Tribes of Hindukush
Exploring the Indigenous tribe of Kalash Valley
Overview
The unique Kalash Valley, remaining minority of approximately 3500 people (known as the Wearers of Black Robes) living in three isolated but beautiful valleys known as Bumburet, Rambur and Berir. The people of Kalash have a rich culture and are very strong footed about their identity. These people stand out from the remaining tribes, cultures and communities due to their distinct traditions, religious practices and festivals.
UNESCO listed Kalash culture as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” in November 2018. The people of Kalash celebrate many festivals during the year but notable festivals are three, the spring feast Chilam Joshi, in May, Uchal or Utchal, in August and Choimus, in winter.
Chilam Joshi is one the most important festival, this four-day festival is celebrated across all three valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Berir. The main purpose of this festival is that Kalash men and women can find a spouse for themselves to get married. The women wear traditional attire with lively colors whereas, men wear traditional Shalwar Kameez with a waistcoat made of wool. Uchal, also known as Utchal is a summer Kalash festival. The festival is celebrated during annual harvesting with singing, dancing and paying homage to the nature for blessing them with good food and fruits. It is marked in the barley and wheat harvest season every year in August.
Choimus festival is celebrated in winter season. During the festival, purity is of the utmost important factor and celibacy is enforced throughout the days of the event so all the people will be in pure mind when Balmain visits the valley. All the people must be cleansed in ritual bathing the week before the festival begins.
Tour Facts
Tour Name: Tribes of Hindukush
Tour Code: ATP-THK-01
Tour Duration: 10 days/9 nights
Route: Islamabad- Peshawar-Chitral-Kalash Valley-Swat-Islamabad
Best time: April to October to
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
Gallery
Tour locations on map
Itinerary
Arrival at 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: 32 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Taxila – Peshawar: 156 kms/2.5 hours’ driver
Drive to Peshawar visiting Taxila archaeological sites and museum en-route.
Key Attractions
Taxila Museum-showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
Dharmarajika complex and stupa
Sirkap: a fortified city of ancient Taxila
Jandial Complex: an ancient temple site in Taxila
Mohra Muradu Stupa and Monastery
Full day tour of the historical city Peshawar.
Key Attractions
Peshawar Museum-collection of Buddhist art work
Mahabat Khan Mosque built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Qissa Khawani Bazar (The bazar of story tellers)
Saithi House – The Mughal Central Asian Architecture
The historic Qila Bala Hissar (Bala Hissar Fort) from outside
Peshawar – Bumburet Kalash: 370 kms/10-11 hours’ drive
Drive to Bumburet Kalash via Lawari Tunnel.
Day 5-6. Kalash ValleyFull day for exploring the unique Kalash Valley and its people. Short walks along the valley.
Key Attractions
Explore festivities in Kalash Valley
Kalash Museum
Visit a traditional house to explore the way of life
Sacred places
Rambur Valley Kalash
Bumburet Kalash–Chitral: 22 kms/1 hour’s drive
After a late breakfast transfer to Chitral town.
Key Attractions
Chitral Bazaar
Shahi Mosque
Tirich Mir View Point
Chitral Museum
Chitral – Mingora Swat: 240 kms/8 hours’ drive
Drive from Chitral to Mingora/Saidu Sharif Swat.
Day 9. Swat–IslamabadSwat – Islamabad: 235 kms/4 hours’ drive
In the morning visit Swat Museum and Budkara then proceed to Islamabad.
Key Attractions
Barikot Archeological Site
Shingardar Stupa
Amluk Dara Stupa
Najigram Stupa
Transfer to airport International Airport for departure flight.