Pakistan and Afghanistan – A Journey Through Dust and Dreams

Day 1: Arrival in Lahore
Arrival in Lahore and with an organized transfer from the airport. Free time in the city.

Day 2: Lahore 
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have the chance to explore the city of Lahore. Lahore is the second biggest city in Pakistan after Karachi, it's population is about 14 milion people (officially). The city is home to the Pakistan's Punjabi film industry, and is a major center of Qawwali music. It has been the historic capital and cultural center of the wider Punjab region, and is one of Pakistan's most socially liberal, progressive, and cosmopolitan cities. Our City Tour will start with Lahore's Museum. After that we will visit the famous Badshahi Mosque - built between 1671 and 1673 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the mosque is an important example of Mughal architecture. Next stop is the Lahore Fort (located at the northern end of the Walled City and spreads over an area greater than 20 hectares) and the Minar-e-Pakistan (the National monument tower, built in 1960). We will have lunch during the City Tour and some free time depending on the tour itinerary and weather conditions. Overnight stay at Lahore. B/-/-

Day 3: Lahore - Khewra Salt Mine - Punjab village - Islamabad
After breakfast we will depart for Islamabad via M2 Motorway. The drive is about 5 hours. On the way we will visit the Khewra Salt Mine - world's second largest salt mine, located in Khewra in Punjab, Pakistan. It is famous with it's pink salt, marketed as Himalayan salt. The mine is in the Salt Range of the Pothohar Plateau, which rises from the Indus Plain of the Punjab. Next stop will be a small village, where we will experience the local culture of the unique Punjab province. Lunch at Escape Hotel KalarKahar and free time in Islamabad. B/-/-

Day 4: Islamabad
The day will start with breakfast and a City Tour in Islamabad. The city is the country's tenth-most populous city with a population of over 1.1 million and is federally administered by the Pakistani government - the capital. The name means "Sity of Islam" in Urdu. Our tour will start with Shakarparian - a monument in the National park in the city's heart. After that we will visit Lok Virsa Museum - a museum of the history and culture of the area; Daman-e-Koh - a wonderful green garden overlooking the capital; Faisal Masjid - the modern-looking mosque was built in 1986 and we will end the day in the Centaurus Mall. Lunch will be during City Tour and the rest of the day is free time. B/-/-

Day 5: Nathiagali 
Our day will start with breakfast at the hotel and afterwards we will continue to the mountainous part of the region - Nathiagali (about 3 hours drive). On the way we will see the Patriata Chairlift, Murree Mall Road, Ayoubia, Pipeline Track. We will have lunch at TDCP Resort Patriata and we will spend the night at Nathiagali. B/-/-

Day 6: Nathiagali - Harnoi Waterfall - Abbottabad - Peshawar
Breakfast at the hotel and we will depart for Peshawar - the capital and the largest city of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the sixth most populous city of Pakistan, with a population of over 1.9 million. On the way we will have a few stops - Harnoi Waterfall - a refreshing stop by the water; Abbottabad - a picturesque city in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where we will have lunch. Arrival in Peshawar for overnight. B/-/-

Day 7: Peshawar
Morning breakfast and a city four is the main focus today. We will visit the local Museum, Sethi House, Peshawar Food Street, where we will have lunch and free time after the tour. Overnight Stay at Peshawar. B/-/-

Day 8: Peshawar - Torkham Border Pakistan – Afghanistan Border*
Today we will have an early breakfast, because we are heading to the border with Afghanistan. Our local Afghani guide and driver will meet us at the border and help us with the formalities. Please be patient and cooperative with the passport control and the checks, so that we can all pass safely and without problems. After we cross the border a scenic drive to Kabul awaits us through lush valleys and lively Afghan towns. We will stop for local tea and snacks along the way, with optional brief roadside visits. We will experience the hospitality of the locals and see how normal their life is. We will arrive in Kabul by evening and check into our secure hotel. Overnight in Kabul. B/-/-

* If the border is still closed we will fly between Islamabad and Kabul - KamAir flight.

Day 9: Full Day Kabul Sightseeing
After breakfast our day will begin with visiting Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque ("Mosque of the King of Two Swords"), is a yellow two-story mosque in Kabul. Then we will explore the vibrant and very famous Bird Market (Ka Faroshi) - a timeless slice of Kabul's life and we will visit the historic Sakhi Shrine, known for its intricate blue tiles. Evening tea at the hotel or a local café and overnights in Kabul. B/-/-

*Optional: Visit the National Museum of Afghanistan (rich with pre-Islamic and Islamic artifacts) or stroll Antique Street. 

