17-Day Kalash People Uchal Summer Festival August 2020

One of the top cultural festivals in Pakistan, Uchal Kalash Summer Festival is an experience locals and visitors should not miss. This vibrant annual event celebrates bountiful harvest season every August with singing, dancing, and paying homage to nature. During the festival, locals of Kalash Valleys prepare special local dishes, women wearing bright traditional dresses perform folk dances, and prayers and procession take place until evening.

On this tour, we will learn more about the rich culture and tradition of Pakistan and the ethnic minority community of Kalash as we take part in this summer festival. We will also explore some of the most stunning spots of Northern Pakistan, with its hundreds of mountain peaks, colorful valleys, and enchanting laid-back villages.

Day 1 | 11th August 2020: Arrival in Islamabad

Arrive at Islamabad airport where your driver-guide will be waiting for you. Check-in at your hotel and have the rest of the day at your disposal. During your free time, you may visit some city highlights including Shah Faisal Mosque, Lok-vesa Museum, Shakar Padia, Peer Sohawa/Margalla Hills, Saeed Pur Village, among others.

Day 2 | 12th August 2020: Islamabad - Naran

Located about 270 km from Islamabad is Naran, a picturesque town in the upper Kaghan Valley. Situated at about 2400 meters above sea level, the town experiences low temperatures throughout the year making it a top summer destination among locals and visitors. During the 7-hr drive from Islamabad, you will make several stops at some breathtaking viewpoints and for some delicious tea and lunch.

Day 3 | 13th August 2020: Naran - Gilgit 

Take an early morning drive to Gilgit via Babusar Pass. The pass, at an elevation of over 4100 m  above sea level, is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley. Stop at Lulusar Lake, a postcard-perfect lake with a group of snow-capped mountain peaks as its backdrop. You will also swing by a historic rock carving in Chilas, the viewpoint to three mountain ranges-Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hinu-Kush, and another viewpoint of Nanga Parbat, nicknamed "Killer Mountain" for its high number of climber fatalities and the second highest peak in Pakistan.

Upon arrival and checking in at your Gilgit hotel, you'll visit a bazaar and the 7th-century Kargah Buddha, a carved image of a large standing Buddha, some 50 feet high.

Day 4 | 14th August 2020: Gilgit - Karimabad

Today, drive to Karimabad-Hunza and along the way, you will be blessed by the views of Mount Rakaposhi and terraced apricot, apple, and walnut fields. 

Arrive in Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, and the only town in the world where you may enjoy views of five mountain peaks above 7000 m in all four directions. Here, you will visit Baltit Fort and the 900-year old Altit Fort in Altit Village.

Day 5 | 15th August 2020: Karimabad - Duikar 

Visit Hopar Valley, a scenic portion of the Nagar Valley. Here, you can enjoy the fresh countryside air and savor the view of Baltar Glacier. In the afternoon, drive to Duikar where you can enjoy the majestic sight of central Karakoram Mountains and Hunza Valley. If the weather is good during your visit, you may even experience a sunset and sunrise you won't soon forget.

Day 6 | 16th August 2020: Duikar - Passu 

Travel northeast to Passu and stop by Ganish Fort, the rock carvings at Doyndas, a ruby mine, and the stunning Attabad Lake, which was formed by a huge landslide in 2010. You will also visit Gulmit Village, the old capital of the Upper Hunza, where you can visit a local cultural museum. Continue to Hussani Suspension Bridge before ending the day at your hotel in Passu.

Day 7 | 17th August 2020: Passu - Karimabad

Enjoy an early morning drive to Khunjerab Pass, the highest highway in the world. Because of its altitude and location, the pass is dubbed as the "Roof of the World" and the "Gateway to China." From Khunjerab Pass, travel southwest and arrive at Karimabad after a 5-hour drive.

Day 8 | 18th August 2020: Karimabad - Karakorum Highway - Phander

After breakfast, cruise through Karakorum Highway to Phander and make several stops along the way including the Gakuch viewpoint. Arrive at Phander Valley, a strikingly beautiful valley full of orchards and green fields with the turquoise waters of Gilgit River flowing through the center of it. You can also go fishing at Phander Lake which is well-stocked with trout fish.

Day 9 | 19th August 2020: Phander - Mastuji 

From Phander Valley, drive to Mastuj via Shandur Pass, the highest polo ground in the world. During the long drive, you will also stop by several viewpoints and descend to the village of Harchin along the bank of Laspur River.

Dinner and overnight at your Mastuji hotel.

Day 10 | 20th August 2020: Mastuji - Bumburet

Enjoy an early morning cruise to Chitral, a town which is undoubtedly one of the most captivating towns in the country. The setting is particularly enchanting with the villages spread out across a large alluvial fan. The streams and irrigation channel run through tree-lined fields of wheat and barley while in the town center, apricot trees are scattered all around. Continue to your drive and pass by the Tirchmir and Ayun viewpoints, and explore villages and traditional houses before arriving in Bumburet, the largest valley of Kalasha Desh. 

Day 11 | 21st August 2020: Bumburet

Take a break from hopping from one town to another and today, stay and explore the valley of Bumburet. Bumburet is the most developed and thought to be the most beautiful among the three Kalash valleys. Visit a museum, cemetery, and Burn Village. In the evening, get a chance to meet some local families at their place where you can dance and sing the night away and mingle with the friendly Kalash people.

Day 12 | 22nd August 2020: Uchal Kalash Summer Festival at Bumburet

Enjoy a full day of singing, dancing, and paying homage to nature with the locals at Uchal Kalash Summer Festival. Follow the events of the festival which typically starts in Rumbur Valley during daytime and nighttime in Bumburet Valley. 

Day 13 | 23rd of August 2020: Bumburet - Chitral

After breakfast, take a 1-hour drive to Chitral and enjoy stops at viewpoints and stunning spots along the way. You'll have the rest of the day to yourself in Chitral and you may visit a mosque, a fort, and a vibrant and busy bazaar in the district headquarters. With its pleasant weather and colorful fields during the summer, it's also a great place to stroll around and savor 360-degrees of panoramic views.

Day 14 | 24th of August 2020: Chitral - Swat Valley

Today, head to Swat Valley via Dir Tunnel, stopping at breathtaking viewpoints and also for lunch and tea. Arrive at Swat Valley, known as the "The Switzerland of Pakistan," after 7-8 hours.

Day 15 | 25th of August 2020: Swat Valley - Peshawar

Explore the Swat Museum in the morning and see thousand-years-old artifacts before your Peshawar jaunt. En route, you will stop by Takht-i-Bahi, a small town known for its Gandhara Buddhist Monastery. After 5 hours, arrive in Peshawar and see its museums, old bazaars, and Masjid Mahabat Khan, a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque.

Day 16 | 26th of August 2020: Peshawar - Islamabad

Enjoy some free time in Peshawar and then proceed to Islamabad. Along the way, we will stop at Rawalpindi, Pakistan's fourth-largest city, and some of the city's highlights.

Day 17 | 26th of August 2020: Departure from Islamabad

You have the rest of the day at your disposal. Your 17-day Pakistan adventure ends with a transfer to the airport.