Dates: May 11 – 22, 2027

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of participants: 7 – 12

Cost per person:
• 2 990 USD for 12 participants,
• 3 150 USD for 11 participants,
• 3 290 USD for 9 – 10 participants,
• 3 450 USD for 7 – 8 participants.

10% early booking discount (for bookings made before November 11, 2026)

Everything is included (including domestic flight Islamabad – Gilgit, participation in the Chilam Joshi Festival, three meals a day along the entire route), except for:

• international flight to Islamabad and back,
• Pakistan visa ((e-visa, cost $35 for 90 days, free for Russian citizens),
• medical insurance.

Estimated cost of Moscow — Islamabad — Moscow flights: 750 – 1000 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of the Dubai–Islamabad–Dubai flight: 400–550 USD (usually purchased independently; we provide guidance).

Single supplement: 850 USD (single accommodation is provided for all nights)


TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Pakistan

Day 1. May 11, 2027 (Tuesday). ISLAMABAD

Arrival at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Meet the guide and check in at the hotel. Free time in Islamabad.
Dinner at a local restaurant and rest.

Recommended flights:
— Turkish Airlines from Moscow: departure from Moscow at 19:25 on May 10, 1-hour-15-minute layover in Istanbul, arrival in Islamabad at 07:45 on May 11;
— Emirates: direct flight from Dubai, departure from Dubai at 03:20 on May 11, arrival in Islamabad at 07:30 on May 11;
— any other flight arriving in Islamabad at any time on May 11.

Meals included: dinner
Accommodation included: Roomy Signature Hotel 3* or simmilar


Day 2. May 12, 2027 (Wednesday). ISLAMABAD – PESHAWAR (190 km, 2 hours 30 minutes)

After breakfast, we head to Peshawar. The city's main attraction is the Old City, home to the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar—the largest market in South Asia. The authentic atmosphere of the East is preserved here in all its glory; the air is filled with the calls of merchants selling everything from jewelry to pistols. Traders offer vases, horse blankets, blades, saddles, and harnesses, alongside a variety of traditional handicrafts. Afterward, we will visit the stunning Mahabat Khan Mosque.
We will also stop by a gunsmith's workshop to see firsthand how firearms are made.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Destination Heritage Hotel or simmilar


Day 3. May 13, 2027 (Thursday). PESHAWAR – TAKHT-I-BAHI – CHITRAL (350 km, 7 hours)

Today, a long but scenic drive to Chitral awaits us. Chitral is a picturesque mountain town and the administrative center of the district of the same name in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Nestled at the foot of the Hindu Kush range at an elevation of approximately 1,490 meters above sea level, it is renowned for its stunning landscapes, unique culture, and historic fort. We will make stops at the most beautiful locations along the way, and the journey will conclude with an overnight stay at a fantastic hotel featuring a lovely garden and breathtaking views of the mountain-ringed valley. En route, we will stop at Takht-i-Bahi, a Buddhist monastic complex dating back to the 1st century BC. Archaeologists consider it a magnificent example of the architecture typical of Buddhist monastic centers from that era.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Ayun Fort Inn hotel or simmilar


Day 4. May 14, 2027 (Friday). CHITRAL – BUMBURET VALLEY (OR RUMBUR VALLEY). CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL OF THE KALASH PEOPLE (15 km, 1 hour).

After breakfast, we head to the Bumburet Valley, the main Kalash village, to attend Chilam Joshi, the Kalash spring festival.
We will be accompanied all day by a local guide who will take us to visit a local family and a distinctive local cemetery, where we will learn about Kalash beliefs and traditional burial customs.
The culture of the Kalash people is unique and differs significantly from that of the many modern Muslim ethnic groups surrounding them in northwestern Pakistan.
Nature plays an extremely important and spiritual role in their daily lives. Within their religious tradition, sacrifices are made and festivals are held to express gratitude to the gods. It is remarkable that this small people has managed to preserve its traditional religion while surrounded by a Muslim environment.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Legend Hotel or simmilar


Day 5. May 15, 2027 (Saturday). BUMBURET VALLEY OR RUMBUR VALLEY. KALASH CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL – CHITRAL GOL NATIONAL PARK – BUNI (110 km, 4 hours 30 minutes)

