Glimpses of Heritage
Discover the treasures of rich history and culture of Pakistan
Overview
An insightful journey across Pakistan to discover its best-kept secrets is an unforgettable experience. The tour, right from the beginning in Islamabad, the federal capital, till the end in Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan, will give you an understanding of how the magnificent ancient civilizations—Indus and Gandhara—flourished along the Indus River, what made the invaders invade it, why Sufis made it their home, and how the emperors established their huge empires, right from the Mughals of Persia to the British in Europe.
Throughout the tour, you will be mesmerized by the magnificent archaeological sites. Taxila is known for its collection of Buddhist religious monuments, including the Dharmarajika stupa, the Jaulian monastery, and the Mohra Muradu monastery. In short, every city, town, and village that we will visit throughout the tour has a thrilling story of its own. With the rich and stunning cultures in Lahore to feast our eyes on (with Badshahi Mosque, Badshahi Fort, Lahore Museum, Shalimar Gardens, Shahi Hammam, etc.), Harappa, an important archaeological site of the Indus civilization, stands witness to the 5000-year-old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan. The imposing Derawar Fort, the deserts of Cholistan, and Makli Hills, the world’s largest necropolis with over a million graves, tombs, and mausoleums, will make your trip worthwhile.
Mohenjo-Daro, an impressive and well-preserved archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, which was the world’s most developed ancient culture, the findings suggest a well-developed agriculture system where trade was conducted with real financial sophistication with other civilizations, beautiful art tells of their way of life, baked brick buildings provide an impressive vista of urban architecture, and drains and wells speak of their height of engineering. Overall, the findings suggest an impressive society that had developed a complete living system of its own. The high intensity of spirituality at Sufi shrines in Sehwan-Sharif, Uch-Sharif and other elaborately decorated shrines like those of Sheikh Bahad-ud-din Zakriya, Shah Shams Tabriz, and Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan are worth visiting. Our Pakistani heritage is an absolutely spectacular journey through its history and breathtaking landscape.
Tour Facts
Tour Name: Glimpses of Heritage
Tour Code: ATP-GHT-01
Tour Duration: 14 days/13 nights
Route: Islamabad-Taxila-Khewra-Lahore-Harappa-Multan-Uch Sharif-Bahawalpur-Derawar Fort-Sukkur-Mohenjo Daro-Sehwan Sharif-Bhit Shah-Hyderabad-Karachi.
Best time: October to Early March
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
Gallery
Map
Itinerary
Arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, transfer to hotel. Full day city tour of Islamabad.
Key Attractions
Shah Faisal Mosque – the largest mosque in Pakistan
Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage) Museum
Pakistan National Monument
Daman-e-Koh (Islamabad View Point)
Golra Sharif Rail Museum or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum.
External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Islamabad-Taxila: 35 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Taxila–Raja Bazar: 35 kms/1 hour drive
Raja Bazar-Islamabad: 20 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Full day tour of Taxila Archaeological sites & the old Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi.
Key Attractions
Taxila Museum-showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
Dharmarajika complex and stupa
Taxila Truck Painting Workshop
Gurdwara Panja Sahib (subject to prior permission)
old Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi (twin city of Islamabad)
Dinner at Margalla Hills
There are two options available for traveling from Islamabad to Lahore. Traveling to Lahore visiting historical Rohtas Fort or traveling via Katas Raj Temple and Khewra Salt Mines.
Option A: Islamabad-Rohtas Fort-Lahore
Islamabad-Rohtas Fort: 115 km / 2.5 hours’ drive
Rohtas Fort-Lahore: 215 km / 4 hours’ drive
After breakfast drive to Lahore from Islamabad visiting Rohtas Fort en-route. Upon arrival visit the Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan.
Key Attractions
Rohtas Fort
Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan in Lahore
OR
Option B: Islamabad-Katas Raj Temple-Lahore
Islamabad-Katas Raj Temple: 160 km / 2 hours’ drive
Katas Raj Temple-Khewra Salt Mines: 20 km / 50 minutes’ drive
Khewra Salt Mines–Lahore: 245 kms/4 hours’ drive
After breakfast drive to Lahore from Islamabad visiting Katas Raj Temple and Khewra Salt Mines on the way.
Key Attractions
Katas Raj Temple
Khewra Salt Mines- Asia’s biggest and world second largest salt mines
Full day city tour of Lahore.
Key Attractions
Lahore’s walled city
Lahore Fort -built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Badshahi Masjid built between 1671 & 1673 by Mughal emperors
Lahore Museum – Showcasing one of the largest and most representative collection of miniature paintings in the Subcontinent
Anarkali Bazar – one of oldest surviving markets in the Lahore
Full day city tour of Lahore including flag ceremony at Pakistan-India border.
Key Attractions
Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan in Lahore (if not visited on ay 4)
Visit Masjid Wazir Khan – Built by Wazir Khan, the viceroy of Punjab during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Shahi Hamam – a Persian-style bath which was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Visit Shalimar Garden (optional)
Experience the flag ceremony at the Wagah, the border between Pakistan & India.
