Chitral is an area of outstanding natural beauty, boasting spectacular mountains which offer endless opportunities for culture, trekking, and climbing. It is also home to a fascinating variety of people, including the non-Muslim Kalash and the semi-nomadic Wakhi. As in Hunza, the people of upper Chitral are Ismaili Muslims and much more open in their outlook.
The Kalash numbering approximately 4500 is the smallest group amongst the religious minorities of Pakistan. Unlike the other minorities, they live exclusively in a particular geographical area; the three valleys of Birir, Rumbur and Bumburet situated in Hindukush between the Afghan border and Chitral Valley, the people called this area as Kafiristan. Until 1896 Kafirstan also included present-day Nuristan in Afghanistan, inhabited by the red Kafirs, whereas the Kalash were called “Black Kafirs”.
The origin and early history of the Kalash’s popular theory is that they are descendants of one Shalak Shaw, a General in the invading army of Alexander the great. Another theory is that the Kalash Originated from Tsiyane a country in the Tibetan belt. They shifted to Afghanistan in the early Christian era. Mahmood of Ghazni pushed them into the narrow valley of Hindu Kush in the 10th century. Until the second half of 14th century the Kalash were dominant throughout the southern Chitral. There were finally subdued by the Rais a ruling family of Chitral by the end of 14th century.
The Kalash believe in God they call “Deziao”. However, their religious practices are a mixture of animism and ancestor worship. There is also a concept of male and female sacred spirits called “Dewalok” who are responsible for different activities and are believed to communicate prayers to Deziao. There is also a concept of pure-impure dualism in Kalash religion. The pure is called ‘Onjesta’- the pure ” while women are considered Pragata- the impure. During childbirth and menstruation, the Kalasha women are secluded and confined to special places called ‘Bashali’. Rare opportunity seized by any tourist to see the colorful Kalash dance is that of a festival day. There are four main festivals of the Kalash people. The spring festival in May to safeguard the shepherds when they go out to pastures, the summer festival of harvest in August, the autumn festival in October to celebrate the grape and walnut harvest and the winter festival in December to welcome the New Year and purity the village.
| 1 | Departure/Return Location | International Airport, Islamabad |
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| 2 | Departure Time | Mountain Range: Hindokush |
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| 3 | Elevation: 2200 | March... |
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| 4 | Duration: 15 Days | Zone: Open |
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Day 1IslamabadArrival at Islamabad international airport
Day 02Peshawarwe will drive for 2 hours to Peshawar and full day city tour of Peshawar will include, Peshawar local markets (story teller’s bazaar & Chowk Yadgar), Mohabat Khan Mosque and Peshawar Museum (best collection of Ancient Gandhara Heritages). Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 03Drive to Swat ValleyDrive to Swat Valley via Maland Pass, en route visit Sri Bahlol takhat bahi (Buddhist Monastery), later we will visit Shingardar stupa and Ghalegay Buddha, Dinner & night stay at hotel.
Day 04Swat ValleyFull day tour of swat Valley include visit Butkada site 1 & 3, Swat Museum, Murghizar (summer palace), weavers village in Islampur and in the evening visit Fizagut. Overnight stay at hotel in Saidu Sharif Swat.
Day 06Kalash ValleyFollowing breakfast, we will drive to Kalash Valley via lowari pass or tunnel. En route we will stop for photography, tea and toilet breaks. We will reach Bumburate village of Kalash around late noon and remaining time; we will have an ample time to walk in Bamburat Village and meet local people.
