GRADE EASY
LAND COST US $ 1119 PP
DURATION 13 Days
SEASON JAN-DEC
GROUP SIZE 6 & ABOVE
SINGLE SUPLEMENT US $ 300 PP
PAKISTAN & INDIA JOINT TOUR
Turks and the Afghans under Babar in 1526 decendant of Tamerlane and
Genghis Khan built up the Mogul empire which survived till 1837. They
ruled from horse back what they had conquered from horse back. Till
may 1529 the rule of Babar extended from the river Oxus to Bengal and
from the Northern Deccan to the Himalayas. The great Mogul was a Turk
by nationality, a Moslem by religion, a Persian by culture and nomade
from heart. Babur was succeeded by Humayun and the greatest of the
moghul emperor Akber. Moghul art and Architecture reached its height
under Akber's son Jahangir and later under his grand son Shah Jahan.
They left a legacy of magnificent mosques, palaces, forts and gardens
embellished with luxurious but delicate decorations. The Taj Mahal a
masterpiece of Moghul architecture is rightly regarded as one of the
most well known wonder of the world.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN ISLAMABAD
On arrival at the Islamabad International Air Port you will be
received in traditional way by presenting bouquet of fresh seasonal
flowers to each member and than transferred to the Hotel Shalimar .
You can relax for few hour or have a dip in hotel's swimming pool
before we go out for lunch in a Afghan Restaurant .Rawalpindi was a
small settlement until the Moghuls built the Imperial Road from Delhi
to Kabul in the 16th century. In 19th century it was captured by Sikhs
and who in turn were ousted by the British after a decisive defeat
near Gujrat in 1848. We will visit first the world biggest mosque The
Shah Faisal Mosque superbly sited at the foot of the Margalla Hills.
The mosque was designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and
largely financed by donations from Saudi Arabia. From here we will
move to Daman -e-Koh a viewpoint perched up the Margalla Hills, gives
the best bird's - eye view over Islamabad. We will drive now by
Parliament Building, Shakarparian Park, Lotus Lake, Rose and Jasmine
Garden and than stop for shopping at Super and Jinnah Markets.
Threadlines Gallery, Behbud Boutique and Afghan Handicrafts are
carpets and rugs shops which has some excellent pieces at most
reasonable prices. Pakistan is an excellent place to shop for oriental
carpets which is now ranked among the top four producers of hand-
knotted carpets in the world. For the bar - b Que dinner we will move
to a famous Usmania restaurant in Blue Area.
DAY 2 : ISLAMABAD-TO PESHAWAR
After breakfast at hotel we commence our journey North through the
Margalla Pass located at 23 kms from here on Great Trunk Road . This
prehistoric pass was first indicated in 516 B.C and lies on the real
boundary between the Subcontinent and Central Asia as stated by the
great historian Sir Olaf Caroe.It was used by all the The Great
Moghuls from 16th century on ward . The first Moghul emperor Babur
mentioned about this pass in his memoirs as Sangjaki Pass and also
being mentioned by Emperor Jahangir in his memories. A tall granite
obelisk erected in 1868 to commemorate General John Nicholson is few
yards away. He was an Irishman and came to subcontinent as a cadet
with the Bengal Infantry. After a short stay here we will move to
Taxila " The World Oldest Existing City" and its history span from 516
B.C to A.D 600 is some four kilometers from here. In the 6th century
B.C , the Achaemenians of Persia made it the Gandharan capital.
Alexander the Great paused here enroute from Swat. The Mauryan emperor
Ashoka , a patron of Buddhism , built a university here in 2nd century
B.C biggest of its time in the world , to which pilgrims and scholars
came from all over Asia. It require two days to explore this richest
archaeological sites of Asia but we will spent one hour to view its
excellent museum houses one of the best collections of Gandharan
Buddhist in the world. Another 10 kms on grand trunk road we will stop
at Wah Moghul Garden which is a pale reflection of the Moghul Garden
in Srinagar and being laid out by the Moghul emperor Akber in the late
16th century.It was a favorite resort of Akber and Jahangir on their
journeys to Kashmir. Our next stop is Hasan Abdal a sacred place to
Sikhs and Hindus some eight kms from here on the Great Trunk Road .
