Glimpses of Heritage - Adventure Tours Pakistan

Discover the treasures of rich history and culture of Pakistan

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.

Trip Highlights

TripCode:	ATP-GHT-1
Route:	Islamabad-Taxila-Khewra -Lahore-Harappa-Multan-Uch Sharif-Bahawalpur-Derawar Fort-Sukkur-Mohenjo Daro-Sehwan Sharif-Bhit Shah-Hyderabad-Karachi.
BestTime:	October to March
Duration:	14 days/13 nights (shorter & longer trip itineraries available)

Note: The trip can be done in the reserves order starting in Karachi

Day To Day Itinerary

Day	Visiting Location	Overnight
01	Islamabad	Arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, transfer to hotel. 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
02	Islamabad-Taxila-Islamabad	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) Dinner at Margalla Hills
03	Islamabad-Lahore	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 kms / 2.5 hours’ drive Rohtas Fort -Lahore: 215 kms / 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 kms / 2 hours’ drive Katas Raj Temple-Khewra Salt Mines: 20 kms / 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
04	Lahore	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
05	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 day-3) 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.
06	Lahore-Harappa-Multan	Lahore- Harappa: 196 kms/3.5 hours’ drive Harappa- Multan: 160 kms /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
07	Multan	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
08	Multan-Derawar Fort-Bahawalpur	Multan- Derawar Fort: 200 kms/3 hours’ drive Derawar Fort- Bahawalpur: 98 kms/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
09	Bahawalpur-Uch Sharif-Sukkur	Bahawalpur- Uch Sharif: 78 kms/1.5 hours’ drive Uch Sharif- Sukkur: 310 kms/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
10	Sukkur-Mohenjo Daro-Sehwan Sharif	Sukkur- Kot Diji-Mohenjo Daro: 135 kms/3 hours’ drive Mohenjo Daro – Sehwan Sharif: 150 kms /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
11	Sehwan Sharif-Ranikot Fort-Bhit Shah-Hyderabad	Sehwan – Ranikot Fort: 88 kms/1.5 hours’ drive Ranikot Fort- Bhit Shah: 140 kms/2.5 hours’ drive Bhit Shah – Hyderabad: 60 kms/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)
12	Hyderabad-Karachi	Hyderabad- Shah Jahan Mosque: 100 kms /1.5 hours’ drive Shah Jahan Mosque- Makli Hills: 3.5 kms /10 minutes’ drive Makli Hills – Bhanbore Museum: 40 kms/40 minutes’ drive Bhanbore – Chaukandi Tombs: 35 kms/45 minutes’ drive Chaukandi Tombs – Karachi: 30 kms/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.
13	Karachi	Full day tour of Karachi the financial capital of Pakistan. KEY ATTRACTIONS National Museum- Showcases a complete vista of Pakistan’s cultural Heritage from the Stone Age till the birth of Pakistan. Frere Hall – old town hall and homes a library and Sadequain Art Gallery Mohatta Palace- a luxurious summer house of Mohatta family lived till 1947 Tuba Mosque- A flat dome structured mosque also known as Gol Masjid Quaid -e-Azam tomb (Mazar-e-Quaid) Merewether Clock Tower- built during the Victorian era
14	Departure	Transfer to the airport for the departure flight.