STAY 

At Raikot Sarai you stay in simple wooden cabins or basic rooms rather than a conventional hotel. Interiors are plain but cosy, with beds, thick blankets and often a small seating area. Expect limited electricity and cooler indoor temperatures, especially at night, so warm layers are essential. Facilities are geared towards trekkers: hot water can be limited, but the reward is waking up to pine forest, open meadows and Nanga Parbat looming above the valley.

CHILDCARE 

Fairy Meadows and Raikot Sarai are better suited to active families with older children than to those with toddlers. The journey involves a jeep track and a walk, and the ground around camp is uneven. There are no formal childcare facilities or playgrounds, but adventurous children often enjoy the open meadows and forest trails under close supervision. Parents need to be comfortable managing altitude, cooler nights and a simple, outdoor-focused style of stay.

DINE 

Meals at Raikot Sarai are straightforward, hearty and aimed at hungry walkers. Expect hot soups, lentils, curries, rice, vegetables and fresh chapatis, sometimes with simple pasta or egg dishes. Breakfasts usually feature tea, omelettes, bread and jam to set you up for a day on the trail. Food is prepared in a central kitchen and served in a communal dining area, where the focus is warmth, fuel and friendly conversation rather than elaborate restaurant menus.

RELAX 

When you are not walking, Raikot Sarai is a place to slow down and soak up the surroundings. Guests gather around the stove or evening bonfire, sip tea, talk with fellow trekkers and watch the changing light on Nanga Parbat. During the day you can sit in the meadow with a book, photograph the views or simply rest. With no city noise and very limited connectivity, it becomes easy to disconnect and reset.

EXPERIENCE 

Staying at Raikot Sarai is as much about the journey and setting as the cabins themselves. The jeep ride from Raikot Bridge, the hike through forest from Tatu village and the first open view of Fairy Meadows all build anticipation. Once at camp, you are perfectly placed for walks towards Nanga Parbat Base Camp or gentler loops through the meadows. Clear nights, starry skies and dawn light on the massif are often the standout memories.