THE
INDUS VALLEY TOUR
A cultural tour of Pakistan
Two of its main centers
of the Indus Valley, a cradle of Civilization, are located
in modern day Pakistan. In addition, this region of
the sub continent was also the center of the Gandhara
period and later, during the medieval times; Lahore
was the first Moghul capital. There is much to see and
experience and our 13-day journey from the north to
the south of this young and ancient country covers the
rich archaeology, culture, and beautiful landscape.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
| 01 |
Karachi |
| 02 |
Karachi
|
| 03 |
Karachi
/ Hyderabad |
| 04 |
Hyderabad |
| 05 |
Hyderabad
/ Sehwan / Larkana |
| 06 |
Larkana
/ Moenjodaro / Sukkur |
| 07 |
Sukkur |
| 08 |
Sukkur
/ Bahawalpur |
| 09 |
Bahawalpur
/ Multan |
| 10 |
Multan
/ Harappa / Lahore |
| 11 |
Lahore |
| 12 |
Lahore
/ Islamabad |
| 13 |
Islamabad
/ Depart |
|
|

Day
01 (SUN): Arrive Karachi
Khush Amdeed! This evening you are scheduled to
arrive at Karachi airport and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Sheraton Hotel, Karachi (2 nights) (D)
Day 02 (MON): Karachi
A morning city tour of Karachi, which commences
with a visit to the modern Defense Mosque of Masjid-i-Toba
to see the world's largest concrete shell dome. It then
continues to New Clifton Beach followed by visit to
the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum where the Father of the Nation,
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, lies buried. Built entirely of
white marble, the Mausoleum has an impressive dome housing
a huge crystal chandelier of Chinese origin. Next stop
is the National Museum with its fascinating display
of ancient relics of the Indus Valley Civilization and
an excellent collection of Gandhara art, before ending
with a visit to a handicraft gallery. (B, D)
Day 03 (TUE): Karachi/Hyderabad 175 kms
Today we departure for the historical city of Hyderabad
via the ancient town of Thatta. Situated 100 Kms east
of Karachi, Thatta is an ancient town with an interesting
history dating back to the time of the Macedonian, Alexander
the Great, who used the port to rest his weary troops.
The present Thatta was founded in the 15th century.
Under the Mughals it was a provincial capital and during
this period there were as many as 400 institutions of
learning in the city. Some outstanding architecture
left from the Mughal period remains in the religious
and historical monuments. Makli Hill is a large necropolis
of mausoleums, made up of stone tombs with geometric
and floral carvings, which retain their indigenous beauty
of the coloured brick enamel and glazed tile used in
their construction. The great Mosque of Emperor Shah
Jehan, built in the mid 17th century A.D., has 99 domes
with incredible acoustic quality. Continue our drive
to Hyderabad.
Overnight: City Gate Hotel, Hyderabad (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day
04 (WED): Hyderabad
Today we will make a full day excursion to Bhit
Shah & Hala. Bhit Shah is famous for the shrine
of Shah Abdul Latif, one of the most famous Sufi poets
of Indian sub-continent during 18th century. Situated
about 50 Kms from Hyderabad, the shrine of Shah Abdul
Latif is the hub of devotional activities including
the singing, folk music and dancing by his devotees
from all the corners of Sindh. The special events are
the evenings of every Thursday and his annual death
festival, when Bhit Shah becomes the capital of Sindh.
Situated at another 05 Kms from Bhit Shah is Hala, which
is the most famous handicraft center of Sindh as well
as Pakistan. The New city of Hala is located about 03
Kms from banks of River Indus as the old city was destroyed
during the disastrous flood. Even today the potters
in Hala produce the best of blue lined white ceramics
besides the other specialties of Hala, which include
pottery vases, birds & tiles, lacquer work chairs,
beds and cots and wood carvings. We will also visit
the Mausoleum of famous Muslim Saint, Makhdoom Nooh.
The façade of his mausoleum is covered by some
of Halas best blue and white tile work in floral
and geometric designs. (B, D)
Day
05 (THU): Hyderabad/Sehwan/Larkana 310 kms
An interesting day ahead as we drive to Larkana
via Sehwan. At Sehwan we visit the shrine of great Hazrat
Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a famous Muslim Sufi Saint of
10th century. The main attraction of shrine is Dhamal
(sufis dance) with folk music and colorful dress
and this dhamal is at its full swing during the annual
urs (death ceremony), when his devotees from all around
Pakistan get gathered here. After visit to Sehwan, we
will continue to Larkana and on arrival transfer to
hotel.
