Fairy Meadows sits below the north face of Nanga Parbat, and getting there is a three-part journey: our car to Raikot Bridge, a local jeep up the Tato road, and a two- to three-hour walk.
The drive
Raikot Bridge is on the Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Gilgit. From Islamabad it is a long day on the KKH, so most travellers stay a night in Chilas or Besham. In summer the route via Naran and Babusar Pass is shorter and more scenic.
The jeep and the walk
Private cars do not drive the Tato road. At Raikot Bridge you change to a local jeep for the hour-long ride to the trailhead; the walk to Fairy Meadows follows. Your driver waits with the car at Raikot or in Chilas, and collects you when you come down.
Which car
An SUV — Prado, Fortuner or Land Cruiser — for the long KKH days. Groups use a Hiace or Coaster to Raikot.
Combine it
Fairy Meadows fits naturally into a Hunza tour: Raikot Bridge is on the way.
