This is a discovery tour to a unique tribe located in the high Hindukush Mountains surviving their battle with time. Visit to the Kafir Kalash tribe whose origin is still an enigma – the Greek descendants or people of another planet! Visit their houses, the shrines and be part in their daily life, see their traditional dance performance – all will enthrall you.
Peshawar is the home of the chivalrous race of the Pathans – the warriors of the bygone days. The British Army fought many battles with the Pathans to cross the North West Frontiers of the Indian Raj. Khyber Pass is a passage that led the Aryans to the plains of India but in current days it connects Afghanistan & Pakistan through Torkham Border. The Journey from Peshawar to Kabul via Jalalabad & Kabul Gorge is an unforgettable experience. Sightseeing in Kabul & its surroundings are another highlights of this tour.
Day 01: Arrive Islamabad
Day 02: Morning drive to Swat. Afternoon sightseeing tour
Day 03: Drive to Chitral via Lowari Pass
Day 04: AM tour of Chitral. PM drive to Kalash Valleys
Day 05: Full day tour of Bomburet and Rumbur Villages in Kalash Valley
Day 06: Drive to Peshawar via Lowari and Malakand pass
Day 07: AM visit Khyber Pass. Afternoon tour of Peshawar
Day 08: Transfer to airport
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 01 Friday: Arrive Islamabad
Khush Amdeed – you are welcomed at Islamabad. Transfer to the hotel.
Later city tour of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Going back into times you will visit the old garrison town of Rawalpindi followed by a scene into modernity at Islamabad. You will get an interesting insight into the folk traditions by visiting the Institute of Folk Heritage, a small, neatly decorated ethnological museum. This is followed by the Shakerparian (sweet hills) Garden, which gives you a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving past various modern streets and buildings – graceful with a touch of Islamic architecture. Your tour culminates at one of the world’s largest mosque – Shah Faisal Mosque, which also houses a University specializing in Islamic Philosophy and Law.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 Saturday: Islamabad/Swat
Drive to the Swat Valley via Malakand Pass.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
Later a city tour of Saidu Sharif, the capital of Swat Valley. You will see the small, but
well preserved Swat Museum, Butkara archaeological site and Mingora known for its
very colorful bazaar and Maraghzar.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 Sunday: Swat Valley/Chitral
Drive you to Chitral via the picturesque Lowari Pass. Lying in the midst of the Hindukush Range, it is one of the world’s most beautiful regions. Chitral offers enchanting scenery in the shadow of the majestic Trich Mir, at 7708m, the highest peak of the Hindukush Range. The people of Chitral, also known as the “Kho”, show traces of Persian and Turkish ancestry.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 Monday: Chitral/Bomburet
Morning sightseeing tour of Chitral. Shahi Mosque, a beautiful white structure built by the former rulers of Chitral, is one of the most interesting buildings in Chitral. In its courtyard are buried former rulers and members of their families. Nearby is the historic Fort of Chitral where a small contingent of the British Army was besieged for almost thirty days. From the fort is an awe-inspiring view of Trich Mir Mountain with the Chitral River flowing nearby. The winding street of the Chitral bazaar has shops selling household objects, antiques and handicrafts obtained from the remote valleys. Afternoon jeep drive to southwestern part of Chitral, which is inhabited by the Kalash people. The “Kalash Country” is spread over three valleys: Bomburet, Birir and Rumbur. Kalash have fascinated anthropologists and historians by their obscure origins, colorful festivals, curious customs and rituals.
Overnight at motel
Day 05 Tuesday: Bomburet
Full day sightseeing tour of Kalash Valleys. Our tour starts with visit to the scenic valley of Bomburet lies 40km (25 miles) from Chitral. Excursion includes a visit to Brun where Kalash deities are accommodated. Visit to the unique cattle houses and the village of Shaikande. Of special interest here are the carvings and their motifs used to decorate the homes. From there we will continue to the narrow valley of Birir, where the Kalash community is gathered together. The main village of Guru is perched on the hillside as if stuck to the steep slope. The main attractions are the women in their long black robes and their attractive headgear, skillfully made entirely of cowry shells and buttons. An interesting site is the dance hall, which during the winter is used for religious performances. Later a visit to a Kalash home. This is a unique experience.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 Wednesday: Bomburet/Peshawar via Lowari Pass
Today we drive down to Dir down via Lowari Pass. At Dir we will switch over to air-conditioned transport to resume our journey to Peshawar with visit to Takht-e-Bhai, enroute. Takht-e-Bhai is an ancient Buddhist Monastery dating back to 1st to 7th Century AD. It consists of numerous chapels and stupas sticking to the high, rocky spurs. Later we will continue our journey until we arrive at Peshawar.
Overnight at hotel
Day 07 Thursday: Peshawar
Full day sightseeing tour of Peshawar. Morning excursion to Khyber Pass that has been the silent witness to the countless great events in the history of mankind. The historic pass begins 18 Km west of Peshawar and runs up to the Pakistan – Afghanistan border at Torkham, 57 Km from Peshawar. It has been conquered by the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and still later invaded by the great Moguls. The Sikhs and Afghans also left their marks here before the Pass fell to the British. Today the Khyber Pass is the site of famous forts such as Jamrud and Shagai. Some of the forts are still occupied by the Khyber Regiment of the Pakistan Army. The famous bazaar of Landi Kotal situated enroute to the Khyber Pass is also covered in this tour. Afternoon we will enjoy the cultural and traditional beauty of this historical city, which has become the melting pot for various tribal cultures. You will journey to Yadgar Square and visit Mahabbat Khan Mosque, a beautiful towering structure with lofty minarets. You will then be driven through old Peshawar to the popular Qissa Khawani Bazaar (street of story-tellers), the Peshawar Pottery Works, Bater Bazaar (street of partridge lovers) and Mochi Lara, famous for its exquisitely embroidered sandals. Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city and many different people gather here; Afghans, Iranis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis and Shinwaris all add to the excitement.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 Friday: Peshawar – Departure
Morning transfer to Peshawar airport for international departure flight.
End of the tour.
Extensions:
If you wish to extend your stay in Central Asia we recommend you consider one of the following tours:
Turkmenistan Tour
Uzbekistan Tour
Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Tour
Silk Road China & Pakistan Tour
Pakistan – Afghanistan Tour
Pakistan: Shangrila Hunza Tour
Pakistan: Ancient Cultures Tour
PAKISTAN: KALASH & KHYBER TOUR – 2009 TOUR DETAILS
| 2009 DEPARTURE DATES | |
| Language | 2009 Dates |
| English | May 8, Jun 5, Jul 3, Aug 7, Sep 4 & Oct 2 |
| French | available upon request, please contact us |
| German | available upon request, please contact us |
| Italian | available upon request, please contact us |
| 2009 PRICES US ($) | |||
| Tour | Cost ($) | Single Sup ($) | Domestic Air ($) |
| Tour of Pakistan: Kalash & Khyber Tour | 726 | 70 | n/a |
* Domestic air fares subject to change.