Dial us for adventure! Mountain trekking, thrilling chair lift rides, premium campsites, meals by the lakeside, excursions to mosques and churches, and so much more – this package is tailor-made for travelers who get their adrenaline drive from wild unexplored nature. We take you to Lok Virsa Museum, Saint Luke’s Church, exotic bazaars, Pakistan Monument, and other heritage sites to give you a crash course in the colorful history of Pakistan. On one side you get to explore the heritage of this kaleidoscopic country and on the other side, we take you to hill-station resorts such as Nathiagali, Murree, Bhurban, Naran, and Kaghan to witness alpine valley masterpieces. Sky-high mountains, glacial lakes, and waterfalls and thick forests make this package a nature lover’s dream come true. All of this is topped with exotic culinary experiences, succulent BBQ treats, parathas made with fresh ghee (clarified butter), roadside snacks and hot tea Pakistan is famous for. Here’s a complete itinerary to get you packing already.
The guests will be picked up from Islamabad Airport. A quick check-in at Serena Hotel will be followed by a visit to Lok Virsa Cultural Museum.
A museum dedicated to the history and culture of Pakistan situated on the Shakarparian Hills just 9 minutes away (by car) from your hotel. The museum offers an exclusive viewing of the statues, pottery, music, crafts, and textile work depicting the diverse ethnic and tribal landscape of the country.
If you're an avid reader, you'd want to explore the Lok Virsa Heritage Reference Library which houses journals on local anthropology, folk music, history, heritage art, and crafts. Stop at the Lok Virsa Sales Center Pick to pick souvenirs such as books on Pakistani culture, video, and audio cassettes of folk music.
Next, we head to the Faisal Mosque - the largest mosque in Pakistan with a distinct architecture. Enjoy the unique blend of Islamic and contemporary here and witness spiritualism at its best as men bow down in gratitude with the soothing sound of Adhan in the background.
We will drive for approximately 18 minutes from Faisal Mosque to view the sunset at Daman e Koh - a hilltop garden and viewing point that offers a splendid view of Islamabad. Trekkers can also flex their muscles and go for Margalla Hiking on Trail 5. From Daman-e-Koh we will drive for approximately 15 minutes to reach Monal - a restaurant situated on Margalla Hills at an altitude of 1188+ meters.
The restaurant is known for serving delicious Pakistani cuisine with a spectacular view of the city and the forests embracing it. You must try the cheese naans at Monal Restaurant but we suggest you keep it light and save your appetite for a grand dinner at Dawat.
Savor the taste of meat cooked to perfection in local spices and condiments at Dawat - an onsite restaurant in Serena Hotel. Let the spices and herbs pop in your mouth as professional chefs prepare your food in open kitchens and refresh your plates with piping hot food.
Enjoy breakfast fit for royalty at Serena Hotel. After breakfast, we will start our road trip to Nathiagali - a mountain resort town in Abbottabad located on an altitude of 2,410 meters.
The journey is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes long but, with several scenic views on the way, it's nothing short of meditative experience. Upon arrival in Nathiagali you will check-in at Governor House Nathiagali. Governor House Nathiagali was constructed in 1923 and is an intimate structure with colonial influences at approximately 2,414 meters above sea level. The resort lodge is surrounded by lush green gardens, flora, and a splendid view of the valley.
The guests will freshen up in their rooms and get ready to explore Saint Luke's Church. Constructed in 1854-55, Saint Luke's Church is an extensive chapter on the history of the region. Nature lovers are in for a treat. Our next adventure includes trekking along the pipeline from Donga Gali to Ayubia.
It is an easy walking track at an altitude of approximately 2,499 meters and takes about 40 to 50 minutes to cross.
Ayubia is famous for its chair lift service that takes you across the thick forests of the valley and gives an up-close view of the mountains. Ask your tour guide to arrange a lift chair rides for you here so that you can truly appreciate nature's handiwork.
After exploring Ayubia and enjoying light snacks on our way, we drive back for approximately 30 to Donga Gali. Donga Gali has a string of culturally rich bazaars that offer handmade, ethnic accessories such as bead necklaces in colorful gemstones procured from the valley, leather goods, pashmina shawls, and wooden miniatures. This much-needed retail therapy will be followed by a traditional dinner at one of the top restaurants in the area.
The locals here love meat so buckle up to be treated with succulent meaty treats marinated in local spices. Choose from a wide range of meaty treats from Koyla Karahi (chicken/beef gravy with chilies cooked on coal) to Chicken Chargha (whole chicken in a marinade).
After breakfast, we will set out to trek the Miranjani Mountain Top that sits at a height of 2,800 meters.
The Miranjani trek boasts an elevation of approximately 600 meters is located just a few minutes away (by car) from the Governor House. The total length of this soft dirt track is approximately 4.69 km and can be easily completed in 2 - 3 hours. Soak in the tranquility of nature and feast your eyes on the lush green forests along the way. Once we reach the top, you can easily get a panoramic view of Nathiagali, Mushkpuri Peak, and Azad Kashmir.
