Day 01: April 03, 2020: Arrive Karachi

We are welcomed upon arrival at Karachi Airport and transferred to our hotel. Hotel checkin starts from 1400 hrs. Balance of the day is free however those wishing to visit the local Jamatkhana a complimentary round trip transfer to one local Jamatkhana will be provided.  Transport will depart the hotel at 630PM.

Overnight: Movenpick Hotel, Karachi (3 nights)

Day 02: April 04, 2020: Karachi

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we start exploring Karachi. Our morning tour starts with visit to the Defense Mosque with the world’s largest concrete shell dome. Continue to Clifton beach free time for optional camel rides and then on to the huge marble mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah – the founder of Pakistan. Jinnah was of Ismaili ancestry. Next is the historical National Museum housing a rich collection of the over 5000 years Indus Valley along with Gandhara artifacts. From here we visit the popular Saddar Bazaar. After some rest time at the hotel, we visit the Aga Khan University Hospital and if time permits a local Jamatkhana followed by a welcome dinner at Kolachi/BBQ Tonight restaurant. (B, D)

Day 03: April 05, 2020: Karachi & Thatta

Today is a day into the medieval history around Karachi. We start with a visit of Chaukindi to see an interesting 300 years old necropolis. At Bhambore a short distance off the main road we will see the ancient port of the Indus River – could be the site where Alexander the great sent his navy (around 330 BC) to find where the Indus River meets the Indian Ocean.  Continue further to Thatta and Makli Hills where we will see some amazing carvings and designs in flora and geometric forms dating back to the 15th century AD. Thatta & Makli are one of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan. We will also see the magnificent Shah Jehan Mosque. Box lunch before returning to Karachi. (B, L)

Day 04: April 06, 2020: Karachi/Multan (flight)

Morning will be spent in continuing our tour of Karachi visiting some of the many attractions it offers before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Multan where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Multan is amongst the oldest cities in the Indian subcontinent and is known as the city of Sufi Saints. How old is Multan? Well you can make your guess – one hint is that it is said that Alexander the great encountered a serious wound at the battle for Multan. Free time to visit the local Jamatkhana where most of the Ismailis are from the Punjab region. Enjoy Multani cuisine for dinner.

Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Multan (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: April 07, 2020: Excursion Uch Sharif

Today we visit the outskirts of Multan including Uch Sharif founded by Alexander. This is an area that was popular with Sufi saints. Whilst visiting other historical sites we will also visit the mausoleum of Pir Hassan Kabirudeen and time permitting, also that of Pir Sadardeen.  Most structures we see today have distinct Central Asian influence. Returning to Multan we visit the tomb of Rukhn-e-Alam where often in the evenings there are gatherings of Sufi disciples. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 06: April 08, 2020: Multan/Islamabad (flight)

Multan was one of the most important trading centres of medieval Islamic India, and attracted a multitude of Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries, earning the nickname as the City of Saints. Amongst the most well known sites include the Tomb of Shah Rukhn-e-Alam (recipient of the Aga Khan Architecture Award in the 1981-83 cycle), the tomb of Shah Shams Sabzwari Tabrez – a wellknown personality in Ismaili history; Hazrat Bahudin Zakriya and the Multan Old Fort.  We then take a short flight to Islamabad where we are met and transferred to our hotel in Rawalpindi – the twin city to Islamabad. Evening we visit a local Jamatkhana followed by dinner.

Overnight: Pearl Continental, Rawalpindi (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: April 09, 2020: Islamabad/Gilgit (flight)* or Gilgit/Chilas (Drive)

An exciting day ahead as we take a scenic flight to Gilgit (weather dependent*). The flight to Gilgit is considered to be one of the most scenic flights in the world viewing the Himalayas and the Karakorum mountains in close proximity. At Gilgit we are transferred to our hotel.  Gilgit is the entry point to the famous Northern Areas of Pakistan known as one of the most beautiful regions of the world. It is here that the Himalayas and the Karakorum mountains meet. Afternoon, we tour the town of Gilgit including the Silk Road bazaars and if we are lucky, we will also witness a horse polo match at the Aga Khan Polo Grounds. Evening we visit the local Jamatkhana, an interesting experience, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Serena Hotel, Gilgit (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 08: April 10, 2020: Gilgit or Chilas/Gilgit (Drive)

Morning visit the rock carvings at Kargah which shows signs that Gilgit was also a part of the Silk Road. Subject to availability we will also see some of the AKDN & CIDA projects and understand the impact it has made on the lives of the local people. The Aga Khan Rural Support Program is considered to be one of the larger projects and the most successful one. Balance of the day is free. Evening dinner at a local restaurant and we may also arrange a meeting with members of the local Jamat. (B, D)

Day 09: April 11, 2020: Gilgit/Hunza (Drive)

Morning we take a scenic 3 hours drive to Karimabad, capital of the Hunza Valley, the inspiration for Shangri-La! The drive will take us through various small towns most of which are inhabited 100% by Ismailis. We will have stops to see the majestic sites on the Karakorum (black) mountains. Upon arrival at Karimabad we are transferred to our hotel. In this area Jamtkhanas are identified with the Ismaili flag fluttering on a daily basis. As we turn our head around we will see lots of such buildings across the valley.  PM walking tour of Karimabad where we will have opportunity at making acquaintances with the local Ismaili folks and then end with a visit to the local Jamatkhana. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Serena Hotel, Hunza (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: April 12, 2020: Hunza