The seventh century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuan Zang who stayed here
recorded in his journal that a water tank dedicated to the Hindu
serpent King Elapatra. The guide will indicate you the Gurduwara of
Panja Sahib and Shrine of Baba Wali from road side and explain the
history of it . Next we stop at 16th century hotel with four rows of
small rooms set around a huge court yard on the junction of River
Indus and River Kabul where ladies of Mughals families use to stay .
Attock massive fort is on the left built by Moghal Emperor Akber in
1581 AD. Its excellent view you can get from the new bridge on River
Indus. Next we pass by a town Jahangira laid out by Emperor Jahangir
in 16th century. Peshawar is another 43 kilometers from here passing
through Nowshera a beautiful and well maintained cantonment by British
in 18th century. Transfer to Hotel Greens . Our stay in this hotel
will be for two nights. Evening at leisure to explore the saddar
bazaar famous the world over for its oriental carpets. Bar b q dinner
in real Afghan style from a local restaurant.
DAY 3 : PESHAWAR - KHYBER PASS
Peshawar has been the gateway between Central Asia and the
subcontinent. It was the center of remarkable civilization , such as
the Gandhara Culture of Kushan Empire and had diplomatic, cultural and
commercial link with Rome, Persia and China through the ancient Silk
Route. Pathans who live here considered to be the world's most
handsome men are descendents of Israel and belonged to the lost tribes
of Judea who migrated eastward after Moses. They embraced to Islam
during the process. History of Peshawar goes back to 5000 years but
the recorded history is of 2000 years when Kanishka , the greatest of
the Kushan Kings , moved his winter capital from North of Kabul.After
the breakfast in the hotel we move out to Peshawar Museum formerly
Victoria Memorial Hall built in 1905. It has one of the best
collection of Gandhara art and sculptures illustrating the life of the
Buddha are laid out in chronological order. The ethnological section
has a moghul Gallery to be explained by the guide. Our next stop will
be the massive Bala Hisar Fort built by Emperor Babur in 1530 . Muguls
really turned Peshawar into a city of flowers by planting trees and
laying out gardens. We will move out to Khyber Pass from here located
at a distance of 56 kilometers. It is the same place from where
Emperor Babur crossed it to lay the foundation of Great Moghul Empire
in 1505. We will first passby Jamrud Fort after 18 kilometers built by
the Sikhs in 1823. The next is Shagai Fort built by the British in the
1920s at the start of the pass. Than comes the Ali Masjid Fort perched
on a commanding spur. The cemetery of British soldiers killed in
Second Afghan War of 1879 is here.We can also observe numerous carved
and painted regimental insignia on to the rock faces ,the prominent
among them are the Gordon Highlanders, the South Wales Borderers, the
Royal Sus., Cheshire and Dorset regiments.Than come the Sphola Stupa
erected in 2nd century A.D. Finally we reach Torkham to take a view of
barren brown land of Afghan plain.A ruined Kafir Fort is also here
belong to Hindu relic of the ninth century AD. We will move for a hot
lunch to Bara Bazaar prepared on charcoal in real Afghan style. The
Khyber Train runs on schedule between Peshawar and Landi Kotal is
world most adventurous steam train safari built by British in 1920s.
It passes through 34 tunnels and over 92 bridges pushed and pulled by
two SG060 oil fired steam engines. We will be back to the hotel in the
afternoon. In the evening we will go out for bazaar tour which is the
most exciting part of the tour as its elements date from Sikh, Mughal
and even Buddhist time. The Qissa Khawani Bazaar was described by the
British Commissioner in Peshawar , Sir Herbert Edwardes as the
Piccadilly of Central Asia.Other places we visit are Khyber Bazaar ,
Chowk Yadgar, Banjara Bazaar and than stop at Mohabat Khan Mosque
built in the 1670s .This beautifully proportioned Mughal structure by
than the governor of Emperor Shah Jahan. For dinner to night we move
to a famous Peshawari Restaurant.
