still a center for the tribal culture of this rugged region. Fly to Lahore, the heart of Moghul culture. Magnificent gardens, mosques and palaces are testament to the glorious heyday of this majestic empire. Travel to Multan, which dates back some 4,000 years and is considered by many archaeologists to be the oldest surviving city on the Indian subcontinent. Visit Sukkur and the impressive Mohenjodaro, the greatest site of all the Indus Valley civilizations. Conclude your journey in the southern port city of Karachi.

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Itinerary of Ancient Cultures of Pakistan In Detail.

Days 01 :  Arrive Islamabad. After clearing Customs & Immigration, you will be met at the exit gate by our representative for the transfer to the hotel. After checking in, depart on an afternoon city tour.
You'll drive up to Shakerparian Gardens for a panoramic view, visit the ancient village of Saidpur, and stop at the Institute of Folk Heritage, a small, neatly decorated ethnological museum displaying numerous costumes and artifacts from all over Pakistan. You'll also visit the world's largest mosque, named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. This evening is at leisure.

Days 02 : Islamabad - Taxila - Swat Before we head off on the Grand Trunk Route we take a brief tour of the old garrison town of Rawalpindi. Next, visit Taxila, a fallen world of glories. Once the seat of Oriental culture, Taxila is famous for the rare specimens of stucco from the Gandhara period excavated from Sirkap and for various Buddhist Stupas and Monasteries. The inscriptions of Darius the Great at Bistoun first mention Taxila as a territory of the Great Archaemenian Empire of Persia in the 6th century BC. It was later invaded by Alexander the Great in an attempt to assert his claim over the lost provinces of the Archaemenian Empire, then ruled by Mauryas such as Ashoka the Great, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and the Kushan kings. It came to an inglorious end around 450 AD, when it was ransacked by hordes of White Huns. The museum here houses various objects and sculptures dating from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD. The excavations are spread out over an area of 5 miles. We then continue on to Swat Valley. Driving along the picturesque Malakand Pass we first visit the famous Churchill's Picket en route. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for two nights

Days 03 : Swat - Saidu Sharif is the capital city of the Swat Valley, often referred to as the "Switzerland of the East." It is named after the Moslem divinity, Saidu. Here you'll visit the Swat Museum, which houses a rich collection of Gandhara Art obtained from various sites in the region. Just 2 miles from Saidu Sharif is the twin town of Mingora, the commercial center of Swat. Visit the bazaar & the Islampur weaver's village, where you'll get an insight into the traditional and rural life of the Swatis. This village has a very highly developed traditional weaving industry based upon traditional textile, designs and local materials. Most of the embroidery consists of small circular mirrors woven into the design making it a unique piece of cloth. Swat is also well known for its woolen shawls.

Days 04 : Swat - Peshawar-Morning departure for Peshawar with en route stops at Takht-i-Bahi, a monastery from Buddhist times & Charsadda - identified as ancient Pushkalavati, the pre-Kushan capital of Gandhara. During the Buddhist period, it was the capital of the province and according to Buddhist legends, was the place where Lord Buddha preached his faith. Upon arrival in Peshawar, transfer to your hotel for two nights.

Days 05 : Peshawar: Khyber Pass Excursion- This morning journey to the historic Khyber Pass. The
Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the history of humankind. It has been conquered by the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and still later invaded by the great Moghuls. It is reputed that the army of Alexander the Great of Macedonia crossed this pass in 327 BC. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Peshawar. The Peshawar Museum houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and historical relics dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD) to modern times. After a visit to the museum, journey to Yadgar Square and visit Mahabat Khan Mosque, a beautiful towering structure with lofty minarets. Then drive through old Peshawar to the popular Qissa Khawani Bazaar (street of story-tellers), 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 and many different peoples gather here: Afghans, Iranians, Uzbeks, Tadjiks, Afridis and Shinwaris all add to the hustle and bustle.

