- Professional Culture Guide. (Government requirement)
- Airport transfers for Domestic & international flights.
- Internal flights and associated airport transfers
- All land transport involved in the itinerary
- Accommodation as described
- All meals 3 times a day (B-L-D)
- All entry, road tax, parking fees.
Pakistan
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Kalash festival Pakistan 2020
Kalash festival is an ancient cultural event which takes place every year around the same time in the Kalash valley, Pakistan. Kalash valleys are surrounded by the Hindukusch mountains. People who lives in these valleys are called Kalasha people, who have a unique culture, traditions, language and follows an ancient form of Hinduism.
Festival Highlights
- Spectacular mountain vistas
- Experience the pagan culture of ethnic minority community of Kalash.
- Meet the descendent of Alexander the great & his troops.
- Dance with the Kalash people and learn their culture.
- UNESCO listed Kalash culture as intangible cultural heritage
- Enjoy Pakistani cuisine.
Festival Overview
Kalash festival is celebrated by the Kalasha people. Kalasha people lives in the Kalash valley of Pakistan. Kalash valley is surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. Kalash festival takes place three times a year, spring, summer and in the winter. Spring festival called Chilam Joshi festival which starts around 13 of May. Summer festival called Uchal festival, which starts on 20 August. Winter festival is called Choimus Festival, which starts on 15 December. During the festival, people not only drink, dance and have fun in general but they also worship their Gods and spirits, giving offerings and even sacrifices. Also, during this festival young men and women choose their future husbands and wives.
Kalash festival dates:
- Chilam Joshi Festival (spring) 13 May – 16 May
- Uchal Festival ( summer ) 20 Aug – 22 Aug
- Choimus Festival (winter) 15 Dec – 22 Dec
Our Kalash festival Tour starts from Islamabad. Islamabad is the purpose built capital of Pakistan. Your guide will meet and greet you at the Islamabad International Airport then transfer you to the hotel. We will meet again in the afternoon to give you a briefing about the festival tour. Next morning you will be transfer to the airport to catch the spectacular 1 hour mountain view flight to Chitral. Flights to Chitral is whether dependent, in case of cancellation you will drive to Chitral. Rest and sightseeing in Chitral for one day then you will take your epic journey to explore the Kalash valley. You will spend few days exploring and enjoying the festivals of the PEGANS then follow the same itinerary back to Islamabad. Night stay in Islamabad then next morning transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
We strongly believe that the Kalash festival tour is one of the top cultural retreats of the world. This beautiful valley and the friendly Kalasha people will make your holiday once in a life time journey.
People of Kalash celebrate their festivals three times a year.
- Spring festival
- Summer Festival
- Winter Festival
Spring festival – (Chilam Joshi)
Spring festival is also know as the Chilam Joshi festival. People of Kalash celebrate four days across all Kalash valleys. Spring festival begins with “Milk day”. Ten days prior to the festival, they store milk from their households. People of Kalash offer their libation during this event. The festival reflects their unique cultural richness, the harmony in their society and message of peace to the world. They ask for blessing from their God and pray for a prosperous year of agriculture and health and safety of their herds. During this festival, Kalashi men and women also chose their life patterns. During the Kalash festival Women wear traditional attire with lively colours and their dresses have patterns of flowers on it. They wear beaded necklaces which compliments their dresses and head gears.
Men wear traditional Shalwar Kameez with a waistcoat made of wool. They dance together and sing in a valley tribes as it gives them an opportunity to choose their life partners and announce their names on the last day of the festival.
Kalash Summer festival: (Uchal)
People of Kalash celebrate the arrival of summer in their own way. Summer festival is very popular among the Kalasha people. In recent years, this festival has also gained popularity all round the world. People from different part of Pakistan and international tourist attend the summer festival in large numbers. During the festival, Kalasha People pay homage to their God by celebrating the harvest and also thanking their God for blessing them with good food and crops. Kalash people take a procession to a high plateau outside the village in Balangkuru and pray to their God, after the prayers the night long dance and party begins which last until the early hours in the morning. Summer festival is celebrated in all the valleys for several days.
Kalash Winter festival – (Choimus)
Kalash Winter festival is also called “Choimus” in the local language. This annually observed event symbolises and forecasts prosperity of the village and its people in the coming year. During the festival People go out to seek foxes which is considered as a good omens. Torch lit processions arrives from nearby villages at the main traditional dancing place called a “Charsue”. The dancing and festivities are held indoor that go late into the night as the local wine is handed around the bonfire. The locals perform rituals for purification during the festival at the dawn of the new year. The tribal elders gather at hilltops to watch the rising sun of the new year that is followed by goat sacrifices made to the Goddess, “Jastak”, and the blood is sprinkled at the temple Jastarkhan.
We believe that visiting Kalash valley and experiencing the “Kalash festival” will create a life long memory which will stay with you for a long time.