DAY 4 : SWAT
We leave today after breakfast for Swat , a picturesque Northern
Pakistan valley toward North east . En route we visit the Bala Hisar
mound at a distance of 28 kilometers dating back to 2500 years old and
the capital of Gandhara from sixth century B.C to second century
A.D .According to Herodotus , the Greek historian writing in about 460
B.C Darius sent the explorer Scylax of Caryanda to sail down from here
and find the sea. Gandhara remained with Achaemenid Empire for next
200 years until its overthrow by Alexander the Great in the fourth
century B.C. Next we will stop at Takht e Bahi 14 kilometers from here
the most impressive and complete Buddhist monastery of first century
A.D.It has 38 votive stupas and the largest statues must have been 33
feet high donated by rich pilgrims . The guide will explain you with
help of sketch. The next part of our journey is through Malakand Pass
to Chakdara an ancient crossroad between Asia and Europe . The fort
here was built by Emperor Akber in 16th century and now in use with
Army. It also has 3500 years old graveyard still in use, Buddhist
monasteries of first century A.D and Hindu Shahi forts on the hill
top.Damkot hill has a Churchill's Picket on a 15 minutes climb.Winston
Churchill served here in 1896 and very interesting details are given
in his book " My Early Life " Six boulders with Buddhist carving
mostly of Padmapani date to sixth and seven century.The Aryaans
forerunners of the Hindus arrived from Central Asia and settled here
in 1700 BC and also composed world oldest religious text "The
Rigveda". From here we will visit an excellent museum of Chakdara .
The museum has collection from first century to seventh century
Buddhist Gandharan sculpture and of Hindu Shahi period. After hot
spicy lunch of chappal kabab and nan we will move to Saidu Sharif. The
important historic towns we come across are Barikot and Udergram .
Birkot is the ancient town of Bazira which was sacked by Alexander the
Great in 327 BC and Udergram is the ancient town of Ora which gave a
tough battle to Alexander's Army. Massive ruins of the castle of Raja
Giri , the last Hindu ruler of eight century , scattered up the hill
side. Karakar Pass is nearby where Emperor Akber lost most of his
8,000 man army in abortive attempt to invade Swat in 1586. We will
have a photo stop at Shingerdar Stupa built by King Uttarasena to
house the relics of the Lord Buddha in 2nd century AD and also a large
Buddha carved on a rock in sixth century AD. Tonight we will stay in
hotel White Palace the residence of Mir of Swat now converted into
hotel. The winter are interesting to stay here as bar b Que. dinner
are served around camp fire.
DAY 5 : SWAT
Historically Swat is the most interesting valley in Asia. The
excavated archaeological sites here range from prehistoric caves
through Aryan graveyards to Buddhist monasteries of which here were
once 1,400 in the valley.Swat also offer some of the best walking as
well as fishing, skiing and climbing in Asia. Today we will spent most
of the time in sight seeing and visiting some historical places. After
breakfast we will move to Saidu Sharif Museum which has collection of
Gandharan sculpture and ethnographic section features local
embroidery , carved wood and tribal embroidery. Our next stop will be
Batkara Stupa built in second century BC by the Mauryan emperor
Ashoka. There were 215 votive stupas built around the main stupa by
rich pilgrims hoping to gain merit . Next we will visit a ski resort
at Malam Jabba and enjoy black tea with milk . Our beautiful journey
is of 120 kms along the river Swat to Kalam and in way stop for
shopping at Madyan and Bahrain where cottage industry thriving for
2500 years. By afternoon we will be back to hotel after lunch at
picnic spot lying on the junction of Ushu and Utrot rivers. Evening is
free at leisure to explore the bazaars of Mingora famous for last 2000
years for semi precious stones, locally woven and embroidered cloth
and tribal jewellery.You can also take a walk along the Hindu pilgrim
trek to prehistoric sacred Mount Ilam starting behind the hotel along
the Saidu stream.
