Festival Tours in Pakistan

Kalash Spring Festival Chilimjusht (13-16 May)

Kalash People The Kalash believe they are originally from Tsiam, although no one yet knows where that is. It is more likely they are descendants from Indo-Aryans (about 2000BC).  Many historians believe the Kalash are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great. The kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir are within Chitral District of Pakistan. The kalash people are the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. They may be a little wary of strangers, but usually do welcome who wants to become acquainted with the kalash way of life. The 3500 Kalash of the valleys live in unique houses made of local stone and wood which are stacked on top of one another at steep hillsides. The roof of one house is the verandah of another, on top of the lower house. They make their living with staple crops like lentils or wheat and by goat herding. Life is very traditional, like in many parts of the world, and the work division between men and their women is elaborate. Family life, cattle herding and harvesting form their main livelihood with the occasional distraction of a festival or two. Women move into a Bashaleni house when giving birth and also when they are menstruating. Many aspects of the society are both communal and segregated and typically, marriages are made by arrangement. Beliefs and Celebrations The Kalash are famous for their festivals and dress code. They for example know how to let their hair down in style. There is much dancing where the elders chant legends with drum accompaniment and the women dance around in the open place. Locally brewed wine is drunk in copious quantities. The festival dates are only fixed to a certain extent as the people and the dates depend on the harvest. The festival of Chilimjusht or Joshi is for spring harvest and last 4-6 days around mid May and the Uchal festival on 20th August celebrates the pre-harvest with cheese, corn and wine. Chitirmas in mid December celebrates the winter solstice and is the most impressive festival, lasting for up to 10 days. The kalash worship many gods of Kafiristan like Balomain, the heroic demi-god of the kalash Balomain’s spirit is said to pass through the valley counting the people of Kalash and collecting their prayers to return them to Tsiam, the mythical land of the kalash. The Kalash people thank the creator during their festivals. Each festival is meant to give thanks to the Almighty. The dancing is one way of showing happiness and thankfulness towards the Creator. Much of the dancing take place in large circles around a bonfire and people chant with mesmerizing repetitions – with just a drum beat accompanying the voices. The girls wear intricate dresses made of cowry shells, coins and beads with beautiful hair braiding and headwear. Each heavy headdress weighing several pounds is presented to a girl by her uncle. The jewellery includes necklaces made from apricot kernels, a traditional gift during the festivals. Single women are expected to find themselves a husband during these festivals. Just before the main festival, seasonal food is offered to the ancestral spirits and a kotik, light for the ancestors, is lit. After this ritual the food, considered impure, is offered to the elderly women to be eaten. Festival This celebration is organized to pay thanks to the Almighty. The people celebrate the arrival of the spring season with new hopes and aspirations. Foreign and local tourists particularly schedule their visits in accordance with this festival, having specific aims to record various events of the festival. During the festival, purity is paramount and celibacy is enforced throughout the days of the event so all the people will have a pure mind when Balomain visit the valley. All people must clean themselves in a ritual bath the week before the festival begins. During the men’s purification ceremony, they may not sit down at all during the day and at night the blood of a sacrificed goat is sprinkled on their faces. Special bread is eaten, baked away from the main village, and prepared by men only during the purification ceremony. Another Bread, called jaou, is prepared for the festival and stuffed with crushed walnuts and goat cheese. Special dance halls exist for the purpose of some of the dancing at festivals. They are decorated with carved and ornate wooden pillars and goat-like figurines. The music and dance is a performance of set songs: the cha or clapping song is the simplest one to a lilting dance, sung by the elders.

Itinerary
DATE	DAY	ACTIVITIES	OVERNIGHT
May 10	1	Arrival in Islamabad. Afternoon City Tour.	Hotel
May 2	2	Fly or Drive for Chitral.	Hotel
May 3	3	Drive to Bumburet, Kalash valley. 2 hours drive.	Camp
May 13-17	4-8	Well experience of kalash spring festival and enjoying the Kalash Girls’ dance.	Camp
May 18	9	Drive back to Chitral.	Hotel
May 19	10	Fly to Islamabad. Afternoon Islamabad City tour.	Hotel
May 20	11	Transfer to Airport for onward destination.

