Pakistan is a country of incredible natural beauty, rich culture, and ancient history, and this 26-day tour itinerary takes you on a journey through some of the country’s most fascinating destinations. From the bustling streets of Karachi to the serene mountains of the Swat Valley, you’ll experience the diversity of Pakistan’s landscapes and people.
Starting in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial hub, you’ll explore its vibrant markets, historic monuments, and cultural institutions. Visit the Mohatta Palace Museum, a stunning example of Indo-Islamic architecture, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. You’ll also wander through the lively Saddar Bazaar and Zainab Market, where you can find everything from textiles to spices.
From Karachi, you’ll travel to Hyderabad, stopping en route at Thatta to visit the Grand Mosque of Shah Jahan and the Historical Monuments at Makli, one of the world’s largest necropolises. In Larkana, you’ll visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi saint, and explore the ancient archaeological site of Mohenjo-Daro, one of the earliest known cities in the world.
Continuing on your journey, you’ll explore the Cholistan desert and Derawar Fort in Bahawalpur, and visit Multan, known as the “City of Saints” for its many tombs and shrines. In Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, you’ll explore its magnificent Mughal architecture, including the Wazir Khan Mosque, Badshahi Mosque, and Lahore Fort. You’ll also visit the Lahore Museum, Pakistan’s largest museum, and attend the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border, a daily ritual that marks the closing of the border between India and Pakistan.
Next, you’ll travel to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city, where you’ll visit the Heritage Museum, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister’s House, the Parliament Building, and the Presidential Palace. You’ll also explore the ancient archaeological site of Taxila and the bustling bazaars of Rawalpindi.
In Peshawar, the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, you’ll visit the Balla Hisar Fort, Namak Mandi, Khyber Bazar, Qissa Khawani Bazar, Chowk Yadgar, and Mohbat Khan Mosque. Continuing on to the Swat Valley, you’ll visit the ancient Buddhist Monastery at Takht-i-Bahi, the historic village of Shahbaz Garhi, and the Mingora Bazar, famous for its crafts and shawls.
This itinerary takes you on a tour of the Swat Valley and Northern Pakistan, visiting a number of historical and cultural sites as well as beautiful natural landscapes. The tour begins in Peshawar and takes you to the Swat Valley via Mardan, where you will visit the ancient Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also see the historic village of Shahbaz Garhi and the 3rd-century Stones of Ashoka, ancient rock inscriptions written in Kharosthi script.
Afterward, you will continue over the Malakand Pass to the Swat Valley, where you will spend the next two days. You will visit the Swat Museum, Saidu Stupa, Budhkara, and the Mingora Bazaar, famous for its crafts and shawls. You will also take a walk to the Jehanabad Buddha and visit the Summer Capital of Wali of Swat Malam Jabba, known for its lush green pine forest and unspoiled nature.
On day 18, you will drive from Malam Jabba to Gilgit via Besham, a town on the Silk Route that connects Pakistan with China. In Gilgit, you will visit Chinar Bagh, Karga Budha, George Hayward Grave, and the Gilgit Bazaar, which trades in all kinds of goods including Pakistani and Chinese goods. You will then continue to Hunza, where you will spend the next two days.
In Hunza, you will visit the ancient Baltit Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage tentative list site, and the local handicraft center by Karakoram Area Development Organization (KADO). You will also visit Karimabad Bazaar for some free time and enjoy a BBQ dinner at Serena Garden (weather permitting).
On day 21, you will head for an excursion to Khunjerab Pass, boarding with China, before returning to the hotel overnight. On day 22, you will drive back to Gilgit and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This itinerary offers a mix of cultural and historical sites, scenic drives, and beautiful natural landscapes.
Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in comfortable accommodations, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and meet friendly locals who will share their stories and traditions with you. With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, Pakistan is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Included/Excluded
- Pakistani Visa assistance and Airport transfers
- Transportation from arrival at Lahore to departure at Islamabad with following settings. Transport at Islamabad and road transfers, for group size 4-5 members, Toyota air-condition van (hi-ace) and for group size 6 +T/L and above will be Toyota air-condition Mini Bus (Toyota Coaster. Transport in the North by 4 x4 Air -conditioned land cruiser (Toyota Land cruiser-Prado TX and TZ, 3 Passengers each vehicle.
- For group size 1-2 there will be 4X4 land cruiser TZ or Toyota Grand cabin van throughout the trip
- Accommodation: As specified in the cost for each town. Best available Hotels in town, on double (sharing) occupancy basis.
- Domestic airfare as per itinerary plus road transfers in case of flight cancelation.
- Meals: American Breakfast – Lunch- Dinner- One (short break) for tea/coffee between 10 -11 AM and evening Tea/ coffee break between 4-5 PM. Mineral water (Nestle or Aqua Fina )during Lunch and Dinner time.