Days 06 : Peshawar - Lahore -ay at leisure to shop and to explore. Meet local folks in the narrow lane bazaars. In the early evening transfer for your domestic flight to Lahore. - the cultural hub of
Pakistan. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for two nights.

Days 07 : Lahore-Morning visit to Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest in Pakistan. Built in 1674, it is an example of some of the finest Moghul architecture. Beside it, the massive walls of Lahore Fort tower over old Lahore. You'll visit several of the pavilions, including Shish Mahal, the "Palace of Mirrors", built by Shah Jahan in 1631 as private apartments for his empress. Surrounding a main hall are many smaller rooms where intricately latticed windows look out over the riverbed. In the afternoon visit the beautiful Shalimar Gardens, also built by the Moghuls but still much enjoyed and appreciated today, and the museum, which houses the famous statue of the Fasting Buddha. In front of the main building is Kim's Gun. Immortalized by Rudyard Kipling, this was the gun he used to play on as a young boy when his father was the director of the museum. Also take in a visit to the Anarkali Bazaar.

Days 08 : Lahore - Harappa - Multan - Today drive through the fertile Punjab plains to Multan via Harappa, the site of an ancient and important settlement of the prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization (3rd to 2nd millennium BC) which stands witness to the 5000 year old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan. Harappa was the cradle of one of man's earliest civilizations. The site conjures up images of fifty centuries ago--a period about which very little is known. An interesting and well-maintained museum at the Harappa site houses artifacts found in the area. Later continue your travels to ancient Multan where you will stay two nights.

Days 09 : Multan - Morning tour of Multan, considered by many archaeologists to be the oldest continually inhabited city on the Indian sub-continent. This morning visit the Old Fort of Multan an eloquent example of the proud history of this city. Among the attractions inside the fort are the elaborately decorated shrines of Sheikh Bahauddin Zakria, Shah Shams Sabzwaria and Shah Rukh-e-Alams Damdamal. The highest point in the fort, provides a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city, which has survived the destruction of invaders since Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC.

Days 10 : Multan - Bhawalpur - A spectacular drive to the Cholistan Desert oasis of Bhawalpur. We tour this historic settlement where feudalism still prevails and visit the traditional Sadiq Garh Palace, and the majestic Noor Mahal, once the State House. Bahawalpur is noted for its delicate pottery and exquisite embroidery. This evening is at leisure to meet local folks including the local chieftains, known as Nawabs. Spend one night in a local hotel.

Days 11 : Bhawalpur - Sukkur - Enjoy a cultural experience on the train ride to Rohri - a major railway town. The ancient capital of the area was originally at Aror, 9 Kms. to the east, but since the 13th century the twin towns of Sukkur and Rohri, which face each other across the river, have been the main centers. Spend two nights in a local hotel.

Days 12 : Sukkur: Excursion to Moenjodaro -Moenjodaro, the premier site of the Indus Valley civilization thrived from 3000 to 1700BC, contemporary to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. What little we know of this vibrant culture of the Indus Valley Civilizations, comes from the work done at Moenjodaro and Harappa. The architecture is unusual and seemingly alien. The city was planned with wide avenues and streets set in square or rectangular blocks, with an elaborate and effective system of waste drainage, which has excited much interest. The afternoon Sukkur tour includes the Faiz Mahal and the Mohana boat people, who live in their boats or in temporary thatched huts along the shore. There are some beautiful examples of tile work at some of the tombs and shrines in Sukkur, and, of course, a lively and interesting bazaar.

Days 13 : Sukkur - Karachi - Transfer for the short flight to Karachi- Pakistan's largest city. An afternoon tour includes Dhobi Ghat, an incredible outdoor laundry stretching as far as the eye can see; the National Museum and the tomb of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan. Built entirely of white marble, the mausoleum has an impressive dome with a huge crystal chandelier of Chinese origin. Spend one night in a local hotel.

Days 14 : Depart Karachi -Day at leisure until time to transfer for your international departure

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Cost Of The Trip

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Includes & Excludes

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