Domestic Packages

Day 01:
Islamabad
Arrival at Islamabad airport, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel, Pm city sightseeing of Islamabad We Will begin at the old city of Rawalpindi, At the raja (king) bazaars will allow us to catch traditional craftsmen at work. We will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities – Murree Road – before arriving at the gleaming new capital. We pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas – a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. We will then stop at the Shakar Parian, ” Sweet Hills” to catch a bird’s eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque, which is the landmark of Islamabad. Overnight at the hotel.(Breakfast only)

Day 02:
Islamabad – Taxila – Swat
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Swat en route visitng Taxila. Taxila, situated 35 miles from Rawalpindi, was once the seat of Oriental culture. It was first mentioned as a satrapy of the Archemenian Empire in 6th century B.C. It was invaded by Alexander the Great and passed along to other rulers un till finally reaching the hands of Ashoka the Great, who moulded the city into a center of learning. The creative Gandha ra period followed shortly thereafter and Taxila remained the center of learning, philosophy and art. It came to a disastrous and pathetic end when sacked by the White Huns. Today, Taxila is an archaeologist’s paradise: there is a well – maintained museum here and eight sites scattered around a very short radius. Amongst the best preserved are Sirkap, Jaulian (the University). Arrive at Swat and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 03:
Swat – Madyan / Behrain – Swat
Breakfast at the hotel. AM Visit Jahanabad and Madyan/ Bahrain. 35 miles north of Saidu Sharif is the charming town of Madyan, lying at an elevation of 4336 ft. The town borders the Swat River and trout fishing is a favorite pastime. 6 miles further north is the town of Bahrain, whose precarious wire bridge and fabulous woodcarving makes it a must. PM visit Butkara/ Saidu stupas/ Museum and Bazzar. Butkara – the remains of one of the most important Buddhist shrines in the valley. This site consists of a main stupa around which jostle 215 votive stupas in apparently glorious disarray. The main stupa was believed to contain some ashes of Lord Buddha and to have been built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It is difficult to imagine it as it must have been once, all painted and gilded and topped by stone umbrellas. You can still see the statue of lions crouching on their haunches. They probably fell off the tops of the tall columns which once stood near the stupa. Then you will visit Mingo ra Bazaar, which is the commercial center well – worth visiting, for there you will find emeralds for which Swat is famous. Then continue to Murghazar here you will behold the old white palace constructed from white marble and adorned with ornate carvings. The Museum in Saidu Sharif has a large collection of Gandharan sculptures collected from some of the buddhist sites in Swat.In the ethnographic section there is some local embroidery, carved wood and tribal jewelry. There are also a few coins on display. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 04:
Swat – Nimogram / Udegram – Swat
Breakfast at the hotel. AM Visit Nimogram. Nimogram is impressive, and the drive there both beautiful and archaeologically interesting. Nimogram is unique in that it has three main stupas, one of Buddha he teacher, one for Dharma (the Buddhist doctrine) and one for Sangha (the Buddhist Order), the three principles, or jewels, of Buddhism. Surrounding the main stupas are a number of votive stupas, and nearby is an unexcavated monastery site. Much superb sculpture was found at Nimogram, most of which is now in the Swat Museum at Saidu Sharif. PM visit Udigram.The site of countless battles fought or control of the Swat Valley. The town flourished from the 4th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D., and harbored the armies of Alexander the Great, Mahmud of Ghazni and Raja Gira. Overnight at the hotel.(Breakfast only)

Day 05:
Swat – Takhtbai – Peshawar
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Peshawar en route visiting Takhtbai. Shahbaz Gadi is 40 miles from Peshawar on the ancient route to India. Here lie the ruins of a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 2nd century B.C. A few miles further on lie the ruins of another monastery, Takht-Bahi, situated 500 feet high on a rocky spur. This site, dating back to 45 A.D. has produced sculptures in stone and stucco that are uniquely arranged on small shrines that surround the main stupa. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.(Breakfast only)

Day 06:
Peshawar – Lahore
Breakfast at the hotel. AM city sightseeing tour of Peshawar. We begin by visiting the rich museum of Peshawar, which houses treasures of the Gandhara period. Proceed to old Peshawar through the Kabuli Gate – one of the sixteen – to the Qissa Khawani bazaar, “the street of story tellers”, and witness unusual and unforgettable sights. We will also visit the coppersmith’s bazaar, which flourished from the 1st century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. Continue to Mahabat Khan’s mosque, built in 1670 by the Governor of Peshawar under Moghal Emperor Shah Jahan. Our tour will pass by Balar Hisar Fort, built by Babar in 1526 – 30, and rebuilt by Hari Singh Nalva, under the guidance of French engineers in 1830. PM transfer to the airport for your flight to Lahore. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel (Breakfast only)