Day 06Kalash Valley – Bumburate, Birir & RumburToday we will explore one of the three villages of Kalash Valley – Bumburate, Birir & Rumbur. You will be amazed by visiting & meeting Kalash People – form a cultural island where ancient traditions and pagan belief have managed to sustain themselves throughout time, in a land locally called as Kafiristan, the “Land of Non-Believers. In the evening, we will get back to hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Day 07Chitral townwe will drive to Chitral town, visit local market, Shahi mosque and fort (if we get permission) and then we will continue our drive to upper chitral through Boni. We will make several photo stops and we will reach hotel around evening. Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 08Shandur PassThis is an interesting day, as we are crossing Shandur Pass where world highest polo ground is locating and it is the place where wild polo (free style) tournament is playing from July 7 to 9 every year. Certainly, we will have enough time to stop for couple of hours on top to enjoy the nature. After visit, we will drive to Phandar and remaining we will visit a village. Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 09Gilgit & HunzaFor half a day, we will drive along the beautiful rivers of Gilgit & Hunza, one of the most special parts of Pakistan, en route we will visit Kargah Buddha (rock carved), 30 minutes’ walk in Gilgit City to see typical mountain bazaar, visit Karakorum Highway monuments (home village of the founder of Active Tours Pakistan), collision point of Eurasian & Indian plates, viewpoint of Ancient/Historical Silk Road, viewpoint of Rakaposhi Peak (7788m). As we approach Karimabad the peak Rakaposhi (7788m) dominates the sky line to the east. Above Hunza stands the prominent rock spire Bublimating 6000m and the Impressive Ultar peaks. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10Nagar Valley to Hopar villageFull day local visits will include, morning we will drive by 4×4 jeeps through Nagar Valley to Hopar village, is on opposite site of River Hunza, around noon we will drive back to Karimabad, meeting with local folks, understanding the secrets of their longevity and also visit important historical Fort, including the recently renovated, simple yet overpowering, Baltit Fort, around evening we will have water channel walk to experience local life and in the evening we will have time to visit local bazaar walk & shopping.
Day 11Central HunzaEarly morning, we will drive by 4×4 jeeps to Duikar (The highest village in Central Hunza) for sunrise photography.
Day 12Passu village (very traditional village)Following breakfast, we will walk through Passu village (very traditional village) and will meet the most hospitable local people for 1 hour. Later, we will stop at viewpoints of Passu glacier, Passu cathedrals, walk for 2.5 hours to Borit Lake and then we will join again Karakorum Highway and walk for an hour on Hussani suspension bridge.
Day 13Three highest mountain rangesBefore reaching Besham, we will make some interesting photogenic stops at the unique point where three highest mountain ranges, Karakorum, Himalayas and Hindukush meet, view point of Nanga Parbat (9th highest peak of the world) offers breathtaking panorama on behind, ancient graffiti’s at Chilas with the pre-historic rock carving inscription at Shatial, We will check-in at hotel around evening, dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 14Taxila MuseumFollowing breakfast we will drive to Taxila. Most of the Archaeological Sites at Taxila (600 B.C-500 A.D) are located around Taxila Museum. For over 1000 years, Taxila remained famous of as a center of learning in respect of Gandhara Art of Sculpture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 km around Taxila. Some of the most important sites include Dharmarajika, Stupa and Monastery (300 B.C – 200 A.D), Bhir Mound (600-200 B.C) Sirkap (200 B.C – 600 A.D,Jundial Temple (250 B.C), and Julian Monastery (200-600 A.D). After visit, we will continue drive to Islamabad, Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 15Islamabad International airportYou will be transferred to Islamabad International airport to embark home flight. From peace and serenity of Mountains of Pakistan to the hustle and bustles of “modern” trends, you say Khuda Hafiz, the typical farewell, as you depart after a tour into Shangri-La.
Services Include:| Hotel Accommodation on twin sharing basis |
| Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Air-conditioned luxury transport |
| English speaking tour guide |
| Entry fees |
| toll taxes |
| Domestic flights tickets |
| Tips for baggage handling at airport & at hotels |
| Member international flight tickets |
| Member personal insurance and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks, |
| Helicopter emergency rescue fees |
| Room service, personal services, items of a purely personal nature any unforeseen expenses (just like road block extra hotel stay) then members will be pay according to the numbers of days basses |
Kalash Valley Tour, Chitral – Hindukush Trail on Google Maps:
