Pakistan · Tribal Experiences

5-Day Chitral and Kalash Valley Tour with Tirich Mir Views

5 Days Round trip from Chitrāl Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy the beautiful views of Chitral Valley
02 Cross the Swat region and the dramatic Lowari Pass route to Chitral
03 Browse Chitral's colourful bazaar with people from Afghanistan and North Pakistan
04 Take in fascinating views of Tirich Mir, the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range
05 Trek across the ridge between the Bumburet and Birir valleys through the unique Kalash landscape

Explore the beauty of Chitral and Kalash Valley along dirt roads on this 5-day excursion from Chitral. Travel through the fertile plains of Peshawar's valley, the Swat region, and onward to Bamburet for an up-close experience with the Kafir Kalash tribe in Kalash Valley. Enjoy views of Tirich Mir, the highest mountain in the Hindu Kush range, browse Chitral's colourful bazaar, and trek across the dramatic landscape between the Bumburet and Birir valleys. The tour also includes sightseeing around Chitral Valley's major places of attraction.

Enjoy fascinating views of Tirich Mir (7708 m), the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, and visit the town's central mosque.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swāt, Lower Dir

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Journey from Chitral Airport to Chitral Town

Pick-up from Chitral airport by car for your flight arrival from Islamabad.
Drive toward Chitral, passing through the fertile green plains of Peshawar's valley and crossing branches of the Swat River.
Climb the Malakand Pass and enter the valley of Swat.
At Chakdara, turn left to bypass Churchill's Picket and cross the bridge that leads to Dir.
Have lunch at Al-Manzar Hotel in Dir.
Proceed towards Lowari Pass at 3200 metres.
The descent takes travellers through about 96 hairpin bends down to the valley floor.
Arrive in Chitral town and transfer to your motel for meals and an overnight stay. (330 km, 10-11 hours)

Day 02

Chitral Bazaar, Tirich Mir Views and Drive to Bamburet

While your guide arranges the permit to enter the Kalash valleys, enjoy time to visit the colourful bazaar, where you will find people from all over Afghanistan and North Pakistan.
Enjoy fascinating views of Tirich Mir (7708 m), the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, and visit the town's central mosque.
Have lunch at the hotel, then drive to Kalash Valley, home of the Kafir Kalash.
This tribe is known as the infidels because they still believe in the old gods, and they are also known to the outside world for their celebrations and general enjoyment of life.
Legend says that they are descendants of four Greek soldiers from Alexander's army. The women wear black robes and skull-caps decorated with sea shells and coins.
Camp overnight by their village. (40 km, 1-2 hours)

Day 03

Trek Across the Kalash Valleys

Trek in Kalash and start early to escape the heat in the gorge. It is a good idea to carry a good water supply, as there are few springs along the way.
This trek takes you over a steep 3000 m ridge separating the Bumburet and Birir valleys.
The trek offers good opportunities to enjoy the Kalash valleys' unique landscape and experience the local population's daily life.
Camp overnight at Bomburet, the largest village of the Kalash tribe. (Trek, 7-8 hours)

Day 04

Return to Chitral with Sightseeing En Route

Depart for Chitral with sightseeing along the way.
Overnight stay in Chitral.

Day 05

Departure from Chitral to Islamabad

Drop-off at Chitral airport for your flight to Islamabad.

Where this trip takes you

Chitral Bazaar, Tirich Mir, Bumburet and Birir valleys

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Chitrāl 5 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation on a twin-share basis at standard category hotels in towns, with a 2-person dome tent during camp.
Meals: half board at hotels and full board during the trek.
Transport: soft-top 4x4 jeeps for the entire safari.
Portage of 15 kg during the trek, plus portage at airports and hotels, and entrance fees at sites and museums.
English-speaking Pakistani tour guide.

What's Not Included

Domestic and international airfare, and airport taxes.
Any expense due to cancellation of flights, landslides, natural calamities, acts of God, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of our staff and suppliers.
Any expenses of a personal nature not mentioned above.

Know before you go

We use soft-top 4x4 jeeps to explore the remote valleys.
Of the three highest mountain ranges of the world, the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayas.
After our jeeps take us deep into the valleys, we can leave them to walk through the mountains to experience their grandeur.
The highlight is a short walk to the pristine valley at the foot of 8,125 metres Nanga Parbat, the meeting place of fairies.

Logistics