All You Need to Know About Fairy Meadows:
There are many beautiful places to visit in Pakistan, especially in the northern side where there are a lot of exquisite places with breathtaking views. One of the very well-known places among these is the Fairy Meadows. If you ever decide to visit Gilgit-Baltistan, this is a place that you have to visit if you want to have an unforgettable experience of witnessing the true beauty of nature. The lush green landscape looks straight out of a painting, surrounded with trees and the majestic king of mountains, the Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain in the world.
Although the local name of the Fairy Meadows is “Joot”, the German climbers who visited the place named it “Fairy Meadows” due to the mesmerizing views of the land which makes it look like a magical place where all the fairies might meet. This grassland is located in the Diamer District of Gilgit-Baltistan and was declared a national Park by the government in 1995. Located at an altitude of about 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) above sea level, Fairy Meadows has a base camp site near it and serves as the start point for trekkers summiting the Rakhiot face of the Nanga Parbat. Fairy Meadows largely consists of alpine pastures and is completely surrounded by pine forest. The north-facing slope of Fairy Meadows is also covered by coniferous forests. The forest is home to a hue variety of fauna and florals, you will find different kinds of trees here including Picea smithiana, Abies pindrow, and Pinus wallichiana trees. While in the high-altitude areas where the sunlight does not reach much, Birch and Willow Dwarf Shrubs can be found. The southern slope also has juniper and scrubs and the low altitude sites have stone oaks, yellow ash, and Pinus gerardiana plants.
You will find Musk Deer, which is considered of the most endangered deer species in the world, as well as some brown bears in Fairy Meadows. These brown bears are also declining in number and soon will become one of the endangered species as well.
Places to Visit in Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows is one of the places you will never want to leave if you are a nature lover. Every little part of the Fairy Meadows is surrounded by beautiful greeneries and views and this is why its hard to choose between which places you should go to.
However, there are some places that offer the most stunning and breathtaking views and these places should be your top priority if you are visiting Fairy Meadows. Here is a list of these places:
- Raikot Sarai:
Located at the top of the Fairy Meadows, Raikot Sarai is a resort camp and one of the most beautiful places that you have to visit. You can see the breathtaking view of the Raikot glacier. Raikot Sarai is the center of beautiful mountains and rich greenery including abundant green trees. It is the perfect place to camp and spent some quality time with your loved ones and friends while enjoying the beauty of this place. Moreover, if you are one of the nature lovers then Raikot Sarai will look like your dream place as you can enjoy the most breathtaking and scenic views from this resort camp. Camping and visiting Raikot Sarai is one of the most memorable experiences a tourist can have while visiting Fairy Meadows. Located just 450 km away from Islamabad, it is easily accessible by car and you can make the journey to Raikot Sarai in 24 hours.
- Beyal Camp:
If you have a spirit of an adventurer then this is the most fun place for you in Fairy Meadows. It is a small camping spot where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of snow-covered mountains, rich green trees, lush green grassing carpet, and a small water stream. Beyal Camp is located a few kilometers away from Fairy Meadows and you can reach Beyal camp in 3-4 hours by hiking which is one of the most adventurous and exciting experiences you can have while visiting Fairy Meadows. The views from the hike will serve as the best backdrops to take amazing photos and enjoy the pleasant weather. Beyal Camp is also one of the major places in Fairy Meadows that attracts the most foreign visitors.
- Reflection Lake:
One of the most amazing places you will find in Fairy Meadows is the “Reflection Lake.” It is one of the biggest attractions for photographers and visitors. The reason why this lake is called “Reflection Lake” is because it shows the reflection of “Nanga Parbat” also known as the “Killer Mountain”. The reflection of Nanga Parbat in this lake is one of the most irresistible and mesmerizing views you can find in the world. In winter, the gorgeous reflection of snowcapped mountains surrounding Reflection Lake looks so astonishing making the lake one of the most stunning places.
Where to Stay in Fairy Meadows
There are many good hotels and Resorts in Fairy Meadows. These hotels are not luxurious but can provide good services and comfortable rooms for visitors to stay in. Following are some of the best hotels for you to stay in Fairy Meadows.
