Wanderlust Punjab Tour

The visitors will be picked from Islamabad Airport in a luxurious chauffeur-driven SUV. At the hotel, the guests will check into their Suite Rooms at Serena Hotel. These suite rooms overlook scenic garden views and come with a king-size bed, a working desk, an attached bathroom, and a host of amenities. You can also utilize your complimentary passes to Maisha Spa we have arranged for you. Burn some calories in the sauna at Maisha or go for their exclusive Himayalan Salt Journey that uses rock salt from Khewra Salt Mines. Once settled in, the visitors will be taken on a city drive to explore nature and city sites. The ethereal sunsets at Monal Restaurant are a tourist attraction on their own. Sit in the eatery located on top of Margalla Hills and observe the romance of crimson, purple skies, and the mountains as dusk set in the valley. Choose from a range of light snacks to enjoy the sunset and music. We especially recommend the Cheese Naan at Monal Restaurant popular with both local and international visitors. History and architecture would also like the understated elegance of the Pakistan Monument. A national monument and heritage museum, the landmark is approximately 30 minutes away (by car) from Monal. Pakistan Monument is a symbol of the unity of Pakistani people and a must-visit if you are in the capital. Witness the spirituality and faith Pakistan is famous for at Faisal Mosque (just 15 minutes away from Pakistan Monument). Located on the foothills of Margalla Hills, the mosque has a contemporary design inspired by Bedouin tent with eight sides of the concrete shell. The visitors will be served a fine dining experience at Dawat an onsite restaurant at the Serena offering a range of Pakistani dishes cooked to perfection in a live kitchen.

The day will start with visitors driving through the lush forests from Islamabad towards Lahore. A stopover at Katas Raj Temple (also known as Qila Kitas) will give visitors a preview of what s about to come. Located approximately 2 hours away (153 km) from Islamabad, Katas Qila is a string of temples attached via walkways. The Qila, deeply embedded in Hinduism, plays a significant role in the Hindu epic poem, Mahabharata and many believe that the pond connected to the temples was made from Shiva s tears. After experiencing the splendor of the Qila, the guests will continue their drive towards Lahore. Buckle up for several stops at sublime river viewpoints and Rohtas Fort. The journey time between Qila Katas and Rohtas Fort is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. We will reach the fort just in time for lunch. Enjoy your packed lunch and drinks facilitated by the tour guide in the backdrop of this 16th-century fort. After a long day, the guests will check into their rooms at Avari Hotel. Classic design with several premium onsite amenities, the hotel has been chosen to give our guests the best. Enjoy the therapeutic Aroma Thai massage offered by the trained staff at the hotel spa, followed by a Steam room therapy to cleanse your breathing and de-stress. After a much-needed timeout, treat your taste buds with a fusion of mouth-watering dishes cooked with love by Avari s well-trained chefs. This is a themed dinner where our guests will be introduced to Mughlai cuisine. The day will end with a quiet night drive so that the visitors can enjoy the nocturnal splendor of Lahore s thick greenery.

Rev up your spirits for a trip to the walled city of Lahore. The old city Lahore dates back more than a thousand years and was the capital of the Mughal empire and later the Sikh empire. Lahore is known as the culinary center of Pakistan so guests should come with an appetite to experience the indigenous flavors of the country along the way. Skip breakfast at the hotel today, we want to take you out early for a food tour spin. The tour will include some of the legendary Lahori eateries that are being run by 3rd generations of families. A big part of the local food scene, these kiosks and stalls sell out their ware in a matter of hours, and you will find people queuing outside long before they open. Whether it s the Lassi (a milk beverage made with salt and sugar) or Payey (goat feet gravy), Lahore is a foodie s haven. The city is also one of the main agricultural hubs of the country and also a source of livelihood for farmers residing in and around the city. Taste the purity of nature s goodness at local dairies with freshly procured milk, home-grown butter, cheese, and other dairy specialties of the region. You will also visit the Lahore Fort, Minar-e-Pakistan national monument, and the Greater Iqbal Park where the resolution for Pakistan was passed in 1940. The park lies in the middle of the 13 historic gates of Lahore and includes a man-made lake spread out over 16,000sqm with dancing fountains and a center island-shaped to the map of Pakistan. The park also has a state of the art library, a national history museum, an open-air gym, and a food court As twilight starts to set in, guests will visit the Badshahi Mosque to bask in its Mughal-inspired glory and watch the sun descend behind the domes of the mosque. One of the most iconic landmarks in Lahore, the mosque is a reflection of Mughal architecture and finesse, with its exterior drenched in carved red sandstone with marble inlay. Devour scrumptious snacks and dinner at Haveli Restaurant situated right in front of the iconic mosque. Located in the historic Haveli Khalil Khan, Haveli Restaurant is an architectural landmark of the Fort Road Food Street in Lahore. In addition to being known as an eatery offering outstanding views of the famous Badshahi Mosque, the restaurant is famous for its brain masala, chops, kebab, and chicken cheese naan. Don t forget to give all of them a try to the tune of local music artisans. Return to your hotel for a good rest.