Kalash Summer Festival (Uchal) (20-22 August)

Description

Kalash People The Kalash believe they are originally from Tsiam, although no one yet knows where that is. It is more likely they are descendants from Indo-Aryans (about 2000BC).  Many historians believe the Kalash are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great. The kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir are within Chitral District of Pakistan. The kalash people are the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. They may be a little wary of strangers, but usually do welcome who wants to become acquainted with the kalash way of life. The 3500 Kalash of the valleys live in unique houses made of local stone and wood which are stacked on top of one another at steep hillsides. The roof of one house is the verandah of another, on top of the lower house. They make their living with staple crops like lentils or wheat and by goat herding. Life is very traditional, like in many parts of the world, and the work division between men and their women is elaborate. Family life, cattle herding and harvesting form their main livelihood with the occasional distraction of a festival or two. Women move into a Bashaleni house when giving birth and also when they are menstruating. Many aspects of the society are both communal and segregated and typically, marriages are made by arrangement. Beliefs and Celebrations The Kalash are famous for their festivals and dress code. They for example know how to let their hair down in style. There is much dancing where the elders chant legends with drum accompaniment and the women dance around in the open place. Locally brewed wine is drunk in copious quantities. The festival dates are only fixed to a certain extent as the people and the dates depend on the harvest. The festival of Chilimjusht or Joshi is for spring harvest and last 4-6 days around mid May and the Uchal festival on 20th August celebrates the pre-harvest with cheese, corn and wine. Chitirmas in mid December celebrates the winter solstice and is the most impressive festival, lasting for up to 10 days. The kalash worship many gods of Kafiristan like Balomain, the heroic demi-god of the kalash Balomain’s spirit is said to pass through the valley counting the people of Kalash and collecting their prayers to return them to Tsiam, the mythical land of the kalash. The Kalash people thank the creator during their festivals. Each festival is meant to give thanks to the Almighty. The dancing is one way of showing happiness and thankfulness towards the Creator. Much of the dancing take place in large circles around a bonfire and people chant with mesmerizing repetitions – with just a drum beat accompanying the voices. The girls wear intricate dresses made of cowry shells, coins and beads with beautiful hair braiding and headwear. Each heavy headdress weighing several pounds is presented to a girl by her uncle. The jewellery includes necklaces made from apricot kernels, a traditional gift during the festivals. Single women are expected to find themselves a husband during these festivals. Just before the main festival, seasonal food is offered to the ancestral spirits and a kotik, light for the ancestors, is lit. After this ritual the food, considered impure, is offered to the elderly women to be eaten. During the festival, purity is paramount and celibacy is enforced throughout the days of the event so all the people will have a pure mind when Balomain visit the valley. All people must clean themselves in a ritual bath the week before the festival begins. During the men’s purification ceremony, they may not sit down at all during the day and at night the blood of a sacrificed goat is sprinkled on their faces. Special bread is eaten, baked away from the main village, and prepared by men only during the purification ceremony. Another Bread, called jaou, is prepared for the festival and stuffed with crushed walnuts and goat cheese. Special dance halls exist for the purpose of some of the dancing at festivals. They are decorated with carved and ornate wooden pillars and goat-like figurines. The music and dance is a performance of set songs: the cha or clapping song is the simplest one to a lilting dance, sung by the elders. Festival Kalash people organize Uchal, the harvest celebration to pay homage to the Almighty that blessed them with fruits and other crops. They prepare cheese, buttermilk and corn to celebrate this festival. During the festival prayers, a procession is made to a high plateau outside the village in Balangkuru where the long night of dancing begins. The festivals continue for many more days moving on to different locations within the valleys.

