Daily Times

A lush green area in front of the ninth highest peak of the world, yes we’re talking about Fairy Meadows. “Nanga Parbat” is the ninth highest peak of the world with a height of 8,126 metres and it lies in the Himalayan Mountain Range along with many other highest peaks of the world. Right in the heart of the mighty Nanga Parbat are situated beautiful, calm and soothing meadows known as the Fairy Meadows. They serve as a launching point for climbers and mountaineers while summiting from the Raikot face of Nanga Parbat.

The name Fairy Meadows was given by German climbers where it is locally known as “Joot.”

Fairy Meadows is only accessible from April to September while in rest of the months, there is heavy snowfall and harsh weather conditions. It is a two-hour drive from Gilgit and roughly 18 hours drive from Islamabad until Raikot; the point where we switch to old style, classy ’70s model Willys MB jeeps. These 4×4 jeeps further take 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Tat, which is a small village from where the trekking starts to Fairy Meadows and it roughly takes four to five hours from there.

One cannot imagine a greener area after looking at the rocky mountains of Gilgit and Chilas range, the weather down in Raikot is normally 25 to 30C but then starts a dusty and a roug-jeep track which gains full attention of the tourist owing to its narrow jeep track and exceptional driving skills of the locals as they are used to the level of risk they take every day. The jeep ride ends at Tatu Village, where the jeeps unload the luggage and tourists are ready for the next challenging trek. On the way you find very hospitable locals, horses, waterfalls, goats, different types of flowers, pine trees and the first view of the mighty Nanga Parbat covered in snow towering high right in front, the temperature is changing all the way as we gain height.

Finally we are at Fairy Meadows wondering how a green grass land with cold temperature with the mighty peak in front can be situated in the middle of warm rocky mountains?

In Fairy Meadows we are cut off from the world as there is no stable communication due to zero cellular networks, however there is a point in Fairy Meadows called signal point from where one can communicate through their cell phones. Being cut off from the world makes this place interesting, peaceful, calm and soothing as our mind is free from all sorts of tensions, tasks and daily routines.

Most of the day, the mighty peak is covered with thick clouds but as soon it gets clear, the stunning face of the peak appears, while in the night only the noise of water flowing, a shadow of the peak and the clear sky with numerous stars can be seen.

It is truly heaven on earth, a mesmerising sight and a lifetime experience. Hundreds of local tourists along with many foreigners as well, visit this site every year while renowned climbers like Simon Morro, Reinhold Messner and many others in the past have failed but also conquered Nanga Parbat during summer and winter expeditions.

The only thing missing is the media attention, coverage and promotion by our government to support tourism.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy but some places are worth taking a risk.

Visit Fairy Meadows or you will miss a chance of experiencing nature in its full glory.