We have an early start today. The Chilam Joshi festival is ongoing. Depending on which valley the Kalash people are celebrating in on these two days, we can visit one of the Kalash valleys—Bumburet or Rumbur—to see what we missed the previous day. Although the Kalash celebrate the festival in all three of their valleys, the festivities in the Bumburet Valley are the largest in scale. The Chilam Joshi festival serves both spiritual and social functions. The Kalash pray for the well-being of their livestock, invoking their deity Goshidai. The festival also facilitates the process of young people finding partners. The main activities at the festival are community-wide singing and dancing to welcome the spring. The women are putting on new traditional outfits.
Next, a long but scenic journey awaits us to Chitral Gol National Park, nestled amidst the snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush—a range belonging to the greater Himalayan system. The park abounds with rushing rivers, expansive valleys, and towering mountains. In ancient times, a branch of the Great Silk Road ran through the Chitral Valley, linking Central Asia, China, and India with the Mediterranean. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, caravans transported silk, tea, wool, cotton, paper, gemstones, and goods made of clay, copper, and bronze; during the rest of the year, the terrain and roads became impassable, and the trade route ceased to operate.
Even today, from the beginning of December to the end of March, this region is completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Best Western Hotel Boni or simmilar


Day 6. May 16, 2027 (Sunday). BUNI — FANDER VALLEY – GIZER VALLEY – GAKHKUCH (220 km, 8 hours)

Don’t forget to charge your cameras; they’ll be working non-stop today. We’ll be traveling through what are arguably Pakistan’s most beautiful landscapes—the Ghizer Valley, where rivers of an unreal blue hue flow into lakes framed by picturesque pyramidal poplars.
It is the very picture of Pakistani idyll! Along the way, we’ll also explore the equally scenic Phander Valley, known as the "Valley of Lakes."
We’ll cross the Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo ground. We’ll spend the night in the beautiful, historic village of Gakuch.


Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Green Palace Hotel or simmilar


Day 7. May 17, 2027 (Monday). GAKUCH – HUNZA VALLEY – GULMIT (170 km, 3 hours 30 minutes)

After breakfast, we will head to the Hunza Valley. The journey takes us along another stunningly beautiful road surrounded by majestic mountains. En route, we will stop at the most picturesque spots, including the Rakaposhi Viewpoint. Upon arrival in Hunza and hotel check-in, we will visit the Altit (900 years old) and Baltit (700 years old) forts. The Hunza Valley is home to a unique people, the Hunzakuts, who differ significantly from the surrounding ethnic groups. Some researchers suggest they are descendants of Alexander the Great's warriors.
There are also many centenarians among the Hunzakuts; reaching the age of 100 is nothing unusual here. Legends abound regarding the Hunzakuts' stamina. It is said that the men can walk a hundred kilometers in one direction, return, and then go straight to work in the fields. Women also spend a great deal of time in the fields, yet they handle all the housework afterward without showing any signs of fatigue. Another notable detail is that no one in Hunza suffers from excess weight. They even bathe in icy water when temperatures drop to 15 degrees below zero. Their women look like young girls even after age 50 and still give birth at 65. They are not prone to severe stress or anxiety. They never get angry or complain, never grow agitated or show impatience, and never quarrel with one another; they endure physical pain, noise, and similar discomforts with complete serenity.
We will visit the Hunzakuts in their traditional, historic homes and chat over a cup of aromatic tea—invariably served with apricot jam. We will stop by the Bulbulik Music School to see traditional Hunzakut instruments and listen to Wakhi music. In the evening, we will take a stroll through the picturesque village of Gulmit and admire an unforgettable sunset amidst the majestic mountains.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Eagle's Nest Hotel or simmilar


Day 8. May 18, 2027 (Tuesday). GULMIT – ATTABAD LAKE – GOJAL VALLEY – HUSSAINI BRIDGE – PASSU (80 km, 1.5 hours)

