Arrival at Islamabad International Airport

Lok Virsa Museum - The Heritage Museum, also known as Lok Virsa Museum, is overseen by Lok Virsa - National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage. This museum, located on the Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad, Pakistan, highlights the vibrant cultures of Pakistan. Established in 1974, it gained autonomy in 2002 under the Lok Virsa Legal Status Ordinance. The museum comprises multiple buildings and an outdoor area that can host up to 3,000 visitors.

Pakistan Monument - The Pakistan Monument (Urdu: یادگارِ پاکستان) is a national monument and heritage museum situated on the western Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad, Pakistan. Built to represent the unity of the Pakistani people, it honors those who sacrificed their “today” for a better “tomorrow.” The four large petals symbolize the main cultures of Pakistan: Punjabi, Baloch, Sindhi, and Pakhtun, while the three smaller petals represent minorities, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Its elevated position makes it visible throughout the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area, making it a favored tourist spot.

Faisal Mosque - The Faisal Mosque, or Faisal Masjid, is Pakistan’s national mosque, located in Islamabad. It ranks as the sixth-largest mosque globally, the largest outside the Middle East, and the largest in South Asia, nestled at the base of the Margalla Hills. Named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, the mosque’s modern design, inspired by a Bedouin tent, features eight sides of a concrete shell. It is a significant tourist attraction and a notable example of contemporary Islamic architecture. The mosque, along with the Pakistan Monument, enhances the city’s allure. The structure spans 33 acres (130,000 m2; 1,400,000 sq ft).

Drive to Swat

Swat - Swat District is centered around the Swat Valley, often simply called Swat, a natural region surrounding the Swat River. Historically, it was a major center for early Buddhism, particularly Gandharan Buddhism, until the 16th-century conquest by the Yousafzais, after which it became predominantly Muslim. In the early 19th century, Swat emerged as an independent state under Saidu Baba. It became a princely state under British suzerainty in 1918. After the 1947 Partition of British India, Swat joined Pakistan, remaining a self-governing princely state until its merger into West Pakistan in 1969, now part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Swat - Chitral via Lawari Tunnel

Ayun / Chitral - Bamburit Kalash

Explore Kalash Valley

Kalasha Valleys - The Kalash Chilam Joshi Festival, a spring celebration by the Kalash people in Chitral District, Pakistan, is scheduled for May 13th to 16th, 2025.
Here’s a detailed overview:
Festival Name: Chilam Joshi Festival (also known as the Kalash Spring Festival)
Location: Kalash Valley, Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Dates: May 13th to 16th, 2025
Significance: Celebrates the arrival of spring with rituals, dancing, and feasting.
Cultural Context: The Kalash people are an indigenous group with a unique cultural and religious heritage.
Other Kalash Festivals: Besides Chilam Joshi, the Kalash people also celebrate the Uchal (summer) and Choimus (winter) festivals.
Uchal Festival: Typically in August
Choimus Festival: Typically in December

Kalasha Valleys - The Kalash or Kalasha are a small Indo-Aryan indigenous minority residing in Chitral District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The term also refers to several distinct Nuristani-speaking groups, including the Väi, Čima-nišei, Vântä, and Ashkun- and Tregami-speakers.

According to one Kalash tradition, their ancestors migrated to Chitral Valley from Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, or a location further south, called “Tsiyam” in their folk songs and epics, possibly near Jalalabad and Lughman in Afghanistan. Another tradition suggests descent from Alexander’s armies left behind after his campaign, though no evidence supports his passage through the area.

Explore Chitral Town

Chitral - Mastuj

Mastuj to Phandar Gupis via Shandur Pass

Shandur Pass - Shandur Pass is located on the boundary between Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, a disputed territory within the larger Kashmir region. Historically part of Gilgit-Baltistan, recent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have claimed Shandur. It is often called ‘The Roof of the World.’

The pass hosts the annual Shandur Polo Festival, featuring polo matches between teams from Chitral District and Gilgit-Baltistan. These matches occur at the Shandur Polo Ground on Shandur Top, typically spanning three days from July 7 to July 9, with approximately seven matches played.

Gupis to Gilgit

Gilgit - On this day, travel from Khalti to Gilgit, the capital city of the Gilgit-Baltistan Region. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and rest. After lunch, visit Kargah Nala and the famous Buddha Carving. Relax and stay overnight in Gilgit.
Gilgit is a city in Pakistani-administered Gilgit–Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region. It serves as a major tourist destination in Pakistan, acting as a hub for trekking and mountaineering in the Karakoram mountain range.

Historically, Gilgit was a significant center for Buddhism and an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Today, it is a major junction along the Karakoram Highway, with road connections to China and Pakistani cities like Skardu, Chitral, Peshawar, and Islamabad.

Gilgit to Hunza

Hunza Valley - On this day, travel from Khalti to Gilgit, the capital city of the Gilgit-Baltistan Region. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and rest. After lunch, visit Kargah Nala and the famous Buddha Carving. Relax and stay overnight in Gilgit.

