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15 Days Pakistan Afghanistan Tour
Day 01 Thursday: Arrive Islamabad We are welcomed at Islamabad Airport and transferred to our hotel. Afternoon we go on a twin cities tour of the old city of Rawalpindi and the modern Islamabad. We begin with a visit to Raja Bazaar, the oldest and traditional shopping area in Rawalpindi. From here we continue to Shakerparian Gardens for a panoramic view of Islamabad. Next stop is Faisal Mosque, unique in its architecture and among the largest mosques in the world. We then drive past some Government Buildings, which showing an interesting combination of both traditional and modern Islamic architecture. Overnight: Regency Hotel, Islamabad (1 night)
Day 02 Friday: Islamabad / Taxila / Peshawar Taking on the
historical Grand Trunk Route we drive to Peshawar with a visit to Taxila, once
the seat of Gandhara Art and Buddhism. Here we visit the Museum, which houses a
rich collection of artifacts excavated from various sites nearby. Our visit
continues to the sites of Sirkap city, Mohra Moradu Monastery, Jaulian Monastery
and Dharmarajika Stupa. After sightseeing we resume our drive to Peshawar.
Overnight: Pearl Intercontinental Hotel, Peshawar (2 nights) (B)
Day 03 Saturday: Peshawar & the Khyber Pass An exciting day
ahead as we visit the incredible Khyber Pass followed by a tour of the
historical city of Peshawar. The Khyber Pass has been the silent witness to
countless great events in the history of mankind. The historic pass begins 18 km
/ 11 miles) west of Peshawar and runs up to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at
Torkham, 57 km / 35 miles from Peshawar. It has been conquered by the Greeks,
ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and
invaded by the great Moguls. The Sikhs and Afghans also left their mark here
before the Pass fell to the British. Today the Khyber Pass is the site of famous
forts such as Jamrud and Shagai. The "Smuggler's Bazaar" at Landi Kotal,
situated en route to the Khyber Pass, is also covered in this tour. (Excursion
to Khyber Pass is subject to permit) Afternoon tour of Peshawar city includes
visit to Peshawar Museum that houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and
historical relics dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD) to modern
times. Next we visit the Yadgar Square and the beautiful Mahabat Khan Mosque, a
beautiful towering structure with lofty minarets. The Qissa Khawani Bazaar
(storyteller's bazaar), the Peshawar Pottery Works, Bater Bazaar (street of
partridge lovers) and Mochi Lara, famous for its exquisitely embroidered
sandals. Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city. (B)
Day 04 Sunday: Peshawar / Islamabad / Kabul (Drive / Flight)
Morning we drive back to Islamabad Airport to take Afghan Ariana's flight to
Kabul. Upon arrival at Kabul Airport we see the first evidence of the
devastations of recent history. The airport terminal is full of war-damaged
aircrafts - a desperate sight. We are warmly welcomed and transferred to our
hotel. The drive from the airport gives us an overview picture of this world
capital. Rest of the day free at leisure in this re-born city. Overnight:
Continental Hotel, Kabul (4 nights) (B)
Day 05 Monday: Kabul Today is a full day sightseeing of Kabul,
the capital of Afghanistan since 1776. Kabul was once a fast growing city ringed
with mountains, gleaming emerald green in spring and glistening white in winter.
It was a popular tourist spot and a place of convergence for the many tourists
who were journeying overland from Europe to Asia. Though most of the attractions
in Kabul city were destroyed due to heavy bombardment the remains of Bala Hisar
Palace, the Arg (Citadel), Mausoleum of Amir Abdur Rahman, and Babur's Gardens
remain to catch the eyes of visitors. In addition, various mosques like
Masjid-e-Pule Kheshti, Masjid-e-Shahe Du Shamshira, Masjid-e-Sherpur (Blue
Mosque); Masjid-e-Wazir Akbar Khan etc are places to be visited for their unique
architecture. The living cultural patterns can be observed in various teahouses,
restaurants and shops located in the "Chicken streets". We also visit the
bazaars and have ample time to meet and talk with the locals sharing their
experiences from the pre and post Taliban era. Translating for us will be the
employees / volunteers of the many foreign missions in Afghanistan. (B)
Day 06 Tuesday: Kabul Today is our excursion to the scenic
Salang Pass and Istalif Village. Salang Pass is located 122 km / 76 miles north
of Kabul in the heart of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The trip to Salang Pass
presents some of the worlds most thrilling and spectacular scenery. There are
various attractions on the way to the Salang Pass but the most prominent are the
fruit market at Qara Bagh, Top-e-Darra (Valley of the Stupa), and the town of
Charikar, which is the capital of Parwan Province and is noted for its bazaars.