After an early breakfast, we set off for the picturesque Gojal Valley, located in the heart of Upper Hunza. En route, we will pass through the famous Attabad Tunnels and stop at the turquoise Attabad Lake; the lake was formed following a massive landslide in 2010 that blocked the flow of the Hunza River, creating a natural dam across the valley. The river's flow remained obstructed for five months. The resulting flooding submerged villages and forced approximately 6,000 residents of the Hunza Valley to abandon their homes, while over 25,000 people were cut off from transport links as more than 19 kilometers of the Karakoram Highway were inundated.
Next, we visit one of Pakistan’s most famous landmarks—the Hussaini Suspension Bridge—where a walk across offers a thrilling experience and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. We will continue exploring the region’s most distinctive villages: Gulmit, Hussaini, and Passu. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn more about the daily lives, traditions, and culture of the local people. A highlight of the day will be a visit to a local family home, where we will be welcomed with traditional hospitality and gain insight into family customs, daily routines, and life in the high mountains. By evening, we arrive in Passu to check into our hotel and relax amidst the majestic peaks of the Karakoram.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Montvale Resort Passu hotel or simmilar


Day 9. May 19, 2027 (Wednesday). PASSU – NALTAR VALLEY – SATRANGI LAKE – GILGIT (300 km, 5 hours)

After breakfast, we set off for Naltar, one of the most beautiful yet lesser-known valleys in northern Pakistan. The route passes through the village of Nomal before winding into the mountains, where the paved road gradually gives way to a picturesque dirt track flanked by dense pine forests. Upon arrival, we will visit the Naltar Nature Reserve - a place renowned for its pristine wilderness, crystal-clear mountain air, and magnificent scenery. Next, we will head to the famous seven-colored Satrangi Lake, where the water’s hues shift depending on the lighting and time of day. Here, there will be time to stroll, relax, take photos, and soak in the mountain tranquility.
After exploring the valley, we return to Gilgit. Upon arrival, we check into the hotel and have free time to stroll through the city, visit local shops, or relax after an eventful day.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Kalisto Hotel Gilgit or simmilar


Day 10. May 20, 2027 (Thursday). GILGIT – ISLAMABAD

In the morning, we head to Gilgit Airport and return to Islamabad. After checking into the hotel, we will visit the Lok Virsa Museum, which features an exhibition chronicling Pakistan's history from ancient times to the present day. If time permits, we will conclude the day with a visit to the Faisal Mosque—Pakistan's largest mosque—and the Pakistan Monument. Dinner at Kabul Restaurant.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Roomy Signature Hotel or simmilar


Day 11. May 21, 2027 (Friday). ISLAMABAD – TAXILA – RAWALPINDI – ISLAMABAD (230 km, 4 hours)

Today, we will visit the ruins and museum of the ancient city of Taxila. Taxila was the capital of the ancient Indian people known as the Gandharas. It served as the seat of King Taksha of the Gandharas, from whom the city may have derived its name. The city emerged at the intersection of three major trade routes. According to the "Ramayana", Taxila was founded by Bharata - Rama’s younger brother - and named after his son, Taksha.
It is believed that the "Mahabharata" was first performed in Taxila during the great festival of the serpent sacrifice. Ptolemy and other classical writers refer to the city as Taxila and the king himself as Taxiles. Arrian describes Takshashila as a large, wealthy city—the most populous of all the cities situated between the Indus and the Hydaspes. Buddhist literature (including accounts by Faxian and Xuanzang) mentions Taxila as a major university center where prominent Buddhist thinkers both studied and taught. Some of the earliest depictions of the Buddha were discovered here.
Next, we will head to Rawalpindi—Islamabad’s satellite city—where we will be sure to stroll through the city’s oldest market, Raja Bazaar.
We will wrap up the day with an unforgettable dinner at the Monal restaurant, featuring a panoramic view of Islamabad at night.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Roomy Signature Hotel or simmilar


Day 12. May 22, 2027 (Saturday). ISLAMABAD — RETURN FLIGHT

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. International return flight.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no

Recommended flights:
— Turkish Airlines flight to Moscow: departure from Islamabad at 9:15 AM on May 22, 1-hour-5-minute layover in Istanbul, arrival in Moscow at 6:30 PM on May 22;
— Emirates direct flight to Dubai: departure from Islamabad at 9:25 AM on May 22, arrival in Dubai at 11:35 AM on May 22;
— any other flight departing from Islamabad at any time on May 22.


* The expedition itinerary and logistics are subject to change based on local conditions (flight schedules, road conditions, safety, festival schedules, or the wishes of local residents). Should any planned visits prove impossible, they will be replaced by alternative activities whenever feasible. In the event of flight cancellations, expedition logistics will be maintained using ground transportation.