Hindukush Tour

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£1399

💥 14 Days

Included

🚘 Airport transfers in Islamabad

🏨 13 nights of accommodation in hotels mentioned in FAQ

📄 Letter of Invitation (needed for the visa)

🚐 Private coaster and Jeeps (when needed) with experienced driver across Pakistan.

🍴 All meals, including dinner in a fancy restaurant on arrival day + breakfast on departure day.

✔️ Clearance for all checkpoints

🤵 Pakistani local guide

👱‍♂️ International tour leader

🏰 Entrance fees, cultural activities and guided tours to all places listed in the itinerary.

Not Included

 ✈️International flights to Islamabad

 📜 Visa fees (from $35 to $60, depending on nationality).

 🍷 Alcoholic drinks or any extra drink

🏨  Single supplement. Having your own private room costs $200

Introduction

Chilam Joshi is a traditional festival celebrated by the Kalasha tribe, an indigenous group living in the valleys of Chitral, Pakistan. The festival is typically observed in late May or early June and is a significant cultural event for the Kalasha people, as it marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the farming season.

During the festival, the Kalasha people dress in their traditional attire and perform various rituals, including the sacrifice of goats and cows to appease their gods and goddesses. The festival also features dancing, singing, and traditional games, such as archery and polo.

One of the most iconic elements of the Chilam Joshi festival is the procession of young girls, who carry clay pots filled with water and flowers. This is done to honour the goddess of water, who is believed to be the protector of the tribe's livestock and crops.

The festival is not only a celebration of the Kalasha culture but also an opportunity for visitors to learn about their unique customs and traditions. It has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years, with people from all over the world coming to witness the colourful and vibrant celebrations.

Despite its popularity, the Chilam Joshi festival is facing challenges due to the changing socio- economic and political conditions in the region. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the festival and the Kalasha culture as a whole so that it can continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

Kalash festival dates 2024:

• Chilam Joshi Festival (Kalash Spring Festival) 13 May – 16 May

• Uchal Festival (Kalash summer festival) 20 Aug – 22 Aug

• Choimus Festival (Kalash winter festival) 15 Dec – 22 Dec.

Day 1: TOUR STARTS IN ISLAMABAD

Main Arrival Gate, Start Point Islamabad International Airport, Airport 12:00 - 04:00

Today the tour starts in Islamabad, 'City of Islam', Pakistan's capital city. It replaced Karachi back in the 1967 and is now the political and commercial heart of the country. Situated against the lush backdrop of the Margalla Hills it is a city where old and new collide. Leafy green boulevards are home to modern buildings, and shopping malls, but also dotted with traditional homes and mosques. The group flight doesn't arrive until late evening so anyone arriving early might want to take a stroll and familiarise yourself with the city.

Day 2: ISLAMABAD - SWAT VALLEY

Today we will start our journey north by driving through the Northwest Frontier and into the beautiful Swat Valley. Until quite recently this region was out of bounds to foreign tourists, but now it has opened up again offering us a great chance to explore the regions ancient Buddhist past. Once we have checked into our hotel we’ll visit the local museum, packed with many fine Gandharan artefacts, and other Buddhist sites.

Day 3: SWAT VALLEY - AYUN

After breakfast we will have a spectacular drive, past Chakdarra – where a young Winston Churchill saw action back in the 1890s – before continuing over the Lowari Pass (or going through the new tunnel) and into the ancient kingdom of Chitral. Here we’ll drive on to Ayun where we’ll arrive in the afternoon and check into the wonderful Ayun fort Inn.

Day 4: AYUN VALLEY

Today we have all morning to relax and enjoy the Ayun valley and take one of the many wonderful villages walks nearby. Most people prefer to walk the last few miles through this gorgeous valley.

Day 5: Bumburet - KALASH VALLEY

Drive to Bumburet valley in the morning.

Today, we will begin to explore the Bumburet Valley. We will go to the local museum, the Kalasha Graveyard, and the Town Centre. After that, we will join a big festival where all the tribes will gather in Bumburet. We will dance, take pictures, and talk to the Kalasha people to learn about their unique culture. Then, we will travel to Chitral and stay overnight in the Pamir Hotel, which is next to the Chitral River.

