Explore the exuberant and colorful festivities and enjoy local cuisines of Kalash Valley with Chalo Pakistan. Kalash Valley's rural allure has enthralled many travelers both from within Pakistan and abroad. The swarm of visitors Kalash has hosted includes royalty like Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton who mingled with the Kalasha community and lost their hearts to the romance of the valley. A string of festivals peppered throughout the year notably the Chilam Joshi also known as Kalash spring festival makes this valley an ideal destination for your next spring or summer vacation. In short the valley is a burst of colors, festivals, dance, and aesthetically unprecedented views. Here's an end-to-end itinerary of our Kalash Valley Package.
You will be picked up from Islamabad Airport for a brief meet and greet session followed by hotel check-in. Serena Hotels are considered one of the best hotels in the country hosting guests from all over the world in their luxurious rooms.
Rest at leisure in your suite rooms with indulgent amenities at your disposal and freshen up for a beautiful road trip to Monal Restaurant. The restaurant situated on top of Margalla Hill offers scenic views and a diverse menu replete with distinctive flavors of Pakistan.
The guests can enjoy bite-sized snacks and finger food here before heading back to the hotel where a lavish dinner prepared by Serena Hotels' top chefs awaits. If you love nature you'd like to visit Daman-e-Koh - a viewing garden and hilltop point located 15 minutes away from Monal before you head back to the hotel.
The capital also offers tourist attractions such as Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque - one of the largest mosques in Pakistan displaying the spiritual anchor of Pakistani people. Dinner will be served at Dawat - an onsite restaurant at Serena Hotel where chefs prepare piping hot Pakistani cuisine in a live kitchen.
After breakfast, guests will be transferred to a helipad where they start their journey from the foothills of Himalayas towards the Hindukush heartland in a helicopter. The first leg of the journey will land at Chilas for refuel and then continue towards Chitral. On the way, they will buzz over the alpine, snow-draped valleys of Eastern Hindukush. Guests will check-in at Hindukush Heights.
This hotel was handpicked for our guests because of its interior inspired by the nawab aristocracy culture in the region. Hindukush Heights is located on one side of a hill and blends in well with adjoining meadows. The doors and windows open to a display of nature's handiwork giving guests a memorable experience. Fun fact: The hotel's organic garden is the main source of vegetables.
Our guests can also choose the fresh pick of the day for their dinner. Once we get back to the hotel, enjoy a leisurely siesta, or take a walk around the property - the evening is all about you relaxing in the comfort of your room. It's time to explore the gardens you see from your room at Hindukush Heights. Soak in the tranquility and the quiet splendor of the valley while munching on scrumptious snacks.
A feast for your eyes and your soul! All food is prepared with vegetables, fruits, poultry, and meat fresh from the farm. Drink fresh spring water here and satisfy your sweet tooth with their freshly made banoffee pie. Walkthrough Chitral's local bazaar and pick memorabilia reflecting the colorful essence of the valley. Chitral is a hotbed of local craftsmen, artists, and leather workers so you will be in for an amazing shopping spree with unbelievable steals and deals. Do not forget to pick up the world-famous Chitrali hat made with coins/colorful beads and distinctive gemstone accessories.
You will come back for a hearty dinner comprising some of the main delicacies from the valley. The Kalashas love the deep warmth of dry fruits especially walnuts. The region is known for its specialty Bilili and Ja'u - baked walnut bread mixed with cheese and nuts. You will find different styles of this bread out in the bazaar and hotels. Request your hotel staff for this local delicacy.
Pack your towels today for a swim in the wild! After early breakfast we start the day with the Garam Chashma experience and the Sulphur Springs.
The drive is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long (by car) from the hotel. The water body flowing along the valley surrounded by a school of mountains is renowned for fishing sport with an abundant supply of trout fish.