Itinerary
DATE	DAY	ACTIVITIES	OVERNIGHT
15 August	1	Arrival in Islamabad. Afternoon City Tour.	Hotel
16 August	2	Fly or Drive for Chitral.	Hotel
17 August	3	Drive to Bumburet, Kalash valley. 2 hours drive.	Camp
18-22 August	4-8	Well experience of kalash spring festival and Enjoy Kalash girls’ dance and other activitiesduring the Event.	Camp
23 August	9	Drive back to Chitral. Afternoon visit to Tooshi for Wildlife watching and Photography.	Hotel
24 August	10	Fly to Islamabad. Afternoon Islamabad City tour.	Hotel
25 August	11	Transfer to Airp

Kalash Winter Festival (Chitirmas 15th  - 22nd December)

Description

Kalash People The Kalash believe they are originally from Tsiam, although no one yet knows where that is. It is more likely they are descendants from Indo-Aryans (about 2000BC).  Many historians believe the Kalash are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great. The kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir are within Chitral District of Pakistan. The kalash people are the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. They may be a little wary of strangers, but usually do welcome who wants to become acquainted with the kalash way of life. The 3500 Kalash of the valleys live in unique houses made of local stone and wood which are stacked on top of one another at steep hillsides. The roof of one house is the verandah of another, on top of the lower house. They make their living with staple crops like lentils or wheat and by goat herding. Life is very traditional, like in many parts of the world, and the work division between men and their women is elaborate. Family life, cattle herding and harvesting form their main livelihood with the occasional distraction of a festival or two. Women move into a Bashaleni house when giving birth and also when they are menstruating. Many aspects of the society are both communal and segregated and typically, marriages are made by arrangement. Festival The festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of the New Year. All the Kalash people remain indoors and outsiders are not allowed to enter their settlements for 7 days. The people have a merry time by free wine drinking and they sacrifice goats. People show their thanks by dancing and singing together, enjoying every moment. During the festivals prayers, a procession is made to a high plateau outside the village in Balangkuru where the long night of dancing begins. The festivals continue for many more days moving on to different locations within the valleys.

Itinerary
DATE	DAY	ACTIVITIES	OVERNIGHT
December 10	1	Arrival in Islamabad. Afternoon City Tour.	Hotel
December 11	2	Fly or Drive for Chitral.	Hotel
December 12	3	Drive to Bumburet, Kalash valley. 2 hours drive.	Camp
December 13-22	4-8	Well experience of kalash winter festival and enjoying the Kalash Girls’ dance and other activities during the events.	Camp
December 23	9	Drive back to Chitral. Afternoon visit to Tooshi for Wildlife Photography.	Hotel
December 24	10	Fly to Islamabad. Afternoon Islamabad City tour.	Hotel
December 25	11	Transfer to Airport

Festival Tours / Kites Flying Festival, Lahore

With the advent of spring, skies of Lahore and Rawalpindi are resplendent with all types and sizes of kites. The entire population participates in kite flying matches to herald the coming of spring. That is why this festival is also known as "Jashn-e-Baharan". This festival is at its peak in the spirited city of Lahore. Lahorites enthusiastically participate various fun activities while kite flying being the main attraction. Basant is not only a kite flying event, but also a cultural festival of traditional food, dresses, dances and music. Male tourists can expect to be decorated with yellow scarves while the ladies will are given attractively decorated Gajras (traditional bangles made of flowers). Yellow is indeed the main color in this event as it depicts the blossoming spring flowers in the fields of Punjab. Night time kite flying is another spectacular sight to witness. The entire sky is lit with heavy duty lights and in this eluminated sky one can see hundreds of white colored kites dancing and competing for supremacy over the other. This atmosphere is further enlightened with barbecues and loud tempting music coming from all corners of the city.  Apart from this one may also experience various flavours of the culturally rich city of lahore. Festivals, performance by famous folk singers, dancing horses and jhumar dances, performances by cultural troupes, stalls of kites, bangles, flowers, handicrafts etc and to top it all the delicious and tempting food of lahore all combine to make this a memorable event of your life.

