Day 1: Arrive Islamabad
We are welcomed at Islamabad Airport and transferred to our hotel. Afternoon we go on a twin cities tour of the old city of Rawalpindi and the modern Islamabad. We begin with a visit to Raja Bazaar, the oldest and traditional shopping area in Rawalpindi.From here we continue to Shakerparian Gardens for a panoramic view of Islamabad. Next stop is Faisal Mosque, unique in its architecture and among the largest mosques in the world. We then drive past some Government Buildings, which showing an interesting combination of both traditional and modern Islamic architecture.Overnight: Regency Hotel, Islamabad (1 night)
Day 2:Islamabad/ Taxila /Peshawar
Taking on the historical Grand Trunk Route we drive to Peshawar
with a visit to Taxila, once the seat of Gandhara Art and
Buddhism. Here we visit the Museum, which houses a rich collection
of artifacts excavated from various sites nearby. Our visit
continues to the sites of Sirkap city, Mohra Moradu Monastery,
Jaulian Monastery and Dharmarajika Stupa. After sightseeing we
resume our drive to Peshawar. Overnight: Pearl Intercontinental
Hotel,Peshawar
Day 3:Peshawar the Khyber Pass
An exciting day ahead as we visit the incredible Khyber Pass
followed by a tour of the historical city of Peshawar. The Khyber
Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the
history of mankind. The historic pass begins 18 km / 11 miles)
west of Peshawar and runs up to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at
Torkham, 57 km / 35 miles from Peshawar. It has been conquered by
the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt
by the Brahmins and invaded by the great Moguls. The Sikhs and
Afghans also left their mark here before the Pass fell to the
British. Today the Khyber Pass is the site of famous forts such as
Jamrud and Shagai. The "Smuggler's Bazaar" at Landi Kotal,
situated en route to the Khyber Pass is also covered in this tour. (Excursion to
Khyber Pass is subject to permit) Afternoon tour of Peshawar city includes visit to Peshawar Museum that houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and historical
relics dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD) to
modern times. Next we visit the Yadgar Square and the beautiful
Mahabat Khan Mosque, a beautiful towering structure with lofty
minarets. The Qissa Khawani Bazaar (storyteller's bazaar), the
Peshawar Pottery Works, Bater Bazaar (street of partridge lovers)
and Mochi Lara, famous for its exquisitely embroidered sandals.
Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city.
Day 4:Peshawar/ Islamabad / Kabul (Drive / Flight)
Morning we drive back to Islamabad Airport to take Afghan Ariana's flight to Kabul. Upon arrival at Kabul Airport we see the first evidence of the devastations of recent
history. The airport terminal is full of war-damaged aircrafts - a
desperate sight. We are warmly welcomed and transferred to our
hotel. The drive from the airport gives us an overview picture of
this world capital. Rest of the day free at leisure in this
re-born city. Overnight: Continental Hotel, Kabul
Day 5:Kabul
Today is a full day sightseeing of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan since 1776. Kabul was once a fast growing city ringed
with mountains, gleaming emerald green in spring and glistening
white in winter. It was a popular tourist spot and a place of
convergence for the many tourists who were journeying overland
from Europe to Asia. Though most of the attractions in Kabul city
were destroyed due to heavy bombardment the remains of Bala Hisar
Palace, the Arg (Citadel), Mausoleum of Amir Abdur Rahman, and
Babur's Gardens remain to catch the eyes of visitors. In addition, various mosques
like Masjid-e-Pule Kheshti, Masjid-e-Shahe Du Shamshira, Masjid-e-Sherpur (Blue Mosque); Masjid-e-Wazir Akbar Khan etc are
places to be visited for their unique architecture. The living
cultural patterns can be observed in various teahouses,
restaurants and shops located in the "Chicken streets". We also
visit the bazaars and have ample time to meet and talk with the
locals sharing their experiences from the pre and post Taliban