Day 07:
Lahore
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day city sightseeing tour of Lahore. Our tour includes visit to Lahore Fort, a marvel of Moghal architecture begun in the 11 th century and completed finally by the end of the 16th century. Amongst the Emperors who contributed to its splendor are Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. We will visit the beautiful palace of Mirrors, Shah Jahan’s Quadrangle and the Pearl Mosque. Overlooking the Fort is the Badshahi mosque – the world’s largest – and it is our next stop. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. Pakistan’s famous poet-philosopher, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, lies buried outside the mosque. We will drive to the National Museum which contains one of the finest collections of Buddhist Art from the Gandhara period.Here one is able to view the original Fasting Buddha statue. In front of the museum is the Zam – Zama, the gun immortalized by Rudyard Kipling and the campus of the Punjab University. We will also visit the Town Hall, a yellow building with bulbous silver domes. We drive through Lahore’s crowded streets to the Shalimar Gardens, designed by Ali Mardan of Persia and set out in the Persian style with marble pavilions, a marble waterfall and more than 400 fountains in an area of 42 acres. Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of this “Garden of Heaven” in 1642. Next we proceed to the Anarkali Bazaar, named after a pretty dancer named Anarkali who was put to death by Emperor Akbar for having an affair with Prince Salim,who later became Emperor Jehangir. We will also visit Wazir Khan’s Mosque, constructed under the stewardship of the Governor in 1643, and Jahangir’s tomb. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 01:
Islamabad
Arrive in Islamabad to be met by our representative & transferred to the hotel. Afternoon proceed for city sightseeing of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. We will begin at the old city of Rawalpindi, at the Raja (King) Bazaar. A stop in the silver and gold bazaars will allow us to catch traditional craftsmen at work. We will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities – Murree Road – before arriving at the gleaming new capital. We pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas – a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. We will then stop at the Shakar Parian, ” Sweet Hills” to catch a bird’s eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the landmark of Islamabad. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 02:
Islamabad – Besham
Breakfast at the hotel. AM at leisure. PM Drive to Besham. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Arriving at Besham we are at the bottom edge of Indus valley with alluring view of the lion river and the famous road known as the Karakoram Highway(KKH)which also is dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world. The stretch of our journey from Besham to Thakot is just a little glimpse of the wonders and awe inspiring values that this road has in store for its Travels who take their journey with it on upstream direction. Overnight at the hotel.(Breakfast only)

Day 03:
Besham – Gilgit
After breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gilgit. Arrive at Gilgit and transfer to the hotel.GILGIT: For the adventure- loving tourist, be he a hiker, angler, art lover, mountaineer or polo enthusiast , or be he merely interested in exotic people and their lifestyles, there are a few places in the world that can be compared to Gilgit. Gilgit is an old tribal town that acted as a rest stop for weary Travels on the Silk Route – the famous road from China to the Arabian sea. It has flourished over the centuries, lying practically unmolested by the teeming herds of conquerors. Gilgit is located in the heart of the Karakoram range, surrounded by lofty peaks, the most majestic being Rakaposhi. Gilgit is both accessible by road and by air; the road, newly constructed along the path of the ancient Silk Route, is an unforgettable journey through winding valleys and tumbling waterfalls. By air, the PIA flight follows the Kunhar river as it winds through the Kaghan valley, and beyond that it follows a narrow cleft in the mountains before alighting at Gilgit. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 04:
Gilgit – Hunza
Breakfast at the hotel Half day Baghrot excursion The unspoiled valley of Bagrot lies 35 kilometers from Gilgit, and is one of the ancient villages of the valley where the culture of the Shina people remains as pure as the climate of majestic Karakorum. The village itself is situated near a marvelous glacier which links Bagrot mountains with Rakaposhi (mother of the mountains).The local people and some historians say that the culture of Gilgit originated here and then spread to other parts of the Gilgit valley. The people of Bagrot are simple village folk who welcome any and all visitors with traditional hospitality. PM drive to Hunza.Arrival and transfer to the hotel.Karimabad is the delightful old capital of the Hunza Kingdom. From Karimabad, with its souvenir shop, post office and tea shop, yo u can obtain a magnificent view of the valley laid out below you and of the peaks behind. The Aliabad / Karimabad area is sprinkled with wild flowers and blossoming fruit orchards. We will spend half our day in these two towns enloying he greenery and delighting in the sound of babbling brooks. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 05:
Karimabad
Before sunrise drive by jeep to the view point called Duikar for a panoramic view of the Hunza Valley at Sunrise. Duikar is a small village situated above Altit Village at a height of approximately 3000 meters. from where you can get a beautiful view of the whole Hunza valley and all surrounding peaks as well as Hoper Glacier. Its distance from Karimabad is about 8 Kms, which is approximately a half an hour drive. Have a breakfast up there and drive back to Karimabad. PM city sightseeing of Hunza. BALTIT: Baltit fort was the old palace of the Mirs of Hunza and was inhabited until 1960. It is about 400 years old. Baltit is a curious rambling old place, four stories high, sturdily built of stones, sun – dried mud and timber. Baltit is built on a cliff edge; behind it is a ravine and then the Ultar glacier glinting in the sunshine. The architecture here, as at Altit Fort, reflects a Tibetan influence . The local people say that a Princess of Baltistan married a reigning Mir and brought with her Balti masons, carpenters and craftsmen to build Baltit and Altit as part of her dowry. In the ‘museum room’ are coats of mail, weapons and the warning drums that sounded the alarm in an attack. The view from the top of the fort is well worth the climb. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)

Day 06:
Hunza – Chilas
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Chilas. Arrive at Chilas and transfer to the hotel CHILAS: Chilas was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India and on the Indus trail of Besham, and many rock engravings were left by trave lers in this area. Chilas is standing under the shadow of world famous Nanga Parbat. Overnight at the hotel.(Breakfast only)

Day 07:
Chilas – Islamabad
Breakfast at the hotel and drive from Chilas to Islamabad. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Farewell dinner after all the fun and excitement. Its time to say good bye to each other with a wish to meeting again at some other Walji’s tour program in future. Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 08:
Islamabad
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for your home bound flight. (Breakfast only)