Itinerary
Day 1	Arrival at Lahore
Day 2	Kite Festival
Day 3	Visit to Lahore Museum (morning) and Kite Festival (evening)
Day 4	Visit to Famous Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Mughal Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Evening Kite Festival
Day 5	Visit to Jahangir's Tomb, Hiran Minar, evening Kite Festival
Day 6	Flight to Onward Destination. End of Service

Festival Tours / Shandur Polo

Description

Polo the Game of Kings, and the king of all games are traditionally played in the Northern areas of Pakistan and Chitral for over the centuries, it has been played between the small kingdoms, villages and rival groups for the deciding of the disputes among them, and the losing team has to be lost of the land, territory, or pay the heavy fine and some times death punishment. the free style polo game have been practicing for the centuries between the traditional rival teams of Gilgit and Chitral each summer month of July on the Shandur pass (3734 meters) the highest polo field in the world. a three days polo tournament organized by the Gilgit and Chitral polo clubs and local administration. during the polo tournament you sleep on the comfortable two person tents with facilities of a mess and toilet tents. your cook will prepare the hearty and delicious meals for you every day. We start this trip from Islamabad the modern capital of Pakistan, drive through the scenic swat and Dir valleys, enjoying the thrilling experience of four wheel drive through the winding zigzags of the scenic Lawari pass 3118 meters to the lush green valley of Chitral. Drive to Kalash valleys to explore the centuries old traditions and unique life style. the Kalash tribes living in the three isolated valleys of Bomboret, Rambur and Birir in the heart of Hindukush are famed to be the descendents of army of the Alexander the Great, who passed this remote region in 326 BC. visiting the traditional Kalash houses to observe the tradition and their unique life style, evening enjoy the Kalash woman dance with the traditional music. Drive by jeeps to Shandur pass by four wheel jeeps through the scenic villages and valleys under the shadow of Trich mir peak and other high snow covered peak in the Hindukush.

Itinerary
Day 1	Islamabad: Morning arrive Islamabad, meet and transfer to hotel. afternoon city sightseeing of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. overnight hotel
Day 2	Peshawar: Morning after breakfast drive to Peshawar, afternoon visit the archeological museum and old city tour. overnight hotel.
Day 3	Dir: Drive by road to Dir, enroute visit the Takht Bhai monastery and Churchill picket at the Malakand Fort, meals and overnight at hotel.
Day 4	Chitral: Morning drive by four-wheel jeeps to Chitral through over the scenic Lawari passes and continues drive to Chitral. meals and overnight hotel.
Day 5	Kalash valley: Morning drive to Kalash valleys, afternoon excursion to Rambur and visit the local houses to observe the life style of Kalash tribe. Evening enjoy the Kalash dance and music. meals and overnight hotel.
Day 6	Mastuj : Morning after breakfast drive to Mastuj, passing through the scenic valleys and villages with commanding view of Trich mir, the highest peak in Hindukush range over night hotel.
Day 7	Shandur pass: After breakfast drive to Shandur pass, a very scenic drive through the scenic villages of laspur, meals and overnight in tents.
Day 8 -9	Shandur (polo match): During the day enjoy the polo match and evening local music and dancing. meals and overnight in tents.
Day 10	Phander: Drive to Phander a very scenic and beautiful village with lush green meadow and crystal clear streams ideal for trout fishing. Overnight in tents.
Day 11	Gilgit : Morning drive to Gilgit, passing through the lush green valleys of  punial, sherqila and visit the 7th century Ad Buddha rock carving at Kargha near Gilgit. overnight hotel.
Day 12	Besham: Morning after break fast drive to Besham, through the Karakuram high way along the mighty Indus river and enjoy the magnificent views of Nanga Parbat, 8125 meters. Overnight hotel.
Day 13	Islamabad: After break fast drive to Islamabad, passing through the scenic abbot bad and Mansehra valleys. enroute visit the archeological museum at Taxila. over night hotel.
Day 14	Departure: To your home bound fligh

