15-day Chilam Joshi Festival Tour Plan
All photos

15-day Chilam Joshi Festival Tour Plan

0 (0 Reviews)
From: $1,640
0
(0 review)
Inquiry
Duration

15

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

2 people

Languages

___

About this tour

Chilam Joshi is one of Pakistan’s most vibrant cultural festivals, celebrated by the Kalasha people in the scenic Hindukush mountains. Among the three major Kalash festivals — Chilam Joshi (spring), Uchal (summer), and Choimus (winter) — this spring festival stands out for its colorful rituals, traditional music, and joyful dances marking the arrival of spring. In 2018, UNESCO recognized the Kalash culture as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” highlighting its unique traditions and rich cultural significance

Itinerary

  • Meet & greet at Islamabad International Airport.
  • Transfer to hotel, short briefing on the trip, check equipment (warm layers, sun protection) and collect any remaining permits if needed.
  • Evening: short welcome meeting and cultural briefing about the Kalash people and festival etiquette.
  • Overnight stay in Islamabad.

  • Early breakfast and depart for Swat (Mingora/Kalam options depending route). Scenic drive through lower-mountain roads, stops for photo points and refreshments.
  • Afternoon: short walk to a viewpoint or a local bazaar in Mingora (time permitting).
  • Overnight stay in Swat.
  • Logistics note: driving time varies 4–6 hours depending on exact pick-up point and traffic. 

  • Early departure toward Chitral. The route climbs and becomes more mountainous — plan stops for tea/photography.
  • Late afternoon arrival in Chitral town. Short orientation walk in the bazaar and rest.
  • Overnight stay in Chitral.

  • After breakfast, drive the short mountain road into Rumbur Valley to join the Chilam Joshi celebrations. Arrive in time for the morning rituals and the main procession/performances.
  • Participate respectfully: watch dances, listen to elders explain rituals, and enjoy local food stalls. Photography is usually welcomed — but always ask before close-up shots of people.
  • Evening: communal music and bonfire ceremonies.
  • Overnight stay in the valley (basic guesthouse or community homestay).
  • Cultural note: the festival can last several days across the three valleys — your guide will select the valley with the main day’s events.

  • Short morning walk in Rumbur (village tour, meet artisan families).
  • Drive to Bumburet Valley (the largest Kalash valley) — village tour, local handicrafts, and more festival events if still ongoing.
  • Late afternoon rest, optional visit to orchards or a nearby viewpoint.
  • Overnight stay in Bumburet/nearby.

  • Return to Chitral with a stop at Booni (if included in your route) to see markets and local life.
  • Optional: Chitral Fort view, local museum or walk along the river.
  • Pre-departure briefing for next day’s drive toward Gilgit side (via Shandur).
  • Overnight stay in Chitral.

  • Drive from Chitral across Shandur Pass (the high plateau is one of the most spectacular road passes) into Gilgit-Baltistan side, descending toward Phandar/ Ghizer region.
  • Stop at viewpoints and small settlements; enjoy the vast Shandur plateau if weather allows.
  • Evening arrival in Ghizer district (Phandar/Gupis area).
  • Overnight stay in Ghizer / Phandar.
  • Road note: Shandur is a high-altitude pass; expect cold and sudden weather changes.

  • Full day exploring Ghizer: Phandar Lake (if season allows), Khalti, Gupis and scenic viewpoints. Short village walks, trout farms (if open) and local markets.
  • Cultural briefing on Iskoman & Yasin communities — different from the Kalash but rich in local traditions.
  • Overnight stay in Ghizer.

  • Scenic drive to Gilgit along the Gilgit River, visiting small mountain hamlets and local viewpoints en route.
  • Afternoon free in Gilgit: visit the bazaar for shopping (handicrafts, raki, local dry fruit) and a short city orientation.
  • Overnight stay in Gilgit.

  • Drive to Hunza with stops at viewpoints (Nanga Parbat junction if desired) and Attabad Lake if time permits.
  • Arrive in Karimabad — short orientation and sunset viewpoint at Eagle’s Nest / Duiker.
  • Overnight stay in Hunza.

  • Visit Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, stroll through Altit/Chexisting villages and fruit orchards.
  • Optional short hikes or visits to local cafes and handicraft shops.
  • Overnight stay in Hunza.

  • Day trip to Passu (Passu Cones and glacier viewpoints). Photo stops, short walks and tea at a village café.
  • Return to Hunza in the evening.
  • Overnight stay in Hunza.

  • Long drive toward Besham (this is the usual transit point if you are returning to Islamabad by road).
  • If you prefer faster return, consider splitting the drive with a stop in Chilas or Besham.
  • Overnight stay in Besham/near Besham.

  • Final long leg to Islamabad. Arrive late afternoon/evening, drop at hotel or airport depending on flight.
  • Farewell group dinner and short tour debrief (optional).
  • Overnight stay in Islamabad.

  • Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your outbound flight. Farewells.
  • End of tour.

Tour's Location

Reviews

0/5
Not Rated
(0 Reviews)
Excellent
0
Very Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
0 reviews on this Tour - Showing 1 to 0

Write a review

From: $1,640
0 (0 Reviews)

Owner

15-day Chilam Joshi Festival Tour Plan

Wanderloom Tours

Member Since 2025

Information Contact

Email

hello@wanderloomtours.com

Explore other options

Shangrilla Resort, Skardu Shangrilla Resort, Skardu

3 Days Skardu Tour by Air

0 (No Review)
$0
1 Day Tour to Kallar Kahar and Katas Raj Temple from Islamabad 1 Day Tour to Kallar Kahar and Katas Raj Temple from Islamabad

1 Day Tour to Kallar Kahar and Katas Raj Temple from Islamabad

0 (No Review)
From $145 1 Day
5-Day Hunza Valley Tour 5-Day Hunza Valley Tour

5-Day Hunza Valley Tour

0 (No Review)
$0 5 Days 4 Nights
4 days tour to Hunza (By Air) 4 days tour to Hunza (By Air)

4 days tour to Hunza (By Air)

0 (No Review)
$0 4 Days 3 Nights
1 Day Tour to Peshawar 1 Day Tour to Peshawar

1 Day Tour to Peshawar

0 (No Review)
From $145 1 Day
1 Day Tour to Murree 1 Day Tour to Murree

1 Day Tour to Murree

0 (No Review)
From $140 1 Day
1 Day Tour to Panjpeer Rocks 1 Day Tour to Panjpeer Rocks

1 Day Tour to Panjpeer Rocks

0 (No Review)
From $125 1 Day
07 Days Skardu Tour by Air 07 Days Skardu Tour by Air

07 Days Skardu Tour by Air

0 (No Review)
$0 7 Days 6 Nights