THE PEOPLE OF BLACK ROBE

Uchal Festival (Kalash summer festival)
20 Aug – 22 Aug

10^TH AUGUST TO 25^TH AUGUST  2025

Come take a journey through time to a place where time now, yesterday, today, a thousand years ago, to a place where life stream of people has been cascading down to the centuries, Serene, unchanging as anonymous as the mountain streams themselves which interlaced the back drop of their culture. In the 3rd century BC, on his mission and journeys through the Hindu Kush range, Alexander the Great and his troops left their footprints and descendants to what is today called the Kalash Valley, home to an ethnic community in Pakistan who are blue-eyed and have fair skin. There is an estimated 3,000 Kalasha left in this beautiful tribe, and they have maintained their ancient culture and tribal rites for well over 2,000 years in the three valleys lying between Karakorum and Hindukush at the height of about 2000m their sheltered life style has in endure abundant flow of strong culture away from the plains below them.

 Uchal Festival is one of the top cultural festivals of Pakistan. Kalasha tribe celebrates many festivals around the year. Uchal festival celebration is to pay homage to Almighty for blessing them with good food and crops. They prepare corn, buttermilk, and cheese to celebrate the festival and rejoice Uchao.

Kalash Uchal Festival is celebrated in annual harvesting with singing, dancing and paying homage to the nature for blessing them with barley and wheat harvest season every year in August.

In the festival of Uchal they prepare special foods, cheese, buttermilk and cornbread for the event. Women in traditional dresses perform dances. During the festival prayers, a procession is made to a high plateau outside the village in Balangkuru where the long night of dancing begins. 

. The women wear traditional attire with lively colors and hair dressers have patterns of flowers on it. They wear beaded necklaces which compliments their dresses and head gears. Men wear traditional Shalwar Kameez with a waistcoat made of wool. They dance together and sing in a circle on drum beats. Every year this festival brings smile to the bachelors and spinsters of Kalash Valley tribes as it gives them an opportunity to choose their life partners and announce their names on the last day of the festival.

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Day 00 10^TH AUGUST 2025

 Arrive at Airport Welcome to Lahore, at Lahore airport our representative will greet you at Airport and Check in at Luxus Grand Hotel Lahore

DAY – 01 11TH AUGUST 2025

LAHORE – SIGHTSEEING TOUR 140 KM – 08 HRS Full day sightseeing tour of Lahore Lahore: (Area: 1,772 km² – Population: 13,095,166 (2021) – Altitude: 217 m)TOUR VISITS: (Full Day Tour) – Delhi Gate: (1556 – 1859 – 2015) – was known as “Shahi Guzargah” Or “Royal Trail” of Mughal emperors., Wazir Khan’s Mosque: (1634 – 1635) – This captivating Mosque of colorful architectural is nicknamed “An Ornament of the Mughal” Or “a mole in the cheek of Lahore”,, Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila): (1556 – 1818 – 1947) – built by Mughal Emperor Akbar is a large complex of fortifications, quadrangles, marble mosques and palaces. This Mughal architecture is a UNESCO protected monument in 1981., Badshahi Mosque: (1673) – 5th largest in world, Wahga Border – Flag lowering parade ceremony at Pak-India Border. Dinner in Fort Road Food Street at Haveli Restaurant. Overnight in Luxus Grand or similar in Lahore (BLD)

DAY – 02 12^TH AUGUST 2025

LAHORE – SIGHTSEEING TOUR 90 KM – 08 HRS Full day sightseeing tour of Lahore Lahore: (Area: 1,772 km² – Population: 13,095,166 (2021) – Altitude: 217 m)TOUR VISITS: (Full Day Tour) – Chauburji: (1647 A.D.) – literally meaning “Four Towers or Four Minarets” – A monumental gateway to an extensive garden in the Mughal Empire period attributed to Mughal Princess Zeb-un-Nisa (daughter of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan). The princess was eight years old at the time of construction., Kamran’s Baradari: (1545 A.D.) ,, Lahore Museum: (1865 – 1894 A.D.), Shalimar Gardens: (1637 – 1642) – Three terraced garden having 410 water fountains. This Mughal architecture is a UNESCO protected monument in 1981, Liberty Market: famous market of Lahore. Dinner at M.M Alam Road Overnight in Hotel Four Points / Luxus Grand Lahore(BLD)