After that we will return and explore the Kalasha culture and engage with the locals. Take a walk in the village and meet the locals in their traditional houses to experience the Kalasha hospitality. Don the Kalash attire, relish the taste of delectable local home-cooked delicacies and experience traditional cooking methods here. You will get to try their homemade maize bread and a cup of tea.
Ask your tour guide to arrange visits to local schools to get a feel of the region. The Kalasha dance and music depict the locals' philosophy to life and is a must when you are in the region.
After an eventful tour of the valley, the guests will be driven back to Chitral, where dinner will be served at Hindukush Heights. Freshen up in your room with a hot water bath, clean toiletries, private classical-ledge style balcony with a view of the gaping valley and river hundreds of feet below. Rest at leisure and then join your travel mates for a lavish, Kalasha dinner. Time to close your eyes and savor the cuisines of the valley in every bite!
It�s a day to celebrate your love of nature. After breakfast, the guests will kick-start a full day excursion of Chitral Gol National Park (Madakalasht).
The distance from Hindukush Heights to the national park is approximately 10 km so take your cameras out and capture wildlife, flora, and fauna that blend with the scenic backdrop.
A guided walk for wildlife spotting by the warden will enable guests to zoom into the natural habitat of some of the most exotic animals in the world amidst several glaciers running through the park. Chitral National Park is still home to the largest population of the Astor Markhor in the world. While experiencing the wildlife and nature�s genius at Chitral Gol National Park, visitors will enjoy the packed lunch boxes comprising carefully selected food items.
Find a new passion in the mountains with us! We will introduce you to the art of birdwatching here. Indulge in bird watching with your tour mates and see if you can spot the demoiselle crane, peregrine falcon, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, and Rock Partridge. After the National Park we will drive approximately 87 km uphill to the Mastuj Fort where we will be residing in the chalets that are also run by Hindukush Heights.
Experience the same level of hospitality but in the calm of the valley. Hindukush offers 6 chalets for a primal retreat right next to the fort. We end the long day with a hot water bath in the chalet.
Your breakfast table is set out in the meadows facing the deep valley. You will try the Rishiki - crepe with local honey and cheese The owner is a certified Ashtanga Yoga Instructor, and offers Yoga Retreat classes facing the giant peaks right next to the 18th-century fort.
Watch polo players prove their mettle at the local polo club. We will be headed to the Shandur Polo Ground. It's the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters and is referred to as the 'Roof of the World'. Experience the grandeur of Polo (also known as the king of games) here.
According to historians, enthusiasts have been playing this sport for 3000 years so don't shy to get in the game and experience the thrill first-hand. Saddle up! You will get a chance to climb a trained horse, get on the chase, and have a shorthand at freestyle polo.
If you are visiting in Summer, we will plan your trip to catch the annual Shandur polo festival in the first week of July. This is one of Pakistan's biggest traditional sports Dinner will be served back at your hilltop chalet where you taste mantu dumplings and pillaf with yak meat and a generous serving of herbal teas from the valley.
After breakfast, the guests will get in a helicopter to journey back to Islamabad, with a stopover in Chilas. Ride over the snow-kissed peaks of Hindukush mountain ranges and witness the highest mountain in the range - the Tirich Mir at 7,708 meters in all its glory.
Our last days of this traditional luxury tour will end with amenities. After braving it out in the mountains and wild, today will be about getting back to normal with your 5-star services and facilities. Today is all about you lazying at the pool with bar food and music, melting away your stress with a luxurious sauna/steam and spa session. We have also arranged for exclusive Maisha Spa passes for our guests so that they can align their chakras with a Himalayan Rock Salt Detox Journey or a Hydrating Milk Bath. Relax on the executive lounge or in the safe courtyards of Serena and dine at will.
The day will come to an end with you enjoying an alfresco traditional Pakistani live BBQ at Baradari as you socialize with other tourists and share your experiences.
After breakfast, the guests will be transferred to Islamabad airport where they take their homebound flight. Put together your great shots, share your stories, and get ready for the wows. You can always relive the adventure by booking this tour with us. Chalo Pakistan!
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