Day 6: Rambur Valley

Our destination today is the Rumbur Valley, which is a significant village inhabited by the Kalasha Tribe. Our objective is to witness and partake in the Chilam Joshi Festival, a noteworthy celebration held to welcome the arrival of spring in the area. As part of our visit, we'll stroll down to the town centre, where we can get a glimpse of the remarkable Kalasha culture. Additionally, we'll have an opportunity to relish the local cuisine during lunch at a local's residence. As the sun sets, we'll head to Bumburet, where we'll spend the night.

Day 7: KALASH - CHITRAL

On this day, we will explore the majestic Chitral town.

• Visit the Chitral Fort of the Kingdom of Chitral.

• Visit Shahi Mosque in the Fort

• Visit the Birmughalasht the highest viewpoint to get an aerial view of Chital Explore Chitral city

Overnight stay in Chitral.

This morning, we have more time to explore the valley before driving back to the sleepy mountain town of Chitral. We’ll hope to catch a game of mountain polo and in the late afternoon if a match is being played and then we’ll travel on towards Chitral National Park to see the markhor, a kind of mountain antelope and favoured prey of the snow leopards, before checking into our lovely local Pamir hotel and have dinner.

Day 8: Arrival in Kumrat Valley

The next day of our tour starts with a delightful breakfast at 8:00 am. At 9:00 am, we depart for Kumrat Valley. For transportation within Kumrat Valley, we provide comfortable options such as jeeps, Toyota Land Cruisers, and Toyota Rav 4 vehicles. The journey from Chitral to Kumrat Valley takes approximately 7 hours. Along the way, we encourage brief stops for photography, allowing you to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the surroundings. As responsible tourists, we always respect the local traditions and customs.

Around evening, we reach the magnificent Kumrat Valley, a haven of natural wonders. Accommodation options, including camping sites and hotel rooms, are available for you to choose from based on your preferences. After settling in, our expert tour guide will take you on a fascinating excursion to the mesmerizing Kumrat Waterfalls, followed by a visit to the serene river Panchkora. Spend the rest of the day exploring the scenic spots near your accommodation. A delicious dinner will be served in evening, allowing you to indulge in local flavours.

Day 9: Discovering Kala Chashma, Dojhanga, and Katora Lake

The next day begins with a refreshing breakfast at 8:00 am. At 9:00 am, we set off for an adventure-packed day in Kumrat Valley. Our itinerary includes exploring Kala Chashma, Dojhanga, Katora Lake, Kund Banda, Jahaz Banda, and Takie Top. For the journey from Kumrat Valley to Talkie Top, we use comfortable jeeps, ensuring a smooth ride.

First, we visit Kala Chashma and Dojhanga, which are known for their natural splendour and breath-taking landscapes. After immersing ourselves in the beauty of these locations, we proceed towards the jewel of Kumrat Valley—Katora Lake. The journey to Katora Lake involves a scenic trek of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to Jahaz Banda. Once we reach Jahaz Banda, we spend 1 to 2 hours enjoying its tranquil ambiance and capturing unforgettable moments.

For those who prefer not to visit Katora Lake, there are plenty of attractions near Kund Banda and Jahaz Banda that you can explore. Bonfire in the evening in Jahaz Banda, where we spend the night. You have the option to choose between camping or a comfortable hotel for accommodation. A delectable dinner awaits you, providing a perfect ending to an eventful day.

Day 10: Jahaz Banda – Kund Banda – Katora Lake

In the Morning, we commence our day with a delicious breakfast at 8:00 am. At 9:00 am, we bid farewell to Jahaz Banda and head towards Katora Lake. This time, we embark on a thrilling trek that takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The journey to Katora Lake showcases the untouched beauty of the region, and you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views upon arrival.

We spend around noon exploring the captivating Katora Lake for approximately 1 to 2 hours, allowing you to absorb the tranquillity of this natural wonder. For those who prefer not to visit Katora Lake again, there are nearby attractions in Kund Banda and Jahaz Banda that you can explore.

After our Katora Lake adventure or alternative sightseeing, we begin our return journey from Jahaz Banda to Kund Banda. The trek from Jahaz Banda to Kund Banda takes approximately 30 minutes. From Kund Banda, we head back to Jahaz Banda where we spent the night.

