Most Amazing Journey - Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek
The Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek is undoubtedly one of the most amazing journeys in the world. Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world and the second largest in Pakistan after K2. It is located in the Diamir region of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.
History of Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek
Islamabad to Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek
Tourists will drive to Chilas on the Karakoram highway. They will pass through Abbotabadi, Mansehra, Besham, Dasu, and Sazini, and finally reach Chilas City.
4 × 4 Jeeps required to travel 2-3 hours to reach Fairy Meadows. Upon arrival at Fairy Meadows one can relax, wander, take a short walk or socialize with local people. nanga parbat base camp trek
Most of the road is narrow, winding, and windy with a hilly peak over a spectacular canyon. In addition the road is the width of one jeep but carries traffic on both sides. This can make the journey extremely difficult, especially when it comes to passing jeeps.
But do not be fooled by the thunder of Fairy Meadows – if you are a person who does not like scary roads, who is afraid of heights, or who does not like danger you have to reconsider.
Route from Fairy Meadows to Nanga Parbat Base Camp
A few miles after Fairy Meadows, there is a second campground called Beyal, where it is quiet and has a much better view than the previous camp. After Beyal, the trail becomes harder, though more rewarding. From the jungle of the mountains, the trail becomes a desert but impressive, surrounded by snow and ice. nanga parbat base camp trek
After leaving Fairy Meadows the trail wanders through forest high up on the hillside above the western bank of the Raikot Glacier. The trail offers numerous glimpses of the mighty Nanga Parbat in the distance.
It will take about 60 minutes of walking to reach the start of Beyal Camp. Beyal Camp is a small village at which the local villagers have built a restaurant, some cabins and campsite.
There isn’t any electricity at Beyal Camp, but there is a lot more solitude and peace than at Fairy Meadows itself. We didn’t stay at Beyal Camp, but we kind of wish we did.
Beyal Camp is spread along the valley and it will take you about 15 minutes to walk through the village. nanga parbat base camp trek
After leaving Beyal Camp you continue to meander up the valley through the sparse trees. The trail is easy to follow and has only a slight uphill gradient. After about 45 to 60 minutes you should reach a viewpoint on the edge of the Raikot Glacier.
The viewpoint provides amazing views along the Raikot Glacier and views towards the mountains — including Nanga Parbat itself (8126m) as well as surrounding peaks such as Chongra Peak (6830m), Raikot Peak (7070m), and Ganalo Peak (6606m).
The viewpoint seemed quite a popular place when we were there (perhaps 15 people were resting and eating snacks etc) and many only came as far as the viewpoint and then turned back to Fairy Meadows.
Participants will start walking for a few hours and arrive at Nanga Parbat Base Camp where the silence is interrupted only by the occasional avalanche sound, which can be heard and very far away. The night will be spent under the beast of the Himalayas (8,126m). nanga parbat base camp trek
After leaving Raikot Glacier Viewpoint route conditions change dramatically. Instead of wandering through the dense jungle, he begins to walk on the edge of a snowy valley. He is now on a narrow path that is built on a steep hill compared to the unstable. nanga parbat base camp trek
It is not particularly dangerous and is not at all technically advanced (assuming you travel when there is no snow).
In addition you are no longer protected by a tree shelter or a small part of the valley – so this part of the trail is very obvious. I therefore suggest that you continue on this part of the route if the weather permits
There are also a few crossings that you have to deal with. The streams were bad as we were there, even though it was late in the summer! So my guess is that they are always angry! nanga parbat base camp trek
Luckily the locals have built temporary bridges to cross the streams – they do not look solid, but they can fill the purpose.
After about 60 minutes you walk on a rocky outcrop and you turn up and down a steep slope near a grassy area. From there you have another 15-30 minute hike up a steep hill with various tussocks.
All in all, it should take you about 90-120 minutes to reach the base camp / tuck shop from Raikot Glacier Viewpoint. We finished our trip to the tuckshop shown in the photo below. It had a great view with the local young man serving the chai and dahl, so it seemed to be a good place for us to relax and turn around.
However, several maps show the Nanga Parbat Base Camp located slightly different from the tuck shop – and apparently there are two basic camps – winter and summer!
There are a number of private residential options. These mainly include cabinet style living space and grassy areas for camping.
Most are located in Fairy Meadows, however there are also cabinet and camping options at Beyal Camp (approximately a 45 minute walk past Fairy Meadows).
Participants will return to Fairy Meadows on this day and have a full day when they arrive at the fairy tales. You can fill in your journals, drawing, paint, relax or take pictures of the deadly mountain at different times of the day. Sunrise, sunset and full moon are awesome in the meadows of myths.
Visitors will then return to Besham or Naran (depending on the weather and vice versa) from Fairy Meadows. If we take the road to Besham, we pass through Chilas and Dassu along the Indus River on the Karakoram Highway.
Summary of Nanga Parbat Base Trek Journey
- Raikot Bridge to the road near Tattu Village: 90-120 mins jeep ride.
- Trailhead to Fairy Meadows: 90-120 minutes steep climb (carriers and horseback riding available).
- Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp: 60-90 minutes for easy navigation.
- Beyal Camp to Raikot Glacier Viewpoint: 60 minutes of easy navigation.
- Raikot Glacier Viewpoint to Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 90-120 minutes of moderate walking (some narrow sections on the road, and the last 30 minutes are steep).
Height of Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Height of Nanga Parbat Base camp is 3,850 meters or 12.631 feet.
Time required to Reach Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Its an 8 hour trek (round trip) to reach Nanga Parbat Base Camp from Fairy Meadows. nanga parbat base camp trek
