Hunza Valley & Fairy Meadows Journey

Welcome to Pakistan — the adventure begins.

On the first morning, our group meets for introductions and a short briefing. In the afternoon we explore Islamabad, visiting local markets and mosques, and finish the day with our first group dinner together.

We recommend arriving in Islamabad at least one day early so you can settle in, shake off jet lag, and be rested for the journey ahead.

• Scenic domestic flight into the mountains
• Overland drive toward Hunza Valley

The next step of our journey takes us from Islamabad into the high country. We board a scenic flight to Skardu or Gilgit, a beautiful region surrounded by dramatic peaks and rivers.

When the weather is clear, the flight offers stunning aerial views of Nanga Parbat and the wider Karakoram Range. From here we begin our overland adventure, driving along winding mountain roads, crossing rivers, and passing through small villages as we make our way toward the legendary Hunza Valley. The drive itself is unforgettable, with every turn revealing new landscapes and towering mountains.

• Altit and Baltit Forts
• Traditional Hunza bread, apricots, and walnut cake

We begin the day with a refreshing hike in the Hunza Valley, surrounded by terraced fields and snow-capped peaks. Later we explore the historic Altit and Baltit Forts, where centuries of Hunza history come alive along with incredible valley views.

Between visits we taste local life through Hunza bread, apricot dishes, and the valley’s famous walnut cake — a perfect introduction to the culture through its flavors.

• Hapakun Camp elevation: 2,800 m
• Walking time: 4–5 hours

We leave Hunza and drive to Minapin, a small village at the foot of Rakaposhi. From here the trail climbs gently through farms and forest before opening into wide mountain views.

After a few hours of steady walking, we reach Hapakun Camp (2,800 m), a quiet meadow surrounded by pines and snow-capped peaks, where we set camp for the night.

• Tagafari elevation: 3,500 m
• Walking time: 3–4 hours

We continue from Hapakun with a steady climb on a zig-zag trail. As the forest thins, the scenery opens into wide alpine meadows with stunning views of Rakaposhi and Diran Peak.

After about 3–4 hours of hiking, we reach Tagafari (Rakaposhi Base Camp, 3,500 m), a breathtaking campsite set directly beneath the towering south face of Rakaposhi. Here we rest, enjoy the panorama, and spend the night surrounded by glaciers and high peaks.

• Descent to Minapin: 5–6 hours

After breakfast at Tagafari, we begin our descent, retracing the trail back through Hapakun and into the Minapin Valley. The walk takes around 5–6 hours, with plenty of time to enjoy the mountain views one last time.

At Minapin Village, our vehicles meet us for the drive back to Hunza, where a hot shower, comfortable beds, and a hearty local dinner await.

• Attabad Lake · Passu Cones · Gulmit

Today we drive further north into Upper Hunza (Gojal Valley). On the way we stop at Attabad Lake, a deep blue lake formed after a landslide, before continuing past small villages toward Passu, where the famous Passu Cones rise sharply against the sky and the Passu Glacier flows down the valley.

We also visit Gulmit village and, for those who are up for it, walk across the old Hussaini Suspension Bridge, one of the most adventurous crossings in the region. The day is full of big mountain views, friendly locals, and quiet moments in one of the most beautiful valleys in Hunza.

• Fairy Meadows elevation: 3,300 m
• Hike from Tato: 2–3 hours

From Hunza we drive along the Karakoram Highway towards Raikot Bridge, the gateway to Fairy Meadows. Here we switch to local jeeps for a rough but exciting ride up a narrow mountain track that winds high above the Indus River.

After about an hour we reach the small village of Tato, where the road ends. From Tato, it is a gentle 2–3 hour hike through pine forest before arriving at Fairy Meadows (3,300 m), a wide grassy plateau with breathtaking views of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world. We spend the evening in wooden huts, enjoying local food and watching the sun set behind the giant peak.

• Nanga Parbat Base Camp elevation: 4,100 m
• Walking time: 3–4 hours each way

From Fairy Meadows we set out on a full-day hike to Nanga Parbat Base Camp (4,100 m). The trail first passes through Beyal Camp, a small cluster of huts with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

From here the path climbs steadily across alpine meadows and moraine, with the huge north face of Nanga Parbat getting closer at every step. After 3–4 hours we reach base camp, where ice cliffs, glaciers, and rock walls rise straight into the sky. We take in the view, have lunch at Beyal Camp, and hike back down to Fairy Meadows in the afternoon.

• Naran elevation: 2,400 m

After breakfast at Fairy Meadows, we hike back down to Tato village and take the jeeps down the rough track to Raikot Bridge. From here we rejoin our private transport and begin the long but scenic drive towards Naran in the Kaghan Valley.

The journey follows the Karakoram Highway through valleys, rivers, and mountain villages before climbing toward the lush green landscapes of Naran (2,400 m). We arrive by evening, check into our hotel, and enjoy a relaxing dinner after a full day of travel.

We leave Naran in the morning and drive towards Islamabad. The route takes us through the beautiful Kaghan Valley, with plenty of mountain views along the way.

As we descend, the air gets warmer and the landscape changes from alpine scenery to plains. By evening we reach Islamabad, where we settle in and enjoy our last night together, sharing memories of the trip.

We arrange transfers to Islamabad International Airport for those who are flying out this morning. Hotel check-out is around 11:00 am today.

You can choose to stay on at the same hotel if you are not flying home right away, though any additional nights are not covered by Karakoram Ascents.