Mughals, Mystics & Mountains

Fly overnight from London to Lahore via Doha.

Transfer to the Pearl Continental, for a three night’s stay. Pass through the Mall, where some of the city's best preserved colonial architecture can be found and visit Lahore Museum. Originally established in 1865, the museum was designed by Sir Ganga Ram and Rudyard Kipling's father, John Lockwood Kipling, was one of the early and most famous curators of the museum.
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As the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, Lahore is considered the most liberal, progressive and cosmopolitan city in the country. Under the control of numerous empires throughout its history, including the Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and Delhi Sultanate in the medieval era, Lahore reached the height of its power and splendour under the Mughal Empire between the late 16th and early 18th century, serving as its capital, it boasts wonderful and diverse architecture from the Mughal Dynasty, Sikh Empire, and British Raj. It was in Lahore that Indian independence was first announced in 1929 and the resolution calling for the establishment of Pakistan in 1940. 
We start with a visit to food street at Anarkali bazar, one of the oldest surviving markets in the Indian Subcontinent, dating back at least 200 years, deriving its name from the nearby mausoleum of Anarkali, a courtesan whose tragic love story with prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) has been romanticized in culture and film. Take the metro, running overground through the different neighbourhoods of Lahore to get a real sense of the city as it exists today. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shalimar Gardens, built in the 17th-century as a Persian style paradise garden, with extensive engineering to create a canal from river Ravi to support over 100 water features. From the Shalimar Gardens we travel to the tomb of emperor Jahangir, a remarkable blend of Mughal and Persian architectural styles, featuring intricate tile work, frescos and calligraphy.
Later transfer to the border town of Wagah, famous for the colourful Wagah border ceremony that takes place every late afternoon with great pomp and circumstance. Witness the energetic and theatrical performance put on by the guards of both sides as the border closes for the day. 
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Visit the Old City, walk through the restored part of the old quarters to the Shahi Hammam (Royal bathhouse) a 17th-century Persian style hammam, continue to the 17th-century Wazir Khan Mosque, made with glazed tiles in the Kashi-Kari style. Later visit Badshahi Mosque, the largest from the Mughal-era, located on the outskirts of the Walled City. Constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1671 and 1673, it is constructed of red brick with wide courtyards and eight minarets. The interior is embellished with marble and fine Kashi-Kari, beautiful floral patterns, created from vibrantly coloured glazed ceramics. Finish at Shahi Qila, Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inhabited for millennia, it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1241 and rebuilt several times over the centuries, the present design tracing its origins to 1575, when the Mughal Emperor Akbar occupied the site, guarding the northwest frontier of the empire. 
We finish our day with a Qawali performance, a form of Sufi devotional music, originating in the sub-continent, the themes of which are love, devotion and longing.
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Transfer to Islamabad, stopping en route at the Himalayan Salt Mine in Khewra and the Katas Raj Temple Complex. Today‘s journey covers 430km, most of the drive is on the highway, however the road to the salt mine and Katas Raj is a work in progress. The salt mine was first discovered by Alexander’s army and has been operational since. A train takes you inside the salt mines to explore.
The Katas Raj is a 3rd-century Hindu temple complex dedicated to Shiva which attracts flocks of pilgrims every year. ‘Katas’ is derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘Tearful Eyes’, according to folklore, the site was created by a teardrop of the Hindu God Shiva when he wept over the death of his wife Sati. Continue to Islamabad and stay at the 5-star Serena Hotel for a two-night stay.
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Travel to the UNESCO world heritage site of Taxila with a collection of 30 sites dating back to 1500 BC, an important centre of Buddhism from the 5th-century BC and a major city in the Greco-Bactrian kingdom in 2nd-century BC, with Bihr mound, associated with the triumphant entry of Alexander the Great into Taxila. Visit the peaceful gardens of Gandhara Resource Centre, created as a residential facility for visiting scholars and monks equipped with a library, and a gallery of Gandhara and Potohar. 
Our next stop takes us to a yard/workshop where the distinctive Pakistani art form of 'truck painting’ is practiced and perfected. Truck Art has become an iconic symbol of Pakistani culture and involves adorning trucks with elaborate and colourful decorations, vibrant imagery and traditional motifs.
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Morning flight to Skardu, an amazingly isolated and beautiful region. Today's destination is the Khaplu Valley, gateway to some of the world’s highest peaks including K2. The drive is beautiful, with poplar lined roads and villages with views of high peaks. Check-in at our heritage hotel, the 4-star Serena Khaplu Palace Hotel for a two-night stay, first built in 1840, it was the formal residence of royal family until 1983.
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This morning visit Khanqah-i-Chaqchan, one of the oldest mosques in Pakistan. Built out of wood, this mosque is a vibrant mix of Persian, Kashmiri and Tibetan architecture, and has stood for almost 700 years.
Drive to the nearby village of Machlu, the gateway to hike peaks region for mountaineers, we will take our time stopping for pictures along the way. 
We will stop at a trout farm for lunch before heading back to Khaplu.
