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Kalash Valley Tour Pakistan 2020

Kalash Valley Tour is a fascinating journey to meet the Kalasha people of stunning Kalash Valley where life revolves around festivals. Kalash Valley is known for its unique traditions and culture which can not be found anywhere in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS

Spectacular Mountains Vistas through out Kalash valley tour
Explore the beauty of Islamabad and Chitral
Meet the descendent of Alexander The Great & his Troops
Dance with the Kalash people and learn their Pagan culture
UNESCO listed Kalash culture as “Intangible Cultural Heritage”
Enjoy Pakistani cuisine

OVERVIEW

Kalash Valley is located in the Chitral District of Khayber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Kalash is surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range and its three hours drive from Chitral town. The inhabitants of the Kalash valleys call the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, tradition, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism. As such, the Kalash Valleys are a source of attraction for International tourists. Kalash has three main valleys, Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir valley. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet ( also known as Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur and Acholgah are side valleys north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is a side valley of Kunar Valley, south of Bumburet.

Population of Kalash is around 5,000 individuals, which makes them a religious and ethnic minority of Pakistan. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and Pakistani culture. Kalash religion is polytheist faith and they offer sacrifices to their Gods. Culture of Kalash is interlinked with their religion and based upon several festivals and celebrations. People generally do not intermarry or cohabit regions with local Muslims but neither are they hostile towards them. They are under legal and constitutional protection of the state of Pakistan as a scheduled tribe.

Our Kalash Valley Tour starts from Islamabad. Your guide will meet and greet you at Islamabad International Airport then transfer you to the hotel for a rest. We will meet again in the afternoon over dinner. Your Guide will give a detailed briefing about the Kalash Valley Tour. Next morning we will drive to the airport to catch the spectacular 1 hour mountain view flight to Chitral. Flights to Chitral is whether dependent, in case of cancellation we will drive to Chitral. Rest and sightseeing in Chitral for one day then we will take our epic journey to explore the Kalash Valley. We will spend few days exploring and enjoying the festivals of the PEGANS then follow the same itinerary back to Islamabad.

We Strongly believe that the Kalash Valley Tour is one of the rich and eye opening cultural retreats of the world. Kalash valley Tour provides an amazing cultural experience in the Hindukusch mountain ranges among the ethnic minority community of Kalash. UNESCO listed Kalash culture as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” in November 2018. The decision was announced during the 13th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee meeting organised in Mauritius. Our tours to Chitral and Kalash valleys are normally referred to as “Kalash valley tour” since Kalash is the major attraction in the valley of Chitral and they have fixed dates for their annual festivals. The tour here are the fixed departures for Kalash valley and Chitral, we also offer Tailor-made Tours for Kalash Valley throughout the year.

Kalash Valley – Home to a Pagan culture in Pakistan

In the 3rd century BC, on his mission and journeys through the Hindu Kush range, Alexander the Great and his troops left their footprints and descendants to what is today called the Kalash Valley, home to an ethnic community in Pakistan who are blue-eyed and have a fair skin.

Yes, that’s right. In one of the remotest parts of Pakistan, there is living a tribal group who, after carrying out several DNA tests, have claimed ancestry as descendants of Alexander the Great and his army, meaning that they are direct descendants of the ancient Greek-Macedonian people.

This is one of the most popular theories but, in fact, over the last decades, the Kalash people have called the attention of numerous anthropologists from all over the world, who conducted several studies, trying to figure out where do they actually come from. However, many of them have shown different results and conclusions, which means that the actual origin of the Kalash tribe remains unknown.

Life today in the Kalash Valley

Today, around 5,000 Kalash people live across 3 different valleys (figures are highly argued). Due to their remoteness, very far away from the civilization, today, the Kalash people live a traditional, rural life which still remains pretty untouched. Most families rely on the sun to have electricity, don’t have running water, are self-sufficient and live in wooden shacks. To be honest, life is quite hard here as they have very long, freezing winters and, unlike people from other parts of Pakistan, during winter, they don’t move to the cities but they remain in the valley.

Kalash festival

We recommend to visit the Kalash Valley during the Festival period. Festivals are,

Chilam Joshi Festival (Kalash spring festival) Mon 13 May – Thu 16 May
Uchal Festival (Kalash summer festival) Tue 20 Aug – Thu 22 Aug
Choimus Festival (Kalash winter festival) Sun 15 Dec – Sun 22 Dec

Kalash festivals are an ancient cultural event which takes place every year around the same time. It’s a 4-day festival which happens across the 3 valleys, where people not only drink, dance and have fun in general but they also worship their Gods and spirits, giving offerings and even sacrifices. One of the fascinating tradition of the festival is, young men and women choose their future husbands and wives in the middle of the dance. Attending the festival will, definitely, one of the highlights of the whole journey.

We are offering Three fixed departure tours for solo travellers in May-August and December for the Kalash Festivals.