Day 10: Kabul - Bamiyan
We will see if breakfast is available, depending on the time of departure, if not - we will stop on the way to Bamiyan. This is one of the most stunning highland sceneries and a dream come true of it's own. We will go through a few formalities - register travel permits upon arrival and in the afternoon we will visit the Bamiyan Buddhas niches and the Cultural Center. As you probably remember, they were destroyed in 2001, but the sight is still one of the biggest treasures in Afghanistan. Free time in the evening and overnight in Bamiyan. B/-/-

Day 11: Bamyan - Band-e-Amir
Today we will have a full-day excursion to Band-e-Amir National Park - Afghanistan’s first national park, famous for its dazzling blue lakes. If you do not know you are, you will never know you are in Afghanistan. The amazing blue water is just so blue, that your eyes will water. On the way back we will visit the few nearby archaeological sites. and spend the night in the area. B/-/-

Day 12: Band-e-Amir - Mazar-i-Sharif
Today we set off on a long but unforgettable drive from Bamiyan to Mazar-i-Sharif, crossing some of Afghanistan’s most dramatic landscapes. The highlight of the journey is the Salang Pass and Tunnel, a remarkable Soviet-era engineering feat that cuts through the Hindu Kush Mountains, linking central and northern Afghanistan. The drive offers stunning views of snow-capped peaks, alpine valleys, and remote villages. Though challenging, it’s one of the most scenic and adventurous road trips in the country. We arrive in Mazar-i-Sharif in the evening and check in at our hotel. Overnight in Mazar-i-Sharif. B/-/-

*Note: If the weather is not good at the high pass, we will catch a flight.

Day 13: Mazar-i-Sharif - Day Trip to Balkh
After breakfast we will explore city of Mazar-i-Sharif, we will visit the magnificent Blue Mosque one of the emblems of the country. The name of the mosque is Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ali - the complex purportedly houses the tomb of Caliph Ali, the first Imam of Shia Muslims, and it opened in 1481. Later on, we will browse the bustling local bazaar.

In the afternoon we will visit the ancient city of Balkh, located about 20 km away from the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Once a center of Buddhism and Zoroastrianism, the ancient city was also known to the Persians as Zariaspa and to the Greeks as Bactra, giving its name to Bactria. As such, it was famously known as the capital of Bactria or Tokharistan. The Italian explorer and writer Marco Polo described Balkh as "a noble city and a great seat of learning" prior to the Mongol conquests. We will visit the Shrine of Hazrat Ali - one of the reputed burial places of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in law of Prophet Muhammad.

We will return in Mazar-i-Sharif and have dinner at a traditional restaurant (price is not included). Overnight in Mazar. B/-/-

Day 14: Samangan Day Trip
Today we will have another day trip - a visit of the historical sites in Samangan, including Takht-e Rostam - a stupa Buddhist monastery complex 2 km south of the town of Haibak. Evening return for overnight stay in Mazar. B/-/-

Day 15: Mazar - Kabul (Flight)
Today we will fly back to Kabul. If time allows, we will have an additional sightseeing in the city. Check into hotel and rest, overnight in Kabul. B/-/-

NOTE! Those who want to make the short tour, their tour will end here at the airport, or the next day with a transfer, depending on your flight.

Day 16: Kabul – Herat (Flight)
Another day, another trip - this time we are heading to Herat. After we register our travel permits, we will have a City Tour. Herat dates back to Avestan times (c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE) and was traditionally known for its wine. Today we will visit the Herat Citadel, Friday Mosque, and local art galleries alongside with the charming old city streets. We will have dinner (price is not included) and stay in Herat for the night. B/-/-

Day 17: Herat – Kandahar (VIP Bus)
The first part of the day we will spend in the city, today is a more relaxed day with a few additional sights in Herat. In the evening, depart on an overnight VIP bus journey to Kandahar. B/-/-

Day 18: Kandahar
In the morning we will register our travel permits upon arrival and we will have a full day city sightseeing tour. Overnight stay in Kandahar. B/-/-

Day 19: Kandahar – Ghazni – Kabul
In the morning we will drive to Ghazni and visit its historical sites. The city is situated on a plateau at 2,219 m above sea level, the city is 150 km south of Kabul and is the capital of Ghazni Province. We will visit the Citadel and explore the city. We will continue by road to Kabul and stay overnight there. B/-/-

Day 20: Day Trip to Panjshir Valley
Today we will leave the city that we use a starting point and head to the lush green Panjshir Valley. The drive is amazingly beautiful, with breathtaking landscapes and meetings with the local communities. In the late afternoon we will return to Kabul. B/-/-

Day 21: Departure
End of tour.