The road to Fairy Meadows was ranked the second deadliest on the planet. The mountain at the end of it, Nanga Parbat, has killed more climbers than almost any other peak. And yet every year, thousands of people make the trip to this alpine meadow at 3,300 meters to sleep in wooden cabins, hike to base camp, and watch the sun set on 8,126 meters of rock and ice. Here's exactly how to do it.

Every July, shepherds, teachers, and policemen saddle up at 3,700 meters and play polo with almost no rules. The Shandur Polo Festival has run since 1936 on the world's highest polo ground, and getting there is an adventure in itself. Here's what to expect, how to reach Shandur Pass, and why this festival is unlike anything else on the planet.

At their peak, estimates suggest the Kalasha numbered anywhere between 200,000 and 400,000 people across the Hindu Kush. Today, fewer than 5,000 remain who still practice the original Kalasha faith.

Plan your Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan. Complete 2026 guide to Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur, Panja Sahib, visa tips, best time to go, and what to expect on the ground.