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CULTURE
Civilizations & Culture
The Indus River region is
known as a cradle of civilization. The Indus Civilization developed
around 3,000 BC and flourished for a period of about fifteen hundred
years. The Aryans, who arrived from Central Asia around 1,700 BC,
displacing the Indus Civilization and bringing Hinduism to the region.
1200 years later, the Aryans yielded in turn to the armies of Cyrus the
Great, and the Indus region became a part of his Achaemenid Persian
empire. The next conqueror to arrive was Alexander the Great, who passed
through the Khyber Pass in 326 BC. It was Ashoka who, in an act of
remorse for the suffering caused by his many conquests, brought Buddhism
to Pakistan (and to much of Asia). The Mauryans were then succeeded by
the Bactrians, the Saka (Scythian nomads), the Parthians, and, in the
2nd century AD, by the Kushans. Kanishka. Early in the 16th century,
Pakistan became part of the Mughal Empire. By the early 19th century,
the Sikhs had consolidated their power. Sikhs were defeated by the
English ruled up to 1940.
PAKISTAN:
 Pakistan
stands in a slating position like a running loin
on the world glob in between 60 to 70 longitude and 20 to 25 multitude.
In the north there is Wakhan Corridor, in the east there is China, in
the south east lies India, in the south there is Arabian See, in the
west lies Iran and Afghanistan.
CLIMATE:
A very nice climate is blessed to Pakistan. The summer is very charming and very
pleasant in Northern Pakistan and winter is cold. similarly summer is very hot and winter
is very pleasant in Southern Pakistan. According to the climatic conditions of the country
tourism can easily be continued round the year in Pakistan. On the basis of climatic
conditions of the country the following operational program is arranged by the Karakorum
Explorers:-
1 - Operational Programs in Northern Areas:
(Summer holidays) Commencing from April to end of 2nd week of October.
2 - Operational Programs in Southern Pakistan:
(Winter Holidays) commencing from 2nd week of October to end of march.
Exceptionally Hunza valley is very different and attractive in two short seasons:
(these seasons come for a short period of 15 days only).
NORTHERN PAKISTAN:
Northern area is the hub of the worlds
greatest mountain chains, K2 and Concordia, Chitral and the Hindukush, Rakaposhi and the beautiful
Hunza valley with its friendly people, Nanga Parbat and the Himalayas, all names quicken
the pulse of those who love mountains and their people. Northern Pakistan is blessed with the greatest mass of high mountains
concentration of lofty peaks on earth. With in a small area, lie 100 mountain peaks above
7000 meters, five of which are above 8000 meters.
K-2 (8611 m), Nanga Parbat (8125 m)
Gasherbrum I (8068 m), Broad Peak (8047 m)
Gasherbrum II ( 8035 m), and the longest glaciers out side polls on earth, where the mighty
Himalaya, Karakorum, Pamir and Hindukush all meet.
 Most of the areas where the tourist are stall relatively new phenomenon.
There was a time when accessibility to these remote areas was beyond the human image and
was totally in a natural lock-up due to lack of roads and communication. It is on record
that when the British India Govt. under the command of Col. Durand moved its forces to
conquer the small kingdoms of Hunza and Nagar, in 1889.
It faced great trouble and difficulties while moving through the gorges with their
equipment towards Hunza. The journey was so difficult that a solder got Victoria Cross
the British highest military gallantry award in this small battle. The story is very long
and there is no place to mention here. However, after construction of the 8th wonder
of the world, "The Karakorum Highway" in 1976, now the accessibility to these
areas is very easy.
SOUTHERN
PAKISTAN:
We can avail and enjoy the cultural tours ,jeep safaris and hunting programs in
Southern Pakistan. The best season for Southern Pakistan starts from October to 1st
week of April.
Through this program we can enjoy from the Khyber Pass the ancient gate way to the sub
continent in north west of Pakistan to the shores of Arabian sea in south-west of
Pakistan.
Lahore:
Lahore is the heart, culture center of Pakistan and Paris of Asia. Winter is very
pleasant in Lahore. In the yellow sun you can enjoy and explore by visiting the historical
places in Lahore, without feeling any whom or cold.
Cholistan:
Cholistan is famous for
its camel safaris. Winter is the best season to explore Cholistan. During summer it is
very hot.
