Punjab Culture And Heritage Tour

The guests will be picked from Allama Iqbal Lahore Airport and will be transferred to Avari Hotel after a brief Meet & Greet. Avari Hotel Lahore is a classically designed building with an old-world charm. It is top-rated for its decades-old hospitality and hosts a string of restaurants, spa, pool, and gym. Check-in and freshen up here because we have a long, adventurous day ahead. The first stop would be Lahore Fort an aging citadel with intricate carvings located at the northern end of the walled city of Lahore. Experience the opulence of the Mughal Dynasty on this 20-hectare property before we leave for Badshahi Mosque. One of the most iconic landmarks in Lahore, Badshahi Mosque is a vision to behold. The mosque s architectural design is an ode to Mughal Era with its exterior draped in carved red stone and marble. After exploring the Badshahi Mosque, the guests will head to Minar-e-Pakistan. The monument is a harmonious marriage of traditional Islamic and modern architecture and boasts tremendous historical significance for the people of Pakistan. Visit the museum here to delve into the events that led to the birth of this nation. Relax towards the end of the day by flexing your retail muscle at Anarkali Bazar to see the vibrant retail and shopping culture. Our next adventure would be an extravagant dining experience at Haveli Restaurant. One of the most raved about restaurants in the old city area called the Gawalmandi Food Street, this eatery comes with a view of the 16th century Badshahi Mosque. Head back to your room and journal about the adventurous day or grab a cup of coffee and share stories with your tour mates. The night time is all about you unwinding the way you prefer.

Day 2 is specially planned for the history buffs. We set out early and visit the Delhi Gate and marvel at the intricacies of the monument. This will be a short drive of approximately 12 minutes but it is a great opportunity for you to soak in the positive and cheery vibe of the region. The Delhi Gate is one of six gates of the Walled City of Lahore with a Shahi Hammam adjacent to it. The Shahi Hammam was also known as Wazir Khan Hammam is a Persian-style luxurious bath with several Mughal Era frescos under the main dome still intact. Next up you will visit Wazir Khan Mosque another Mughal-inspired structure to leave you in awe of the craftsmanship and creativity of an era bygone. The day will include a half food tour which will be all about you getting up close and personal with Lahore s street food culture. We take you to famous Lahori eateries that have received the seal of approval by foodies in Lahore. Most of these restaurants and eateries have a legacy of serving nothing but the best and are being run by 3rd generations of families who first opened the shop. Don t be surprised if you find a long queue of people outside these eateries, these roadside shops and stalls sell out within hours! We conclude the day by taking guests to witness the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border a union council between Pakistan and India. Nationalistic pride is deeply embedded in the subcontinental culture. This emotionally charged parade depicts the resilience of soldiers from both countries and is a good opportunity for you to experience the heartbeat of the region and its people. Return to your hotel to relax the evening with Thai aromatherapy at the Hotel Spa. Ring up your appetite and enjoy a Mughlai dinner at the Lakhnavi Restaurant to explore the fine dining evolution of Punjabi cuisine.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Multan in a luxurious SUV with stopovers at Harappa Civilization and its ruins. Upon arrival in Multan, the guests will check-in at Avari Xpress Boutique Residence, Multan to rest and recharge for the visit to Sufi Saint Shrines. The whole day will be spent in Multan to explore and witness the Sufi traditions and philosophies as a fabric of life in Punjab. We will visit some of the most prominent shrines such as Shah rukn-e-Alam and Shams Tabrez, Bahauddin Zakariya, and what to expect there. We will also meet local Sufi historians over a cup of tea for a session of Sufi meditations, whirling to the Sufi music, and experience the philosophy.

After breakfast, the guests will depart for a full day village excursion to Panjnad the conference point where 5 rivers meet - Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. You will be spending your day at a local village to experience the origins, culture, and hospitality of the people of the 5 rivers. The converging point of Indus River s tributaries attracted settlers from all over the region. Visit local homes here, get invited for lunch with fresh farm picks, and enjoy conversations with the locals. Farming and agriculture are some of the main sources of livelihood here so make sure to try freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, and fresh home-made dairy products such as butter, cheese, and buffalo milk. The main items on the menu for lunch will be the classic diet of Makai ki Roti, Sarson ka Saag in pure butter ghee, and Lassi. Try the hookah, the local version of the world popular shisha tobacco smoking. Take a walk in the expansive farms and gather around with the host family and villagers on a charpayee to share laughter and hear stories of their village lifestyle. Return to your hotel at sunset and enjoy a delicious dinner meal with your tour mates before calling it a day.