- Greenland Hotel:
One of the most recommended hotels to stay in Fairy Meadows is Greenland Hotel. The hotel is very beautiful and the detached cabins serving as the rooms are made up of wood. Greenland Hotel is one of the busiest hotels and is filled with visitors during the tourist season. The prices of room, meals, and camping are very reasonable as well. Your will have a comfortable stay in this hotel and you can relax in here surrounded by unmatchable beauty. The meals offered at Greenland Hotel are also tasty and come at reasonable prices. The hotel has electricity unlike some other hotels and hot water facilities and as it is located next to a cellphone tower, it is easy to find it.
Price Range: PKR 3000 per night
Contact: 0355-5124070
Address: Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trail
- Shambala Hotel:
Shambala is one of the most comfortable and peaceful places to stay in Fairy Meadows. It is located about 200 meters high above the Greenland Hotel. As it is above altitude, it has amazing views. Every room and camping spot in Shambala Hotel has a direct view of Nanga Parbat.
There is also an outside area in Shambala Hotel where you can enjoy a bonfire with your loved ones and friends. The rooms are quite simple but you will not be uncomfortable staying in them.
Price Range: PKR 4000 per night
Contact: 0355-5052978
Address: Fairy Meadows, Chilās, District Diamer, 14100.
What to Eat in Fairy Meadows:
Gilgit Baltistan is best known for having some of the most tasty foods in Pakistan. There are many traditional foods that you can enjoy on your visit to Fairy Meadows to truly experience the culture and tradition of this place:
- Go-lee:
Go-lee is one of the breakfasts items you can enjoy during your stay in Fairy Meadows. All over Gilgit-Baltistan, this food is served with Namkeen Chai. Go-lee is made of Flat Bread (made with grain flour), butter, and eggs. It is also known as Giyaling.
- Harissa:
Harissa is another delicious traditional dishes you will get in Fairy Meadows. Made in ghee by a combination of wheat, rice, meat, and green lentils, Harissa is very healthy and rich in protein as well so you will also get some strength in. It is sometimes served with Naan but you can also enjoy it alone.
- Shop:
It is one of the famous food items in Gilgit Baltistan. Shop is usually made from the stomach of sheep or goats. But some people make it with minced meat too. The other ingredients used in making Shop are flour, red chili, salt, coriander, onion, mint, water, and oil. You can enjoy Shop with bread or rice.
How to Reach Fairy Meadows:
The starting point of the journey towards Fairy Meadows is the Raikot Bridge. Raikot Bridge is 437.3 km away from Islamabad and you can reach it within 9 to 10 hours. After reaching Raikot Bridge, you will have to book a jeep for the journey ahead. make sure you hire an expert driver who can navigate turbulent roads as the ride from Raikot Bridge to Tattoo Village will be quite bumpy and dangerous and whether you are an expert driver in the city you will not be able to drive on this road by yourself.
From Raikot Bridge, it will take you approximately 1 hour to reach Tattoo Village. After you reach Tattoo Village, the trekking and hiking adventure will begin. You will reach Fairy Meadows in 2-3 hours after the adventurous trekking and hiking journey from Tattoo Village.
How Many Days to Stay in Fairy Meadows:
Fairy Meadows is one of the places where you can make some memorable memories with your friends and family. There are many things to do, many places to visit, and many scenic and breathtaking views to enjoy in the fairyland so, it is recommended you stay in Fairy Meadows for at least 5 days to experience this Greenland in its full glory.
Weather in Fairy Meadows:
Many months of the year the weather in Fairy Meadows is quite pleasant. The highest average temperature in Fairy Meadows is 26 °C in the month of July and the lowest average temperature here is 4 °C in the month of January. The area also receives an average of 437 mm of rain annually.
Usually, you can visit Fairy Meadows any time besides in extreme winter conditions. However, the best time to visit Fairy Meadows is between mid-April to May and September to October. According to many people and locals, the three best months to visit Fairy Meadows are April, May, and September. The weather during these months is pleasant and the temperature is also normal.
Reviews of Fairy Meadows:
Average Cost of Fairy Meadows:
A standard 5 day tour package of Fairy Meadows from Islamabad start at PKR 25,000 per person.
Final Verdict:
If you are a nature lover or person who loves to travel then you should add a visit to Fairy Meadow to your bucket list right now. The beauty of this fairyland cannot be defined by words, you will have to visit this place to experience its true beauty. With the majestic Nanga Parbat and the rich and beautiful greeneries that fill this place, Fairy meadows will astound you.