ITINERARY
|
Day |
1 |
Arrival Multan. |
|
Day |
2 - 3 |
Multan / Bahawalpur / Lal Suhanra. |
|
Day |
4 - 10 |
Lal Suhanra / Cholistan Desert Camel Safari.
|
|
Day |
11 |
Bagh-o-Bahar / Ouch / Panjnad. |
|
Day |
12 |
Panjnad / Multan. |
|
Day |
13 |
Fly to onwards destination. |
INDUS CIVILIZATION TOUR
PERIOD INVOLVED - 19 DAYS
Pakistan has great potential for historical and archaeological sites from the Arabian
Sea Shore in the south to Khunjerab Pass in the upper north most of Pakistan. It starts
from Mohenjodaro (the mound of the dead) from Sind to Harappa in Punjab and
Gandhara
Civilization in Taxila and Swat in NWFP and so many in carvings discovered in various
location on Karakorum Highway to the North.
Mohenjodaro and Harappa are the world’s
oldest Civilizations dating as for back as 2000 BC and it is preceded in age only by the
Egyptian and Mesopotamian.
ITINERARY
|
Day |
1 - 2 |
Arrival Karachi. |
|
Day |
3 |
Karachi / Moenjodaro / Sukkar. |
|
Day |
4 - 6 |
Sukkar / Bahawalpur / Lal Suhanra.
|
|
Day |
7 |
Lal Suhanra / Multan. |
|
Day |
8 |
Multan / Lahore. |
|
Day |
9 - 11 |
Lahore / Peshawar. |
|
Day |
12 |
Peshawar / Swat. |
|
Day |
13 |
Swat / Chilas. |
|
Day |
14 |
Chilas / Gilgit |
|
Day |
15 - 16 |
Gilgit / Islamabad. |
|
Day |
17 - 18 |
Islamabad. |
|
Day |
19 |
Transfer to International Airport for fly to onwards destination. |
SWAT
CHITRAL HUNZA TOUR (15 Days)
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Arrive Islamabad,
transfer to nearby hotel for breakfast and then drive to
Peshawar, hotel. Afternoon city tour. |
| Day |
2 |
Morning day trip to
Khyber Pass, afternoon city tour of Peshawar, hotel. |
| Day |
3 |
Fly to Chitral
(weather permitting), if flight cancelled drive to Dir, hotel. |
| Day |
4 |
In Chitral or drive
Dir to Chitral, hotel. |
| Day |
5 |
Day trip to Kalash
valleys, overnight hotel in Chitral. |
| Day |
6 |
Drive to Mingora
(Swat), hotel. |
| Day |
7 |
In Mingora. |
| Day |
8 |
Drive to Chilas,
hotel. |
| Day |
9 |
Drive to
Karimabad, hotel. |
| Day |
10 |
In Karimabad. |
| Day |
11 |
Drive to Khunjerab
Pass and back to Gulmit, overnight hotel in Gulmit. |
| Day |
12 |
Drive to Gilgit,
hotel. |
| Day |
13 |
Fly to Islamabad
(weather permitting), if flight cancelled drive to Besham,
hotel. |
| Day |
14 |
Free day in
Islamabad if flown or drive Besham to Islamabad, hotel. |
| Day |
15 |
Transfer to
airport for flight to onward destination. |
LAHORE
HUNZA PESHAWAR TOUR (13 Days)
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Arrive Lahore,
transfer to Hotel for breakfast and panoramic visit of Lahore,
fly to Islamabad, transfer to hotel. |
| Day |
2 |
Panoramic visit of
the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi, hotel. |
| Day |
3 |
Drive on the
Karakorum Highway to Chilas, hotel. |
| Day |
4 |
Drive to Gilgit,
hotel. Afternoon sightseeing. |
| Day |
5 |
Drive to Hunza
Karimabad, hotel. Afternoon visit Altit and Baltit forts, the
old residence of the Mir (governor) of Hunza. |
| Day |
6 |
In Karimabad,
hotel. |
| Day |
7 |
Day trip to Passu
glacier and back to Gulmit, hotel. |
| Day |
8 |
Drive to Chilas on
the Karakorum Highway, hotel. |
| Day |
10 |
Drive to Saidu
Sharif over the Shangla Pass and enter into the Swat valley.