Please have a look at our TWO videos about this Tour on our YouTube channel, Booth Videos are taken in July-August 2019. Second video is taken by a member of our Kalash Valley tour. The links are below.
2019: Kalash Valley, on Trango Adventure’s Channel on YouTube.
2019: Beautiful places in Pakistan, on YouTube.
We are organising Three fixed departure Kalash Festival tours in May, August and December.
Please contact us if you would like to know about these Tours
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR KALASH FESTIVAL TOUR
BRIEF ITINERARY
D-1
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD:
D-2
SPECTACULAR FLIGHT TO CHITRAL:
D-3
SIGHTSEEING IN CHITRAL:
D-4
DRIVE TO KALASH VALLEY:
D-5
FESTIVAL DAY IN KALASH:
D-6
DRIVE TO CHITRAL:
D-7
FLIGHT TO ISLAMABAD:
D-8
DEPARTURE DAY-FLIGHT BACK HOME:
Additional information
| Grade | EASY |
|---|---|
| Attributes | Early Birds and Group Discounts availaible |
Map of Kalash valley Pakistan
Trango Adventure has a long track record of organising Kalash festival. We have been organising Kalash festival Tours for many years. We designed our itinerary based on Over 40 Years of experience, which is the best in terms of acclimatization, safety and enjoyment.
It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. If this is the case the tour leader will do everything possible to work out the changes to the itinerary in order to minimise your inconvenience.
Adventure travel requires an open and flexible attitude. You may experience extreme conditions, unpredictable weather and last-minute changes to the itinerary beyond our control. The ability to work in team is an important aspect of all of our trips.
DETAILED ITINERARY
D-1
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD:
Welcome to Pakistan. Most of the international flights arrives at Islamabad International Airport in the mornings. Your Guide will meet and greet you at the airport then transfer you to the hotel for a rest. Rest of the day is free to recover from your journey. Later in the day, when everyone has arrived, we will have a group briefing about the Kalash festival Tour. Depending on the time available to us, there may be an option to do some sightseeing in Islamabad, A purpose-built City in 1961 as the new capital of Pakistan.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- L
D-2
SPECTACULAR FLIGHT TO CHITRAL, 1 HOUR:
After Breakfast you will leave the purpose-built Capital City Islamabad behind and drive to the airport to take a spectacular mountain flight to Chitral (subject to weather). It is an hour flight with a spectacular mountains view. After check in to the hotel we will spent the day visiting local Bazar and historical places.
In case of flight cancellation, we start our journey by road. We will pass through Mardan, Malakand, Bathkhela, Dir then enter Chitral through Lowari Tunnel. . Night will be spent in Chitral.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-3
SIGHTSEEING IN CHITRAL:
Chitral is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Kunar River (also called Chitral River). The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, 25,289 ft (7,708 m) high. Today you will be visiting Chitral Fort, Shahi Masjid, Chitral Museum and explore the old Chitral Bazaar. if there is time left then you will also visit Chitral Gol National Park and do some photography from the highest view-point of Chitral City.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-4
DRIVE TO KALASH VALLEY:
In the morning you continue your journey Towards Rumbur by Jeep. Rumbur is part of Kalash Valleys and it is roughly 50 km from Chitral. You will spend our day visiting local shops, communities and with the very hospitable and warm welcoming Kalash tribes, who have been living in these valleys for centuries.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-5
FESTIVAL DAY IN KALASH:
Full day to explore the majestic Kalash valley. Meet the local people of Kalash and learn their culture and rituals. You will be staying in Bumburet/Ayun/Chitral for the night. In the evening you will experience the best bonfire and local traditional dances.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-6
DRIVE TO CHITRAL:
After two days of an amazing Kalash festival at the Kalash valley, you will drive back to Chitral with a lots of good memories. You will follow the same route back to Chitral Town.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-7
FLIGHT TO ISLAMABAD:
Leaving The Chitral Valley behind, you will drive to the airport to catch the spectacular mountain flight to Islamabad. There is a possibility of sightseeing in Islamabad. If the flight is cancelled then we will dive to Islamabad for night stay.
In case of flight cancellation, you start our journey by road.
- ACCOMMODATION
- HOTEL
- MEALS
- BDL
D-8
DEPARTURE DAY-FLIGHT BACK HOME:
After Breakfast we will transfer you to the airport for your flights back home. End of “Kalash festival tour”:
Kalash festival dates and prices 2020
Private tour groups – Chose your own Dates
Kalash festival tour Starts and finish in Islamabad-Domestic Flight Inc
| START DATES | END DATES |
TRIP STATUS |
PRICE (USD) | DEPOSIT |
| May-2020 | May-2020 | Guaranteed | USD $ 1400 | USD$ 280 |
| Aug-2020 | Aug-2020 | Guaranteed | USD $ 1400 | USD$ 280 |
| Dec-2020 | Dec-2020 | Guaranteed | USD $ 1400 | USD$ 280 |
Our Kalash festival Tour dates and prices are for solo traveller to join the fix Departure holidays only. Private groups chose your own dates and contacts us for great, family, couple and Group discounts. All our Pakistan holidays are fully inclusive so you can sit back and enjoy your vacation. International flights from most cities arrives in Islamabad in the morning, Return flights will depart from Islamabad International airport on the last day of the itinerary. Please make sure to book your return flight on the last day of the Itinerary from Islamabad.
Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price for the fix departure Kalash festival tours. We recommend you to secure your booking early as these tours sell out fast. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, we will contact you with an alternative quote.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE “ NO SURCHARGE GUARANTEE
The price of our Pakistan holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, Trango adventure have undertaken to guarantee the price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our “No Surcharge Guarantee“. Trango Adventure is a Government licensed and bonded tour operator to follow the strict Regulation set by the Tourism Department of Pakistan.
We accept Cash on arrival, Bank Transfers, PayPal and all major Credit & debit Cards.
Kalash festival information for 2020
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Travel insurance
- Pakistan Visa Fee
- Tips for local guides and support staff
- Miscellaneous expenses
- souvenirs etc
- PLEASE NOTE: an airport departure tax of Rs1500 is sometimes payable
MEAL PLAN
ACCOMODATION
During the kalash festival trip, group will spend all nights in good standard hotel. Accommodation at each of these hotels is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired with another single client of the same-sex. It is possible to hire a single room for an additional cost. Additional hotel nights in Islamabad are also available. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary.
CHITRAL FLIGHTS
Chitral is a weather-dependent airport. Since the valley is completely surrounded by high mountains, planes can only land here in good visibility and this means flights to and from Chitral are never guaranteed. The planes do fly more often than not, but cancellations can and do occur and in these circumstances we will travel by road.
HEALTH & VACCINATION
You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is discretionary for this trip. Malaria exists in the area around Islamabad. However, incidences of urban transmission of malaria are extremely low. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites
We highly recommend you to have a valid travel insurance for your trip with Trango Adventure Pakistan. We recognise the complexity and variety of choice in the insurance market and know that many of you either have your own preferred insurer or have annual multi trip cover in place already. If this is the case, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your Trango Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken.
Trango Adventure do not provide any advice on travel insurance, although it is Highly recommended that you have travel insurance which covers the activities which you are likely to be undertaking on your Pakistan holiday.
Travel insurance provers
Expeditions or Treks
- HCC Medical Insurance Services LLC Tel: +1-800 605 2282
- Travelex Insurance Services Tel: +1-800 228 9792
- True Traveller Insurance Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
- Austrian Alpine Club (UK) Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
- Snowcard Tel: +44 (0)1295 660836
- The B.M.C. Tel: +44 (0)161 445 6111 (please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
- Dogtag Tel: 0800 036 4824 (UK residents only)
- World Nomads (up to 6000m)
- Insure for Less (Australians only)
Treks, Tours & Cycling
- Campbell Irvine Tel: +44 (0)207 938 1737
- Rothwell & Towler Tel: +44 (0)845 908 0161
- J S Insurance Tel: +44 (0)844 848 1500
GROUP LEADER & SUPPORTING STAFF
ALTITUDE
This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be above 1,400 metres for 1-2 days. This is not something that you should not worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should get some basic advice on Tours at high altitude.
CLIMATE
From mid June to August, we can expect to encounter temperatures as high as 40°C at Karachi, Multan and Lahore, and 25°C in the Chitral Region. Weather is generally good throughout the summer season,with clear skies and little rain or snow. However, weather in mountainous areas is difficult to predict, and short-lived storms can occur at any time.
BOOKS
- Trekking in Pakistan. Isobel Shaw.
- Karakoram Highway. King.
- Top Treks of the World. Steve Razzetti.
- In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods. Galen Rowell.
- K2 Triumph and Tragedy. Jim Curran.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visit to Pakistan. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
PAKISTAN VISA
All nationalities require a visa for Pakistan. The visa fee is approximately GBP £60 and you must apply for it prior to departure. To obtain a visa for Pakistan you will require a letter of invitation and some other documents from an approved Pakistan travel agency which will be provided by Trango Adventure.Visa applications can be made online or in person at your nearest Pakistan Embassy.
For more information about the online visa procedure, please visit our Pakistan Visa or Blog & news sections.
Note: If you are planning to continue your Travel into China/India or Iran, make sure to retrieve the visas for those countries prior to you Pakistan departure in your home country.
As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Anything not required on the tour can be left at the group hotel in Islamabad.
We will send you a list of detail items closer to your Holiday departure.
Please do drop us an email at info@trangoadventure.com if you need more information regarding “Kalash festival” Tour Pakistan.
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