Shahi Mosque minarets in Chitral with Tirich Mir glowing in the distance

Festival dates

Chitral & Kalash Cultural Tour

Meet the Kalash people, stand beneath Tirich Mir and soak in the Garam Chashma hot springs. Time it with Chilam Joshi (May), Uchal (August) or Choimus (December).

Duration7 days · 6 nights
DifficultyEasy
Group size2 – 14
StartsIslamabad
Rating4.8 (64 reviews)

Overview

Meet the Kalash people, stand beneath Tirich Mir and soak in the Garam Chashma hot springs. Time it with Chilam Joshi (May), Uchal (August) or Choimus (December). Best travelled May – October · December (Choimus).

Islamabad
Dir
Lowari Tunnel
Chitral
Bumburet
Garam Chashma
Islamabad

Trip highlights

Kalash Valleys
Bumburet, Rumbur & Birir — home of a unique, centuries-old culture.
Chitral
Shahi Mosque & Chitral Fort
The 1924 royal mosque beside the Mehtar's fort on the river.
Chitral
Gateway to Kumrat
Sheringal and Thall lead into the Kumrat valley.
Upper Dir
Lowari Tunnel route
The scenic link road to Chitral under the Lowari Pass.
Upper Dir

Best months

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Islamabad → Dir
Drive via the Swat Motorway and Malakand Pass. Overnight in Dir.
Day 2Dir → Chitral
Through the Lowari Tunnel into the Chitral valley. Evening at the Shahi Mosque & Fort.
Day 3Kalash valley — Bumburet
Drive to Bumburet. Village walk, Kalash museum and a hosted family visit.
Day 4Rumbur & Birir
Explore the smaller Kalash valleys with your guide. Optional festival day.
Day 5Garam Chashma
Day trip to the Lutkoh valley hot springs and Tirich Mir views.
Day 6Chitral → Dir
Return through the Lowari Tunnel.
Day 7Dir → Islamabad
Arrive Islamabad by evening.

What's included

Included

Air-conditioned private transport (Grand Cabin / Prado on mountain sections)
Hotel stays on twin / triple sharing
Daily breakfast & dinner
Experienced driver and local tour guide
All toll taxes, parking and fuel
Entry tickets mentioned in the itinerary
24/7 support line during your trip
Kalash museum entry & community fee

Not included

Lunch, snacks and personal shopping
Jeep rides, boating or activities marked as optional
Travel insurance
Anything not listed under 'included'

Photos

What travellers say

Every detail was handled — from the Attabad boat ride to the room with the Rakaposhi view. Our guide knew every family in Karimabad.

AAyesha R.Lahore

I travelled solo and hired a guide for eight days. Safe, flexible and genuinely fun. He changed the plan twice for better weather and light.

DDaniel M.Manchester, UK

Our honeymoon was perfect. Clean hotels, a punctual driver and a surprise bonfire dinner by Mahodand Lake. Highly recommended.

HHamza & SanaKarachi

Frequently asked

Where do your tours start?

Most departures start and end in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. We can also pick you up from Lahore, Peshawar or Gilgit/Chitral airport on request.

Is northern Pakistan safe for families and solo travellers?

Hunza, Gilgit, Swat, Chitral, Kumrat and the Galiyat welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We monitor road and weather conditions daily, travel with experienced drivers and keep a 24/7 support line open throughout your trip.

What is the best time to visit the north?

April–May for blossom, June–August for high meadows and lakes (Kumrat, Kalam, Naltar), September–November for golden autumn in Hunza and Chitral, and December–February for snow in Murree, Nathia Gali and Malam Jabba.

Do foreigners need a special permit?

Most of our routes need only a valid Pakistani visa. A few border areas require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC); our team arranges it for you when your itinerary needs one.

How do I confirm a booking?

Send an enquiry or WhatsApp us. We confirm availability, share the final itinerary and invoice, and hold your seats with a 30% advance. The balance is paid before departure.