Visit the Bahrain Bazaar and drive along the Swat river to
Mingora / Saidu Sharif, transfer to Hotel. Visit Mingora Bazaar,
Butkara & Saidu Stupas. |
| Day |
11 |
Drive to Peshawar
over the Malakand Pass, on arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon
visit Qissa Khwani bazaar (The story tellers bazaar). |
| Day |
12 |
In the morning
excursion to Khyber Pass(subject to government permission), the
gateway to the subcontinent. Transfer to Islamabad overnight in
hotel. |
| Day |
13 |
Transfer to
airport for flight to onward destination. |
LAHORE
SWAT TOUR (07 Days)
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Arrive Lahore , transfer to
Hotel. Later visit the Lahore. Visit Moguls monuments, Shalimar
Bagh (Garden), built by the mogul emperor Shah Jehan, mosque of
Wazir Khan in Old city. Afternoon visit the bazaar of Anarkali.
Dinner in a "Salt n Pepper" a typical village restaurant, hotel. |
| Day |
2 |
In the morning visit the
Lahore fort, Badshahi mosque and museum. In the
evening transfer to airport for flight to Islamabad. On arrival
transfer to Hotel. |
| Day |
3 |
In the morning visit the
capital of Islamabad. Visit Daman-e-Koh, Faisal mosque. Drive to
Taxila and visit museum, ruins of the cities of Bhirmound,
Surkup and Sursukh. Continue drive to Attock. Picnic lunch at
Attock the point of confluence between Indus and Kabul rivers.
Crossing Kabul river soon entered into Mardan district where we
visit the Buddhist Monastery of Takht-i-Bhai. Crossing over the
Malakand pass we reached Mingora, enroute we’ll see the
Churchill picket and Shingerdar Stupa. On arrival, transfer to
hotel. |
| Day |
4 |
Excursion to Murghzar Palace
Islampur. Visit Saidu museum, Butkara & Saidu stupas. hotel |
| Day |
5 |
Day trip to Kalam (upper
Swat), enroute visit Madyan, Bahrain Bazaar. Overnight hotel in
Mingora. |
| Day |
6 |
Drive back to Islamabad,
hotel. |
| Day |
7 |
Transfer to airport for flight
to onward destination. |
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR (08 Days)
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Arrive Karachi,
hotel. |
| Day |
2 |
KARACHI (City Tour) |
| Day |
3 |
Morning fly to
Moenjodaro, visit Moenjodaro archaeological sites and in
the afternoon fly back to Karachi, hotel. |
| Day |
4 |
Fly to Lahore,
Afternoon city tour. |
| Day |
5 |
Drive to Harappa,
visit Harappa remains and in the afternoon drive back to
Lahore, hotel. |
| Day |
6 |
Morning city tour
of Lahore, in the evening fly to Islamabad, hotel. |
| Day |
7 |
Day trip to
Taxila, visit museum Julian Monastery, Sirkap and Dharmarajika
stupa, overnight hotel in Islamabad. |
| Day |
8 |
Transfer to
airport for flight to onward destination. |
SWAT
PESHAWAR LAHORE TOUR (09 Days)
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Arrive Islamabad,
transfer to hotel. City Tour of twin cities Rawalpindi and
Islamabad. |
| Day |
2 |
Day trip to Taxila
and back to Rawalpindi, hotel. |
| Day |
3 |
Drive to Mingora
Swat over the Malakand Pass, hotel. |
| Day |
4 |
Day trip to Kalam,
overnight in Mingora. |
| Day |
5 |
Saidu Sharif,
hotel. |
| Day |
6 |
Drive to Peshawar,
afternoon city tour. |
| Day |
7 |
Day trip to Khyber
Pass, in the afternoon Peshawar city tour. |
| Day |
8 |
Fly to Lahore,
afternoon city tour. |
| Day |
9 |
Morning Lahore
city tour, afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to
onward destination. |
HUNZA
PANORAMA (8 Days)
Experience the confluence of the highest
mountain ranges of the world: Karakoram,
Himalayas and Hindukush. Travel overland on
Karakoram Highway, reputed as 8th wonder of the
world, through the dramatic, deep gorge of
Indus: the Lion river. Spend a few days in
Hunza inhabited by Ismaeli Muslims and known
for longevity of its inhabitants. Walk to the
glaciers flowing down from the soaring peaks.
