5-Day Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek from Islamabad

Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning.

Transfer by air-conditioned bus and proceed overland to Chilas or Naran. As the drive from Islamabad begins, you will travel on the highway reputed as the eighth wonder of the world. It was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers and took 20 years to complete, claiming 850 lives. Along the way, see where the Indus River is joined by the Gilgit River.

Continue your drive to Chilas with your Pakistan guide. (07/08 hours, 320 km)

Drive on the Karakoram Highway.

Arrive at Raikot and board 4x4 soft-top jeeps.

Drive for one hour and arrive at Tattu, a small village inhabited by Shina-speaking Chilasis. This is the trek's starting point. As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and begin walking.

Ascend gradually through the dry lunar landscape at the meeting point of the Hindukush and the Himalayan range. Soon, enter the narrow, barren gorge of the Tato River, where the track clings high on its left bank.

Cross through green juniper and pine trees to arrive at Fairy Meadows for an overnight stay in huts or at the campsite. (07/08 hours)

Walk through the pine trees and a covered valley, with the Raikot Glacier flowing on the left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead. This is an ideal day's walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat.

After about two hours, traverse the lateral moraine of the glacier and arrive at the flat meadow of the Bayal camping site. From here, turn right for a short stretch to reach the Old Base Camp of Nanga Parbat. The meadow is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here stands German mountaineer Drexel's monument.

Eat lunch at 4,000 meters.

Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks.

Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows hut or campsite. (7/8 hours round trek.)

Embark on a two-hour downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along the Tattu River.

Board your jeeps once again at Tattu and arrive at Raikot Bridge on the KKH over the Indus River.

Reach Raikot, where the air-conditioned van will be waiting.

Transfer into the van and drive back to Besham or Naran for an overnight stay at a hotel. (8/9 hours trek)

Continue driving on the KKH toward Islamabad, bypassing the important archaeological site of Taxila, and arrive in Islamabad by afternoon.

Eat dinner at Monal Pir Sohawa.

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.