DAY – 03 13^TH AUGUST 2025

 MANIKYALA STUPA – ROHTAS FORT – ISLAMABAD 460 KM – 08 HRS Breakfast at Lahore than we will drive towards Islamabad on the way we will visit The Mankiala Stupa: (2nd-century A.D.) – Gandhara era Buddhist stupa built in Kushan’s period by the king Kanishka (128-151 AD) to memorialize the place where Buddha fed his thigh’s flash to seven hungry tiger’s cubs, Rohtas Fort: (1541 – 1548 AD.) – The historic Rohtas Fort was built by the Afghan king Sher Shah Suri (Farid Khan). The Fort enclosed in 4 Kms long thick defensive fortification wall with monumental 12 gates, 68 bastion towers and 3 baolies (Stepped Water-Well)., The Rohtas Fort were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.Overnight in Hotel Hill view / Roomy Signature or similar in Islamabad(BLD)

DAY 04 14^TH AUGUST 2025

Islamabad – Chilas ( (Approx. 480 km 8-10 Hours Driving time) We depart from Islamabad after an early breakfast driving on newly constructed Hazara Motor reach Besham . Later on following the upstream course of River Indus, we will make photo stops at Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti’s on it. After a long day aboard, we arrive at Chilas and transfer to hotel for overnight at Chilas ( Shingrilla Midway Hotel ).

DAY 05 15^TH AUGUST 2025

Chilas – Hunza (Approx. 240KM Driving time 5 hours Some interesting carvings can be seen on the rocks at Chilas, even from the window of your vehicle and next to Chilas is the Nanga Parbat viewpoint offering breathtaking views. The next stop will be at the unique point where three mountain ranges, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet, near the confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers. We bye passes the Gilgit Town and continue our drive on KKH. En route, we cross several villages of Hunza & Nagar valleys and make a photo stop at Rakaposhi view point. Lunch will be served under the shadow of Rakaposhi than drive to Karimabad to Visit Famous Forts Altit and Baltit Forts.

Tucked away among the precipitous peaks of northern Pakistan, the Hunza Valley’s natural splendor and position on the Central Asian Silk Route has attracted travelers, merchants, and mountaineers for centuries. Beyond its iconic glaciers, fertile apricot farms, and turquoise lakes, the region is also rich in cultural heritage. In central Hunza, the thousand-year-old Altit fort and 700-year-old Baltit fort are some of the region’s oldest standing monuments and evidence of the valley’s feudal regime. Traditionally home to the Mir, or king, of Hunza, Altit Fort was eventually vacated in favor of Baltit Fort. The rectangular stronghold sits at the foot of the Ulter Glacier and commands a view of the Hunza Valley and its tributaries—a strategic position for controlling the trans-Karakoram trade route between South and Central Asia . The fort served as home to the Mir until 1945. Ultar ,Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounds us at Karimabad, while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. Over night at Karimabad (Darbar hotel / Farmee Hotel)

DAY 06 16^TH AUGUST 2025

Today we will make an excursion to Upper Hunza visiting the newly formed Attabad Lake. This 30km long lake was only formed in 2010 after a massive landslide dammed the Hunza River completely, its fresh, crystal clear water is mesmerizing and travelling through the 5 tunnels will be an experience of life . We would suggest a visit to the Passu Glacier ,Upon arrival at the Passu Glacier,you will see stairs stretching up hill that will lead you to the Glacier Breeze Restaurant, famed for serving delicious apricot cakes. It is also a great spot to see the Passu Cones, and the cool breeze from the water of the Passu Glacier is definitely refreshing. If you really want to get your adrenaline rushing, we also suggest that you head to the rope bridge near the town of Husseini, only 10km away. The local people of Hussaini village, especially the women, often use this dangerous bridge to cross the river to Zarabad, which in itself is another gem for trekking lovers. Known as the most perilous bridge in the world, the Hussaini Suspension Bridge may look dangerous, however, it is a comparatively benign bridge and attracts hikers challenging their nerves as they prudently work their way across over night at Karaimabad (  Eagle nest /Darbar Hotel / Farmee )

Day 07 17^TH AUGUST 2025

Karimabad – Guppis 260 KM Driving time 6 -7 hours

After Early Breakfast We will drive back to Gilgit and onward drive to Guppis in Ghizer , the cross road between Gilgit and Chitral. Ghizer is distorted form the name Gherz Which means Refugees in Khowar. Whenever the mehtar of Chitral did unjust with their own people in chitral and forced them to settle in the area between Chitral and Guppis . They were settled in the area between Chitral and Gupis and the area called Gherz and people were called Gherzic . Passing the beautiful valley of Sher qila which is on opposite side of road passing Gakuch than entering into stunning and Attractive Guppis valley Overnight at BLOSSOM INN Guppis

