Explore Fairy Meadows and Hunza Valley 2026-2027

Your journey begins in Islamabad, where most international flights arrive around 4–5 AM. Because of this early arrival, travelers should book the hotel room for the night before landing to ensure a smooth check-in. After airport pickup, guests rest and recover from the flight, followed by a welcome dinner in the evening. Islamabad is warm and humid, so light and comfortable clothing is best. 

Hotel: Margalla Hills / Similar
 

Day 2 starts early (around 6:00 AM) for the long and scenic drive to Chilas, which takes 10–12 hours depending on road and mountain traffic. The route follows river valleys and dramatic cliffs, requiring motion-sickness pills for sensitive travelers. Weather changes throughout the journey, so having layers and water is useful.

Hotel: Shangri-la Chillas
https://www.shangrilahotels.pk/

Start your day with breakfast and an early checkout from your hotel in Chilas. The day begins with a scenic drive to Raikot Bridge, which takes around 2–3 hours depending on road conditions. The journey itself is beautiful, winding through rivers, valleys, and rugged mountain scenery.

At Raikot Bridge, it’s time for a thrilling jeep ride. Switch to local 4x4 jeeps for the rugged track to Tattu, a ride of about 1–1.5 hours. The rough road and breathtaking views make this one of the most exciting parts of the day.
 

From Tattu, begin your 2–3 hour trek to Fairy Meadows. If preferred, you can arrange horseback rides. The trail is easy to moderate, passing through dense forests with numerous scenic photo stops. Along the way, enjoy the fresh mountain air and panoramic views that make every step memorable.

Upon arrival, check into Fairy View Point huts. Take a short walk to the viewpoint to witness your first sunset over Nanga Parbat, accompanied by a relaxing evening tea. Later, gather around a campfire or enjoy a cozy hut dinner, then rest early to acclimatize to the altitude (~3,300 m / 10,800 ft).

Hotel: Fairy Meadows ViewPoint

After breakfast at Fairy Meadows, we will start our guided hike toward Nanga Parbat Basecamp. The trail first takes us to Bayal Camp, where we will stay for the night and also have lunch. After some rest and tea/noodles at Bayal Camp, we will continue hiking toward Nanga Parbat Basecamp. The full hiking journey for the day is around 8–9 hours in total, depending on your pace and fitness level. Along the way, you will enjoy close and clear views of Nanga Parbat and the surrounding glaciers and mountains. After spending some time at Basecamp for photos and rest, we will return to Bayal Camp for dinner and overnight stay in huts.
 

Important points for this hike (Basecamp altitude approx. 4,000m):

This is a long and moderate-to-challenging hike, good fitness is required.

Walk slowly and keep a steady pace to avoid altitude sickness.

Drink plenty of water during the hike (at least 2–3 liters).

Carry warm layers, weather can change quickly at high altitude.

Wear proper hiking shoes with good grip.

Bring sunglasses, sunblock, and a cap, sunlight is strong at altitude.

Keep some energy snacks (chocolate, nuts, energy bars).

Follow the guide at all times and do not hike alone.

Inform the guide immediately if you feel headache, dizziness, or nausea.

After breakfast, we will start our trek down from Fairy Meadows to the jeep point at Tattu/Raikot. This downhill walk usually takes ⅔ hours, so we will move at a comfortable pace. From the jeep point, we take local 4x4 jeeps to Raikot Bridge. Here we will stop for lunch or tea and take some rest after the trek.

After the break, we continue our journey by road toward Hunza on the Karakoram Highway. This is a 3/4 hrs long but very scenic drive with views of big mountains, rivers, and small villages along the way. We will make short stops at viewpoints, including a Rakaposhi view point, and at a few roadside tea spots so you can relax and take photos.
 

By evening, we reach Central Hunza (Karimabad) and check in at Qayam Hunza or Eagle Nest Hotel. After some rest, you can take a short walk in Karimabad Bazaar, Cafe De Hunza and explore local shops and handicrafts, and enjoy the peaceful mountain town atmosphere before dinner and overnight stay.

Hotel: Qayam Hunza / Similar

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After breakfast at the hotel, we start the day by exploring the history and culture of Hunza. First, we visit Baltit Fort, an old fort with great views of Hunza Valley, and spend about an hour there. Then we take a short walk to Altit Fort, where you can see the museum and learn about local life, traditions, and architecture. After the visits, we return to Karimabad for lunch and try local food and tea. In the afternoon, we go to Eagle’s Nest (Duikar) viewpoint to enjoy wide mountain views of Rakaposhi and nearby peaks, and take photos in the evening light. Later, you can walk in Karimabad Bazaar, see local handicrafts and shops, and meet local people. We end the day with dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Hunza.

Hotel: Qayam Hunza

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and start our drive on the Karakoram Highway toward Upper Hunza (Gojal). Our first stop is Attabad Lake, where you can enjoy a boat ride or take photos of the bright blue water and mountains. Then we continue to Gulmit village for a short walk to see local houses and daily life. After that, we drive to Passu and stop at the famous Passu Cones viewpoint and nearby glaciers for photos and views. We will have a picnic lunch here at famous Yak Grill Cafe with the mountains around us. In the afternoon, we visit the Hussaini Suspension Bridge (if open) and those who want can carefully walk across it for a thrilling experience. By evening, we check in at Shilmin Resort in Passu and relax. Internet is limited here, so it’s a good chance to rest, unplug, and enjoy the stars at night.

Attabad Lake was created in 2010 after a huge landslide blocked the Hunza River and flooded nearby villages and part of the Karakoram Highway. Over time it became a famous tourist spot because of its bright blue water and mountain views. Passu Cones are sharp, pointed peaks near Passu village and are one of the most photographed mountains in Pakistan due to their unique shape and easy roadside view.
 

Upper Hunza (Gojal) lies on the old Silk Route. Today, the Karakoram Highway passes through this area and goes to China via Khunjerab Pass, one of the highest paved border crossings in the world. The road is called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” because it was built in very tough mountain conditions. The nearby Khunjerab National Park is home to wildlife like ibex, blue sheep, and the rare snow leopard, which locals call the silent ghost of the mountains because it is very rarely seen.

Hotel: Shilmin Resort Passu / Similar

Start your day with an early breakfast, then head to Baskochi Top (2900m), a short but steep hike with amazing panoramic views of Attabad lake and the mountains. After enjoying the views, continue your journey to Nagar Valley, where you can explore the scenic villages, rivers, and valleys, and take photos of the beautiful landscapes. 

After visiting Nagar, travel back to Gilgit and stop at Cherry Tree Café for a much needed Dinner break. Later explore Gilgit Bazaar to see local shops and handicrafts. 

Hotel: The Mandarin Inn Gilgit

After breakfast in Gilgit, start your drive back toward Naran or Besham, depending on the season and road conditions. The journey takes 8–10 hours with breaks for tea, lunch, and short stops to enjoy the mountains and rivers along the way. Roads can be narrow and winding in some areas, so we travel carefully.

By evening, check in at a hotel in Naran or Besham, relax after the long drive, have dinner, and rest for the night before continuing your onward journey.

After breakfast, continue your drive from Naran or Besham to Islamabad. The journey takes around 5/6 hours, with stops for tea, lunch, and short breaks along the way. Once in Islamabad, you can either rest at a hotel after the long drive or go directly to the airport for your international flight. This day is mainly to reach the capital city and relaxation after the northern adventure.