The Gandhara Civilisation Tour

• Explore the ancient city of Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cradle of Buddhist scholarship

• Visit Julian, Dharmarajika, Sirkap, and Mohra Muradu – marvels of Gandharan architecture and monastic life

• Discover the peaceful hilltop monastery of Takht Bhai, a perfectly preserved Buddhist monastic complex

• Stand before the majestic Jahanabad Buddha, carved serenely into a mountainside in Swat

• Witness the sacred stillness of stupas in Butkara, Barikot, and Amluk Dara

• Wander through the Mughal marvels of Lahore, from the Badshahi Mosque to the Lahore Fort

• Experience the contrast of modern and traditional life in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

• Visit the mystic Katas Raj Temple Complex, steeped in Hindu mythology and history

• Descend into the glimmering depths of the Khewra Salt Mines, among the oldest in the world

• Admire centuries-old Gandharan relics at the Taxila, Swat, and Peshawar Museums

• Explore Mughal-era frescoes, heritage bathhouses, and cultural exhibits at Lok Virsa and Lahore Museum

• Journey through the lush valleys of Swat and the dramatic plains of Punjab

• Visit vibrant bazaars like Qissa Khawani and Anarkali, alive with colors, stories, and centuries of tradition

• Witness the electrifying Wagah Border Flag Ceremony, a display of national pride and pageantry

Arrival at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Transfer to your hotel, followed by a refreshing start to your journey with a city tour steeped in royal Mughal grandeur.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore the mesmerizing Walled City of Lahore, a living museum of centuries-old architecture and bustling bazaars.

• 🏯 Discover the majestic Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Emperor Shah Jahan.

• 🕌 Marvel at the iconic Badshahi Mosque, one of the world’s largest Mughal mosques.

• 🖼️ Dive into artistic treasures at the Lahore Museum, home to South Asia’s finest miniature paintings and Gandhara relics.

• 🛍️ Stroll through the vibrant lanes of Anarkali Bazaar, one of the oldest marketplaces in the subcontinent.

Continue exploring the city’s storied past and dynamic cultural present.

Highlights:

• 🌹 Visit the serene Mausoleums of Emperor Jahangir and Empress Noor Jahan, symbols of love and empire.

• 🎨 Admire the exquisite frescoes and tile work of Masjid Wazir Khan, a true Mughal masterpiece.

• 💦 Step back in time at the beautifully restored Shahi Hammam, a Persian-style royal bathhouse.

• 🌿 Optional visit to the tranquil Shalimar Gardens, a symmetrical Mughal paradise.

• 🇵🇰 End the day with the emotionally stirring Wagah Border Flag Ceremony, a dramatic spectacle of patriotism and pride on the Pakistan-India border.

A scenic drive through the Punjab heartland unveils spiritual sanctuaries and natural wonders.

Highlights:

• 🛕 Explore the ancient Katas Raj Temple Complex, a sacred Hindu site surrounded by myth and legend.

• 🧂 Descend into the glittering Khewra Salt Mines, the second-largest in the world, with dazzling salt crystal chambers and underground mosques.

• 🏞️ Continue onwards to the capital city, Islamabad, nestled at the foothills of the Margalla range.

Uncover the cultural and political soul of Pakistan in its modern capital and historic twin city.

Highlights:

• 🕌 Be awed by the contemporary elegance of the Shah Faisal Mosque, an architectural marvel.

• 🎭 Dive into Pakistan’s folk traditions at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum.

• 🏵️ Visit the symbolic Pakistan National Monument, telling the story of national unity.

• 🌄 Capture panoramic views from Daman-e-Koh, overlooking the city.

• 🚂 Explore railway heritage at the Golra Sharif Rail Museum.

• 🏛️ Drive past the Parliament, President and Prime Minister Houses, and the Supreme Court for a glimpse into Pakistan’s civic identity.

Trace the footsteps of ancient monks and scholars as you journey through Gandhara’s most revered sites.

Highlights:

• 🗿 Visit the renowned Taxila Museum, housing some of the world’s finest Gandharan sculptures and relics.

• 🏚️ Wander through the monastic ruins of Julian Monastery and the sacred Dharmarajika Stupa, both sites of Buddhist pilgrimage.

• 🏛️ Discover the unique Greco-Buddhist urban planning of Sirkap.

• 🏛️ Pay homage at Jandial Temple, an elegant fusion of Hellenistic and Buddhist architecture.

• 🧘‍♂️ Explore the peaceful ruins of Mohra Muradu Monastery.

• 🌆 Continue your journey to Peshawar, a city of vibrant bazaars and deep-rooted traditions.

Soak in the mystique of ancient monastic life before heading into the serene Swat Valley.

Highlights:

• 🖼️ Explore the treasure-filled Peshawar Museum, renowned for its Buddhist art collection.

• 🧵 Stroll through Qissa Khawani Bazaar, once frequented by storytellers, traders, and travelers from the Silk Road.

• 🏞️ Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Takht Bhai Monastery, dramatically perched on a hill and among the most complete Buddhist monastic complexes in Asia.

• 🏔️ Continue your scenic drive to Swat, the valley often referred to as the “Switzerland of the East.”

A full day to delve into the Swat Valley’s hidden Buddhist heritage.

Highlights:

• 🖼️ Visit the Swat Museum, showcasing Gandharan art and sacred relics.

• 🔱 Explore Butkara Stupa, a sacred cremation site believed to contain relics of the Buddha.

• 🗿 Marvel at the Jahanabad Buddha, a monumental rock carving overlooking the valley—one of the largest in South Asia.

Your return journey is dotted with yet more ancient marvels.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Visit Barikot, one of the oldest fortified cities of the region with layers of Greek and Buddhist ruins.

• 🗼 See the towering Shingardar Stupa, standing as a silent guardian of the past.

• 🗿 Explore the atmospheric Amluk Dara and Najigram Stupas, hidden gems surrounded by natural beauty.

After a life-changing experience through Pakistan’s spiritual and historical heartlands, transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward journey.