The Kalash or Kalasha are the only pagan minority residing in the Chitral district of the province of Khyber. The Kalashas live in three valleys of Chitral namely, Rumbur, Brumbret, and Birir. The Rumbur and Brumbret form a single culture due to their very similar cultural practices, while Birir being the most traditional one forms a separate culture. The number of Kalash has decreased so much so that only around 4000 people are residing in the valleys. The Kalashas are polytheistic and according to a renowned linguist Richard strand is of the view that the people of Kalash practice an ancient form of Hinduism which gradually developed locally and got influenced by the neighboring areas of pre Islamic Nuristan. The inhabitants of the Kalash valley celebrate a number of festivals all year round. The three predominant festivals are as follows: Jalam Joshi spring festival (05/ 06 Days 04/05 Nights) (May 13-16) Joshi festival marks the arrival of spring. People wear new clothes and women accessorize heavily, girls are sent to the hill side for dancing and singing. Women decorate their houses and collect milk from the cattle. Moreover, one year old babies and their mothers are also purified in this festival. Uchal festival (04/05 Days 03/04 Nights) (August 20-21) The people of Kalash valley celebrate the famous annual harvesting festival Uchal with singing, dancing and paying homage to the nature for blessing them with barley and wheat harvest season. Special foods, cheese, buttermilk and corn bread, are prepared for the event. Women in traditional dresses preform dances Phool Festival (05/06 Days 04/05 Nights
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Guide
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Travel Insurance
- Drive to Chitral, passing through the fertile green plains of the valley of Peshawar
- Visit Kalash Morning city tour of Chitral town, the capital of the valley
- Drives to Kalash Valley the home of the Kafir Kalash
Day 1
Arrival Islamabad airport transfer to Hotel check-in free time evening visit around Islamabad/Rawalpindi Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 2
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Enter Chitral Drive to Chitral, passing through the fertile green plains of the valley of Peshawar, crossing the branches of the Swat River. Climb the Malakand Pass and enter the valley of Swat. At Chakdara you turn left to by-pass Churchill’s Picket and cross the bridge that leads to Dir. Lunch at Al-Manzar hotel, Dir. Proceed towards Lowari Pass (3200 meters). The descent takes travelers through about 96 hairpins down to the valley floor. Arrive at Chitral town, transfer to the motel for meals and overnight. (330 km, 08-09 Hours)
Day 3
Visit Kalash Morning city tour of Chitral town, the capital of the valley. While your guide arranges for the permit to enter the Kalash valleys, we have time to visit the colorful bazaar where we will find people from all over Afghanistan and North Pakistan. Enjoy fascinating views of Tirich Mir (7708m), the highest mountain of Hindu Kush range, and visit the town’s central mosque. Lunch at the hotel then drives to Kalash Valley the home of the Kafir Kalash. This tribe is known as the infidels as they still believe in the old gods, and they are also legendary for their known to the outside world for their celebrations and general enjoyment of life. Legend says that they are descendants of four Greek soldiers of Alexander’s army. The women wear black robes and skullcaps decorated with sea shells and coins. We camp by their village overnight. (40 km, 1-2 hours)
Day 4
After ending the event drive to Islamabad, take 8/09 hrs overnight stay at hotel
