Crossroads of Civilizations: Pakistan & Afghanistan

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Lahore
Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. (-/-/D)

Day 2. Lahore City Tour
Today you will have the chance to explore the city of Lahore. Lahore is the second biggest city in Pakistan after Karachi; its population is about 14 million 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/-/D)

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 its 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. (B/-/D)

Day 4. Islamabad City Tour
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/-/D)

Day 5. Islamabad - Nathiagali
Today 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. (B/-/D)

Day 6. Nathiagali - 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/-/D)

Day 7. Peshawar
On our city tour 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/-/D)

Day 8. Peshawar - Islamabad - Kabul
Drive to Islamabad airport to catch the afternoon flight to Kabul. Arrive Kabul and passing all visa formalities check in at our hotel for overnight
We take walking tour of central Kabul along Chicken Street, once a famous stopover for Silk Road travelers and hippies in the 1960s, now filled with antique shops and local crafts. (-/-/-)

Day 9. Kabul - Herat (domestic flight)
This morning we board a domestic flight to Herat, one of the most historically significant cities in Afghanistan. Known for its rich Persian-influenced architecture and cultural heritage, Herat was once a prominent center of learning, poetry, and art during the Timurid era. Upon arrival, we assist with the required local permit arrangements for visiting cultural and historical sites. Depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity for an evening stroll through the city to get a first glimpse of Herat’s distinct atmosphere. (B/-/-)

Day 10. Herat
Today is dedicated to exploring the cultural and architectural wonders of Herat, often referred to as “The Pearl of Khorasan.” We begin with a visit to the Herat Citadel (Qala Ikhtyaruddin), a massive fortress believed to have originally been established by Alexander the Great. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and expanded by successive empires, most notably the Timurids, and today stands as a powerful symbol of Herat’s enduring importance. The citadel offers panoramic views over the old city and houses informative exhibits about Herat’s history and archaeology. Next, we explore the Friday Mosque (Masjid-i Jami), one of the most beautiful and historically significant mosques in Afghanistan. Originally founded in the 12th century and restored under the Timurids, the mosque is renowned for its dazzling blue and turquoise tilework, intricate geometric patterns, and serene courtyard. It remains a functioning place of worship and a masterpiece of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. We return to the hotel in the afternoon with time to relax or explore the local bazaar at your leisure. Overnight in Herat. (B/-/-)

Day 11. Herat - Kabul (domestic flight)
After a morning flight to Kabul, we begin our exploration of the capital, a city rich in history and surrounded by the Hindu Kush Mountains. Kabul has served as a crossroads of civilizations for over 3,500 years, offering a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern life.
Our first stop is the Shah-e Doh Shamshira Mosque, a stunning structure known for its distinctive yellow façade and tiered design. Built in the early 20th century, it showcases a blend of Afghan and Western architectural styles. Afterward, we’ll explore several other significant sites in the city, including historic landmarks and bustling streets, before heading to the hotel to relax. Overnight in Kabul. (B/-/-)

Day 12. Kabul - Bamiyan
Today, we leave Kabul and drive west through Maidan Wardak Province toward Bamiyan. The route takes us through rugged mountain landscapes and remote highland villages, offering a glimpse of rural Afghan life along the way. Bamiyan is one of Afghanistan’s most iconic and evocative destinations. Located at an altitude of 2,500 meters, the valley was once a key stop on the ancient Silk Road, where cultures, religions, and traders from Central Asia, India, and the Middle East intersected. By the 6th century, it had become a flourishing center of Buddhism, renowned for its monasteries and monumental statues. Upon arrival, we visit the famous cliffside niches that once held the two giant Buddha statues, carved directly into the rock. The larger of the two stood 55 meters tall and was the tallest standing Buddha in the world before its destruction in 2001. Though the statues are gone, their immense niches and surrounding cave complexes - once used by Buddhist monks for meditation and study - still leave a powerful impression.
We also explore Shahr-e Gholghola - the ruins of a once-fortified city destroyed during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. Overnight in Bamyan. (B/-/-)

Day 13. Day trip to Band-e Amir
Today, we drive to Band-e Amir National Park, Afghanistan’s first national park and one of its most stunning natural sites. Set high in the mountains, the park is home to a series of deep-blue lakes formed by natural travertine dams. The most famous, Band-e Haibat, is known for its striking turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.
We’ll enjoy a peaceful walk along the lakes and take in the breathtaking scenery before returning to Bamiyan in the afternoon. The evening is free to relax or explore the town. Overnight in Bamiyan. (B/-/-)

Day 14. Bamiyan - Mazar-I-Sharif (drive through the Salang Pass)
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/-/-)

Day 15. Mazar-i-Sharif
We begin our day in Mazar-i-Sharif with a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque (Shrine of Hazrat Ali), one of the holiest and most beautiful Islamic sites in Afghanistan. Covered in vibrant blue tiles and surrounded by white doves and peaceful gardens, the mosque is a center of both devotion and daily life in the city. Later, we travel to nearby Balkh, one of the oldest cities in the world. Known in antiquity as Bactra, Balkh was once a major center of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and early Islamic learning. We explore the ruins and get a sense of its long and layered history before returning to Mazar in the afternoon. Overnight in Mazar-i-Sharif. (B/-/-)

Day 16. Mazar-I-Sharif. End of services