ITINERARY
| Day |
1 |
Morning flight to the
Islamabad. At Islamabad airport you will be received by a
Karakorum Explorers representative with your transport for the
tour. From Islamabad drive 28 km to Taxila, the capital of
Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is reputed as one of the most
important archaeological sites of sub-continent. We visit the
ruins of a former city (Sirkup), a former monastery (Julian)
built on top of a hill and the splendid site museum that
contains the artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here
one could also see the Gold and Silver coins of Alexander The
Great (326 BC) and local kings. After lunch proceed drive
towards the Karakoram High passing through the lush green
valleys of Mansehra District, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of
the valley. Karakoram High way is the joint effort of Pakistan
and China. Its completion took 20 years. 300 Chinese and 600
Pakistanis sacrificed their lives for the completion of this
road. Overnight at Motel. (4/5 hours, 200 km) |
| Day |
2 |
Early morning drive to Gilgit
the capital city of Northern areas of Pakistan. At Thakot, we
cross Chinese made bridge to enter the gorge of Indus river. For
centuries this branch of Silk Route was used by the traders and
Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites of that
time: Shatial rock carving is one of them. Lunch in Chilas, we
stop at Thalichi for the best view point of Nanga Parbat
(8,125m) the 9th highest peak of the world and the second
highest after K 2 in Pakistan, also known as the killer
mountain. Rakaposhi (7,788m) and the Haramosh range can also be
viewed from here. As we drive north we arrive at the meeting
point of the mountain rages. The three highest mountain ranges
of the world Karakoram , Himalayas and Hindukush meet where
Indus river is joined by Gilgit river. We continue along Gilgit
river, overnight at Hotel. (9/10 hours, 320 km) |
| Day |
3 |
We drive out from Gilgit to
re-enter the town from the historic route, crossing a suspension
bridge over river. At Kargah to visit the rock-carved Buddha
from 7th century AD. In the ancient times the Kargah valley used
to be the traveling route of the Buddhist monks, to go to
Taxila. Stroll down the colorful Bazaars of Gilgit . The tour
will continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza Valley
through a scenic route On our way we see the old Silk Route used
by the Buddhist monks and traders. En route short stay at
Rakaposhi (7,788m) viewpoint. Enter the Hunza valley and arrive
at the capital Karimabad. Overnight at Hotel. (2/3 hours, 110
km) |
| Day |
4 |
Day free in Karimabad for
short walks to ALTIT and BALTIT Forts, and for other
explorations in Hunza Valley The people of Hunza are famous for
their long lives. You can also see some beautiful peaks of
Karakoram range from Karimabad ; Rakaposhi , Diran , Ultar
,Golden peak and the Nagar valley on the left bank of Hunza
river. In Hunza each family grows enough wheat, maize, apricots
and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self
sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone
bowls and growing all their own food. The people are very
friendly and cheerful. In the afternoon you could walk to Ultar
glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village or
stroll through the single lane bazaar for better views of
soaring peaks around you. Overnight at Hotel. |
| Day |
5 |
Short drive through the heart
of Karakoram. We stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of
virgin Gulmit tower. Walk through the village fields to visit
the Polo ground and old houses. Later take a short trek to
Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake. As you end your trek near Borit
Lake, the transport will pick for 15 km drive to Passu. Passu is
a small charming village in the backdrop of soaring Passu Cones,
with Passu and Batura glaciers at short walking distance. Walk
through the village to see the village life. Overnight at Lodge.
(1 hour, 50 km) |
| Day |
6 |
Some 70 years ago Passu used
to be the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad.
The glacier upstream on Hunza river moved down to create a large
dam, that later broke and destroyed the fertile fields and
houses. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley
with village on its right bank. Morning walk to the Passu
glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way). From the snout of
the glacier you have fascinating views of Shispar ( 7,611 m) and
Passu Peak (7,478 m). Walk back to Lodge for lunch. Afternoon
visit to the famous suspension bridges of Passu. These 800 feet
long bridges over Hunza river are still used by the local
people. Overnight at lodge. |
| Day |
7 |
Drive along the bank of Hunza
river on Karakoram Highway, enjoying fascinating views of
Karakoram Peaks from a different angle. We might stop at Gilgit
town for lunch. Arrive Chilas on the bank of Indus river,
overnight at hotel. (260 km, 6/7 hours drive.) |
| Day |
8 |
Full day drive on Karakoram
Highway to Islamabad. We start early in the morning, to cover
the 12 hours long drive. Short stay in Besham for lunch, by
evening we shall reach Islamabad. Transfer to airport for the
flight to home destination. ( 11/12 hours, 500 km) |
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