If you're lucky, you might just be able to see Nanga Parbat at a distance of more than 400 km if the sky is clear. We will eat our packed lunch on top of Miranjani with a 360-degree view of nature's best work. As the sun starts setting, you will descend and drive back to the campsite. We will camp at Miranjani Mountain so that you can get a taste of the raw and pure energy of this region. Indulge in stargazing, enjoy your dinner, and marvel at the view of the mountains around you.
Breakfast will be served at the campsite after which we set out to explore Murree and Galiyat Hills by car.
Our first stop, however, will be Mall Road in Murree. The road is home to several shops and restaurants. Indulge in retail therapy and try local delicacies from the roadside kiosks on this street. You can also sit down with a cup of hot, milky tea to observe the hustle-bustle of this tourist-attracting bazaar. We will drive for approximately 30 minutes from the bazaar to reach Bhurban.
Located at an altitude of approximately 1,828 meters, Bhurban is a resort town between Murree and Kashmir Road. Lunch will be served at one of the restaurants in Pearl Continental Bhurban. Be prepared for an exquisite culinary experience replete with juicy BBQ and other traditional delicacies from the region. After lunch, we will drive back to Nathiagali with a stopover at Ayubia to experience the chair lift one more time. End the day by enjoying the luxury of Governor House and enjoy a cup of hot beverage with your tour mates amidst the mountains.
After breakfast, we will leave for Naran - a town in Kaghan Valley at an altitude of approximately 2,409 meters.
The total journey time from Nathiagali to Naran is approximately 5-6 hours. However, we have added stops at Manshera (a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Kaghan (an alpine valley in the Mansehra) to cover as much as possible on this trip.
Upon arrival in Naran, you will check-in at Hotel One, Naran. Freshen up in your Deluxe Valley View Room that features two single beds, a private bathroom, two single sofas, a coffee table, a dressing mirror, air conditioning, and minibar fridge. We will then set out to explore Naran Bazar and the roadside food culture here. You would find everything here from juicy tikkas to bun kebab (subcontinental spin on burgers) to soft cone serve, and coffee.
The Pashtuns are known for being meat lovers so prepare to be spoiled with food options here. You will wrap up the day with a calm and soothing drive down to the riverbank followed by dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel will be followed by an excursion to Lake Saif-ul-Malook.
Lake Saif ul Malook is a mountainous lake at an elevation of approximately 3,224 meters in Kaghan Valley. The lake is considered the 'national lake of Pakistan' and has popular folklore associated with it.
Walk along the lake, take pictures and breathe in the magnificence of this water body that has been a major tourist attraction for decades. We will stay and dine at the campsite so make sure you make the most of this time. Ask questions, explore the surrounding areas, and connect with the local team here to get an insight into the rural lifestyle of the area.
A hearty breakfast spread will be served at Saif-ul-Malook lakeside.
Savor the taste of parathas (flatbread) fried in desi ghee and omelets cooked with spices. Ask your tour guide to narrate the folktale called Saif-ul-Malook, written by a Sufi poet that eternalized the love story of the prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake.
We will drive from Saif-ul-Malook for approximately 2 hours to reach Lulusar Lake. A stopover at Lalazar Falls has been added to give you the ultimate valley hunting experience. The entire valley is heavily peppered with lakes and waterfalls which add to its scenic value and touristic appeal.
Upon arrival at Lulusar Lake, we will set up our tents for overnight stay. Lulusar is a cluster of peaks and a lake at an elevation of approximately 3,410 meters. Reconnect with nature here, eat your dinner under the stars and enjoy conversations with your tour mates in the wilderness of this region.
After breakfast, you will depart for Islamabad. Upon arrival in the capital, you will check-in at Serena Hotel.
Your Deluxe Room comes with a comfortable king bed or twin beds (as per your preference), a working desk, a safety deposit box, private bathroom with luxurious bath amenities. We have procured special passes to the Maisha Spa at Serena Hotel for you. End your trip with a revitalizing Himalaya Rock Salt Detoxifying Journey - made with rock salt from Khewra Salt Mines - or calm your muscles in the sauna/steam room.
You will then leave for an evening drive around Islamabad. Ask your tour guide to arrange for a short trip to Pakistan Monument - a structure dedicated to the unity of Pakistani people. Visit the adjoining museum to know more about Pakistan's history and take pictures with the wax statues of prominent local personalities and artifacts from Pakistan's past. You will have dinner at Saidpur Village - a village located in a ravine in the Margalla Hills at an elevation of approximately 620 meters. Enjoy deliciously traditional food here from roadside kiosks and connect with the locals in the area.
After breakfast, you will depart for Islamabad Airport to catch your homebound flight. The Alpine Tour by Chalo Pakistan is the perfect opportunity to escape the ordinary and mundane. We hope this trip was a much-needed treat for your mind, body, and soul. You can always book with us again whenever you need a time-out.
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