Overnight: Sambara Inn, Larkana (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06 (FRI): Larkana/Moenjodaro/Sukkur 160 kms
Morning drive to Sukkur with visit to Moenjodaro,
enroute. Moenjodaro is the archaeological site of Indus
Civilization, which flourished here some 5000 years
ago. This is third oldest civilization in the world,
being preceded only by those of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Moenjodaro excelled in practically every conceivable
facet of town planning. From the articles discovered
here it is believed that the Iron Age had not yet dawned
on the Indus Valley civilization. The vessels discovered
are of lead, silver, copper or bronze, whereas the weapons
are made only of bronze. The museum displays interesting
relics found during excavation, such as engraved seals,
utensils, ornaments, weapons, sculpture, and pottery.
Once the tour is finished in Moenjodaro, then we will
resume our journey to Sukkur and on arrival transfer
to hotel.
Overnight: Inter Pak Inn, Sukkur (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 07 (SAT): Sukkur
Full day sightseeing tour of Sukkur. Morning we
will make an excursion to Kot Diji, which is a magnificient
early 19th century fort built by Talpurs, the former
rulers of Sindh from 1789 to 1843. It is a well preserved
fort perched on the ridge of a steep narrow hill and
is an interesting place to visit. At Kot Diji, we will
also visit the pre-historic site located at the foot
of the hills. Archaeologists believe that Kot Dijians
were the forerunners of the Indus Civilization and even
the Indus Civilization borrowed or developed some of
the basic cultural elements of the Kot Dijians in about
2800 B.C. However, no when is sure about the origin
and destruction of Kot Diji Civilization. Afternoon,
we will make a sightseeing tour of Sukkur, which has
become a famous town in 10th century when Aror, the
former capital of Upper Sindh was destroyed due to earthquake.
At Sukkur, we will visit Minaret of Masum Shah (16th
century), Faiz Mahal, an octagonal brick building with
a glazed brick dome. From here we will continue to banks
of River Indus to see Mohana boat people who either
live on their boats or in temperory mud huts on the
banks of Indus. If time allows then we will visit various
forts, tombs, shrines and mosques in the city. (B,
D)
Day 08 (SUN): Sukkur/Bahawalpur 360 kms
Today we drive to Bahawalpur via National Highway,
which runs through irrigated farmlands and rich cultural
countryside of Lower Punjab. On the way we stop at Bhong,
which boasts an extraordinary modern mosque started
in the 1960s and winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
It is built in traditional style with extravagant use
of gold leaf, mirror work and onyx; it is particularly
famous for its stylized Arabic calligraphy. A rich merchant
Rais Ghazi sponsors the mosque. After our visit of Bhong,
we again take our way to Bahawalpur and on arrival transfer
to hotel.
Overnight: PTDC Motel, Bahawalpur (1 night) (B, D)
Day
09 (MON): Bahawalpur/Multan 100 kms
After a short drive through the Bahawalpur city,
we will drive to Multan, which is a historical city
and is known as city of Saints. On arrival at Multan,
transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Multan that
commences with visit to Old Fort, which is an eloquent
example of the proud history of this city. Among the
attractions inside the fort are the elaborately decorated
shrines of Sheikh Bahad-ud-din Zakriya, Shah Shams Tabriz
and Shah Rukn-e-Alam. Damdama, the highest point in
the fort, provides a birds-eye panoramic view
of the city, which has survived the destructions of
invaders since Alexander the Great in the 4th century
B.C. Among the other places to visit are Eidgah Mosque
and Hussain Agahi Bazaar.
Overnight: Holiday Inn, Multan (1 night) (B, D)
Day
10 (TUE): Multan/Harappa/Lahore 356 kms
Today is our drive to Lahore via Harappa. Harrappa
is the site of an ancient and important settlement of
the prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization (3rd to 2nd
millennium B.C.) and stands witness to the 5000 years
old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan.
Harrappa was the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations
known to man and conjures up images of fifty centuries
ago, a period about which very little is known. An interesting
and well maintained museum at the Harrappa site houses
artifacts found in the area. Harrappa is located about
175 km from Multan and about 30 km (19 miles) from Sahiwal.
At the end of the visit to Harappa we drive to Lahore.