Day 11: The Final Leg of the Journey

In morning, we had trek back to Talkie Top, and then proceed towards Kalam Valley. Dinner arrangements may be made on the way, ensuring your comfort throughout the journey.

Day 12: Kalam Valley Excursion

2-3 Hours Jeep Ride

IN WINTER

We shall take a 4X4 jeep to visit the last open point till Paloga Glacier. Visit the Ushu Forest on the way and explore it. Back to Kalam and explore the riverside and Bazar area for a while.

IN SUMMER

Today we shall take a 4X4 jeep ride to visit the beautiful Mahodand Lake. Visit the Ushu Forest on the way and explore it for a while. Back to Kalam and explore the riverside and Bazar in the evening.

Day 13: Kalam – Islamabad

In the morning after breakfast, we drive back to Islamabad arrival in Islamabad.

Day 14: Islamabad

Then we will do the city tour we will visit Shah Faisal Mosque, Lok Versa, Pakistan monument, Saidpur Village and Damen Koh after the farewell dinner party then we will drop you at the airport to catch the flight back home.

Gallery

FAQ

Which hotels do we stay?
These are the hotels we always stay in – subject to availability.
All are relatively comfortable hotels and lodges with private rooms and attached toilets, usually the best available option in the region we visit.

• Islamabad: MARGALLA Hills Residency, Gofas Lodge.

• Chilas: Shangrila Hotel Chilas

• Passu: Sarai Silk Route, Silk route lodge

• Shigar: Space Hotel

• Skardu: Himalaya Hotel, Maple resort

• Karimabad: Mountain Story Aliabad, Offto resort.

• Attabad Lake: Luxus hunza Attabad lake resort

• Minapin: Roomy yurts resort

• Rama meadows: PTDC motel Rama

• Ghizer valley: Royal guest house, Riverdale resort

• Phandar valley: Top lodge hill

• Ayun Valley: Villa Ayun

• Mastuj/Booni: PTDC Mastuj

• Swat: Swat palace hotel by northin

• Kalam: Zen Luxus

• Kumrat Valley: Latitude resort

• Fairy meadows: Ibex lodge

• Shimshal Valley: Shimshal heights hotel

How does the room distribution work?
Price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you are a solo traveler, you will be sharing the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. We always try to group people of the same gender and age together but note that this won’t always be the case.
If you want to have your own single room, price of the single supplement is an additional $200.

How to get a visa?
Today, you can easily apply for a Pakistan tourist visa online, it’s very simple.
As an average, it takes no more than 1 week to get the visa approval.
Tips and instructions will be shared upon booking a spot.

Which nationalities can join this tour?
Pretty much all nationalities.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?
We will do some hikes but nothing particularly challenging, and all will be day hikes, no camping, and stuff like that.
This means that all hikes are optional and that you can always hang out in the respective villages, where you will be surrounded by mountains anyway.

How good is the infrastructure in Pakistan?
As mentioned, in the mountain areas, we always stay in the best available accommodation.
However, note those areas of Pakistan are so remote that even the best possible accommodation can be an issue for some, since electricity and running water might not always be reliable.
Moreover, we always try to eat in the cleanest places but note that hygiene standards in Pakistan are poor and that some travelers might get sick due to the food they eat outside of the hotels.
Nevertheless, if you are keen to have the most epic adventure and are flexible when it comes to tourist facilities, you are welcome to join this tour!

What’s the best way to reach Islamabad?
Islamabad has an international airport, with some common connections being Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Jeddah.

Is it safe?
Nowadays, Pakistan is safe, especially in the Northern Areas.

How many people will attend this tour?
We limit our tours to a maximum of 12-14 people.

Are there ATMs in Pakistan?
You can find ATMs in Islamabad, but better to bring cash for the Northern Areas.
Exchanging money: which currencies do they accept?
Both € and $ can be easily exchanged for Pakistani rupees.

How does payment work?
In order to secure your spot on the tour, we require a security deposit, and the remaining amount can be sent no later than 45 days before the departure date.
Further details will be shared upon booking your spot.