Fairy Point

The whole Karakoram Highway was severely damaged and there didn't seemed to be any repair works going on. Hence, all public transportation had ceased operating.

From Chilas, we couldn’t find any vehicles that were going to Raikot Bridge (40km away), the point where we could then trek up to Fairy Meadows.

After checking out from the Grace Continental Hotel (500 rupees per night) at noon, waited by the roadside for about 7 hours and all the vehicles we halted were travelling no further than 5km ahead.

Unless we pay them to do so.

The asking price was often ridiculous; they were asking for 3000 rupees when a seat on a public van is only 70 rupees.

We were so damned.

Chilas Town while waiting for transport

Were getting desperate and demoralised. Just when we were about to give up and decide to pay the next passing vehicle to Raikot Bridge, Allah responded.

The last van that we managed to stop was going towards Gilgit (100km away) and would be passing by Raikot Bridge! It cost us 300 rupees each and we didn’t even bothered to bargain anymore, which would have been 150rupees if we did.

But we don’t really care anymore cos it was already getting dark and we just wanted to get out of there.

After about an hour, finally arrived at Raikot Bridge. From there, the trek up to the first rest point called Fairy Point is only 15km, but at 1400m ascent of height !

Took a jeep up to Fairy Point which cost 3000 rupees 2 ways. 1400m ascent with a 20kg backpack is no joke doing it in Pakistan in the middle of the night. It was just too much so we took the ride.

The road up was really scary. The jeep consistently inches its way towards the cliff with heart-stopping drop offs. We were really grabbing the handle bar through out the 1 hour long ride. haha

There were a few cottage houses up at Fairy Point, paid 700 rupees for one night, plus some instant noodles and macaroni for 140 rupees as we were starving from all the waiting earlier on in the day plus the temperature was really low at that high an altitude that i think i couldnt do without any food haha 

And then it was bedtime for the following day trek up to Fairy Meadows.

Cozy cottage