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR KALASH VALLEY 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 Tour Pakistan

Trango Adventure has a long track record of organising Tours in Pakistan. We have been offering Kalash Valley Tour since 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 trek leader will do everything possible to work out the changes to the itinerary in order to minimize 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. Islamabad has good Internationale flight connection, 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 days is free to recover from your journey. Later in the day, when everyone has arrived, we will have a group briefing about Kalash Valley Tour. Depending on the time available to us, there may be an option to do some sightseeing in Islamabad. Islamabad was built in 1961 as a new capital city of Pakistan.

ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
MEALS
L

D-2

SPECTACULAR FLIGHT TO CHITRAL,1 HOUR:

Today you will take a spectacular mountain view flight to Chitral (weather permitting). It will be a short 1 hour flight with a fantastic mountain vistas. In Chitral, we will check in to the hotel and rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the beautiful Chitral town.

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:

A full day in Chitral town or drive to Kalash to meet the Kalasha people. Chitral is the administrative 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. In Chitra we will visit the historical 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:

Rise and Shine early to witness a fantastic sunrise above the Hindukush mountains. After breakfast you will ride in a jeeps to Rumbur village. Rumbur is part of Kalash Valley and it is roughly 50 km from Chitral. We will arrive there around lunch time, rest of the afternoon will be spend exploring the village, meeting the Kalasha people and enjoy this unique place on earth.

ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
MEALS
BDL

D-5

FESTIVAL/LEISURE DAY IN KALASH:

A full day in Kalash today. Explore the village and learn their culture and rituals. We 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 having two days of an amazing leisure/festival at the Kalash Valley, we will drive towards Chitral with wonderful memories. We will follow the same route back to Chitral Town.

ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
MEALS
BDL

D-7

FLIGHT TO ISLAMABAD:

Today we will leave the beautiful Chitral Valley behind by taking a spectacular mountain view flight Islamabad. We will be in Islamabad by lunch time, afternoon is free to explore the green capital of Pakistan.

In case of flight cancellation, we start our journey by road to Islamabad. We will arrive in Islamabad in the evening.

ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
MEALS
BDL

D-8

DEPARTURE DAY-FLIGHT BACK HOME:

After Breakfast we will transfer you to Islamaabd airport for your flight back home. End of “Kalash Valley Tour”

Kalash Valley Tour Pakistan Dates & Prices 2020

Private Groups – Chose your own Dates

Tour Start and finish in Islamabad-Domestic Flight Inc

START DATES	END DATES	STATUS	PRICE	DEPOSIT
11-May-2020	18-May-2020	Guaranteed	$ 1,200	$ 240
19-Aug-2020	26-Aug-2020	Guaranteed	$ 1,200	$ 240
15-Dec-2020	22-Dec-2020	Guaranteed	$ 1,200	$ 240

Above Kalash Valley Tour dates and prices are for solo travellers to join the fix Departure Tours only. Private groups please chose your own dates and contact us for great group, family and couple discounts. All our Pakistan holidays are on all inclusive basis where we include everything 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 be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price to join our fix departure Kalash Valley Tour. These tours are very popular and they sell out fast. We recommend you to book early to secure your place especially during peak times. Early booking will also give you enough time to look out for lost cost Internationale flight to Pakistan. 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 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 Valley Tour Pakistan 2020-21

WHAT’S INCLUDED

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
All permit fees.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance
Pakistan Visa Fee
Tips for local guides and support staff
Guided Islamabad sightseeing
Miscellaneous expenses
souvenirs etc
PLEASE NOTE: an airport departure tax of Rs1500 is sometimes payable

MEAL PLAN

Fully inclusive of all meals throughout, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

ACCOMODATION

During the Kalash Valley Tour, you will spend all nights in good Internationale tourist standard hotels (3 star) in Islamabad and Chitral. 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.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

CHITRAL FLIGHT

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. In Chitral, Kalash and in the mountains there is no malaria risk. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. 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

INSURANCE

We highly recommend you to have an adequate travel insurance for your Kalash Valley Tour holiday 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 holiday.

Travel Insurance Providers

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

Kalash Valley tour groups will be led by an experienced Culture Guide. During the tour group will be accompanied by a full support crew.

ALTITUDE

Kalash valley Tour involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be above 2,000 metres for 1-2 days. This is not something that you should 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 acclimatize 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 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.

PASSPORT & VISSAS

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. 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 to enter in Pakistan. The visa fee is approximately USD $ 100 and you must apply for it prior to departure. To obtain a visa for Pakistan you will require a letter of introduction from an approved 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 Pakistan visa, visit Pakistan Visa in the holiday info section.

For online visa application, visit Government of Pakistan official visa site, www.visa.nadra.gov.pk

Note: if you are continuing your journey to china/India or Iran then please make sure to retain those countries visas from your home country prior to your Departure.

EQUIPMENT LIST

As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your bag whilst touring should be no more than 25.5 kgs. 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 Valley Tour”