- Mineral water as specified above all daylong including for rooms and all day during the site seeing or travel on the road.
- A picnic box will be carried during the long travel days, with enough snacks , dry fruits, nuts, soft drinks and mineral water.
- Camping at Chitral Gol National Park
- All entry fees to Museums, forts and National Park Areas or any tool taxes, and any other applicable taxes on any service.
- Service of Gov’t licensed, experienced and English speaking guides drivers, any porters needed, any support staff, during the trip.
- Gratitude at hotels, restaurants and at other places during the trip
- Cost for Covid -19 PCR tests and other required documentation for return journey
- Personal Insurance, medication & clothing
- International airfare
- Pakistan visa fees
- En route hotels, meals, ground arrangements and services not noted in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature including but not limited to bottled water in hotels, additional beverages, laundry, room service, and telecommunication, etc.
- Customary end of trip gratuities
- Additional expenses incurred as a result of delays beyond the control
- Any ground arrangements and services not mentioned in the itinerary and list of services included
Tour Plan
Day 1: Karachi
Arrival at Karachi airport and transfer to hotel
Visit Mohatta Palace Museum near Clifton beach
Day 2: Karachi
Visit Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan
Visit National Museum of Pakistan
Visit Saddar Bazaar (Empress Market) & Zainab Market
Day 3: Thatta & Hyderabad
Drive to Haidarabad, stopping en-route at Thatta
Visit the 17th-century Grand Mosque of Shah Jahan
Visit the Historical Monuments at Makli
Visit the Chokondhi tombs
Drive to Larkana and visit shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Day 4: Mohenjo-Daro
Explore the famous archaeological site of Mohenjo-Daro
Tour the Mohenjo-Daro Museum
Drive to Kot Deji archaeological site and head to visit the Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai
Day 5: Sukkur & Bahawalpur
Visit the Hindu shrine near the town of Sukkur
Continue to Bahawalpur
Day 6: Bahawalpur
Full day tour of Bhawalpur, visiting cholistan desert and Deraward Fort
Visit the town of Uch Sharif and later the famous library of Abbasi family
Day 7: Multan
Drive to Multan, stopping en route at a factory that produces the famous blue pottery of Multan
Visit the tombs of Sheik Baha-ud-din Zakariya and Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Visit Hussain Agahi Bazar
Day 8: Lahore
Drive to Lahore, stopping en route at Harappa archeological site and museum
Visit the Wazir Khan Mosque, the Shahi Hammam (Royal Bath), and the 17th-century Badshahi Mosque
Continue to Lahore Fort and visit the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and the Gurdwara Dera Sahib temple
Day 9: Lahore
Visit Lahore Museum, Pakistan’s largest museum
Visit Shalimar Gardens
Attend the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border
Day 10: Islamabad
Drive to Islamabad, en route visiting the Hindu temple at Kitas village
Day 11: Taxila & Rawalpindi
Visit Taxila Museum
Visit Raja bazaar of Rawalpindi
Day 12: Islamabad
Free morning at leisure
City tour and Lunch, visit to the Heritage Museum
Drive through government buildings, including the Supreme court of Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s house, the Parliament building, and the Presidential Palace until the arrival at Faisal Mosque
Day 13: Islamabad-Peshawar
Drive towards Peshawar via Grand Trunk Road, one of Asia’s oldest and longest roads and visit Taxila, one of the subcontinent’s most important archaeological treasures. Visit Taxila National Museum and Attock Fort too.
Day 14: Peshawar
a full-day tour of Peshawar, including Balla hisar fort, Namak Mandi, Khyber Bazar, Qissa Khawani Bazar, Chowk Yadgar, Androon Shehar Bazar and Mohbat Khan Mosque.
Day 15: Peshawar-Swat Valley
After breakfast, drive to the Swat Valley via Mardan, the second-largest city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where we will visit the ancient Takht-i-Bahi “Throne of the Water Spring,” the archaeological site of an ancient, well-preserved Buddhist Monastery. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded during the 1st century A.D. Not far from Mardan is the historic village of Shahbaz Garhi. At an altitude of 964 feet, this village is surrounded by mountains and has a river that runs through the village. We will see the historic 3rd-century Stones of Ashoka, ancient rock inscriptions written in Kharosthi script, and the ancient site of Mekha Sanda. Continue over the Malakand Pass to the Swat Valley, and upon arrival, transfer to Swat Serena Hotel or similar for check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 16: Swat Valley
Begin the day with a visit to the Swat Museum, which was constructed by the Wali of Swat State in 1958 in collaboration with the Italian mission but later, it was refurbished in 2011 & 2014. Head to Saidu Stupa, a sacred area of Buddhists located near the city of Saidu Sharif at the foot of the mountains that separate the river valley Saidu from the river Jambil for a visit. Continue to Budhkara, recognized as the monastery of Ta-Lo, mentioned by Sung Yun (520 AD), visited and described by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims of the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries AC. Afternoon visit the Mingora Bazar, famous for its crafts and shawls. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 17: Swat Valley-Malam Jabba
Begin the day with a drive to the Jehanabad Buddha, where we will have a 30 Minutes’ walk on each side uphill. Continue to the most beautiful part of Swat Valley, the Summer Capital of Wali of Swat Malam Jabba. Enjoy the evening at the most beautiful scene at Serene Resort Hotel of Malamjaba overlooking the lush green pine forest and unspoiled nature, then transfer to Pearl Continental Hotel or similar for check-in and overnight.
