Private tour through the best of Pakistan

Lahore

Tag 1: Welcome to Lahore!

Welcome to Lahore! After being transferred to your hotel you will have the morning to relax before visiting the fascinating Lahore Museum in the afternoon. Following this you will visit the Wagah Indian Border to watch the famous flag lowering ceremony which attracts visitors from both sides of the border.

Lahore

Tag 2: Take a step back in time in the old city of Lahore

Discover the cultural heart of Punjab today as you walk through the old city of Lahore. Beginning at the beautiful 17th-century Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore’s historic walled city, continue on to the Lahore Fort complex, which includes the 16th century Fort, the 17th century Badshahi Mosque and the 19th century Tomb of Ranjit Singh the Sikh ruler of Punjab. Later, visit the tombs of Mughal Emperor Jahangir and his queen Nur Jehan.

Lahore

Tag 3: Immerse yourself in Lahore culture

Today you will return to the walled city of Lahore for a culturally immersive tour that will explore the food, music and architecture of the city. Stop off at street food stalls and taste delicious halwa puris; visit the Faqir Khanna Museum for a glimpse into the Sikh Empire period; and visit music schools to see students playing the tabla and flute.

Spend the afternoon at leisure before finishing the evening with a cultural performance at dinner.

Peshawar

Tag 4: Journey to historical Peshawar

After breakfast you will start the journey to the 2,000 year old city of Peshawar. Along the way you will visit the Katas Raj temple complex, before stopping off at the historic Qisa Khawani Bazar (storytellers bazar). Arrive in Peshawar and spend your evening at leisure exploring this ancient city. 

Peshawar - Swat

Tag 5: Explore Peshawar including collections of Gandhara art

Today you will explore the historic sites of Peshawar. Starting with the Peshawar Museum, known for one of the largest and most extensive collections of Gandhara art of the Buddhist period. After this you will continue on to the 17th-century Mahabat Khan Mosque and visit 7th-century Bala Hissar Fort.

Swat

Tag 6: Explore the Swat valley

Begin your day with a visit to the Swat Museum, known for its collection of Gandharan statuettes and treasure from the valley of Swat. The area of Swat was an important region within Greek-Bactria and a major Buddhist center. Buddhist and Ghandhara sites are littered all over the valley. You will visit the remains of the 2nd-century Butkara stupa, believed to contain the ashes of Buddha. Before continuing to Udegram village where you can hike to the historic Raja Gira’s castle.

Ayun

Tag 7: Travel to Chitral

Today you will travel by road to Kalash Valley, stopping at the Chakdara Museum where you will discover its collection of Gandhara Art that spans from the 1st to the 7th centuries. The drive will take most of the day as you travel through scenic landscapes and small villages dotted along the route. 

Chitral

Tag 8: Explore Kalash Valley

Known locally as Kafiristan, the Birbir, Bumborete and Rumbur valleys are home to the 3,000 year old civilization of Kalash people. The Kalash practice their own religion and their cultural practices are unique from all other ethnicities.

If you visit during a Kalash festival, you will witness a fantastic celebration flowing with dancing, wine and a huge feast for all to share. 

Mastuj

Tag 9: Discover the Mastuj Valley

Today you will visit Chitral’s bazar and fort before continuing on to Mastuj. This is one of the most beautiful and dramatic drives of the trip. Winding your way up the Mastuj Valley, you will pass the high peaks of Tirich Mir and Boni Zong, before finally entering the Yarkund Valley at the top of which lies Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor continuing to Shandur Pass. If you visit during early July you might catch the Shandur Festival, a celebration of local culture, music, cuisine and polo! 

You will continue on to Gilgit where you will spend the night, but not before stopping to see the 7th-century carving of a large standing Buddha known as Kargah Buddha.

Shandur - Gilgit - Hunza

Tag 10: Travel to Hunza Valley

You will travel to Hunza today stopping along the route to look out at the views of Rakaposhi. In the afternoon you will visit the 1000-year-old Ganesh village, the first settlement along the historic Silk Road. After exploring here you will continue on to the 700-year-old Baltit Fort where the Mir (title of the Hunza ruler) resided until the 1950s. The evening is free to enjoy the local markets and relax at the hotel.

Hunza

Tag 11: Visit the seat of the Hunza state

This morning you can either have at leisure or join a hike behind the Baltit Fort for spectacular views of the Hunza Valley. In the afternoon visit the 1100-year-old Altit fort, the original seat of the Hunza state and the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan. Following this you will participate in a delicious Pakistani cooking class.

Attabad Hunza

Tag 12: Welcome to the Khunjerab Pass - the highest border crossing in the world

Today we head towards Khunjerab Pass, the land route to China and at 4,934m (16,187ft) the highest border crossing in the world. The scenery is beautiful with high peaks surrounding you in every direction. Our last stop is Attabad Lake, formed in 2010 after a landslide that blocked the flow of the river. You will take a boat ride to our hotel where you will spend the night.

Fairy Meadows

Tag 13: Marvel at views if Naga Parbat Massif

Today is an active day of hiking. You will begin the day at Raikot bridge and from there will travel to Fairy Meadows with views of Nanga Parbat Massif (the 9th highest peak in the world). Travel by Jeep to Tattu village, where the hiking trail to Fairy Meadows begins. This is a well established trail through an enchanting forest. 

Fairy Meadows

Tag 14: Challenge yourself at Nanga Parbat base camp

Today you have the option to relax, take a gentle hike to the settlement of Beyal (four-hour round-trip) or challenge yourself to reach Nanga Parbat base camp (eight-hour round trip). This is the easiest access to the base camp of an 8,000m peak.

Kachura

Tag 15: Travel to Kachura Lakes

Today you will travel to Shigar valley, driving along a beautiful route surrounded by high peaks. Once you have arrived at the beautiful alpine lake of lower Kachura Lake and settled into your hotel you have the option to relax, hike to upper Kachura lake, or for those interested go boating and fish for trout. 

Khaplu

Tag 16: Visit the Kharpocho fort before heading to Khaplu

In the morning visit the historic Kharpocho fort and continue on a beautiful drive to Khaplu. Later visit the 18th-century Khaplu Khanqah and the 14th-century Chaqchan Mosque. Before arriving at a beautiful restored palace where you will spend the night. 

Shigar

Tag 17: Sleep soundly in the historic Shigar Fort

Drive to Shigar Valley where we will stay at the historic Shigar Fort. Today is for relaxing and in the evening you can visit a private hot spring.

Taxila - Islamabad

Tag 18: Fly to Islamabad

After a morning at leisure take an afternoon flight to Islamabad. Once you have checked into your hotel you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taxila. An important Buddhist center from 5th century BC to 6th Century AD, Taxila museum is famous for its magnificent collection of Gandhara Art. 

Islamabad

Tag 19: Explore Islamabad's local cultures and customs

After a relaxed morning, visit some of the sights in Islamabad, including Faisal Mosque and the National Institute of Folk Heritage. You will have time to buy local handicrafts and discover more on a tour about local carpet making. The evening will be spent at a celebration dinner.

Islamabad Airport

Tag 20: Goodbye Pakistan!

Today, a driver will meet you at your hotel to transfer you to the airport. Safe travels!