Daily program

DAY 1 — ARRIVAL IN ISLAMABAD

• Airport reception and transfer to the hotel

• Hotel check-in and accommodation

• Visit to the Faisal Mosque

• Welcome dinner all together in a local restaurant

DAY 2 — ANCIENT GANDHARA: JAULIAN

• Travel to Takshila by car (45min)

• Visit to the Gandhara Archaeological Museum

• Exploration of the ancient Buddhist heritage of the Gandhara Valley

• Visit to the Jaulian Buddhist Monastery

• Discover the archaeological remains and Buddhist art of the ancient Gandhara civilisation

DAY 3 — ANCIENT GANDHARA: SIRKAP

• Visit to Sirkap, the ancient Indo-Greek/Hellenistic city

• Visit to Dharmarajika Stupa, one of the great Buddhist stupas of the region

• Visit to Gandhara Art Village, heritage of old stone art

• Exploration of the artistic and cultural heritage of ancient Gandhara

DAY 4 — ANCIENT GANDHARA: BHAMALA STUPA

• Visit to the ancient Buddhist Bhamala Stupa, a remote stupa in the mountains

• Exploration of the archaeological site and surrounding landscape

• Lunch in the countryside with a local family

• Opportunity to experience local traditions and hospitality

DAY 5 — KATAS RAJ TEMPLES & SACRED CAVES

• Visit to the historic Katas Raj Hindu Temple Complex

• Exploration of the sacred spring-lake and temple complex

• Visit to one of the ancient Linga associated with the sacred site in the Shiva’s temple

• Visit to the ancient caves used by monks for meditation

• Discover the traditions and legends associated with the Pandava brothers from Mahabaratha

DAY 6 — KHEWRA PINK SALT MINE → LAHORE

• Excursion to the Khewra Salt Mine, famous for its Himalayan pink salt

• Exploration of one of the world’s largest and oldest salt-mining areas

• Afternoon departure and travel towards Lahore (3h)

• Arrival and accommodation in Lahore

DAY 7 — LAHORE: MUGHAL HERITAGE

• Visit to the magnificent Badshahi Mosque

• Visit to the Lahore Fort, the historic royal fortress of the Mughal era

• Explore the architectural and cultural heritage of Mughal Lahore

• Dinner at the traditional Andaz Restaurant with direct view on the Mosque

• Evening amazing view of the illuminated Badshahi Mosque

DAY 8 — LAHORE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM & QAWWALI

• Guided visit to the Lahore Archeological Museum

• Discover its important collections of ancient Indian art

• Hindu and Jain sculptures, Islamic calligraphy and a remarkable collection of Buddhist statues

• Evening visit to Café Theatre Piru

• Dinner accompanied by a traditional Qawwali performance

DAY 9 — LAHORE: SHAHI HAMMAM, WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE & BAZAAR

• Visit to the historic Shahi Hammam, the 17th-century Mughal bathhouse

• Explore the Wazir Khan Mosque, one of Lahore’s most beautiful historic mosques

• Discover the Old City and the area around Delhi Gate

• Shopping and exploration in the traditional bazaar

• Dinner at a local restaurant

DAY 10 — LAHORE: FAKIR KHANA HAVELI & FINAL SPICE SHOPPING

• Explore Fakir Khana Haveli with its owner 

• Discover the ancient miniature collection from Moghul time

• Final shopping an relax fort hose who love spices, oils, parfumes, inside local traditions, colours, crafts, perfumes and spices of the bazar

• Free time for shopping and experiencing everyday life in Lahore

• Final dinner at a local restaurant

DAY 11 — DEPARTURE FROM LAHORE

• Transfer to Lahore International Airport

• Flight back home