DAY 6 : ISLAMABAD VIA SHANGLA PASS
After breakfast move to Abbottabad via Khwazakhela 30 kms and the
largest trade center in this part of the valley.Here the cottage
industry has been thriving for last 2500 years. Till the beginning of
this century natural vegetable dyes were used for coloring the
embroidery woolen shawls. From here Besham is 69 kms a drive through
the scenic road through steeply terraced hills and pine forest across
the Shangla pass. Here we stop for tea and consume it in a wooden
cabin tied to pine tree. Besham is located on the wonder of the modern
world the Karakoram Highway made on the alignment of Silk Route to
China. After Lunch we move to Mansehra 24 kms short of Abbottabad to
see the Ashokan inscription date from the third century BC ( 272 - 231
BC ). The Ashoka was Buddhist and his capital was at Pataliputra now
Patna on the Ganges in India. This is the oldest inscription of any
historical significance in Asia. Reach Abbottabad named after James
Abbot who became adviser to Sikhs after first Sikh War of 1846. Move
to Hotel Sarban for hot cup of tea and to enjoy local pizza. Islamabad
is 120 kms from here and at two hours journey. Tonight our stay will
be in Hotel Dream Land located near a beautiful Rawal Lake.
DAY 7 : LAHORE VIA CHAKWAL
After breakfast we will drive toward South on the Great Trunk Road
built by Mughals from Kabul to Delhi. Our first photo stop will be 15
kilometers from here on River Soan. Early Stone Age man lived along
this stretch more than 100,000 years ago and hundreds of ancient stone
tools can be found near the river. British archaeologists have
recently found a 30,000 years old house near the river . Also exposed
on the surface , are fossil bearing rocks between four and 14 million
years old. Giraffe, gazelle , rhinoceros, crocodile and rodent fossils
have also been found here , presumably they were hunted by man's early
ancestors. From Mandra on the same road we turn westward to Chakwal
which is the gateway to the eastern Salt Range. This range came into
being 600 million years ago when Thysis Ocean was trapped and
subsequently evaporated by the collision of Indian plate with Asiatic
plate leaving behind world's largest salt deposits. We will turn south
from Chakwal and bypass Choa Saiden Shah and world largest salt mine
of Khewra to Pind Dadan Khan and finely to the bank of River Jehlum
the battle field were Alexander The Great defeated Raja Poras. Nandana
pass is up North the only place to cross the Salt Range since ancient
time . Al- Biruni the famous scientist of 11th century measured the
circumference of the earth from here. We will now return to Kallar
Kahar located on a fascinating lake which impressed the first Moghul
Emperor Babur in 1519 that he ordered a garden to be laid out over
looking the lake. We will passby famous Hindu Temple of Ketas on a
pool side sacred to the Hindu god Shiva and than to Malot Hindu
Temples built in Kashmiri Hindu style during eight century are best
preserved and most impressive are six kilometers from here. They stand
on a remarkable outcrop on the edge of the cliff and can be seen from
the road side. After lunch we will move to Lahore on most modern six
lane motorway in three hours. Transfer to Hotel Ambassador for two
night stay.
DAY 8 : LAHORE
Lahore has been capital of the Punjab for nearly 1,000 years and
reached its glory under Moghuls rule ( 1524 - 1752 ) .The reigns of
Humayun, Akber, Jehangir, Shahjehan and Aurungzib , may be considered
the golden period of the history of Lahore. The city became a place of
Royal residence, gardens,tombs,mosques, baradaries sprung up in all
direction . In the language of Abulfazil " the grand resort of people
of all nations "and celebrated for its fine buildings and luxuriant
gardens. Father Anthony Monserrat , a Portuguese Jesuit,from Goa India
visited Lahore in A.D. 1591 when it was at its greatest splendor, on
the invitation of Emperor Akber and he had a church here confirmed by
the French traveler Thevenot in A.D. 1665. After breakfast at hotel we
will move out on The Mall Road in our coach which was a modern
thoroughfare lined with exquisite buildings of great public and
private utility during British time. We will stop over at Gymkhana
Club or Little Britian opposite Lawrence Gardens to take a view of
this symbol of prestige and a favorite haunt of men of diverse talents
and fortune. The halls of club were built in memory of two Governors
Sir John Lawrence and Sir Robert Montgomery. We will move to The
Lahore Museum built by the British in Moghul Gothic style and opened
in 1894.John Lockwood Kipling , Rudyard's father was the museum's
first curator. It is the best museum in Pakistan with a superb
collection of Moghal period includes illustrated manuscripts,
miniatures, rugs and carvings . It also has excellent galleries of pre
historic Pakistan and a superb collection of Buddhist stone sculpture.