The Hunza Valley stretches along the Hunza River, bordering Ishkoman to the northwest, Shigar to the southeast, Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor to the north, and China’s Xinjiang region to the northeast. The valley floor is at an elevation of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet). Geographically, the Hunza Valley is divided into three parts: Upper Hunza (Gojal), Central Hunza, and Lower Hunza (Shinaki).

Rakaposhi View Point - Rakaposhi, also known as Dumani, is a mountain in the Karakoram range in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It lies between the Nagar and Bagrote Valleys. The mountain is notably broad, spanning almost 20 kilometers (12 mi) from east to west. It is the only peak on earth that descends directly and uninterrupted for nearly 6,000 meters from its summit to its base.

Baltit Fort - Baltit Fort is located in the Hunza Valley, near Karimabad, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Founded in the 8th century CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004.

The Mirs of Hunza abandoned the fort in 1945, moving to a new palace down the hill. The fort began to decay, raising concerns about its potential ruin. Following a survey by the Royal Geographical Society of London, a restoration program was initiated and supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme. Completed in 1996, the fort is now a museum managed by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

Altit Fort - Altit Fort (Urdu: قلعہ التیت) is an ancient fort in Altit town in the Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Originally home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state, who held the title of ‘Mir,’ they moved to the somewhat younger Baltit Fort nearby three centuries later. Altit Fort, particularly the Shikari tower, is around 1,100 years old, making it the oldest monument in Gilgit–Baltistan. The fort received the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2011.
The word ‘Altit’ means ‘this side down,’ and the area around the fort is inhabited by Burusho people. In the 16th century, the local prince married a princess from Baltistan, who brought master Balti craftsmen to build two forts (Altit and Baltit forts).

Explore Upper Hunza

Passu Glacier - Passu Glacier is located south of Passu village, in the Karakoram Range in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Passu Peak is situated behind the glacier. This glacier is connected with Batura Glacier and several other glaciers in the Batura Muztagh mountain range.

Day Excursion to Khunjerab Pass and National Park

Upper Hunza to Besham

Karakoram Highway - The Karakoram Highway extends from Hasan Abdal in Punjab, Pakistan, to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is a popular tourist attraction and one of the highest paved roads globally, traversing the Karakoram mountain range at a maximum elevation of 4,714 m (15,466 ft) near Khunjerab Pass. The highway is also part of the Asian Highway AH4.

Known as the Friendship Highway in China, the Karakoram Highway was constructed by the governments of China and Pakistan. Construction began in 1962, completed in 1979, and opened to the public in 1986. Approximately 810 Pakistanis and 200 Chinese workers lost their lives, mostly due to landslides and falls, during its construction. Over 140 Chinese workers who died are buried in the Chinese cemetery in Gilgit. The KKH route traces one of the ancient Silk Road paths.

Nanga Parbat - Nanga Parbat is visible from the Karakoram Highway near Talichi in clear weather. It is the ninth-highest mountain on Earth, with a summit at 8,126 m (26,660 ft) above sea level. Located southeast of the northernmost bend of the Indus River in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Nanga Parbat is the westernmost major peak of the Himalayas. Traditionally, it is considered the western anchor of the Himalayas, bounded by the Indus and Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra rivers.

Nanga Parbat is one of the 14 eight-thousanders. It is a dramatic peak rising far above its surrounding terrain, with the second-highest prominence among the 100 tallest mountains on Earth, only behind Mount Everest. Known for its challenging climbs, Nanga Parbat has earned the nickname Killer Mountain due to its high number of climber fatalities.

Besham to Islamabad via Hazara Motorway and a visit to the Taxila Museum

Taxila Museum - On this day, travel to Islamabad from Islamabad. En route, visit Taxila Museum and ancient Buddhist sites from the Gandhara Civilization. Continue to Islamabad, which is 45 minutes from Taxila, and enjoy a farewell dinner at Kabul Restaurant.
Construction of Taxila Museum began in 1918, with its foundation stone laid by Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India. Completed in 1928, the museum was opened to the public by Sir Muhammad Habibullah, then Minister for Education. Sir John Marshall, retiring as Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1928, could not complete its original plan.

Taxila Museum is located in Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan. It houses a significant collection of Gandharan art from the 1st to the 7th centuries CE, with most objects excavated from ancient Taxila ruins.

Departure

Islamabad - This marks the end of the trip. Departure from Islamabad International Airport as per the scheduled flight.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Tips to Guide and Drivers
• Extra day Charges at Hotel for flight wait
• items not mentioned in inclusion section

Certainly! This journey promises a mix of stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and memorable adventures. Each location offers its own unique charm and stories. Whether it’s the lively traditions of the Kalash Valley, the tranquil beauty of Phandar, or the majestic Khunjerab Pass, a truly extraordinary experience awaits.

This 15-day tour through the beautiful and culturally rich regions of Pakistan will surely provide new experiences and lasting memories each day. From the enchanting Kalash Valley to the impressive Khunjerab Pass, this is a trip of a lifetime.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.