It s time to indulge in retail therapy! We set out early today because there are a lot of things to cover. The guests will visit Hussain Agahi Bazaar one of the main bazaars in Multan - to explore the arts and crafts from the region. The bazaar is lined with shops offering everything from shoes, clothes, and ornaments. However, the highlight of the bazaar is the sweet shops that sell Multani Halwa a rich condensed dessert made with milk, wheat sprouts, cardamom, and nuts. Experience the street culture while you devour the palate pleasers from a local restaurant before departing for Bahawalpur. In addition to the Agahi Bazar will also explore the Ghanta Ghar square, Nigar Khana, Fort Kohna, and Qasim Bagh. This road trip of a lifetime is riddled with scenic photo stops so that you can take Instagram-worthy shots! Check-in at Hotel One and rest at leisure. Dinner will be served in the comfort of the hotel.

After breakfast, the guests will depart for a full day trip to the southern deserts of Punjab. The first stop is the Lal Suhanra National Park where guests can indulge in wildlife spotting and capture the beauty of some of the most exotic animals in their natural habitat. Enjoy a camel riding around the rustic, semi-nomadic setting of the Derawar Fort a larger-than-life fortress whose forty bastions can be spotted from miles away in the Cholistan Desert. Relish the taste of local snacks here before returning to Bahawalpur where we arrange the rest of your stay here in a premium campsite in front of Derawar Fort. Dinner will be served next to a bonfire with traditional music and food. Live the true spirit of Punjab and become one with the nomadic setting while you enjoy your feast in the open air. We recommend you strike a conversation with few locals to get a firsthand experience of how, despite being far away from the river, the people of Cholistan are like the settlers around the Indus River through their shared culture and language.

Time to hit the road again! After breakfast and check-out, we take you for a tour of the royal Noor Mahal palace. This palace has an awe-inspiring architecture with an empowering use of art with public space. Bahawalpur was a former princely state and has sprawling palaces built from the 19th and 20th centuries. As we drive back to Lahore, several stopovers at nature and lifestyle sites have been added to this road trip. We want to provide you with enough opportunities to create inspiring content for your travelogues and memories to share with your loved ones. Once in Lahore you will check-in at Faletti s Hotel and freshen up in your very exclusive Ava Gardner Suite. The exterior of the hotel is something to write home about. One of Faletti s largest and most luxurious suites, the Ava Gardner Suite is a tribute to the famous Hollywood actress during her stay at Faletti s in 1955 and is curated to reflect her elegance. We have put you in the same room after 65 years. The hotel founded in 1880 is a smart blend of architectural inspirations from Victorian, Art Deco, and Colonial styles. Don t forget to check out the endearingly European pastry shop and don t fret the extra calories because there s an on-site, fully-equipped gym for you to burn those calories. For our last dinner of the trip we will drive down to the Village Restaurant for a thematic and cultural dining experience. Enjoy the rural setting of the restaurant made plausible by the staff dressed in costumes to match the sartorial choices of locals in Pakistani villages. From continental to subcontinental the Village Restaurant offers a buffet of food choices topped with their famous Kulfi a subcontinental ice-cream made with chilled milk, ice, and dry fruits. Take pictures are the rural and rustic interior of the restaurant and savor every bite of authentic Pakistani cuisine here.

After breakfast, the guests will leave for the Allama Iqbal Airport to catch their flights back home. Our package is specially designed for those who want to reconnect with the earth. Taste the purity of an agricultural lifestyle, explore the famed rural tapestry of Punjab, and witness how it shapes up the modern culture of the settlers along the River Indus. We take you to the key food streets and stalls in the heart of Lahore to relish the specialties that make this region the culinary capital of Pakistan. From Cholistan Desert s nomadic vibe to Lahore s city vibes, this is an affair you would want to come back for. Chalo Pakistan! *This leisurely trip can be extended upon request. The itinerary can be added on and customized to your fit.