Lahore-Harappa: 196 km/3.5 hours’ drive
Harappa-Multan: 160 km/2.5 hours’ drive
Drive to Multan visiting Harappa archaeological site on the way. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Key Attractions
Harappa Archaeological Site - The ruins of the Bronze Age Harappan civilization or the Indus Valley civilization.
Today we will explore Multan, the city of saints. Visit Damdama, the highest point in the fort. Multan is also popular for Blue Pottery and camel skin paintings.
Key Attractions
Damdama in Multan – the highest point in Multan to see the entire city
The Mausoleum of Muslim Mystic Sheikh Baha-ud-din Zakriya
The Mausoleum of a renowned Sufi Mystic Shah Shams Sabzwari
The Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam – A Sufi Mystic
Delhi Gate
Char Minar
Blue Pottery Workshop
Camel skin using Naqash painting
Multan-Derawar Fort: 200 km/3 hours’ drive
Derawar Fort- Bahawalpur: 98 km/2 hours’ drive
After an early breakfast drive to Cholistan Desert and Derawar Fort. In the afternoon drive to Bahawalpur. Visit Noor Mahal.
Key Attractions
Derawar Fort – first built in the 9th century AD
Cholistan Desert -locally known as Rohi which forms part of the greater Thar Desert.
Noor Mahal Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur-Uch Sharif: 78 km/1.5 hours’ drive
Uch Sharif-Sukkur: 310 km/3.5 hours’ drive
Drive to the archaeological sites of Uch Sharif. After visiting Uch Sharif drive to Sukkur.
Key Attractions
The 15th Century Octagonal tomb of Bibi Jawindi
The Shrine of Jalaluddin Bukhari
The Shrine of Hazrat Fazaluddin Ladla Bukhari
The Shrine of Pir Sadruddin
Sukkur-Kot Diji-Mohenjo Daro: 135 km/3 hours’ drive
Mohenjo Daro – Sehwan Sharif: 150 km/2.5 hours’ drive
Drive to Mohenjo Daro visiting Kot Diji en-route. Visit the archaeological site of Mohenjo Daro. After lunch drive to Sehwan Sharif. Upon arrival and check-in at hotel visit the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Attend Sufi dances in the evening.
Key Attractions
Kot Diji Fort-the 18th Century Talpur era Fort
Mohenjo Daro (The mound of the dead) A center of the ancient Indus civilization (c. 2500–1700 BCE) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Dhamal (Sufi Dances) in the evening
Sehwan–Ranikot Fort: 88 km/1.5 hours’ drive
Ranikot Fort-Bhit Shah: 140 km/2.5 hours’ drive
Bhit Shah–Hyderabad: 60 km/1.5 hours’ drive
After breakfast visit Ranikot Fort, then the Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. Finally drive to Hyderabad for the overnight stay.
Key Attractions
Ranikot Fort-the great wall of Sindh
Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
Sufi dances at the Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (if available today)
Hyderabad-Shah Jahan Mosque: 100 km/1.5 hours’ drive
Shah Jahan Mosque-Makli Hills: 3.5 km/10 minutes’ drive
Makli Hills–Bhanbore Museum: 40 km/40 minutes’ drive
Bhanbore–Chaukandi Tombs: 35 km/45 minutes’ drive
Chaukandi Tombs–Karachi: 30 km/1 hour’s drive
After breakfast drive to Karachi visiting Shah Jahan Mosque, Makli Necropolis, Bhanbore Archaeological Site and Chaukandi Tombs on the way. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Key Attractions
Shah Jahan Mosque Thatta built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Makli Necropolis-the largest funerary sites in the world
Bhambore (Bhanbore) Archeological Site A ruin dating back to the Scytho-Parthian era (1st Century BCE)
Chaukandi Tombs – Known for the elaborate sandstone carvings.
Full day tour of Karachi the financial capital of Pakistan and its vibrant cultural heritage.
Key Attractions
National Museum-Delve into Pakistan's rich history, from the Stone Age to its inception in 1947, showcasing complete vista of Pakistan’s cultural heritage via artifacts and exhibits that narrate the nation's journey.
Frere Hall– an old town hall, a historic landmark and an architectural marvel that houses a library and the Sadequain Art Gallery, providing a glimpse into the artistic of Karachi.
Mohatta Palace-a luxurious summer retreat for the Mohatta family until 1947, adorned with intricate architecture and cultural significance.
Tuba Mosque-explore the flat dome structured mosque, also known as Gol Masjid, and appreciate its architectural elegance.
Merewether Clock Tower-a historical timepiece that stands as a testament to Pakistan's colonial past built during the Victorian era.
Quaid-e-Azam tomb (Mazar-e-Quaid) - pay homage to the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam, at his tomb, a monument of national importance.
Transfer to Jinnah International Airport for departure flight.