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This morning enjoy an optional ninety minute walk to Thoqsikhar Palace, built in the 17th-century, and located on the nearby mountain side. We will head to Shigar Valley, stopping at the Bara Wool Spinning Centre along the way. 
Head to Shigar Valley, a remote and largely inaccessible area in Baltistan, watered by the Shigar River. The valley stretches for 170 km from Skardu to Askole and is the gateway to the high mountains of the Karakoram. 
Due to lack of dining facilities on this route, we will have lunch at arrival in Serena Shigar Fort Hotel. Check in at the heritage 4-star Serena Shigar Fort Hotel for an overnight stay; afternoon and evening at leisure.
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This morning, enjoy the optional hike to Shigar Rock, located next to the Shigar Fort. The hike ends at the ruins of an older fort built in the 11th-century. Then visit the 14th-century Amburiq Mosque, a UNESCO site as well as the intricately carved Khanqa-e-Moallah. 
From Shigar passing our way through the Katpana cold desert, we will stop in Skardu to visit Kharpocho Fort, originally built by the King Ali Sher Khan Anchan at the end of the 16th-century.  Due to the fort's dramatic and strategic location, it has been part of many military campaigns over the centuries to annex Baltistan to the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in neighbouring India.  
Later drive to the beautiful alpine Kachura lakes, located in the Karakoram range of western Himalayas, the greater Kashmir region, and in the Indus River basin. Check-in for a night at the Shangrila Resort (April 2024 - Byarsa Hotel) located on Kachura Lake. Enjoy an optional hike or drive to upper Kachura Lake, with a possibility of a boat ride on the lake.
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In the morning we begin our journey to Hunza, a full day travelling but with incredible views of several high peaks along the way, stopping in Gilgit and Gulmet for views of Rakaposhi and a traditional chai before continuing to Hunza. Check-in at the Serena Hotel by the Altit Fort for three nights. You will have an opportunity to explore the area in the evening.
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Explore the 700-year-old Baltit Fort where the Mir of Hunza resided until the 1950s, arguably the most dramatically situated fort you will ever see. Continue to the village of Ganish, one of the oldest settlements on the ancient Silk Road. The original character and design of the village remains intact, with several richly carved mosques that are each over 500 years old and have been recognized by UNESCO for their cultural and historical importance as well as the town's original watchtowers. In the afternoon return to Altit Fort where you will have the opportunity to meet the women from the organization known as CIQAM, meaning 'wellbeing', 'prosperity' or 'green' in the local Brushaski dialect and also known as the Hunza Women's Social Enterprise. The women, many of whom come from the nearby historic settlement of Altit now manage the fort and its restaurant. End your day of sightseeing with a sunset visit to Eagle Nest View Point with its incredible 360 degree views of high peaks in all directions, including six peaks over 7,000m (23,000ft), the Baltit and Altit forts as well as the confluence of the Hunza-Nagar Rivers. After sunset get together with local artists from the valley who will perform a variety of traditional music and dances.
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Today we head over to the 'Passu Cones' also known as the Cathedral Ridge which is a series of jagged mountain peaks located along the famed Karakoram Highway. We continue to Gulmit where we visit Korgah, a women-run Carpet Weaving Centre, where traditional carpets and handicrafts are produced. After lunch, take a short hike to the viewpoint of Ondra Poygah. Ondra is the name of a hill, and also the name of an ancient fort, while Poygah in the local Wakhi languages means "stair" or "step". The Ondra Poygah is the name given to over 1600 steps built by the local community to connect Gulmit village to the Ondra fort. You will have an option to hike down the steps or retrace your steps and return to Gulmit using the transport. Finally, visit Attabad Lake. A huge landslide in 2010 blocked the flow of Hunza River for five months and created one of the most beautiful lakes in Asia, surrounded by imposing and stark mountain peaks. We will take a boat ride to a restaurant on the lake where we will have tea and snacks and then head back to our hotel in Hunza.
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After breakfast we will drive to Gilgit along the way we will stop to see the 7th-century carving of a large standing Buddha known as Kargah Buddha. From the 3rd-century to the 11th-century, Gilgit was a prominent centre of early Buddhism and was part of Tibetan empire. After this visit, head to the 4-star Serena Gilgit Hotel for lunch and an overnight stay. This afternoon we will visit a remote village to watch a game of free style polo in spectacular mountain setting.
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Take an early morning flight to Islamabad. Built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital, Islamabad was designed by Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis. It’s most notable landmarks being Faisal Mosque, the largest mosque in South Asia, Pakistan National Monument and Democracy Square. Visit Lok Virsa Museum, the National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage which showcases the living cultures of Pakistan. Check-in at the 5-star Serena Hotel in Islamabad for two nights. The afternoon is free to relax at your hotel, in the evening visit Faisal Mosque.
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Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities, alternatively join an optional excursion to Rawalpindi. Essentially the older- sister city of Islamabad, known simply as "Pindi" to locals. This bustling town, strategically located between the Punjab and Kashmir has a strong colonial influence and possesses a large military cantonment and the Raja Bazar. Enjoy a farewell dinner on your last night in Islamabad.
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Transfer to the airport for return flight to London via Doha.
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