Swat and Kalash Valley

The morning is free to recover from your journey. In the afternoon we offer an optional walk to the Margalla hills surrounding the capital.

Later in the afternoon, the trek leaders will give a full trip briefing. We will conclude our evening with a group dinner, this will be an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, ask questions and enjoy a restful evening before our journey begins.

We drive to the 2,000 year old city of Peshawar. Visit the Bala Hisar Fort in continuous use since the 7th century. Explore the Peshawar museum with the largest collection of Gahdhara art in the world. In the evening wander through the historic Qisa Khawani Bazar (story tellers bazar), before we settle in for a meal before returning to our hotel.

Drive to Swat, stopping at the 1st century UNESCO world heritage site of Takht-Bhai. Visit the Swat Museum with its collection of Gandharan statuettes and treasure from the valley of Swat. We will visit the remains of 2nd century Butkara stupa, believed to contain the ashes of Buddha. Later visit Udegram village where you will have the option to hike to Raja Gira’s castle, site with a history stretching from 1,000 BC to 14th century.

We will travel by road to Chitral Valley, stopping at the Chakdara Museum with its collection of first to seventh century Gandhara Art. The drive will take us through villages and small towns and we will reach our destination in the evening, where our first stop is Kalash Valley.