Travel Stories

Babusar Top, or Babusar Pass, is a mountain pass in the north of the 150 km (93 miles) long Kaghan Valley that connects it to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway at an elevation of 4,173 meters or 13,691 feet above sea level (KKH). It is the Babusar Valley’s highest point.

 Babusar top was named after the great Mughal emperor Babur who passed through the area in the 16th century. It was formally know as Babur Top however, now the location adopted the name Babusar Top.

My Trip to Babusar Top

My family and I went to Babusar Top last September. It was an unforgettable and daring tour. We started our journey in Islamabad and stayed in Naran. Our goal was to go to Babusar Top. Babusar peak is approximately 65.6 km (2h 28 min) from Naran. So, the next day, at 8:00 a.m., we left Naran.

We stopped to admire the river Kunhaar on our way from Naran to Babusar Top. It was breathtaking, surrounded by lush green mountains, with beautiful weather and clean air without pollution. We rested for a while, took some photos, and then resumed our joyous journey.

  The trip to Babusar Top is a very beautiful one. There will be trees, beautiful mountains, streams, and glaciers everywhere. and sights you’ll never forget for the rest of your life. After about 2.5 hours of travel, we got to the beautiful Lulusar Lake. Also, the road is in very bad shape, but the scenery is very beautiful. We got to Babusar Top after 5 hours.

  When you get to the top, it’s really cool. On a cold day, there are clouds all around. Keep in mind that you are more than 4000 meters above sea level, which is the height of huge mountains. At this level, the amount of oxygen drops, which could make you feel sick. The best thing to do is not run or do anything hard.

 Overall, my journey to Babusar Top has been incredible. Here are some pointers I picked up on my trip that will help you plan your next trip to Babusar Top!

How to get to Babusar Top

Off-road cars are the best choice for this route. People think that the Babusar road is one of the most unsafe because there are so many car crashes there every year, and 70% of them are caused by new drivers. During the summer, vehicles can conveniently and safely get to the top and back down again. But when there is a roadblock, they often have trouble. So, before you plan a trip, it’s best to find out how the roads and weather are.

Things to Consider Before Traveling

• It takes 8 hours to get from Islamabad to Naran, and 2 hours to get from Naran to Babusar.
• To avoid the rush, start your journey early in the morning. And get out of Babusar before 5 p.m. As, the Babusar top closes at 5 p.m.
• People with breathing problems should avoid hiking the mountain because the oxygen level decreases as we ascend.
• Bring some warm clothes and snacks with you.
• Don’t forget to bring your camera.
• There are no restrooms, restaurants, or fuel pumps on the top.
• Do not travel during the rainy season/monsoon. There is a risk of land sliding and car slipping.
• Due to heavy snowfall, the road beyond Naran is open from the middle of July to the end of September and is closed the rest of the year. But movement is constrained during the monsoon and the winter.

And, of course, you must prepare a checklist of things to do before leaving your house for any trip in order to avoid any kind of mishap while you travel.

Is Babusar Top worth it?

At the top of the pass, there is a stone minaret that looks like a bridge. It marks the highest point in the area. On the right side are the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir, and Nanga Parbat looks interesting from the northeast. From the pass, the whole view is laid out in front of the person. From the top, the views are absolutely stunning. You are now surrounded by clouds that used to be on top of mountains. When you’re at the top and look down, you can see the beautiful road winding through the mountains. On a clear day, you can also see Nanga Parbat (26,660 ft) from here. Overall, it is most certainly worth it!

There is one thing we all have in common: we all enjoy traveling. When we think about traveling, we frequently envision pricey excursions to Paris or Venice, as well as other overseas trips. We overlook Pakistan’s natural beauty and fail to consider it when making travel plans. I used to believe the same way until I decided to travel to the northern parts of Pakistan, specifically the Fairy Meadows.

Some History of the beautiful site

Do you know that the German climbers were the ones who found the Fairy Meadows? And that, too, when they were looking for Nanga Parbat. Moreover, they were the ones who named this valley Fairy Tale Meadows, captured by its beauty. But the name was later shortened to “Fairy Meadows.” Residents call the area Joot, but most people will also know what Fairy Meadows is. Fairy Meadows was turned into a national park by the government in 1995, after hotels were built there.

The area quickly became known across the country and around the world, and rightly so. It is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. The weather and night view of Fairy Meadows are worthy of anticipation.

 If you’re fortunate, you can see Nanga Parbat without obstruction. You may even walk to the camp site of Nanga Parbat from here and witness a glacier on your voyage!

My Fairy Meadow story

 I was fortunate enough to visit Fairy Meadows myself, and this is my travel story:

 We started off by booking a customized package from the Nedian Adventure Club, which helped us throughout our trip. The most difficult part of the trip to Fairy Meadows was walking on dangerous roads and figuring out how to get there. 

Our driver along  meadows road was amazing. He offered to play some relaxing music as he could see that we were anxious. The music aided in coping with the extreme drops, tight track, and constant attempts to pass other vehicles on a course where the drops were becoming more and more precipitous!

The 45-minute drive was both thrilling and terrifying, and we were relieved to exit the car.

 Following this terrifying drive came the hike down the Raikot river valley to the Fairy Meadows. We knew the altitude would be difficult, but we chose to accept the challenge and not pick the horse option because the trip was estimated to take approximately three hours. 

The trail is straightforward, but takes stamina and dedication for the first hour and a half as it rises slowly and relentlessly. We were glad to see that other tourists were also having trouble, because it made us feel like we weren’t alone. The camaraderie and conversation also gave us the motivation to move slowly, with several “viewing stops” and chances to catch our breath.

The journey to Fairy Meadows was long,however,  we found excellent accommodation there. I stayed in Raikot Sarai, which I loved. We stayed in a little cottage with an incredible view of Nanga Parbat. 

We ate in the restaurant, which was a vast wooden hut with panoramic windows. Someone lit a campfire in Raikot Sarai in the evening, and we loved sitting around it with other travelers. 

Best Attraction in the Fairy Meadows

Reflection Lake is my favorite spot in Fairy Meadows. It’s one of the most lovely spots in Fairy Meadows. The Nanga Parbat can be seen reflected in the lake on clear days. You’ll find it if you follow the small river. 

Fairy Meadows is located high in the mountains, far enough from any large cities which eliminate light pollution. It means that you can see the Milky Way on a clear day. I highly recommend spending an hour or two at night gazing up at the sky since Fairy Meadows is the ideal place to do it. After stargazing, it was time to enjoy a fantastic campfire. If you enjoy campfires, you’ll love Fairy Meadows. 

We spent a nice hour in the evening talking with other visitors around a campfire. Most guesthouses include a designated area for campfires, which are ideal for staying warm once the sun has set behind the mountains.

 Fairy Meadows is open from spring until autumn. When it snows, the road closes, and the location becomes impossible to visit. We visited in June, which was ideal. We enjoyed beautiful weather, a clear view of Nanga Parbat, and we even spotted the Milky Way at night. 

Plus, even at night, it was still quite warm. Because Fairy Meadows is most popular throughout the months of July and August, It’s the height of the tourist season, so expect to see a lot of other people. 

So, if you want to avoid crowds, go during the shoulder season. Fairy Meadows is best visited in May, June, September, and October. The weather is still pleasant, but less crowded.

Rounding up

Overall, my trip to Fairy Meadows was a fantastic experience. It is my sincere recommendation that you visit this wonderful spot at least once in your life; I am sure you won’t regret it!

I booked my fairy meadows trip via Nedian Adventure Club the overall experience of this trip was amazing.