PAKISTAN PANORAMA
DURATION : 11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS

Day 01: Karachi
Arrival at Karachi. Meet & assist, and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon proceed for city sightseeing of Karachi.
The tour commences with a visit to the Mausoleum of Quaid- e – Azam ( Father of the Nation ) Mohammed Ali Jinnah . The Mausoleum is built entirely of white marble. It has an impressive dome which holds a huge chrystal chandelier of Chinese origin. Next we drive to the quaint Bohri bazaar, whose narrow streets and yelling ha wkers make an unforgettable sight . We then drive through Zaibunissa street , the modern shopping center clearly identified by neon lights. Our next and final stop is the National Museum, whose Ghandara Art collection is the finest in the world.
We will drive to Dhobi Ghat, where all the local laundry is washed, and colorfully hangs out to dry. Our next stop is the Clifton beach front, with its awe- inspiring aquarium before we conclude our tour by riding camels, known as the “magnificent ship of the desert”, not across desert sands, but by the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Karachi – Thatta – Karachi
After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to Thatta.
Thatta is an ancient town whose history dates back to Alexander the Great , who used the town to rest his weary troops. Founded in the 15th century, it was used by the Moghuls as the capital of Sind. It is rumored that at this time up to 400 institutions of learning flourished . Some outstanding Moghul ruins, such as the Shahi Masjid, form the core of the religious and historical monuments preserved . The Makli Hills is an ancient necropolis containing upto a million graves spread over an area of six miles. The geometric and floral designs carved upon the stone tombs help identify the different eras and their dynasties, and reveal many a secret of the gone days. We will also visit the archaeological site of Bhanbore, whose network of streets and narrow lanes associate it with the legendary city of Debal.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Karachi – Mohenjodaro – Karachi
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Moenjodaro for a full day excursion. Moenjodaro – The “Mound of the Dead “, is situated about 563 Kms (350 miles) from Karachi on the Super Highway via Dadu. It is one of the world’s oldest civilizations, dating as far back as 2000 B.C., and it is preceded in age only by the Egyptian and Mesopotanian Civilizations. This archaeological wonder was discovered in 1922, and subsequent excavations show it to be divided into two parts: the upper & the lower. The Archaeological Museum in Moenjodaro is definitely worth a visit. It had mud – brick and baked – brick buildings , an elaborate covered drainage
system with soak – pits for disposal bins a spacious pillared hall a college of priests a large and imposing building ( Probably a palace ) and a citadel mound which incorporates in its margin a system of solid burnt brick towers. Efforts are being made to save the ruins from crumbling due to rising water table. After tour transfer to the airport for your return flight to Karachi.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Karachi – Peshawar
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Peshawar.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon proceed for city sightseeing of Peshawar. We begin by visiting the rich museum of Peshawar , which houses treasures of the Gandhara period. Proceed to old Peshawar through the Kabuli Gate – one of the sixteen – to the Qissa Khawani bazaar, ” the street of story tellers”, and witness unusual and unforgettable sights . We will also visit the coppersmith’s bazaar, which flourished from the 1st century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. Continue to Mahabat Khan’s mosque, built in 1670 by the Governor of Peshawar under Moghal Emperor Shah Jahan. Our tour will pass by Balar Hisar Fort, built by Babar in 1526 – 30, and re built by Hari Singh Nalva, under the guidance of French engineers in 1830.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Peshawar – Swat
After breakfast proceed for halfday excursion to Khyber Pass.
[PLS NOTE THAT KHYBER PASS EXCURSION IS SUBJECT TO
GOVERNMENT ‘ S PERMISSION AND WE NEED FULL PASSPORT DETAILS
ATLEAST 21 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL TO APPLY FOR PERMIT]
This famous pass has been a silent witness to the countless number of invaders , pleasure seekers , adventures and soothsayers that have filtered through its narrow gateway over the centuries. The historic Khyber Pass begins at a distance 15 miles west of Peshawar at the Babi – Khyber watchtower, which acts as a gateway to the Pass. You then begin a winding journey through a tribal area, passing the Jamrud Fort , and for 36 miles are another `invader`, witnessing the stark and severe beauty of this passage hewn through great rocks. The pass ends at the Torkham Border, passing the smugglers`bazaar, Landikotal, which at a height of 3518 feet straddles the top of this historical passageway. At Torkham the Durand line separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. After the tour return to the hotel. After a short rest drive to Swat over Malakand Pass. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Swat – Madyan / Behrain – Swat
After breakfast proceed for halfday excursion to Madyan and Bharain.
35 miles north of Saidu Sharif is the charming town of Madyan, lying at an elevation of 4336 ft. The town borders the Swat river and trout fishing is a favorite pastime. 6 miles further north is the town of Bahrain, whose precarious wire bridge and fabulous woodcarving makes it a must.
