The Rakhiot face of the ninth highest mountain on earth, from the meadow the German expeditions used as their forward camp.
7 days from Gilgit or Chilas, 5 of them on foot, reaching 4,200 m. May to October, in groups of 2 to 14. Graded moderate.
Nanga Parbat stands alone at the western end of the Himalaya and its Rakhiot face is 4,600 metres of ice directly above the camp. The jeep road from Raikot bridge is the one everyone photographs. The walk beyond Fairy Meadows, up to Beyal and then the base camp moraine, is the one worth doing.
1
You drive south from Gilgit along the Karakoram Highway to the Raikot bridge, where the road splits away and the jeep track begins. The track climbs through the pine forest to Tato village, a route the jeep drivers know very well. The day ends with a quiet evening in the village and the first glimpse of the mountains ahead.
Night at Tato, 2,600 m.
2
A walk of about two hours through pine forest brings you to Fairy Meadows, a high green meadow with Nanga Parbat filling the view. The mountain stands directly above the grass, at 8,126 metres the ninth highest in the world. You settle into your hut and spend the afternoon on the meadow with tea and the view.
2 hours on foot. Night at Fairy Meadows, 3,300 m.
3
The trail follows the meadow edge and climbs gently to Beyal, the summer camp of the local shepherds beside the glacier. The path passes through forest and open pasture with the Raikot glacier on one side. At Beyal you eat with the shepherds and enjoy the quiet at the foot of the great mountain.
3 hours on foot. Night at Beyal, 3,500 m.
4
You walk up to the Rakhiot moraine and the Nanga Parbat base camp at about 4,200 metres, where the great Rakhiot face rises directly above. There is a memorial to Albert Mummery, the English climber who first attempted the mountain in 1895. After a long day of views you return to Beyal for the night.
7 hours on foot. Night at Beyal, 4,200 m.
5
An easy walk takes you back down to Fairy Meadows, through forest and past the shepherd camps. The afternoon is free on the meadow, with time for tea, photography and a short walk to a viewpoint. Nanga Parbat holds the evening light beautifully.
3 hours on foot. Night at Fairy Meadows, 3,300 m.
6
You walk down through the pines to Tato, then jeep to the Raikot bridge and drive back along the highway to Gilgit. The valley views are different in the afternoon light, and the highway is a pleasure after the high walk. In Gilgit you can shower, rest and enjoy a good dinner.
2 hours on foot. Night at Hotel, 1,500 m.
7
The trip ends in Gilgit after breakfast, with a flight or a road transfer onward. You carry with you the sight of the Rakhiot face and the evenings at Fairy Meadows.
1,500 m.
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