Reg Rawan (Moving Sands), which run down the mountain some 300 meters / 984
feet, Koh-e-Pahlwan (Mountains of Heroes or Wrestlers) famous for the Buddhist
Monasteries of Paitava and Shotorak can also be viewed on the way. The ancient
town of Kapisa lies at the footsteps of this mountain. Finally, a 3-hour drive
will take us to Salang Tunnel, located at an altitude of 3363 meters / 11033
feet. It is 2.7 km / 1.7 miles long and an additional 4.9 km / 3 miles of
Galleries were constructed to keep the approaches free of snow. This tunnel was
built in joint collaboration between former U.S.S.R. and Afghanistan. The work
began in August 1958 and the tunnel was officially opened in November 1964. We
visit Istalif located in Koh Daman valley that is ringed by barren hills dotted
with villages nestled within green orchards. Among these villages, Istalif is
one of the largest, and the most ancient village that combines beautiful scenery
with an introduction to Afghan life. At Istalif the Takht (Throne) lies under
huge plane trees offer an impressive panoramic view of the village and the Koh
Daman. Many picnic here today, as did the Mughal Emperor Babur in the 16th
century. The terraced gardens below the Takht are an attraction for those who
enjoy natural settings. Istalif is also famous for its Blue pottery, cotton
prayer rugs and intricately carved wooden chests. We visit Tapa Iskander, a
Hindu Shahi Complex of 7th to 9th centuries, Qala Murad Beg, famous for its
local pottery work, Karizamir, an experimental farm established by King Zahir
Shah, Khair Khana Pass and the Brahmanic Temple (6th-7th centuries). (B)
Day 07 Wednesday: Kabul Today we take another full day excursion
- this time to Paghman and Kargha Lake. Paghman is located some 20 km / 12 miles
from Kabul at an altitude of 2200m / 7218 feet and affords a delightful sample
of Afghanistan's countryside. On weekends and holidays, Paghman is filled with
festive visitors from Kabul who can approach this town via one of two paved
roads from Kabul. This town is also known as birthplace of King Amanullah, the
most celebrated King of Afghanistan. Victory Arch standing in Central Square
commemorates those who fought and died in the war of Independence (1919). Visit
to Red mosque and Bagh-e-Umumi (Public Garden) are also included in this visit.
Darra (The Valley) are the gardens open to public and you may picnic beside the
river under the cherry trees. The Emperor Babur introduced the cherry to the
Kabul region in the 16th century. Those from Paghman are especially delicious.
In comparison to Darra, Tapa is a formal garden offering a fine view of Kargha
Lake and the city of Kabul. From here we return to Kabul and pass by Kargha,
which is a picturesque lake nestled within the mountains. This Lake was created
as a cherished project of Mohammad Daoud, founder and President of the Republic
of Afghanistan. Kabul's Golf Course is laid out in the gardens at the foot of
the Kargha Dam. (B)
Day 08 Thursday: Kabul / Islamabad (Flight) Drive to Besham
Overnight at PTDC Motel. (B)
Day 09 Friday: Drive to Gilgit via Karakorum highway a spectaculr trip you will drive thru the Indus gorge which offer breattaking views of the hindiraj & Himalya & mountains. You will have a chance to see the Nanga Parbat 9th highest mountain in the world. Later you will continue on Gilgit river in the karakorum range and witness the magnificent mountains in the Karakorums. In Gilgit you will stay at Riveria hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Morning tour of Gilgit. Gilgit is only major town in the circumfrance of 500 kilometers it enjoys this uniqe honor as well as it rich history and the famous Gilgit Game which was a political game played here between the Russians and the British in the 19th century. You will visit a Buddha carved in a rock in 8th century later we will drive you to the suspension bridge where you will see the ghizar river and also feel the life of this quint little town. We will visit the Gilgit bazaar and return to hotel Afternoon free at leisure optional tour of Naltar Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Drive to Hunza 100 Kilometers a journy which may become the heighlight of all your journy you will have a feeling like driving in the picture frame. The scenry on this road is spectacular. The rugged mountains and snow capped Rakaposhi mountain (7788 meter 27th highest in the world) We wills top for tea at Rakaposhi view point where you can see the whole of Rakaposhi mountain right from the road side. Afternoon free in Hunza Overnight at Baltit Inn hotel.
Day 12 Day free in Hunza vally Hunza is the land which inherits the title of Shangri-la the vally is surrounded by numerous high ranking snow capped mountains. You will have car at your disposal to visit some areas of the vally Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 Drive to Chilas Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 Drive to Islamabad Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 Depart Islamabad After interesting experiences that few people have
had, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to our next
destination. This is an ideal opportunity to combine this tour with Hunza, and
Gilgit region in Northern Pakistan, the last living Shangri-la. (B)