PM City sightseeing of Swat. Butkara – the remains of one of the most important Buddhist shrines in the valley. This site consists of a main stupa around which jostle 215 votive stupas in apparently glorious disarray. The main stupa was believed to contain some ashes of Lord Buddha
and to have been built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It is difficult to imagine it as it must have been once, all painted and gilded and topped by stone umbrellas. You can still see the statue of lions crouching on their haunches. They probably fell off the tops of the tall columns which once stood near the stupa.After visiting the site you will visit Swat Museum. Then you will visit Mingora Bazaar, which is the commercial center well – worth visiting, for there you will find emeralds for which Swat is famous. Then continue to Murghazar where you will behold the old white palace constructed from white marble and adorned with ornate carvings.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Swat – Shangla Pass – Besham – Abbotabad
After breakfast drive through Shangla Pass and the lush Alpuri valley to Besham. The journey during the day is an experience of great diversities. Immediately turning off from Swat valley towards east, we start climbing the Shangla Pass (altitude 2042 Mtrs). The top presents the most beautiful views of the surrounding mountains whose slopes are laden with alpine forests. Far with the distance, the Swat Valley with the river is also visible. Arriving at Besham we are at the bottom edge of Indus valley with alluring view of the lion river and the famous road known as the Karakoram Highway (KKH) which also is dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world. The stretch of our journey from Besham to Thakot is just a little glimpse of the wonders and awe inspiring values that this road has in store for its travelers who take their journey with it on upstream direction. After a short rest continue drive to Abbottabad via Sharkool Pass. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Abbottabad, a pretty hill station at a height of 4120 feet above sea level, is the divisional headquarters town in the North West Frontier Province. It was founded in 1853 , and named after James Abbott, the first Deputy Commissioner. 16 miles to the east lies Manshera, which has a parade ground ideal for polo, football and hockey, a golf course and the Brigade Curcular Hill, a favorite picnic spot. 38 miles from Abbottabad sits Balakot, the gateway to the Kaghan Valley. It is here that the Kaghan road bridges the swift flowing Khuhar river , and becomes a jeep able road leading to the heart of the Valley.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: Abbotabad – Taxila – Islamabad
After breakfast drive to Islamabad enroute visit Taxila.
Taxila, situated 35 miles from Rawalpindi, was once the seat of Oriental culture. It was first mentioned as a satrapy of the Archemenian empire in 6th century B.C. It was invaded by Alexander the Great and passed along to other rulers until finally reaching the hands of Ashoka the Great, who moulded the city into a center of learning. The creative Gandhara period followed shortly thereafter and Taxila remained the center of learning, philosophy and art. It came to a disastrous and pathetic end when sacked by the White Huns. Today, Taxila is an archaeologist’s paradise: there is a well- maintained museum here and eight sites scattered around a very short radius. Amongst the best preserved are Sirkap, Jaulian ( the University). After a short rest continue drive to Islamabad. Upon arrival trannsfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Islamabad – Lahore
After breakfast proceed for halfday city sightseeing of Islamabad / Rawalpindi. We will begin at the old city of Rawalpindi, at the Raja (King) Bazaar. A stop in the silver and gold bazaars will allow us to catch traditional craftsmen at work. We will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities – Murree Road – before arriving at the gleaming new capital. We pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas – a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. We will then stop at the Shakar Parian, ” Sweet Hills” to catch a bird’s eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the landmark of Islamabad.
In the afternoon you will drive to Laho re.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Lahore
After breakfast proceed for fullday city sightseeing of Lahore.
Our tour includes visit to Lahore Fort , a marvel of Moghal architecture begun in the 11th century and completed finally by the end of the 16th century. Amongst the Emperors who contributed to its splendor are Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. We will visit the beautiful palace of Mirrors, Shah Jahan’s Quadrangle and the Pearl Mosque. Overlooking the Fort is the Badshahi mosque – the world’s largest – and it is our next stop . It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. Pakistan’s famous poet-philosopher, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, lies buried outside the mosque. We will also visit the Pakistan Day memorial. We will drive to the National Museum which contains one of the finest collections of Buddhist Art from the Gandhara period .Here one is able to view the original Fasting Buddha statue. In front of the museum is the Zam – Zama, the gun immortalized by Rudyard Kipling and the campus of the Punjab University. We will also visit the Town Hall, a yellow building with bulbous silver domes.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Lahore
After breakfast proceed for halfday city sightseeing of Lahore.
We drive through Lahore’s crowded streets to the Shalimar Gardens, designed by Ali Mardan of Persia and set out in the Persian style with marble pavilions, a marble waterfall and more than 400 fountains in an area of 42 acres. Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of this ” Garden of Heaven” in 1642. Next we proceed to the Anarkali Bazaar, named after a pretty dancer named Anarkali who was put to death by Emperor Akbar for having an affair with Prince Salim, who later became Emperor Jehangir. We will also visit Wazir Khan’s Mosque, constructed under the stewardship of the Governor in 1643, and Jahangir’s tomb, on the way back you will also visit sufi
Saint Data Ganj Bakhsh is situated near Bhatti Gate. The Darbar consists of the mausoleum of Data Ganj Bakhsh, the Hujra of the Muslim Saint Hazrat Khawaja Moeenuddin Chishti of Ajmer (India) and a beautiful mosque on a raised platform. PM free for independent activities Farewell dinner after all the fun and excitement. Its time to say good bye to each other
with a wish to meeting again at some other Walji’s tour program in future.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Lahore
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your home bound flight.