Avari Hotel takes the term good morning seriously. Guests are spoilt for choice very early in the AM with a buffet of health-packed and wholesome breakfast platters. After breakfast, you will head out to experience the life of the inner city of Lahore. We will start with the buzz at Delhi gate, one of the best-preserved gates of the historic city of Lahore. We will continue and visit the recently restored Shahi (Royal) Hamam (Steam Bath). The next stop will be the Wazir Khan Mosque, one of the most beautiful in Pakistan. The tour will end with a one of its kind walk in the bustling bazaar virtually selling anything or everything. You will get to know why Lahore bazaars are called exotic with their fragrance of spices, scents, and eye-catching wares and bargains. We take a break from all the excursions to have lunch. After lunch we will head out for an afternoon excursion to Wagah border to witness a flag-lowering ceremony, a must-see for any guest visiting Lahore. Head back to the hotel after an extensive trip around the city to rest at leisure in your rooms at Avari Hotel. You can also blow off steam at Avari s well-equipped gym or keep it light and wash away the exhaustion by taking a dip in the pool. A quiet dinner will be served at the hotel where you can share your experiences and stories with your trip mates. Tonight s dinner is at Fujiyama the top-rated Japanese fine-dine in Lahore, to give you a break from the rich Mughlai menus.

After breakfast, the visitors will depart for Multan with a stopover at Harappa. The ancient city of Harappa is a treat for history and archeology buffs. The ruins of a Bronze Age fortified city, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilization, is a must-visit because it hosts a crumbling architectural proof and epigraphic evidence of the magnificence of the Indus Valley civilization. You will also get a chance to zoom into the religious fervor of a city so deeply immersed in culture and heritage. Explore the spiritualistic strokes of the city with a guided walk to the Shrines of Sufi Saints. Snacking with local communities on this guided trip is the perfect opportunity for the guests to get experience in the cultural pivot of modern Pakistan. Multan is a beautiful tapestry with modernization, old spiritualism, and architecture all interwoven together harmoniously. Complete your day with Multani sweets that are famous all over the world for their warm, sugary goodness. Head back to your premium room at Avari Xpress Multan and freshen up before you head out to relish the taste of local palate pleasers as the musicians from the city serenade you with traditional mystic Sufi music. Spiritually wholesome is the word!

Buckle up because things are going to get a bit turbulent and deliciously rustic on this day. After breakfast, you will depart for a thrilling desert safari on the rocky land of the Cholistan desert. If you are visiting between January to February, you will get to experience the Cholistan Desert Rally. The Cholistan Desert Rally officially started in 2005 and has taken Pakistani motor-sports to an international level. Every year, rally drivers from all over Pakistan compete with each other on a challenging track among the dunes. Regardless of the event, the Cholistan desert has a rich history you will get to explore the majestic 9th-century Derawar Fort. The Fort is the epitome of grandeur spanning over 1.5 kilometers. The Fort s red brick frontage comes alive with unfiltered sunlight during the day time and with camels almost strolling around the Fort the view is nothing short of folklore come to life. A centuries-old view that continues to inspire visitors throughout time Hop on a camel and explore the area in a regal fashion and enjoy the earthy tones of the desert and its expansive dunes. You can take rides, trek, and rest at leisure at the Cholistan Desert a song of sand and nomadism spread across a whopping 26,300 square kilometers. We ride the dunes towards the deeper desert to visit villages and oasis settlements. Drenched in a nomadic lifestyle, fall in love with the attire of the people here. Brightly colored turbans, white bangles, and robes with intricate embroidery. Everything comes together to form the desert lifestyle culture. Pick up from the artistic craft pieces such as weaved cloth, pottery, and leatherwork from here. You will leave for Bahawalpur to witness the awe-inspiring Noor Mahal. The palace built in 1872 - in homage to the rising tide of modernism. The architecture of this monument is inspired by an Italian chateau constructed on the neoclassical stencil. The mahal now a museum is home to the old currency, swords and things of everyday use by the Nawabs for history buffs to get their fix from. Dinner will be served at the hotel amidst folktales from the region before you head to your premium room at PC Hotel One to snooze off the day s exhaustion.

After breakfast you will head out for a sightseeing tour around Bahawalpur City. Bahawalpur is also famous for its royalty as it was formerly a princely state. We will visit the Bahawalgarh palace complex and as the name suggests take you through the interiors of 3-4 royal palaces such as the Darbar Mahal, Farrukh Mahal, and Gulzar Mahal. These palaces were built in the years 1904 1909 and feature elaborate art layered walls, heritage design architecture, a maze of rooms, and building domes that have all been preserved with time. We will arrange for special access, as the palaces are not open for the general public. The sightseeing tour will be followed by a drive back to Lahore where the guests will check into the exclusive Ava Gardner Suites at Faletti s. One of Faletti s largest and most luxurious suites, the Ava Gardner Suite is a tribute to the famous Hollywood actress and reflects her elegance. It offers two bedrooms, a living room, a walk-in closet, a dresser, and a separate dining area. Enjoy in-room facilities such as mini-bar and laundry service before you end the day with dinner, chatter, local music, and dance in Faletti s exclusive lounge.

Our action-packed tour comes to an end with guests flying back home from Allama Iqbal Lahore Airport. Thrilling 4x4 rides amongst the dunes, food comas, and historical landmarks this trip has it all to keep the explorer inside you on its toes. Press pause on your everyday routine and say yes to adventure with this package. Chalo Pakistan! *This leisurely trip can be extended upon request. The itinerary can be added on and customized to your fit.