Very few places in the world compare with this small mountainous region where the ruling dynasty of Hunza having lasted for over 600 years. The scenic beauty of this area, with its greenery and snow-capped mountains, makes it a true paradise. During the summer there is an abundance of apricots, peaches, pears and grapes. Hunza lies on the ancient trade route to Kashgar in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. Hunza is probably most famous for the longevity of its people, due to their simplicity and natural diet, along with the unpolluted mountain air. Tibetan traders referred to the beauty of this humble paradise as "Shangri-La". The tour will include meeting with local folks, learning the secrets of their longevity visiting some of the important historical sites including the Baltit Fort and the Ganesh watch Tower. Currently it serves as a Fort Museum with a collection of exhibit of artifacts and local musical instruments. The fort was restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. We then visit Nagar village and Hoper, which offers an incredible view of some of the highest peaks in the Hunza and Nagar valleys. Most people in Nagar are not of Ismaili origin. Later we visit the majestic Eagle’s Nest. Evening a Hunza dinner at a local Karimabad restaurant. (B, D)

Day 11: April 13, 2020: Hunza/Chilas (Drive)

Drive on the majestic Karakorum Highway (KKH) to Chilas. Enroute we will see many more mountain peaks including Nanga Parbat (literally meaning, “The Naked Peak”) and is part of the Himalayan range and is the world’s 9th highest mountain. The Northern Areas of Pakistan houses over 37 of the worlds hundred highest peaks. Evening we visit the rock carvings on the Indus River and enjoy our time at the Midway Shangri-la Hotel. Dinner will be alongside the Indus River.

Overnight: Shangrila Midway, Chilas (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: April 14, 2020: Chilas/Besham/Swat (Drive)

Continue on the KKH with beautiful scenery and cross the enchanting Shangla Pass to enter the Swat Valley at Besham. This is perhaps the most beautiful site on the Karakorum Highway. We stop at various photogenic points before reaching the town of Saidu Shariff in the Swat Valley. Transfer to our hotel. Swat is where not only Alexander but also Moghul founder Babur and Mahmood of Ghaznavi fought some of their fiercest battles here. Evening a walk through tour of this town followed by dinner.

Overnight: Serena Hotel, Saidu Shariff, Swat  (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: April 15, 2020: Swat

Morning tour the Swat Valley and Mingora. Mingora is the commercial area of Swat Valley with popular bazaars. At Mingora we also visit the place where the Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yusufzai was born. Malala is one of six persons who is honoured with the Honorary Citizen of Canada. We trace her history and visit other sites including the place where Winston Churchill served as a soldier during World War 1.  Mingora is well known for handicrafts, woolen shawls and leather works and we will have time at the colorful bazaar. Evening dinner at a local restaurant in Saidu Shariff-Mingora. (B, D)

Day 14: April 16, 2020: Swat/Taxila/Islamabad

From Swat we drive to Taxila – an ancient city on the Indus that was influenced by Persia, Greece and Central Asia and which, from the 5th century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D., was an important Buddhist centre of learning.  The history of Taxila spans over a thousand years - from 500 BC to 500 AD. The Taxila Museum reflects the original culture and tradition of the old Gandhara Civilization. From here we continue to Shakarparian (sweet hills) Gardens from where we get a panoramic view of Islamabad. We visit the Lok Virsa Museum housing a fascinating array of traditional handicrafts including embroidered costumes, old jewelry and intricate woodcarvings. We then drive past various modern streets and buildings – gracefully designed in Islamic architecture. The Islamabad portion of the tour culminates at one of the world’s largest mosque - Shah Faisal Mosque. The architecture has a blend of the Ottoman minarets. From here we return to Rawalpindi and visit this much older town including the historical Raja Bazaar. Time permitting we visit the local Jamatkhana. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Pearl Continental, Rawalpindi (1 night) (B, D)

Day 15: April 17, 2020: Islamabad/Lahore (Drive)

Morning we take a leisurely drive on the modern National Highway to Lahore. As we approach this 2nd largest city of Pakistan we take a diversion to see the Shalamar Gardens the first of the Mogul Gardens in the subcontinent and also the venue of the 1st Aga Khan Architecture Award (1980). After seeing the gardens we drive to Wagah border to witness, from the Pakistan side, the flag lowering ceremony at the Pakistan-India border which has been highlighted by many TV channels including the BBC & CNN. Truly, an interesting and intensive ceremony to see. From here we continue to Lahore. Optional visit to the local Jamatkhana. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Pearl Continental, Lahore (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 16: April 18, 2020: Lahore

Today it is our day at Lahore to see the most culturally rich city in the subcontinent and still has a reflection of the times of Babur the Moghul who played a huge role in making it to what it is today. Our full day tour starts with the Lahore Museum where lies the status of the “Fasting Buddha”. This will be followed by the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort with its Naulakha Pavilion and Shishmahal, followed by the Old City and Anarkali’s bazaar, the incredible Golden and Wazir Khan mosques.  We end the tour with a visit to the Kashmiri Bazaar. Evening is a visit to the local Jamatkhana followed by a farewell dinner at the popular Havelli/Fort View Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 17: April 19, 2020: Depart Lahore

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free. All good things come to an end and so also with this tour. Hotel check out time is 12noon. You will be provided transfer to the airport for your departure. Optional extensions available please call for details. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum group size of 14 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
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