Tower, GB IV, Mitre Peak and the mighty K2. Camp at Concordia at 4700 m |
| Day 13 | 4-5 hours trek to K2 base camp |
| Day 14-49 | Climb K2. No. of days depends on weather, fitness, and experience of the climbers |
| Day 50-56 | Return to Askole or Hushe and drive to Skardu. In case of trek via Gondogoro number of trekking days can be lesser |
| Day 57 | Fly to Islamabad or drive to Chilas. |
| Day 58 | Day free at Islamabad or drive to Islamabad. |
| Day 59 | De-briefing at the ministry of tourism. |
| Day 60 | Fly to destination. |
Equipment List
Equipment List We are providing you with three lists for the Trek. List 1 and 2 contain items and equipments that you must bring. The third list contains optional items you might need on your trekking holiday. Based on your own judgment you can select things that you might need from the third list.
1 – Must Bring Items:
- First Aid Pack (Diamox (Altitude), Dioralite (re-hydration salts), antiseptic cream, blister treatment, throat lozenges, plasters, Imodium (diarrhea treatment), painkillers)
- Hiking Backpack (Day Pack) 32-42 Litres
- Fleece jacket with hood or a warm jumper
- Mittens or gloves
- Gloves (Thermal)
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping bag (-16°C comfort rated)
- Sandals (sports) or old shoes (to cross rivers)
- Sun protection cream (including total block for nose, lips etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Thermarest or any similar mat/pad for sleeping
- Warm hat
- Warm jacket (down)
- Water bottles 1 liter (x2)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Antibacterial hand wash
- Shirts/T-shirts
- Socks
- Spare laces
- Underwear (normal and thermal)
- Trekking poles (highly recommended)
- Wash-bag and toiletries
- Walking socks (2/3 pairs)
- Baselayer – leggings (Thermal)
- Trekking Trousers
- Baselayer thermal shirts (2 long sleeves, 2 short sleeves)
- Mountaineering equipment (See “List 2” below)
List 2 – Mountaineering Equipments:
- Crampons
- Mountaineering boots that must be compatible with your crampons. Minimum Grade B2.
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Karabiner/Carabiner (screwgate type x 2)
- Climbing helmet
- Prusik loops X two (2) – (4 meters of 6 mm cord makes up 2)
- Sling (120 cm)
List 3 – Optional:
- Buff or scarf
- Small padlock (for locking your bag)
- Camera
- Insect repellant
- Pen-knife (important: pack sharp tools in hold luggage)
- Repair kit (e.g. thread, needle, duct tape)
- Liner (for sleeping bag)
- Travel clothes
- Bottle for Pee