ANCIENT
CULTURAL TOUR OF PAKISTAN:
Pakistan
traces its history back to at least 2500 year before Christ, when
a highly developed civilization flourished in the
Indus Valley
area. Excavations at Harrapa, Moenjodaro and Kot Diji have brought
to light the evidence of an advanced civilization, existing even
in most ancient times. Around 1500 BC the Aryans overwhelmed this
region, by and by, influenced the Hindu civilization, whose center
moved to the Ganges valley, further to East. Later, the Persians
occupied the Northern regions in the 5th century, up to
the 2nd century BC. There are several stupas and
monastries of the Gandhara civilization which date back
from 6th Century when it formed part of the Achaemenid
Empire of Persia (330 to518 BC). The Greeks came in 327 BC under
Alexander the Great from Macedonia. Since then it remained under
the successive domination of the Mauryans, the Bactrian Greeks,
Scythians, Parthians, Kushanas and Sasanians, till its final
destruction by the White Huns in the 5th century AD. In
712 AD the Arabs led by Muhammad Bin Qasim, landed in the Southern
coast near Karachi and ruled the lower parts of Pakistan for two
hundred years. During this period Islam took to the roots and
influenced the life, culture and traditions of the people.
Ancient
Cultural Tour of Pakistan takes you from Sands to snow covered
lofty mountains of Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush. The
program will provide the Sea of Karachi to
DAY-01-ISLAMABAD:
Arrival at
Islamabad airport and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon sight
seeing tour of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. We
will visit the old garrison town of
Rawalpindi followed by a scene into modernity at
Islamabad. You
will get an interesting insight into the folk traditions by
visiting the Institute of Folk Heritage, a small, neatly decorated
ethnological museum. This is followed by the Shakarparian Garden,
which gives you a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving past
various modern streets and buildings - graceful with a touch of
Islamic architecture. Your tour culminates at one of the world’s
largest mosque - Shah Faisal Mosque, which also houses a
University specializing in Islamic Philosophy and Law.
Overnight at the hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-02-TAXILA-SWAT:
Drive to the Swat Valley. En route stop to visit Taxila. Taxila
town is about 32 kilometers from Islamabad. Most of the
archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located
around Taxila Museum. For over the thousand years, Taxila remained
famous as a center of learning Gandhara Art of Sculpture,
architecture, education, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist
glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a
radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites
are: Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC – 200 AD), Bhir Mound
(600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC – 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC)
and Julian Monastery (200- 600 AD). A museum comprising various
sections with rich archaeological finds of Taxila, arranged in
chronological order and properly labeled, has been established
close to the site. It is one of the best and well-maintained site
museums of
Pakistan.
After sight seeing in Taxila we will continue drive to reach Swat,
o/n (B/L/D).
Day-03-SWAT: Sight seeing tour of Swat valley. The
lush-green valley of Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold
lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is ideal for
holidaymakers intent on relaxation. It has a rich historical past,
too. The "Udayana" (Golden) of the ancient Hindu epics; the land
of enthralling beauty, where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won
some of his major battles before crossing over the plans of
Pakistan. This is the "valley of hanging chains" described by the
famous Chinese pilgrim chronices, Huain Tsang and Fa-Hian in the
fifth and sixth centuries. Swat was also the historical land where
the Muslim conquerors, Mahmud Ghaznavi, Babar and Akbar fought
their battles preparatory to conquest of South Asia. Headquaters
of Swat valley, Saidu sharif houses the Swat Museum, which
contains one of the finest collection of Ghadhara Art in the
world. Mingorta, 3 Km, from Saiu Sharif, has yeilded magnificent
pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas. Other
beauty spot worth visiting are Maraghzar, 13 Kms from Saidu Sharif,
famous for its White Marble Palace of the former rule of the Swat;
kabal, 16 Kms from Saidu Sharif with its excellent golf course,
Madyan, 55 Kms, From Saidu Sharif, Bahrain, Miandam and Kalam.
(B/L/D).
Day-04-PESHAWAR: Drive to Peshawar, en route stop at
Takhte-i-Bahi, a Buddhist monastery dating back to 1st to 7th
century AD. Takht-i-Bhai consiost of numerous chapels and stupas
sticking to the high, rocky spurs. Also visit Charsadda-identified
as ancient Pushkalavati, the pre-Kuchan capital of Ghandhara.
During the Buddhist period it was the capital of the province and
according to Buddhist legends, was the place where Lord Buddha
preached his faith.
Overnight at the hotel. (B/L/D).
DAY-05-PESHAWAR:
Sight seeing tour of the ancient and legendry city of Peshawar.
The city is famous for Balahisar Fort, Qissa Khawani Bazaar,
Mahabat Khan Mosque and the Museum. The most famous historic pass
of the world, the Khyber Pass is 56 kms from Peshawar. It has
been, throughout history, the most important gateway to the plains
of the South-Asian sub-continent both for migration and invasion.