era. Translating for us will be the employees / volunteers of the
many foreign missions in Afghanistan
Day 6: Kabul
Today is our excursion to the scenic Salang
Pass and Istalif Village. Salang Pass is located 122 km / 76 miles
north of Kabul in the heart of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The trip
to Salang Pass presents some of the worlds most thrilling and
spectacular scenery. There are various attractions on the way to
the Salang Pass but the most prominent are the fruit market at
Qara Bagh, Top-e-Darra (Valley of the Stupa), and the town of
Charikar, which is the capital of Parwan Province and is noted for
its bazaars. Reg Rawan (Moving Sands), which run down the mountain
some 300 meters / 984 feet, Koh-e-Pahlwan (Mountains of Heroes or
Wrestlers) famous for the Buddhist Monasteries of Paitava and
Shotorak can also be viewed on the way. The ancient town of Kapisa
lies at the footsteps of this mountain. Finally, a 3-hour drive
will take us to Salang Tunnel, located at an altitude of 3363
meters / 11033 feet. It is 2.7 km / 1.7 miles long and an
additional 4.9 km / 3 miles of Galleries were constructed to keep
the approaches free of snow. This tunnel was built in joint
collaboration between former U.S.S.R. and Afghanistan. The work
began in August 1958 and the tunnel was officially opened in
November 1964. We visit Istalif located in Koh Daman valley that
is ringed by barren hills dotted with villages nestled within
green orchards. Among these villages, Istalif is one of the
largest, and the most ancient village that combines beautiful
scenery with an introduction to Afghan life. At Istalif the Takht
(Throne) lies under huge plane trees offer an impressive panoramic
view of the village and the Koh Daman. Many picnic here today, as
did the Mughal Emperor
Babur in the 16th century. The terraced gardens below the Takht are an
attraction for those who enjoy natural settings. Istalif is also
famous for its Blue pottery, cotton prayer rugs and intricately
carved wooden chests. We visit Tapa Iskander, a Hindu Shahi
Complex of 7th to 9th centuries, Qala Murad Beg, famous for its
local pottery work, Karizamir, an experimental farm established by
King Zahir Shah, Khair Khana Pass and the Brahmanic Temple
(6th-7th centuries)
Day 07 Wednesday: Kabul
Today we take another full day excursion - this time to Paghman and Kargha Lake Paghman is located some 20 km / 12 miles from Kabul at an altitude of 2200m / 7218 feet and affords a delightful sample of
Afghanistan's countryside. On weekends and holidays, Paghman is filled with
festive visitors from Kabul who can approach this town via one of
two paved roads from Kabul This town is also known as birthplace of King Amanullah, the most celebrated King of Afghanistan. Victory Arch standing in
Central Square commemorates those who fought and died in the war
of
Independence (1919). Visit to Red mosque and Bagh-e-Umumi (Public
Garden
are also included in this visit. Darra (The Valley) are the
gardens open to public and you may picnic beside the river under
the cherry trees. The Emperor Babur introduced the cherry to the
Kabul region in the 16th century. Those from Paghman are
especially delicious. In comparison to Darra, Tapa is a formal
garden offering a fine view of Kargha Lake and the city of Kabul.
From here we return to Kabul and pass by Kargha, which is a
picturesque lake nestled within the mountains. This Lake was
created as a cherished project of Mohammad Daoud founder and President of the Republic of Afghanistan. Kabul's Golf
Course is laid out in the gardens at the foot of the Kargha Dam.
Day 8: Kabul/Islamabad
(Flight)
Morning is free to continue our exploration of one of the
most talked of cities in the world today. Later we are transferred
to the airport for our flight to Islamabad. Upon arrival in
Islamabad we are met and transferred to our hotel. Overnight:
Regency Hotel, Islamabad (1 night)
Day 9: Depart Islamabad
After interesting experiences that
few people have had, we will be transferred to the airport for our
flight to our next destination. This is an ideal opportunity to
combine this tour with Hunza, and Gilgit region in Northern
Pakistan, the last living Shangri-la.
