(Best time Visit August to April)
Pakistan, the crucible of many cultures and civilization from the stone age sites to the British era has historical remains scattered all over the country. however the most popular are the Indus valley civilizations . Almost all the major museums of the world have pieces of Gandhara art exhibited in their galleries.
Gandhara (The land of fragrance) was the holy land of Buddhism , Buddhism reached Gandhara (Pakistan) in 3rd century BC during the time of King Ashoka , he called the third council of Buddhism and sent Buddhist monks throughout his kingdom. After him king Kanishka one the prominent king of Kushan dynasty patronized Buddhism in Gandhara he called the fourth council of Buddhism most probably in Peshawar the second ancient capital of Gandhara .He also introduced a new sect of Buddhism known as Mahayana Buddhism and thus Gandhara Buddhist art was started in Gandhara, the aim this art was to propagate Buddhism
Day 1 Welcome
Welcome in Pakistan at Lahore The city of Culture and Heritage and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon we will make a city sightseeing tour ( Wall City)over night at Hotel
(L,D)
Day 2 Lahore Islamabad
Distance 340 Km 6 Hours
Morning visit Lahore museum see Gandhara Buddhist Art gallery especially Fasting Buddha a unique piece of Gandhara Art. Later on proceed towards Islamabad on Grand Trunk Road visit Mankyala Stupa dated to 2nd century AD it is one of few important Buddhist stupa in Pakistan Buddhist tradition The stupa was built to commemorate the spot, where according to the Jataka tales an icarnation of the Buddha as sacrificed himself to feed seven hungry tiger cubs Over Night at Islamabad
(B,L,D)
Day 3 Islamabad Taxila
Distance 36 Km driving time 1 Hour
Full Day tour of Taxila, Taxila was once a hub of Buddhist civilization, there are many Archaeological sites Taxila (Old Indian Takshaçila, Greek Ταξίλα): the ancient capital of the eastern Punjab, the country between the rivers Indus and Hydaspes The site consists of several parts, which belong to the Achaemenid, Greek, and Kushan periods. We will visit Julian, Mohra Moradu , Dharma Rajika stupa Taxila Museum Over Night at Islamabad
(B,L,D)
Day 4 Islamabad-Rani Gut -Peshawar
Distance 180 Km Driving Time 3 Hours
Drive to Peshawar on the way first visit Hund Museum then Rani Gut Buddhist site in Swabi. It is the largest Buddhist Archaeological site in Gandhara which is 300 meters above from the ground level require 30-40 minuets walk to reach the site. Rani Gat is one of the oldest Gandhara Archaeological site in District Swabi.Rani Gat is a Pashto language word,”Rani” means “Queen” and “Gat” means “a big rock stone”.The site containing the ruins of the Buddhism Queen of the time. Rani Gat is the place where the Queen pray to God and almost lives there,the whole story has the history back to Sixth Century A.D.Now a days Rani Gat (ruins) attract tourists to study the origin of Buddhism, specially Japanese are involved with Rani Gat ruins. Later we will drive on GT road towards Shahabza Gahri to see Ashoka Rock edicts ( A Universal message of Peace Love and Tolerance) after this we will visit Jamal Gahri Buddhist site which is 20 kms away in North west of Shahbaz Gahri.( Depend on Timing) Afterward drive to Peshawar for over night stay at Hotel in Peshawar.
(B, Pack lunch, D)
Day 5 Peshawar Swat
Distance 250 Km Driving Time 5 Hours
After early Breakfast visit Peshawar Museum, which housed largest collection of Gandhara art in Asia. Later proceed towards Takhat bahi world famous Buddhist site include in UNESCO heritage list perform religious ceremony after lunch drive to Swat. Over night at Swat
(B,L,D)
Day 6 Swat
Swat was a center of excellence of Buddhism in the past there are many Buddhist sites which are excavated time to time. Morning visit Swat Museum Butkara I & Butkara II after lunch drive to Jehanabad village to witness Huge rock cut Buddha which is recently restored Late afternoon visit Saidu Sharif Stupa & Monastery Over Night at Swat
(B,L,D)
Day 7 Swat- Dir
Distance 155 Km 3 Hours
Drive to Chakdara to see Dir Museum and some Buddhist site on the way Andan Dheri,Nimogram Buddhist site perform rituals on both sites later on drive back to Swat for Over night stay at the hotel
(B,L,D)
Day 8 Swat- Islamabad
Distance 270 Km Driving Time
Drive to Islamabad on the way back visit Shingerdar stupa ( The biggest stupa in Swat region which is 87 feet in height) and Amluk dara stupa which is 10 kms away from Main road near Barikot Bazar. The transport reach to some extend but at some 20-30 minutes require to see Huge stupa of Amlukdara, this is an ideal place for meditation that is why this place was chosen for shrine and monastery. Later on straight drive to Islamabad Over Night at Islamabad.
(B,L,D)
Day 9 Islamabad- Lahore
Distance 340 Km Driving Time 6 Hours
After the breakfast drive back to Lahore Visiting Katas Raj and Salt Mines
The Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas are several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways The temples form a complex surrounding a pond named Katas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus.
The Khewra Salt Mine (or Mayo Salt Mine) is located in Khewra north of Pind Dadan It is Pakistan’s largest, the world’s 2nd largest and the oldest salt mine in the world It is a major tourist attraction, drawing up to 250,000 visitors a year. Its history dates back to its discovery by Alexander’s troops in 320 BC, but it started trading in the Mughal era The main tunnel at ground level was developed by Dr. H. Warth, a mining engineer, in 1872 during British rule. After independence the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation took over the mine, which still remains the largest source of salt in the country, producing more than 350,000 tons per annum of about 99% pure halite Estimates of the reserves of salt in the mine vary from 82 million tons[ to 600 million tons.
Over night at Lahore
(B,L,D)
Day 10 Departure Day
Our staff will provide transfer and assistance at departure and say bon voyage for your onwards journey.(B)
End of the Tour