The famous Zam - Zama gun casted in 1760 stand in front of the Museum.
From here we move to Royal Palace of Lahore Fort which rank in size
and beauty with the Moghul forts at Delhi and Agra. Akber began
building it the 1560s on the site of an older fort . Some two hours we
will spend here to explain you with the help of sketch includes
Alamgari Gate, Maktab Khana, Diwan-e-Am, Jahangir's Quadrangle, Shah
Jahan's Quadrangle, Diwan-e-Khas, Palace of Mirrors, Naulakha etc .
From here we walk to Badshahi Mosque built by Emperor Aurangzeb in
1674 after the mosques of Delhi and Agra. It consists of a huge square
with a minaret at each corner. You can climb up the 204 steps to the
top of one of the minarets for a bird's eye view of the old city of
Lahore. We will move for lunch to a local restaurant and enjoy the
best local taste known the world over as Tanduri . From here we move
to Jahangir's Tomb across the River Ravi 's bridge.The Tomb was built
by his son Shah Jahan , of Taj Mahal fame in 1627. A 180 room hotel
Akbari Serai was also built here by Shah Jahan in 1637 around spacious
garden . The Tomb of Asif Khan father of Mumtaz Mahal is also here ,
the lady for whom the Taj Mahal was built in Agra. We will now move to
impressive Shalimar Garden built by Shah Jahan in 1642 for the royal
household, it follows the Moghul concept of the perfect walled garden
with geometrically arranged ponds, fountains and marble pavilions,
surrounded by flowers and fruit trees. The details of the garden will
be explained by the guide with the help of sketch. On returning to
your hotel the evening is at leisure to enjoy your hotel facilities or
further explore the famous bazaar of Gulberg. This evening dinner is
to enjoy a mutton tikka, a typical Lahori bar b cue.
DAY 9 : FLY TO DELHI
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi . It
is approximately one hour flight . On arrival you will be transferred
to the Taj Palace Hotel. The reminder of the day is free to relax or
explore as you wish.
DAY 10 - DELHI / JAIPUR (258 Kms, 5 Hours 30 Mins)
Pick up at 0700 hours from the lobby of the Hotel , and drive to
Jaipur part of the exciting Indian trail. It is here that the seekers
of India experience their fantasy of a voyage of discovery. Jaipur is
an exuberance of color, dance and song with the traditional arts and
crafts. Known as the 'Pink City' is one of India most well planned
cities with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid
systems. Enroute visit the impressive Amber Fort, the former capital
of the Royal Family of Jaipur,taking an elephant ride to the top of
the fort. Transfer to your Hotel Clarks. In the afternoon visit the
City Palace, the Jantar Mantar, and the Hawa Mahal. Rest of the day at
leisure. Overnight at hotel Clarks Jaipur.
DAY 11 - JAIPUR / AGRA (232 Kms, 5 Hours 30 Mins)
Depart Jaipur the land of the Rajputs to the Mughal splendor of
Agra,enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri the ghost city 35 Kms from Agra.
Fatehpur Sikri built in red sandstone in honor of Saint Salim Chisti
who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of
robust stability combined with originality. Each important edifice
here represents a type by itself. Notable among them is the Diwane
Khas, Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Buland Darwaza.
Drive on to Agra and check-in to the hotel Clarks Shiraz. Later tour
the city with a visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal. This monument a
fine example of fusion of many architectural styles is one of the
wonders of the modern world. Built in 1652 by emperor Shah Jahan. It
took 22 years to and 20,000 skilled artisans to complete this poem in
white marble. You will visit the Agra fort which lies across the river
Jamuna. It is here that Aurangzeb the third son of Shah Jahan kept his
father under house arrest. One can get the most moving view of the Taj
from the little octagonal tower in the Fort. Overnight at hotel Clarks
Shiraz Agra.
DAY 12 - AGRA / DELHI (201 Kms., 5 Hrs 30 Mins)
Leisurely drive to Delhi enroute visiting the Tomb of Emperor Akbar at
Sikandra, for a photo stop.
Day 13 : Departure Home.
contact
umbreenzaidi@yahoo.com
info@alpine.com.pk
|