The Khyber
Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the
history of mankind. (Excursion to Khyber Pass is subject to
permission from local authorities.), o/n in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-06-LAHORE:
Drive to Lahore, and transfer to hotel. Lahore is 2nd
largest city of Pakistan and the capital city of Punjab. It is an
ancient city, rich in historical monument, including some of the
finest specimen of Muslim architecture – The Badshahi Mosque of
Moughal Emperor Aurangzaib, the Wazir Khan Mosque, The Shalimar
garden of
Emperor Shahjahan,
Emperor Jehangir’s Mausoleum and the Royal fort of Akbar with its
fabulous Hall of Mirrors. Lahore is considered the cultural
capital of
Pakistan
because of its numerous colleges, places of learning, sports
activities frequent stage plays etc. The museum in Lahore is
considered the
best in the
sub-continent. It houses the statue of fasting Buddha beside a
host of priceless relics. O/n stay in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-07-LAHORE:
Sight seeing tour of Lahore. O/n in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-08-HARRAPPA-MULTAN: Drive to Multan with an en-route stop
to visit Harrappa. Harrappa is the site of an ancient and
important settlement of the prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization
(3rd to 2nd millennium B.C.) and stands witness to the 5000 years
old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan. Harrappa was
the cradle of one of the earliest civilizationa known to man and
conjures up images of fifty centuries ago, a period about which
very little is knwon. An interestng and well maintained musuem at
the Harrappa site houses artifacts found in the area. Harrappa is
located about 200km (124 miles) from Lahore and about 30 km (19
miles) from Sahiwal. O/n in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-09-MULTAN:
Sight is seeing tour of Multan city. About 966 kms from Karachi
and more or less right in the center of the country situated the
ancient city of Multan. Old Fort of Multan is an eloquent example
of the proud history of this city. Among the attractions inside
the fort are te elaborately decorated shrines of Seikh Bahauddin
Zakria, Shah Sham Sabzwari and Shah Rukn-e-Alam. Damdama, the
highest point in the fort, provides a bird's-eye panoramic view of
the city, which was survived the destructions of invaders since
Alexander the Great in the 14th century B.C. O/n at the hotel
(B/L/D).
DAY-10-BAHAWALPUR: Drive through the Cholistan desert arriving
at Bahawalpur. Bahawalpur is about 93 kms from Multan, the
Cholistan desert zone and the cultural life of this area; forts,
monuments, palaces, museum, zoo, stadium and a fine cricket ground
in and arround Bahawalpur are main attractions. Bahawalpur was
formerly the capital of Bahawalpur State, which has now included
in Pakistan. Bahawalpur takes its name from Nawab Bahawalpur Khan,
who founded the state in 1748 AD by raising a wall around a villa.
O/n at the hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-11-SUKUR:
Drive to Sukkur. Sukkur is an important road and rail junction
while traveling between Karachi, Lahore and Quetta. Muslim shrines
and a river island having a Hindu temple are of particular
interest for locals and visitors alike. Shooting of game birds is
possible in the nearby lakes, canals and green spots around
Sukkur. On in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-12-SUKKUR-MOENJODARO-SUKKUR:
Drive to Moenjodaro. Moenjodaro means “mound of the dead”, in
Sindhi, a provincial language of Pakistan. The archeological ruins
of Moenjodaro are situated on the western bank of the river
Indus, in Larkana district. The
ruins represent a grand city of Indus Civilization, which is
believed to have flourished from 2500 to 1700 B.C. The Indus
Valley Civilization is the third oldest in the world, being
preceded only by those of Egypt and
Mesopotamia. Today, after many
years of excavation, Moenjodaro has come to be known as one of the
most spectacular ancient cities of the world. It had mud-brick and
baked-brick buildings, an elaborate covered drainages system with
soak-pits for disposal bins, a spacious pillared hall, a college
of priests, a large and imposing building (probably a palace), and
a citadel mound which incorporates in its margin a system of solid
burnt brick towers. After sight seeing at Moenjodaro, drive back
to Sukkur, and sight seeing there. O/n in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-13-KARACHI:
Drive to Karachi, o/n in hotel (B/L/D).
DAY-14-KARACHI:
Sight seeing tour of Karachi city. Karachi’s recorded history goes
back to the 18th century, when it was a small fishing
village known as Kalachi-jo-Goth. With the development of its harbor, it gradually grew into a large city and important center
of trade and industry.
Karachi, the
largest and most populous city of Pakistan an interesting and colorful
combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting
lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life alongside wide
metalled roads and elegant modern buildings. Within the city,
talented artisans with age-old skills produce handicrafts. Karachi
offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches,
deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horseracing all year around.
Its restaurants cater to a wide choice of Pakistani and Western
cuisines. Its market and bazaars offer an endless variety of
exciting shopping, including indigenous handicrafts.
DAY-15-DEPARTURE:
Transfer to Karachi airport for fly back to your destination and
end of our services.
For More details please
contact us at
Askole Treks & Tours
Islamabad Pakistan
URL:
www.askole.com
Email:
askole@isb.paknet.com.pk
info@askole.com