Overnight: Pearl Continental/Avari Hotel, Lahore
(2 nights) (B, D)
Day 11 (WED): Lahore
Today is our journey into the cultural center of
the Sub Continent. In just one corner of Lahore is a
heterogeneous example of Mogul, Sikh, Colonial and Contemporary
architecture. The historic Lahore Fort, built in the
11th century A.D., is the only place where one can see
different phases of Mogul architecture, as a long line
of rulers made additions. Inside the Fort you visit
many of the rooms, including Shish Mahal, the Palace
of Mirrors. Overlooking the Fort is the Badshahi or
Royal Mosque, beside the tomb of the philosopher and
poet Iqbal, who infused the idea of Pakistan among the
Moslems of British India. Another interesting complex
of nearby buildings are the Samadh of Maharaja Ranajit
Singh and Guru Arjun Dev, both solid gold tombs dating
back to the Sikh era. The tour concludes with a visit
to Shalimar Gardens, which were laid out during the
reign of Shah Jehan in the early 1640's and are a tribute
to the aesthetic and artistic sense of the Moguls. In
the afternoon continue the city tour of Lahore. Lahore
Museum houses a rich and varied collection of historical
objects. This is the oldest museum in Pakistan and has
many galleries displaying artifacts from the Gandhara,
Buddhist, Jain, Mogul and Colonial periods. The famous
statue of the fasting Siddhartha (Buddha) is also on
display here. Next, you will visit Emperor Jehangir's
mausoleum that was built in the 1630's and is another
example of the talented Mogul architecture. Nearby is
the tomb of Empress Nur Jehan, wife of Emperor Jehangir.
In Old Lahore, the walled city of narrow, dimly lit
alleys leading from Sarafa Bazaar (Jewelers Bazaar)
to Kashmiri Bazaar, you'll find bargains in the local
handicrafts, including brass inlay work. You will also
visit the Golden Mosque and Wazir Khan's Mosque, which
reflect the nobility of Persian design with floral designs,
superb calligraphy and lofty minarets. (B, D)
Day
12 (THU): Lahore/Islamabad 400 kms
Morning we drive to Islamabad via Motorway and with
visit to Khewra Salt Mines, enroute. Khewra Salt Mines,
the 2nd largest Salt Mines in the world and which were
discovered long way back in 326 B.C. when Alexander
the great had a battle with Raja Porus on the bank of
river Jhelum. However, Dr. Warth introduced the scientific
mining at Khewra in the year 1872 during the British
Empire in this region. On arrival meet with the management
of the Khewara mine and start your tour with local guide.
Most interesting part of the visit is to see the models
of Badshahi Mosque, Mall Road and Lake Saif-ul-Muluk.
Moreover it would be a scintillating experience to come
across a small pound of the crystal water in the mine.
Later resume your drive to Islamabad and on arrival
transfer to hotel. Afternoon we visit the old garrison
town of Rawalpindi followed by a scene into modernity
at Islamabad. Visit Shakarparian (sweet hills) Garden,
which gives you a panoramic view of Islamabad before
driving past various modern streets and buildings -
graceful with a touch of Islamic architecture. Your
tour culminates at one of the worlds largest mosque
- Shah Faisal Mosque, which also houses a University
specializing in Islamic Philosophy and Law. During the
tour we will also drive past various Government Buildings,
which are blend of modern and traditional Islamic architecture.
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Islamabad (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 13 (FRI): Depart Islamabad
After an unparalleled insight into an ancient culture,
transfer to airport for your departure flight. Check
out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2010
English Speaking Departures
Mar 22, Apr 12,
May 17, Jun 21, Jul
05, Sep 20, Oct 11,
Nov 08
2011
English Speaking Departures
Apr 10, May 08,
Jun 26, Sep 18,
Oct 09, Nov 13 |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
for 12 nights as mentioned or similar, including
hotel taxes |
International
Airfare |
|
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner) |
Departure/Airport
Taxes |
| All
Sightseeing and Transfers |
Visa
Fees / Insurance |
| Entrance
Fees to Museums and Sites |
Beverages/Tips
|
|
Services of local English speaking guide |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for
clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no modification
has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour
that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Departure |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2010 |
US
$ 2580 |
US
$ 295 |
| 2011 |
US
$ 2715 |
US
$ 495 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
N/A |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
N/A |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of
08 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work out
an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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