All Along The Indus

Drive the length of Pakistan from the imperial cities of the north to the Arabian Sea in the south
Set out, either from Islamabad, the modern capital city of Pakistan, of from Lahore, renowned for its exquisite Mughal heritage, and drive across the fertile plains of Punjab, first through Multan, city of revered mystics and Sufi shrines, then follow the mighty River Indus through Sindh, head through the desert of Cholistan, and finally reach the shores of the Arabian Sea in the far south. Taken together with visits to both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, amongst the very earliest settlements on the Indian sub-continent, this tour propels the visitor on a journey through time, encompassing all the great historical and natural sites that south Pakistan has to offer.

Descend once more to the thronging tribal bazaars of Gilgit, once an important crossroads on the Old Silk Road, before taking the road trip through Kaghan Valley and over Babusar Pass back to the modern capital city of Islamabad.

Travel across the plains of northern Pakistan for a cultural tour in a private vehicle and then drive up into the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountains, explore its Buddhist relics, villages and towns, plus the legendry Kingdom of Hunza. Head up to the Chinese border on Khunjerab Pass before taking the road trip through Kaghan Valley and over Babusar Pass back to the modern capital city of Islamabad.

We head across the plains of northern Pakistan to explore the historic bazaars of Rawalpindi and Peshawar, renowned as one of the oldest cities in all Asia, pausing to marvel at the ancient Buddhist archaeological complex at Taxila, before passing through Khyber Gate on the road to Afghanistan, then drive through the wild Hindu Kush mountain range, below the inspiring peak of Tirich Mir, exploring ancient Buddhist sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological complex of Takht-i-Bahi. Sleep in unique Kalash Kafir tribal villages, whose inhabitants are believed by some to be the descendants of the troops of Alexander the Great, and visit evocative historic frontier forts at Chitral and Mastuj, before climbing up onto the splendid heights of Shandur pass for remarkable views over the mountains. Descend eastwards along the ancient Chitral-Gilgit trade route via the fisherman’s paradise of Phander Lake to reach Gilgit where we barter with local tribesmen in the town’s thronging bazaars.

Drive onwards to reach the kingdom of Hunza and sleep in legendry Karimabad below the incredible peaks of Ultar, Diran and Rakaposhi. Take time to explore its fantastic medieval forts and the 1000-year old settlement of Ganesh, then follow the mighty Indus river upwards, below Passu Cones and through Khunjerab National Park, all the time watching for Karakoram ibex and Marco polo sheep, until reaching the lofty Chinese border right on Khunjerab pass itself. Then, follow the Karakoram Highway southwards again back to Gilgit, once an important crossroads on the Old Silk Road, before taking the road trip through Kaghan Valley and over Babusar Pass back to the modern capital city of Islamabad.

Travel the length of Pakistan on a cultural tour in a private vehicle from the Mughal imperial cities of the north to the crashing shores of the Arabian Sea in the south.

We head from Islamabad across the fertile plains of Punjab and Sind, pausing to explore the architectural wonders of the twin Mughal cities of Lahore and Multan, before jostling with merchants in their colourful, traditional bazaars. We head on, first along the banks of the River Ravi, then following the course of the River Indus ever-southwards, marvelling at the major archaeological sites of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, including Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. We head across the Cholistan Desert to explore Derawar Fort and then detour to visit Manchar Lake, the largest lake in Pakistan, where we witness the vanishing subsistence way of life of the Mohanas tribe who still today rely exclusively upon their fishing skills for their very survival.

Never far below the surface on our journey is the deep-rooted spiritualism of south Pakistan, nowhere more evident than at the inspirational tomb of Bibi Jaiwandi in Ucch Sharif and at the revered shrine of the Sufi saint, Hazrat Lal Shabaz Qalandar, at Sehwan Sharif. Here we witness a display of the mystical Dhamaal, the ecstatic whirling dance, performed each evening by the Sufi faithful.

No trip to the south of Pakistan would be complete, however, without a visit to the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta, where we pause for reflection, before finally arriving at Pakistan’s south coast where we dip our toes in the Arabian Sea and reflect upon our adventure.

Places To Be Visited

Islamabad – Taxila – Rohtas Fort – Lahore – Harappa – Multan – Bahawalpur – Cholistan Desert – Sukkur – Kot Diji – Larkana – Mohenjo-Daro – Manchar Lake – Sehwan – Ranikot – Hyderabad – Bit Shah – Karachi – the Arabian Sea