9 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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(B)
Day 08 Thursday: Kabul / Islamabad (Flight) Morning is free to continue our exploration of
one of the most talked of cities in the world today. Later we are transferred to the
airport for our flight to Islamabad. Upon arrival in Islamabad we are met and transferred
to our hotel. Overnight: Regency Hotel, Islamabad (1 night) (B)
(B)
Day 09 Friday: 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)
(B)
Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.
Tour Prices | |
---|---|
Single Person Price |
Double Occupancy Per Person Price |
$3210 | $2985 |
Airfare is not included in the
tour price. Notes : Prices may vary |