Rama Meadows is a forest meadow at about 3,300 metres above Astore town, under the eastern side of the Nanga Parbat massif in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is about an hour by jeep from Astore, and it is the easiest place in the valley to spend a night among the trees: in old government rest houses, small private guesthouses or your own tent. The season for staying is roughly June to September.
People come for the forest as much as the view. This guide covers the places to stay, camping, the forest itself, and the walks you can do from the meadow without committing to a trek.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 3,300 m |
| From Astore town | About an hour by jeep, on a steep, narrow road |
| Season for staying | June to September; snowbound for much of the rest of the year |
| Places to stay | Government rest houses, small guesthouses and hotels, campsites |
| Forest | Pine, fir, cedar and juniper |
| Main walk | Rama Lake, 1.5 to 2 hours each way |
| Nights | Cold, even in July; close to freezing in September |
Where is Rama Meadows?
Rama is a side valley that climbs west from Astore town towards the glaciers of the Chongra peaks, the eastern outliers of Nanga Parbat. The road leaves town, climbs through terraced fields, then enters the forest and comes out onto a broad, open meadow ringed by pines. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows towards the ice, and a path continues up it to Rama Lake.
Most people reach Astore from the Karakoram Highway, turning off at Thalichi and driving up the Astore gorge. Our guide to the drive from Islamabad to Astore has the times and overnight stops.
The drive up to Rama is where cars run into trouble. The road is short but steep, with broken and unpaved sections that turn slippery in rain. Local jeeps from Astore are the easy answer, and hotels in town can arrange one. A high-clearance car can manage it in dry weather; a low sedan with a full load is asking for a scraped sump.
The forest at Rama
After the bare rock and scree of the Astore gorge, the forest at Rama comes as a surprise. The slopes around the meadow are covered in pine, fir, cedar and juniper, some of it very old, with the open grass of the meadow in the middle. It is sheltered, quiet and noticeably cooler than Astore town, 750 metres below.
The meadow is at its best from late June to August, when the grass is green and the streams are running full. In September the grass turns and the nights sharpen. For seven or eight months of the year the whole valley is under snow.
A few things make the forest worth looking after:
- Firewood. The Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department asks visitors to cook on gas or kerosene rather than burn wood, and a forest this high grows back slowly.
- Litter. There is no rubbish collection in the meadow. Carry everything back to Astore.
- Noise. Rama is valued for its quiet. Loudspeakers and late-night music carry a long way in a still valley.
Where to stay at Rama Meadows
The choice is small, and in July, August and over Eid it fills up. Book ahead if you want a room, or be ready to camp.
Government rest houses
Rama has several government rest houses, some of them decades old, including an old Public Works Department rest house, a forest department rest house and the motel long known as the PTDC motel. Some of them, the forest rest house especially, have fine positions at the edge of the trees. Rooms are simple and maintenance has been uneven over the years.
How you book them has changed. In 2024 the Gilgit-Baltistan government leased 44 of its rest houses, motels and forest sites across the region, including sites at Rama, to a company called Green Tourism for 30 years. The arrangement was controversial and may change, so ask in Astore, or ask whoever arranges your jeep, who is running each building and how to reserve a room this season.
Private guesthouses and small hotels
There are also a handful of privately run guesthouses and small hotels in and around the meadow. Expect basic rooms and simple set meals, and ask about hot water and electricity before you agree a price. Standards vary a lot, so look at recent reviews or ask to see the room first.
If Rama is full, Astore town has more choice and is an hour away. Many people sleep in Astore and come up to Rama for the day.
Camping
Many visitors camp. There are several campsites in the meadow and along the edge of the trees, some offering ready-pitched tents, basic food and toilets, and there is water from the stream.
Bring a warm sleeping bag. Nights at 3,300 metres are cold even in July, and by September they can drop close to freezing. Pitch away from the stream banks, which can rise after rain upstream. If you are thinking about a night up at the lake instead, our Rama Lake guide covers what that involves.
Walks from Rama Meadows
You don't need to be a trekker to enjoy Rama. The walks range from an hour among the trees to a full day up the valley.
- Around the meadow and the forest edge. An easy hour or two on the paths through the pines, with views up to the Chongra peaks when the cloud lifts. Good for everyone, including small children and older parents.
- Rama Lake. The main walk: about 4 km each way up the valley, crossing the ends of small glaciers, to a turquoise lake at about 3,500 metres. Allow four to five hours for the round trip. It is a moderate half-day for a fit adult.
- Beyond the lake. The valley is also the start of a trekking route towards the eastern side of Nanga Parbat. This is proper trekking country, with glacier travel and no facilities, and it needs a local guide and full gear rather than a spare afternoon.
Whatever you choose, start in the morning. Cloud often builds over the peaks as the day goes on, and the views are clearest early.
When to stay at Rama
July and August are the fullest months: the meadow is green, the rooms and campsites are busiest, and every road holiday brings more cars up from Astore. Late June and September are quieter and often clearer, with colder nights. By October the nights are freezing and the first snow can arrive.
For how Rama fits alongside Minimarg, Rupal and the Deosai road in the season, see our guide to the best time to visit Astore valley.
Who Rama Meadows suits
Families do well here. You can drive right up to the meadow, which is more than can be said for Fairy Meadows, where the last stretch is a long jeep ride on a ledge and then a walk of two hours or more. Children can run about on the grass, and the lake is there for anyone who wants a proper walk.
Couples and small groups who want a quiet night in the forest will like it, as long as they are happy with simple rooms or a tent.
It suits you less if you want comfort: the rooms at Rama are basic, and there is less choice than at Fairy Meadows. And Astore is a long way to come for one night: it works best as part of a few days in the valley, with the Rupal side of the mountain or the drive towards Deosai. Our list of places to visit in Astore valley sets out the options.
For help building Rama into a longer trip through Gilgit-Baltistan, send us your dates on our trip planning page.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Rama Meadows from Astore?
About an hour by jeep, up a short, steep road from Astore town. Local jeeps can be hired in town.
Can you stay overnight at Rama Meadows?
Yes. There are government rest houses, a few small private guesthouses and hotels, and campsites in the meadow. Book ahead for July, August and Eid.
Can a normal car reach Rama Meadows?
A high-clearance car can manage it in dry weather, but the road is steep and broken in places and slippery after rain. A local jeep from Astore is the safer choice.
What is the altitude of Rama Meadows?
About 3,300 metres, some 750 metres above Astore town. Nights are cold even in summer.
Is Rama Meadows open in winter?
The valley is under snow for seven or eight months of the year and the road up is often blocked, so plan a stay for June to September. Ask in Astore if you want to see it in snow.