Festival Tours / Shimshal Kuch Festival

Description

Shimshal is the remotest area of the Hunza Valley in the Upper Hunza Gogal, bordering with China.Shimshal covers the largest territory within Upper Hunza, from its western reaches bordered by the Hunza River, area extends as far as Baltistan to the east and its northern Khunjerab River demarcates the frontier with China. The access to this valley is from Karakoraum Highway at Passu Village in Gojal through a jeep-able link road 53 km, following a narrow gorge. It takes 3hrs drive on this amazing road from Passu and this road has been opened in 2003, before this road there was 3 days trek to Shimshal from Passu. After the completion of this link road which took around 20 years, the people of Shimshal connected with Karakorum Highway, central Hunza and other southern cities of Pakistan through this link road. This link road has brought a socio-economic revolution in the Shimshal Valley. The people of Shimshal are Wakhi and speak Wakhi language, their culture and tradition is unique. Due to being remotest and difficult accessibility, much of their tradition and culture have been remained intact. In ancient time these people were passing very simple life dictated by the seasons and nature around them. Their life was circles around the festivals which gave them some entertainment and passing harsh time, waiting for these traditional festivals to celebrate that gives them some joy. Following the old tradition every year in the month of May, Shimshali people use to take their livestock to high pastures of the Pamir for grazing for the period of five months (May to October). During these five months they take care of their yaks, sheep and goats and collect the butter, cheese, Yeast for their families for the harsh winter season. The most of their income comes from the sale of yaks, which is very expensive also sell the goats now in the market of central Hunza. They sell butter, dry cheese, wool and from the hair of yak make the local carpet. They have very vast pastures and providing grazing for thousands of sheep and goats and these pastures lie in the high altitudes where life is very simple in the nature and hard. Normally Wakhi communities’ livestock is cared by the women, the women and children are going to these pastures with yaks, sheep and goats this makes the high pastures a lively and colorful to visit. They are going to the pastures all to-gather and their families take them to the pastures and live them for five months with animals. And in October they come down to-gather, on these occasions while going up to the pastures in the month of May and coming down in October make festivals called “KUCH” that means travel. Coming down from the pastures is around 12th to 18th October of each year and day fixed by the religious person of the village in a week, then all the relatives of them from Village go up to the pastures and collect all the yaks from different valleys and select strong yaks to put the load over them. They start to come down all to-gather from various pastures with yaks, sheep, goats they put all their staff and livestock over the yaks and small children also on the back of yaks. Before entering the village of Shimshal on the bank of the Shimshal River before the bridge spend one night with all these animals like a big caravan and women change their dresses which could bring for them from village. Next day they enter the village all to-gather with new dresses and thousand of cattle at the same time, their families welcome them at the village, meet with them after five months. At this bridge the tradition of goat sacrifice is still going on as before. All to-gather they go to the mosque and do condolence of the families who lost their relatives during five months. Then they go to their homes with their families after program of eating.

Itinerary
Day 1	Arrival to Islamabad airport, meet with our guide and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2	Fly to Gilgit or drive on Karakorum Highway to Chilas 12-14 hrs, overnight at hotel.
Day 3	Drive to Karimabad Hunza, overnight at hotel.
Day 4	Day free at Karimabad for local visits, overnight at hotel.
Day 5	Continue to Gulmit, drive to newly formed lake and cross by the boat then over night in Gulmit.
Day 6	Drive to Shimshal depending over the start of kuch.
Day 7	Trek to Wuch Furzeen 6-8 hrs, overnight in the tent .
Day 8	Trek to Shuizherav 6-8 hrs, overnight in the tent .
Day 9	Trek to Shimshal Pass 3-4 hrs trek, overnight in the tent .
Day 10	Day free for local exploration .
Day 11	Trek down to Arbab Pureen, overnight in the tent .
Day 12	Trek to the Village.
Day 13	Continue to Gulmit, overnight at hotel .
Day 14	Drive to Gilgit.
Day 15	Fly to Islamabad or drive to Besham/hotel .
Day 16	Day free at Islamabad to visit Taxila or Rothas Fort or continue from Besham to Islamabad/hotel .
Day 17	Departure from Islamabad

