Chitral Valley Overland

Welcome to Islamabad, Pakistan! Meet your guide and/or group leader at the airport and head to your hotel for an introduction and tour briefing. Spend the evening sightseeing in the capital city of Islamabad and enjoy a fantastic dinner with an even better view at the Monal Restaurant in Margalla Hills. Spend a comfortable night in the hotel resting up for the start of your tour!

Get an early start for the long drive from Islamabad to Chitral. The ride will pass quickly as you sit comfortably in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and witness the incredible scenery all around you. The journey takes you through many towns and villages, including Malakand, Lower Dir and Upper Dir. Bypass the Lowari Pass (3,118 m / 10,230 ft), which is an experience but adds significantly to the travel time, by taking the Lowari Tunnel. When you reach Chitral, you will be enthralled by the beauty of this lovely river valley surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Hindu Kush mountain range.

Leave Chitral early in the morning to explore the Kalash Valley. The Kalasha people have a unique, well-preserved culture including their own religious beliefs, language, and way of life. It is believed that they may be descendants of five lost soldiers from Alexander the Great’s army. This culture is so extraordinary that UNESCO has listed them for consideration as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will have the opportunity to meet some local Kalasha people to learn more about their rituals and culture. A visit to their cemetery and museum will help you learn even more. The Kalash Valley is made up of three villages: Bumboret, Birir, and Rumber, and you will have the opportunity to visit all three.

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Chitral Valley today! Begin with a visit to Chitral Fort, a historic fort from the 14th Century. Continue to the Shahi Mosque, then the Chitral Museum, and finally visit a traditional market at the Old Chitral Bazaar. All of that just in the first part of the day! Spend the afternoon at Chitral Gol National Park, where you will witness the wonder and grandeur of the Chitral Valley. Head back to your hotel full of new impressions and experiences, ready for a good night’s rest.

The Shandur Pass (3,770 m / 12,369 ft) is often called the roof of the world because it is both massive and beautifully lush and green. Leave early in the morning to make the most of your time in this amazing place. The journey takes you through the picturesque villages of Jenali Koch, Booni, and Mastuj. You will also pass the shimmering splendor of Shandur Lake. In the summer, the plateau is full of small streams. There is even a well-known polo field at the Shandur Pass, which hosts the Shandur Polo Festival annually in July. The festival is a fascinating experience if you time it right to attend. Whenever you visit, camping here and spending the night watching the Milky Way under a star-filled sky is a deeply moving experience.
Overnight Location: Camping at Shandur Pass

Take time today to absorb the unforgettable beauty of the Shandur Pass and the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains before returning to Chitral. You will travel back on the same road, but in the opposite direction the views seem new and different. A different sun angle or cloud pattern can change the appearance of the landscape entirely, and you’ll enjoy another day of spectacular scenery.

Say farewell to the incredible Chitral Valley that has become familiar after your time exploring it and board the private, air-conditioned coach that will take you back to Islamabad. Once again you will pass through the same towns and villages, including Malakand, Upper Dir, and Lower Dir. The majestic peaks of the Hindu Kush range will surround you once again as you travel back toward the big city.

Sadly, your time on the Chitral Valley overland tour has come to an end. After breakfast, your group leader and/or guide will assist you in your transfer to the Islamabad airport for your return flight.