DAY 08 18^TH AUGUST 2025

Phander – Shandur -Mastuj – Bunni

Phandar Valley is situated 61 kilometers (38 miles) from the valley of Gupis located within the District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. A winding road that winds through the lush green fields and forests, with views of the river flowing and icy mountains will lead you to this picturesque valley. From the first moment, you look at this valley will erase any fatigue from the journey and will inspire you with spectacular views. The serene water that is deep and blue from the river Ghizer and surrounding lush golden and green fields are stunning. The weather of Phander valley is extremely comfortable during June and July. It is the ideal time to explore this valley as the beauty of the valley is best in June and July. The days are pleasant and warm and the evenings are cold. Shandur is mostly famous due to its Polo Festival, Shandoor Pass and Shandur Lake. All these make this valley the unforgettable and mesmerizing. Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) located in Chitral District. It is often called the ‘Roof of the World’. The topis flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by plentiful small streams during summer. It is also a boundary line between Ghizer District and Chitral District. The Shandur Pass lies almost midway between Chitral and Gilgit on a jeep road, which remains snow covered in winter and turns into green pastures during summer season. Traveling on this track, is adventurous, to say the least. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILLBE PASSING THROUGH SHANDUR PASS 3738 M, PLEASE TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE WHO HAVE HEIGHT SICKNESS

DAY 09 19^TH AUGUST 2025

Bunni To Chitral

Approx 80 Km

After the early breakfast at guest house, we will short stop for at Charun village to see ancient Buddhist carvings “ Charun Rock carving” than we will visit 400 hundred old Muzatha House( Please note that its private property need permission to visit ) . In CHITRAL we will visit Shahi Mosque and Chitral Fort (If the resident gives us permission) and in evening local Bazar and drive to our abode Bamburate Over Night at Alexander post / Kilash continental or Similar in Bamburate OR in Chitral  PLEASE NOTE THAT IN BAMBURATE HOTELS ARE VERY BASIC WITH CLEAN ROOMS AND WASH ROOMS

 

 

DAY 10 & 11 20^TH AND 21^ST AUGUST  2025

Uchaw (Uchal) “Thanksgiving movement” in local language is the summer festival celebrated in by the Kalasha community. This festival is celebrated only in the Kalash Valleys of Mumuret (Bumborate) and Rukmu (Rumboor) The main purpose of celebrating this festival Uchaw (Uchal) is to pray to God and to offer thank for blessing prosperity, good health, happiness, good crops and good dairy products. This festival celebrates the summer season and abundance in dairy product in high pastures. This festival begins with dance in the nights from mid-June which is called RAT-NAT (means dancing in the Night) which continues till 21st August. These night dances serve as prologue to the Uchaw (Uchal). On the 22nd August the shepherds bring the fresh dairy products from the high pastures and then the rituals begin at the altar called Sajigore. After that the Kalash people gather in Ghriee (Charsoo) dance and sing in the Charsoo locally called GHRIEE. After this festival, they Kalash start to harvest the maize crops, collect the grapes, walnuts and other fruits from their fields and orchards over nights at hotel in Bamburate Ayun or Rambur Chitral Inn / Alexander post /Ayun Fort or Ghariat Castle

DAY 12 22^ND AUGUST 2025

Drive to Swat crossing the Lowari Tunnel

Valley Swat is a unique, beautiful and glittering jewel created by Almighty that is an exact replica of the glorious Alps in Switzerland. Like the Alps several mighty and high mountain ranges surround this expansive and enthralling valley. It is certainly a paradise for nature lovers where they can feast their eyes on the diverse bounties of nature ranging from the densely forested mountains to the snaking rivers and torrents The name “Swat” is of Sanskrit origin. One theory derives it from “Suvastu”, the ancient name of the Swat (Suastus in Greek literature) “Suvastu” literally means “clear azure water”, and is attested in the earliest Sanskrit text, the Rigvenda Another theory derives the word Swat from the Sanskrit word “Shveta” (white), also used to describe the clear water of the Swat River Overnights (Swat Palace)

 

DAY – 13 23^RD AUGUST 2025
SWAT – PESHAWAR

Today we will visit, Mohabat Khan, Qissa Khawani Bazar,  Vegetable market ,Chowk Yadgar, Sethi Houses over night at Peshawar.

DAY – 14  24^TH AUGUST 2025
ISLAMABAD

Early morning Departure to Islamabad on the way we will visit Taxila and Islamabad City Tour over night at Hill view Hotel Islamabad 

 DAY – 15 25^TH AUGUST 2025
ISLAMABAD –
HOMEBOUND DEPARTURE ( EARLY MORNING FLIGHT) 50 KM – 0.45 HRS Check out from the Hotel Transfer to the airport for departure Approximate 45 min drive to airport Homebound Flight: END OF TOUR SERVICES.

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