Festival Tours / Shimshal Kuch Festival

Description

Shimshal is the remotest area of the Hunza Valley in the Upper Hunza Gogal, bordering with China.Shimshal covers the largest territory within Upper Hunza, from its western reaches bordered by the Hunza River, area extends as far as Baltistan to the east and its northern Khunjerab River demarcates the frontier with China. The access to this valley is from Karakoraum Highway at Passu Village in Gojal through a jeep-able link road 53 km, following a narrow gorge. It takes 3hrs drive on this amazing road from Passu and this road has been opened in 2003, before this road there was 3 days trek to Shimshal from Passu. After the completion of this link road which took around 20 years, the people of Shimshal connected with Karakorum Highway, central Hunza and other southern cities of Pakistan through this link road. This link road has brought a socio-economic revolution in the Shimshal Valley.  The people of Shimshal are Wakhi and speak Wakhi language, their culture and tradition is unique. Due to being remotest and difficult accessibility, much of their tradition and culture have been remained intact. In ancient time these people were passing very simple life dictated by the seasons and nature around them. Their life was circles around the festivals which gave them some entertainment and passing harsh time, waiting for these traditional festivals to celebrate that gives them some joy.  Following the old tradition every year in the month of May, Shimshali people use to take their livestock to high pastures of the Pamir for grazing for the period of five months (May to October). During these five months they take care of their yaks, sheep and goats and collect the butter, cheese, Yeast for their families for the harsh winter season. The most of their income comes from the sale of yaks, which is very expensive also sell the goats now in the market of central Hunza. They sell butter, dry cheese, wool and from the hair of yak make the local carpet. They have very vast pastures and providing grazing for thousands of sheep and goats and these pastures lie in the high altitudes where life is very simple in the nature and hard. Normally Wakhi communities’ livestock is cared by the women, the women and children are going to these pastures with yaks, sheep and goats this makes the high pastures a lively and colorful to visit. They are going to the pastures all to-gather and their families take them to the pastures and live them for five months with animals. And in October they come down to-gather, on these occasions while going up to the pastures in the month of May and coming down in October make festivals called “KUCH” that means travel.  Coming down from the pastures is around 12th to 18th October of each year and day fixed by the religious person of the village in a week, then all the relatives of them from Village go up to the pastures and collect all the yaks from different valleys and select strong yaks to put the load over them. They start to come down all to-gather from various pastures with yaks, sheep, goats they put all their staff and livestock over the yaks and small children also on the back of yaks. Before entering the village of Shimshal on the bank of the Shimshal River before the bridge spend one night with all these animals like a big caravan and women change their dresses which could bring for them from village. Next day they enter the village all to-gather with new dresses and thousand of cattle at the same time, their families welcome them at the village, meet with them after five months. At this bridge the tradition of goat sacrifice is still going on as before. All to-gather they go to the mosque and do condolence of the families who lost their relatives during five months. Then they go to their homes with their families after program of eating.

Itinerary
Day 1	Arrival to Islamabad airport, meet with our guide and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2	Fly to Gilgit or drive on Karakorum Highway to Chilas 12-14 hrs, overnight at hotel.
Day 3	Drive to Karimabad Hunza, overnight at hotel.
Day 4	Day free at Karimabad for local visits, overnight at hotel.
Day 5	Continue to Gulmit, drive to newly formed lake and cross by the boat then over night in Gulmit.
Day 6	Drive to Shimshal depending over the start of kuch.
Day 7	Trek to Wuch Furzeen 6-8 hrs, overnight in the tent .
Day 8	Trek to Shuizherav 6-8 hrs, overnight in the tent .
Day 9	Trek to Shimshal Pass 3-4 hrs trek, overnight in the tent .
Day 10	Day free for local exploration .
Day 11	Trek down to Arbab Pureen, overnight in the tent .
Day 12	Trek to the Village.
Day 13	Continue to Gulmit, overnight at hotel .
Day 14	Drive to Gilgit.
Day 15	Fly to Islamabad or drive to Besham/hotel .
Day 16	Day free at Islamabad to visit Taxila or Rothas Fort or continue from Besham to Islamabad/hotel .
Day 17	Departure from Islamabad (drop t

For more details please visit :- www.karakorumexp.com