Day 18: Malam Jabba-Besham-Gilgit
After breakfast, begin the day with a drive (9 hrs.) to Besham, via Shangla, also known as Besham Qala. It is the largest town and commercial center in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Its Shops are on the famous Silk Route, which connects Pakistan with China. Continue the drive to Gilgit, and upon arrival, transfer to Serena Hotel or similar for check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 19: Gilgit-Hunza
Start the historical journey of several mountain Kingdoms here at Chinar Bagh, where an old monument has been recently restored in memory of those martyrs who lost their lives during the freedom against Dogras, the forces of Maharaja of Kashmir, an interesting episode of enormous so-called Great Game between Imperial powers. Continue to visit Karga Budha, a large Buddha image carved on a rock clip in Tibetan style during the 7th century AD.
Make a short visit to George Hyward Grave, located near Aga Khan Shahi polo ground in Gilgit. On a bright July morning in 1870, the British explorer George Hayward was brutally murdered high in the Hindu Kush. Who was he, what had brought him to this wild spot, and why was he killed? His remains were exhumed from the murder scene and buried at this British cemetery. An interesting story of the Great Game played between the two imperial powers, Russia, and British Empires.
Stroll through Gilgit Bazar, an interesting bazaar that trades in all kinds, including Pakistani and Chinese goods in various new and old markets. Our next stop will be at a memorial built in memory of Chinese road engineers and workers who died during the construction of the Karakoram highway on the Pakistani side. Many Chinese who died during that time are also laid to rest around this monument. Upon arrival in Hunza, transfer to Serena Altit Hunza or similar for check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 20: Hunza
Begin the day with a visit to the Baltit fort, an ancient fort in the Hunza valley founded in the 8th CE. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list since 2004. You will also visit the local handicraft center by Karakoram Area Development Organization. “KADO. Lunch at a local restaurant, where you will experience the traditional cuisine authentic food and the warmth of the people. Then head to Karimabad Bazaar for some free time and then onto Serena Garden for a BBQ dinner (weather permitting) before returning to the Hotel for overnight
Day 21: Hunza (Khunjerab Pass)
After breakfast, head for an excursion to Khunjerab Pass, boarding with China, then continue the drive to Passu, enjoying the landscape, the beautiful scenery that is changing so dramatically, and having opportunities to take some photos. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before returning to the Hotel for your overnight.
Day 22: Hunza-Gilgit
Enjoy morning breakfast, then drive back to Gilgit and transfer to the Serena Gilgit Hotel or similar for check-in, free rest of the day at leisure and overnight.
Day 23: Gilgit-Manshra
After breakfast, begin the long but fascinating journey again, following Indus until we reach Besham. Upon arrival, transfer to mini busses and continue on Motorway to the town of Mansehra, near Abbottabad, and upon arrival, transfer to the Hotel One or similar for check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 24: Mansehra-Islamabad
Drive to the city of Abbottabad, a garrison city and the city of some of the best elementary schools in Pakistan. Visit the most beautiful mosque, Ilyasi Masjid, far from the Ben Ladin compound. Walk through the old part of town and then continue the drive through the beautiful district of Hazar division. A lush green field along the motorway, surrounded by foothills of the western Himalayas, until we reach Islamabad. Transfer to the Hotel for check-in, free afternoon at leisure, and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 25: Islamabad
Those who have not seen Lok Virsa Museum and Faisal Mosque can visit those two sites in the morning. In the afternoon, enjoy the farewell lunch at the most picturesque Monal Restaurant in Margala Hills overlooking Islamabad, the green city of Pakistan. After lunch, free time to explore the marketplace in Islamabad. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 26: Departure
Outbound flight to your next destination.
*Single room supplement USD 1195
**Costs of One team leader is covered in each group plan
Tour Map
2 reviews for MEGA TOUR OF INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
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February 14, 2024
| Min - Max (Persons) | Adult Price | Children Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 5 | $7,950.00 | $0.00 |
| 6 - 7 | $7,850.00 | $0.00 |
| 8 - 9 | $6,900.00 | $0.00 |
| 10 - 12 | $6,700.00 | $0.00 |
| 13 - 15 | $6,500.00 | $0.00 |
| 16 - 18+ | $5,950.00 | $0.00 |
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